I was thinking the main problem in solar water heating - is that the solar panel is on the roof, and the storage tank is below it - Convection flow won't allow flow, so we have to pump it there - more energy. However - coffee makers (filter type) heat the water at the bottom, and this produces gas pressure to lift the hot water up . It then repeats in small cycles of heating and moving water. Obviously water won't boil in a solar heater to do this - but Dichloromethane will. By fitting two or more non return valves in the system to ensure one way flow, and purging the system of all air. The Dichloromethane will do the work by itself. A pressurised expansion tank is all that is needed. Dichloromethane boils at 40 degrees celcius - turning to vapour within the solar heater - expelling all the hot liquid. this returns to liquid when not heated in the pipes and water tank, creating a negative pressure. The non-return valves ensure the solar heater is filled again - assisted by the pressureised expansion tank, and a second heating cycle is started. This will continue untill nightfall. If the coil inside the water tank is at the bottom, then a further heating stage can take the water from 40 degrees to 60 - only a 20 degree raise. This may be by using another liquid of a higher boiling point. What do you think? Secondary heating can be by Methanol - boiling at 67 degrees celcius. Complete automation ! Freezing points for these two are -95 and -97 degrees celcius - so no danger there - so can be left as a permanent fixture throught the winter. It may even produce heat on bright days.

I have an Oster Capuchino Coffee Maker. Because I make daily coffee, the machine is blocked, this is, no releasing enough pressure to fill the cup and the steam from the steam tube is still working but it releases less pressure each day. What can I do? The pipe was just replaced one month ago because of the same problem ($35 US). Is there a kind of soap? Cleaner? Thanks!!!!

I want a coffee machine that takes both instant and ground coffee, and it should do cappuccino, latte, Americano and mocha. Do the watts and the pressure differ? It's for domestic use. What do u recommend?

You know. Those ones where you put water in the bottom and the steam pressure pushes the hot water through the coffee which is then collected in the top.

I want to buy a single-serve coffee maker, either pod-style or the little pressure-packets. If you use one, could you please let me know what brand, and what you like and don't like about it? Please don't just put the brand--- I can search brands on the Internet! I want to know if you're happy with your machine and pods, and why. If it broke, would you buy the same one again? Do you like the flavor selection available for your machine? Money's important of course but I am more interested in getting a really good coffee than I am in saving a buck. Thanks!!! Thanks for the answers so far! But I am really only interested in hearing about pod-style or pressure-pack style coffee makers. I am looking for the convenience factor--- no bean grinding, no water measuring. I want to put the packet in and press the button and be done with it.

okay. i found an old uhh Mr. Coffee Machine my mom use to use. i dont have a camera so this is what it looks like : http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/alchemicanimustangs/mrcoffee.jpg i'm sure that it can still make decent coffee. so this is my first time using a coffe machine so im note entirely sure how to work it. so i open the top pour in wwater close cap and select coffee icon on the dial on the left of the machine. then i take this neat little spoon it comes with and put coffee into that littlle handle thing then i lock it into place then let it brew right? so then whats that thing that emits steam used for? cleaning cups? also on the top cap it says do not open cap until all pressure is realeased so can i manually release the pressure? also if oyu recognize this model pleae tell me the model number and any other instructions that i may need. also if there are any tips to make good coffee with this type of maachine please tell me. ps i found NO instruction manual just adding that

I haven't seen these around for a few years.They are a small, 1 to 3 cup stainless steel and brass (or other golden alloy ) and are like a tiny pressure cooker. They look a bit like an hour glass in shape, maybe all of 6 inches high. What do you call these, and do they still make them ? Anon-a-MISS > the closest to the design I have found is the Moka expresso maker. It seems to be based on the same principle but the one I used, many years ago, was smaller and silver and gold in colour. Really made great coffee and was fun to use though I forgot how to use one.

I have a black Krups Capuccino/Espresso machine that is only about 6 months old. I have run vinegar through it multiple times, and descaled it with water, yet the steam frothing pipe will not unclog! It has reached a point where nothing comes out of the frother, and I have to release the pressure by forcefully opening the top of the coffeemaker.

the coffee maker was left on and i quess since there was no coffee in the glass coffee pot the pressure from the heat must have cracked it and now a small peice chipped off. is there anyway i can fix it

I use Starbucks brand coffee that I grind myself... I use Starbucks brand caramel syrup... I have a steam and pressure espresso maker. Is that my problem? Do the Starbucks pump espresso makers really make espresso that tastes that much better???