this post was submitted on 07 Feb 2010
23 points (82% like it)
29 up votes 6 down votes

comments

moyly 36 points37 points 1 month ago[-]

french press. so good. I have a coffee maker but I've never plugged it in. boiling water + four minutes = a very, very good cup of coffee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_press

HardwareLust 5 points6 points 1 month ago* [-]

The best coffee maker, ever. A French Press, a burr grinder, and an electric kettle.

EDIT: One piece of advice; If you get one of the Bodum French presses that are so prevalent, make sure you keep a spare glass pot on hand. The glass that they use can be rather delicate.

ocelot67 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Which is why they now make a double-walled glass version.

HardwareLust 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Really? From what I read, their double-walled glasses are very delicate.

Thunkit 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Or a stove top kettle works too...

HardwareLust 3 points4 points 1 month ago[-]

No, that's true, but I find my electric kettle boils faster than my stovetop kettle.

niftynif 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

And it's dorm-room compatible! Just don't tell your RA.

bricker 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I've had mine for a long time without cracking. I warm up the glass with warm water before dumping in the boiling water, let the glass cool down before washing it out, because going from cold to hot and hot to cold so quickly and so often will wear down the glass in no time.

KeegsMeGee 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

upvote for the most simple/easiest way to make coffee. I use mine daily.

cultured_banana_slug 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I totally agree. I used to make coffee with a coffee pot and it'd often be so bitter I'd have to toss in a lot of sugar to compensate. Now I use a french press and barely need any sugar at all. The coffee is a lot smoother too.

CautionaryTale 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

What is a good brand of French press? I've tried a few and they've seemed to not be very well made and broke after a few months of use.

Kilgore_Trout 4 points5 points 1 month ago* [-]

Not sure what you tried but here are a few I have had success with. FYI I have made coffee almost exclusively with either a french press or an electric percolator (yeah, I know, many people think it's a poor method but I've always liked perc coffee. I suspect that was my fathers doing, he always used a percolator) for most of my life.

Bodum has always made good, cheap french presses. I've never managed to break one, usually I lose them. I did notice that my last one had a plastic screen on the plunger instead of the metal ones their earlier models used. It has still served me well for the last 6-7 years though. IIRC I paid about 10$ for it at the time, I linked to a nicer model which looks to have more metal parts.

If you want a seriously nice and durable one try one of these. I purchased that exact model ... 7-8 years ago. It's stainless steel, all the internal parts are also stainless steel. The body of the french press is insulated and the entire unit doubles as an insulated carafe. I can make coffee in it at 8am and still pour a hot cup out of it 60-90 minutes later. More expensive, but very sturdy.

HardwareLust 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

yeah, I know, many people think it's a poor method but I've always liked perc coffee. I suspect that was my fathers doing, he always used a percolator

My brother from another mother! I've been saying this for years. Coffee geeks look at you like you have antlers growing out of your head if say something like this. I love percolators.

moyly 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

that stainless one is just like mine. gorgeous.

and brewing now.

Ethril 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

After having one too many Bodums break on me, I got a Frieling. I've used a couple cheaper stainless steel models that have plastic trim, and around the plunger, and that plastic definitely imparts a flavor on the coffee.

If you can keep a glass carafe in one piece, a Bodum is certainly best for flavor. But an entirely stainless steel press with no plastic trim is a close second, and worth it for me. I say this because the steel is a bit more difficult to keep from picking up a residue.

Something you'll probably want after a bit of time using a french press is a decent burr grinder. Those spinning blade grinders give you no consistency in grind, leaving you with big chunks and lots of fine dust. You want a nice coarse grind for a french press, or else you'll end up with grounds in your cup. You don't need a really great grinder with extremely fine adjustment capabilities like you would with an espresso machine, just something that will let you get a consistent coarse grind.

Another thing: French presses are often sold by the 4oz cup. The intention is for you to double the cup with hot water, steamed milk, or you can just drink it strong. Don't expect a 4 cup french press to give you four 8oz cups without keeping that in mind.

StinkyWizzleteats 11 points12 points 1 month ago[-]

...I got a Frieling

That tonight's gonna be a good night.

