PERK: Finally, a Fully Automated Pourover Coffee Machine
"Third Wave coffee is finally simple."
About this project
With PERK's full automation, it is simple to get into Third Wave coffee. You get perfectly extracted coffee at the push of a button; no more compromises, no more fiddling with cones and kettles, and no more discussions about theory.
IN THE MEDIA
WHAT IS THIRD WAVE COFFEE?
The “first wave” for coffee began in the early 1900’s when roasters provided convenience by packaging coffee to be affordable and ready to brew. In the 1960’s, with the growth of coffee shops such Starbuck and Peet’s, the “second wave” ushered in a movement focused on consistently drinkable coffee along with a social experience.
The latest era, the “Third Wave,” began in the early 2000s and focuses on delivering coffee so bright, sweet and fruity that it no longer needs cream or sugar. Third Wave coffee producers focus on precision in every step of the coffee production process, from sourcing to roasting, but the final step in the process, brewing, has remained the most difficult.
Until now.
COFFEE BREWING: DONE
Using a new type of brewing method, PERK sits on your kitchen counter and rivals the precision and automation of the most sophisticated professional coffee machines in the most cutting edge coffee shops.
FULL BREWING DEMO
SIMPLE
The only criticism we have gotten so far is that it is “too easy.” Seriously. It confused us too.
CLEANING
The best part about PERK is that cleaning has never been easier. Simply run a washcloth through the boiler and run water through the filter.
MAINTENANCE
Actually, because of the open boiler design, the really best part about PERK is that it never has to be descaled! Besides occasional cleaning, descaling is a thing of the past.
SPACE GRADE
PERK was originally created to solve the problem of brewing coffee in low gravity environments. Seriously tho. But when gravity was introduced back into the system, all the problems involved with Third Wave coffee brewing were solved as well.
THE HOLY GRAIL
HOW DOES IT WORK?
UNIFORMITY OF SATURATION-
The key to PERK’s groundbreaking performance is the way it takes advantage of the Physics principle of a “mechanical suspension” to guarantee a perfect uniformity of saturation every time. This is done by creating a gentle, upward flow of water through the infusion chamber, creating an agitation force that lifts, separates and tumbles each coffee particle evenly. Until now, this has only been theoretically possible. Sounds too simple? Yup, now it is.
“Ideally, the water turbulence will lift, separate and tumble each particle of coffee in the bed, thereby allowing for a uniform extraction rate from each particle...” - Ted R. Lingle, “The Coffee Brewing Handbook” (2nd Ed), SCAA
TEMPERATURE MAINTENANCE-
Another key feature of PERK’s performance is its unparalleled infusion chamber temperature maintenance. PERK uses a recirculating boiler with a nested infusion chamber that ensures a constant supply of precision-controlled, heated liquid. With PERK, you can select and maintain a desired brewing temperature to within a degree. Not only does that mean you can target coffee’s Goldilocks temperature zone, but you can target specific degrees within that zone!
Hot damn!
PROGRESS
In the last 12 months, we have built several working prototypes of PERK using Iconik Coffee Roasters in Santa Fe, NM as a testing facility and a local makerspace for R&D.
PERK is now patent pending and ready for manufacturing.
We have also performed extensive testing with coffee shops all across the country. Most recently, we completed a tour of the western United States.
The feedback has been amazing.
THE TEAM
JAKUB SVEC used to work in nanotech R&D. He is now applying the precision of nanotech manufacturing to the coffee brewing process.
LUKAS SVEC is the founder and CTO of Sansaire, a company that launched on Kickstarter in 2013. Using his experience in developing and manufacturing Sansaire, Lukas is overseeing manufacturing for PERK.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
-Joshua, Seattle Coffee Gear, Seattle
PHOTO GALLERY
Risks and challenges
Until our warehouse is stocked with PERKs ready for shipment, this project is exposed to risk. However, at this time we have working prototypes, great product feedback, Kickstarter experience, manufacturing experience and boots on the ground in China. We feel this puts us in a strong position to deliver PERK at high manufacturing standards.
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