How can I put milk in my coffee maker rather than water? The answer is no, you shouldn’t. Technically, you can certainly put milk into a coffee maker, but only because you can. However, just because you can does not mean that you should. There’s a very good reason why all coffee makers come with specific instructions stating that you should not put any milk into the water reservoir. This is strictly because of the risk of introducing bacteria into your coffee pot.
So, what exactly is it that can make coffee maker bacteria grow so fast? It’s all related to the temperature at which you use the machine. If you heat the machine up too quickly, and this can be pretty hard on new coffee makers, it can cause the thermal contact with the heating element to change, and this can kill off some of the beneficial bacteria. Of course, this means that you will have to start over after a while, and perhaps even buy a new coffee maker entirely!
This isn’t the only problem with using hot water to make coffee drinks. Remember, when you boil a cup of coffee, and add cream or milk, and then place that same cup of coffee into the fridge, to cool down to room temperature – the natural enzymes in the milk begin to break down the protein molecules in the coffee. It is the natural enzymes in milk which break down the polysaccharides in coffee drinks, as well as adding a bit of extra sweetness. Just like it’s a natural reaction when you eat a chocolate cake – you want the cake to be nice and gooey! This is why many coffee drinkers will substitute skim milk for whole milk when making coffee drinks.
So, if you were wondering about this question, the answer is yes you can put the milk, instead of the water in your coffee maker. If you drink espresso, it is because the milk helps to release the coffee’s aromas, as well as help to keep your coffee hot. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy an espresso without the added milk. Most espresso makers have an option somewhere on the appliance to switch milk, so you can enjoy your daily cup of coffee without the added milk.
Another question that you may have is: Will drinking more coffee in the morning mean that I’ll have less coffee in the evening? Will drinking more milk to make my coffee taste less bitter? Well, the answer to both of these questions is: No. By switching the milk, you’re only switching one variable – the temperature – and will have no affect on how much you like your coffee. In fact, by choosing a different brand of milk (not processed) will have the exact same effect as switching milk. You won’t taste less bitter, you will taste sweeter.
Coffee is actually very complicated to make and some people don’t like to do it that way, so what options do they have? Fortunately there are coffee makers that don’t use milk. These machines allow you to replace water with other fluids. For example, coffee can be replaced with water, or tea can be replaced with iced coffee. Some coffee makers even have the option of adding cream and sugar. All of these drinks can still have the same effect on the taste of your brewed coffee.
A coffee maker that doesn’t use milk is actually a really clever invention. Since the machine only heats up the water, it only takes one cycle to get you a full cup. This means you will always have the exact amount of coffee, without having to preheat the machine each time. It’s a real time saver. If you live in an area where it gets cold in the winter, or you just hate to wait for the machine to heat up, then this could be the perfect machine for you.
Another nice feature to look for is the possibility of changing the amount of coffee that goes into each cycle. If you brew a larger pot of coffee than the machine holds, then it can run longer before it has to drain out. This can waste a lot of hot water, but if you regularly do this, then you can save a lot of money by not having to refill the machine as often. If your coffee maker has both a coffee reservoir and a hot water reservoir, then you should notice a significant difference in the amount of time it takes to get a full pot of coffee.