Not_Joking 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

My Bonjour is glass and stainless, and has been around over two years now.

codepanda 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

The glass used to make Bodum presses is a bit delicate, you just have to be careful with it (and definitely follow their advice to only use plastic/rubber utensils when stirring). You also want to make sure the press assembly is all metal, I had one once that had a metal mesh held in place by a plastic frame which didn't last very long.

jjuv 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Planetary Design makes a great French press -- well made, easy to clean, great coffee.

shudderbug 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

They make stainless steel french presses. A little more expensive but it will last your entire lifetime. I know Starbucks makes them but other companies probably do too.

Kilgore_Trout 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I've had good luck with Frieling

Phunk131 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Thirded as well...get a simple, inexpensive french press, save the money you'd spend on a pricy drip and get yourself a good Burr grinder=coffee nirvana. It's how I start ever day.

HalfandHalf 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I second this. It's not very expensive and you get much better coffee. You also don't have to buy filters, just make sure to purchase coarse-ground coffee or you'll have grainy coffee.

Delpharah 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Purchase ground coffee? Blech. Unless you can drink an entire package / pound / whatever you buy in 2 days, you should always buy whole bean and grind it yourself.

HalfandHalf 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Oh, with my coffee habits I could certainly drink an entire package in two days. I keep both on hand & have the whole bean stuff on the weekends when I have a bit more time in the morning.

oneeyedking 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

4 minutes never seems to be enough for us, we let it sit for almost 10. Maybe it's in our heads.

HRP 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Your grind is probably too coarse if it's taking 10 minutes.

Or you have fucked tastebuds.

HRP 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

And to be more specific.

2tbsp of ground coffee for every 6oz of water. Use water that's around 190F - don't use water that has just been boiling a few seconds ago.

Generally about 4 minutes is a good time to press.

[deleted] 8 points9 points 1 month ago[-]

My wife got me one of those Keurig coffee makers about two years ago. It uses the single-serve K-cups instead of ground coffee. I love it. Newman's Own Organics Extra Bold is my favorite coffee.

Also, there's an adapter for regular ground coffee if you're not into the K-cups.

CautionaryTale 2 points3 points 1 month ago[-]

I like the Keurig machine quite a bit, but I find that when set on the largest cup size the coffee is a bit watery.

chrisodd 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

We got a Keurig for xmas and we hate it. The plastic aftertaste from the heated cups ruins the flavor. That little adapter for ground coffee is horrid. It doesn't brew long enough and if you want to make 2 cups you are going to burn your fingers getting it out of there.

Somehow it seems like a cup of coffee gets colder faster than a cup from our old $15 drip maker. Is that even possible? I don't know, but I was happy when we, after we finished off all the k-cups that came in the box, put it away and brought out the old dripper.

Mmmm, there is nothing like fresh ground drip coffee.

YesNoMaybe 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

My dad had one for a couple of years and everybody I knew who had one went on and on about how awesome they are. I was always like "meh". I don't mind making coffee.

Well, my dad gave me one and it is fucking awesome. A different style of coffee every cup. Instant coffee any time I want it. A bit more expensive? Yes, but damn it's worth it.

zenn 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Came here to say this. Had a Keurig for almost 5yrs now, cant say enough good things about it. Will never go back to a drip machine.

notabeliever 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I got one for the holidays and love it. Found a good selection and pricing on the k-cups at Amazon.

jeremyfirth 7 points8 points 1 month ago[-]

Aerobie Aeropress is easily the best coffee maker around. I have made coffee and espresso for some of my pickiest coffee nerd friends, and they love it and always ask me how I made it. Great Christmas gift for your coffee-loving friends.

poetryglot 3 points4 points 1 month ago* [-]

The Rancilio Silvia is a great coffee maker

Having had one for years

I confirm it's no faker

If you want the best coffee

Be prepared to spend cash

Otherwise you get bad coffee

Which can give you a rash

bastard_operator 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I read that as "Peppe Silvia" and lolled.

AngMoKio 3 points4 points 1 month ago[-]

French press. My family has owned several coffee shops and a roasting business. Nothing is better then the french press.

