Apparatus for dissolving soluble coffee

Apparatus and method for making large volumes of hot coffee wherein soluble coffee (i.e. freeze-dried or other instant coffee) is mixed with a relatively small stream of cool or cold water and the resulting mixture is sucked into a relatively large stream of hot water by jet action. The dry soluble coffee in the form of powder, crystals or flakes is metered by an auger from the bottom of a hopper through a discharge nozzle and falls into a mixing bowl wherein the cool or cold water is flowing in the form of a vortex. The cool or cold water spirals down the sides of the bowl in the form of a water curtain which wets and sweeps the interior surface of the mixing chamber thereby preventing buildup of soluble coffee solids thereon and inside the mixing chamber. The resulting mixture is sucked or drawn by jet action from the bottom of the mixing bowl into a conduit in which a stream of hot water is flowing in sufficient velocity and volume to create suction in a connection between the bottom of the bowl and the hot water conduit. The suction prevents steam or hot moisture from rising in the mixing bowl and reaching the dry instant coffee in the hopper or discharge nozzle. An easily detachable and replaceable nozzle cap for the projecting end of the auger facilitates quick and easy access to the auger and discharge nozzle, not only for periodic routine cleaning when the apparatus is empty but also when the apparatus has sat idle for several days in a humid atmosphere with soluble coffee solids in the hopper and discharge nozzle.