NerdWeasel 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I heartily concur. I thought I knew good coffee until I finally got around to buying a decent but relatively inexpensive french press. WHAT a difference between a drip coffeemaker and a FP. Do it. Do it now. For the love of all that is good. OK, I'm done.

purplecow 3 points4 points 1 month ago* [-]

Doesn't your local department store sell Moccamasters? They last forever and ever, and are popular enough you can buy replacement pots if you manage to break one. As a bonus they maintain the correct water temperature thorough the brewing process and consequently make a damn fine cup of coffee. There seem to be something available from cooking.com

Just don't get the very basic model since it doesn't have a little holder for the cone filter thing and it's going to drive you insane at some point. Having to use two hands to pour yourself a cup of coffee. The model one step up has a holder for the part.

I personally have a Moccamaster CD, and I expect to carry it to the grave. It retails for 159€, but you can get the same machine without silly fingerprint magnet finish for 30€ less.

surfin_with 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I've never seen a Moccamaster in a store, but we ordered ours on line. We live about an hour south of Chicago IL. I think they aren't commonly available in our area. It's the best coffeemaker I've ever had.

Dog-E-Style 3 points4 points 1 month ago[-]

Buy a #4 black plastic cone coffee thing and some #4 cone filters. You now control all aspects and can no longer blame the coffee maker.

tach 2 points3 points 1 month ago[-]

The paper absorbs some of the coffee oils, sadly. A french press is better.

[deleted] 2 points3 points 1 month ago[-]

French press

hansonatemyballs 4 points5 points 1 month ago[-]

A moka pot beats the pants off any french press or mr. coffee machine IMHO.

ctopherrun 2 points3 points 1 month ago[-]

I use one every single morning. I can barely drink coffee out my drip machine now.

zip_000 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I went through about 3 of the cheap-o moka pots that always seem to be available for about $4 at discount stores like Ross. I eventually bought a bialetti...which is more expensive, but a lot longer lasting.

Here's the one I've got http://www.bialetti.it/uk/catalogue/scheda.asp?id_cat=59

I couldn't love a coffee pot more.

Fantasysage 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Damn straight. And they are easy to use. The key is to never clean them or touch the inside of the pot. Let that nasty residue build up, it keeps your coffee away from the aluminum.

logi 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Find a Bialetti. Their Brika works at higher pressure so it gets closer to the taste of real espresso.

hansonatemyballs 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

A Brika is a beatiful pot, but a little bit on the pricey side. I would say it is more of a key to get fresh ground coffee at the right consistency (just a bit coarser than ground espresso), that way you can get a nice crema even out of a 6 dollar no name moka pot.

logi 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Obviously the coffee itself is most important. I bought my Brika at the supermarket in Italy and it was cheap enough. I suppose they'll mark it up significantly in the US.

ut2k4king 2 points3 points 1 month ago[-]

Chemex is good, but it requires a bit more attention and preparation. You have to prep the filters and slowly pour the water over the grounds; I think it's worth it though. It's a cleaner cup than French Press and it's just as cheap ($35 for the maker and the filters are relatively inexpensive for the quantity).

http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/

HardwareLust 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Wow, thanks! I had no idea they still made those. Haven't seen or heard of those in probably 20 years. I have to get one!

avicho 2 points3 points 1 month ago[-]

stovetop espresso, nuf said

earnestrapture 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I totally agree, and am quite surprised not more people have made this suggestion!

[deleted] 2 points3 points 1 month ago[-]

I've got a Tassimo Which is a single cup coffee maker that uses discs and can make anything from coffee to hot chocolate and even cappucino and lattes. Best purchase I've made in a long time.

crusoe -1 points0 points 1 month ago[-]

I've owned 2 pod makers over the years. Eventually your tassimo will go out of fashion, and you'll have a useless machine because you can't get pods.

saurellia 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

i used to work for a retailer of kitchen appliances, and i think you've just had bad luck. there are tons of great coffeemakers out there. I'd avoid krups; cuisinart makes several really good ones, or just get a french press. it's totally old school, but i really liked the coffee that came out of an electric percolator we had in the office.

JonLatane 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I’ve had a $40 Mr. Coffee coffee maker that has yet to fail me. It has the issue you mentioned with the Hamilton Beach one where if you don’t seat the filter basket right it will overflow, but all you have to do to prevent this from happening is seat the filter basket right. I can’t consider improperly using the device to be a fault of the device, really.

Although I also agree with moyly, if you want something that only an idiot could screw up (aside from pouring boiling water everywhere) a French press will do the job nicely. I just don’t like boiling water every time I want a serving of coffee.

pluis 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I'm very fond of my percolator. It takes a while, but I love the texture of the coffee (and, of course, I get to choose and grind my own beans).

sekritkoad 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

Suggestion: buy a cheap, sturdy coffee maker. Turn it into a timed coffee maker with a wall-unit timer.

I think a lot of times introducing timers into the coffee pot itself just needlessly complicates the machine. The Whizz-Bang Principle. Drives the price up without any real corresponding increase in quality.

huracan 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

The Black&Decker smartbrew does NOT use paper filters! There is nothing worst than finding you've run out of filters, when you're in desperate need of your morning coffee.

aintitashame 1 point2 points 1 month ago* [-]

I have a $10-$20 nascar branded coffee maker that has so far always worked great, it has 4 cups of perfect tasting coffee ready for me just as I'm walking back into the house from my morning cig. It'll probably burn my house down someday but until then I'll continue to enjoy it. I used to use a french press but my caffeine intake skyrocketed so I thought it best to quit. No, I'm not a fan of nascar and it doesn't have a signature on it.

catsfive 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Yeeee-haw. do you drink it while circling your house in left-hand turns?

catsfive 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Yeeee-haw. do you drink it while circling your house in left-hand turns?

Snorple 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I liked this Cuisinart coffee maker so much, I bought another one for my office. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and makes a great cup of coffee.

PhillyNetminder 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

I have a grind and brew that is great...but I also favor the french press. If I could afford it, I'd get one of the vacuum ones where it pulls the water through the grounds (not one of the goofy glass bong lookin ones, an actual machine)

mjsolaro 1 point2 points 1 month ago[-]

We've used our Cuisinart coffee maker religiously every morning for about six years now without a single incident. Still using all the original carafes, filters, and everything.

My only minor complaint is that the hole that you pour water in is a little small and awkwardly placed. But after two weeks pouring, you'll have a technique mastered that makes it so you never spill. I haven't spilled in over four years.

daveyhumpty 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I have this exact model. I have had it for three years, and I usually make 1-2 pots a day. I have dropped it and beaten it and it still works great. Also, you adjust the temp. of your coffee which is great. A+++ would buy again.

80hd -1 points0 points 1 month ago[-]

What how do you adjust the temperature on that model? I've only seen carafe heat time.

Have I seriously been missing that all this time?

ctopherrun -1 points0 points 1 month ago[-]

I have that model, with the thermal carafe. My only real complaint about it the carafe design. In order to get the last bit of coffee out, you have the tip the thing over until it is almost upside down. Since my morning cup means the carafe is almost empty, this was pretty annoying on a daily basis.

olegv40 -1 points0 points 1 month ago[-]

Yeah I was just looking for a coffee maker and after a lot of research I went with a Cuisinart. Slightly different model than this one but essentially identical. You can find pretty good deals online for it. The only thing i regret is not getting one with a thermal carafe.

InspectorJavert 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Get yourself a Moka pot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_%28coffee_pot%29

Once you can make espresso at will, you'll never look back.

Fantasysage 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

It isn't espresso, it is coffee. Espresso needs steam and very high pressure. I love my Moka pot, but realize what you are making.

InspectorJavert -1 points0 points 1 month ago[-]

From wikipedia:

The moka pot, also known as a caffettiera, is a stove top espresso[1] coffee maker, based on the principle of preparing coffee with steam pressurized water. First patented by Alfonso Bialetti in 1933, his company Bialetti continues to produce the same model known as the "Moka Express".

ten_sixty_six 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Basic Melitta coffee maker - Easy, cheap, and doesn't affect your cholesterol like coffee made in a french press.

Loggie -1 points0 points 1 month ago[-]

Good Coffee is a myth. It all tastes like shit until you've got more cream and sugar in there than coffee.

tomparker 0 points1 point 1 month ago* [-]

I'm currently using a Keurig with K-Cups but we bought a Krups Aroma Control 229 --the one with a stainless steel thermos-- for our office six years ago. This was an alternative to the scalded black Maxwell House that was turning to tar in our office lounge. The entire office used the Aroma Control for four years and it performed flawlessly. The thermos keeps brewed coffee drinkable for hours. When we switched to a Keurig at the office, I brought the coffee maker home and used it daily for another year and still bring it out when we have company. Great product. Hope they haven't changed it.

jt32470 0 points1 point 1 month ago* [-]

if you ever go to costa rica this, another picture here is what you need for a real good cup of coffee

that is what the people in the country use, and there is NO better way to get a good cup of coffe. It is also washable so you don't have to deal with paper filters. Anything else is just throwing your money away. It lets all the oils through like the french press, BUT you can make just a cup, or make multiple. I've got espresso machines, coffee makers etc. I just use this. Best part it is only a few bucks.

In costa rica it is called cafe chorreado http://i.imgur.com/MvgAx.jpg

earnestrapture 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I prefer the simple stovetop espresso makers, I saw people in Italy using them. Bialetti is a good brand. They are easier to clean than the French Press (which you have to disassemble the three filter sheets and the grinds get all over the sink etc.)... with the stovetop espresso maker the grinds compress into the filter cup as one unit which you can tap into the trash.

Also, you know it's done once you hear it start gurgling for about 20 seconds... basically there is an audible clue for done-ness which I prefer over the FP as I don't wear a watch and don't want to check the clock obsessively for three minutes.

Plus, they are really pretty. Another option I've considered is the electric percolator, which is pretty old-school I think but also pretty.

http://www.bialettishop.com/EspressoMakerMainPage.htm

I was going to use the 'formatting help' on this link but I don't understand how it works.... testing please forgive:

coollink!

pwsegal 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I've been using a caffetiere (aka moka pot) for years now, and it produces a decent cup of coffee, assuming your coffee is fresh and ground appropriately. I also have and use french presses (again OK cups but depends on coffee quality and how its ground, having it ground for a caffetiere and using it in a french press will produce a crap cup, and vice versa). If your worried about the fragility of the glass bodies of the french presses, then you can get something like this http://www.amazon.com/Thermos-34-Ounce-Insulated-Stainless-Steel-Gourmet/dp/B00004S1DB

It also has the benefit of keeping the coffee warm for longer. As for all coffee making, it can take a while to nail down the technique (including grind) that make a good cup, so experiment, you will make some truly hideous cups, but once you find the correct technique, it will be worth it.

Fantasysage 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

If you are dead set on a drip pot, get this one: Link.

My family makes 2-3 pots a day and this lasted a good 4 years, we just bought a second one because the element died. I have been using a piece of shit Black and Decker for my dorm and it does the job, and has been doing it for the past 5 years.

pomegranati 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

a vietnamese manual pot and strainer.

thebassethound 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I love my stove espresso maker. Cheap and delicious.

augie1969 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Well, America's Test Kitchen did an extensive review of them, and they surely know their stuff.

Check here, a little down the page: http://www.americastestkitchentv.com/ratedcookware.asp

To read the review you will need to register, but it is free. Basically they picked this one for many reasons, including brew length, temperature and flavor. It is a bit pricey, but quite impressive:

http://www.technivorm.com/products/kbt741.html

ten_sixty_six 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Basic Melitta coffee maker - Easy, cheap, and doesn't affect your cholesterol like coffee made in a french press.

sharklegs 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Chemex coffee makers. You don't know what it is, you will look it up, you will upvote me in euphoric realization.

[deleted] 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I love the Keurig K cup machines. I know it doesn't count as a real coffee maker but you can engineer a k-cup to brew your own coffee so it really isn't too costly, and you can reuse the k cups.

If you don't mind shelling out an extra $80 over the sale price at a store, I'd look for the industrial one's on ebay. I think the model number was b200 or something. The in store ones are like $100-$120 and the industrial one is like $200. They last a long time and the coffee store nearest to me only uses K cups to serve coffee.

[deleted] 1 month ago* [-]

[deleted]

murgee 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

2nding: I have this Krups, since somewhere around 1998. no signs of failure yet. still have the original carafe even.

handy hint: if you have hard water, descale your coffeemaker every so often. my parents used to go through coffeemakers pretty frequently and I never did - but I have soft water and they didn't.

fireduck 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I am becoming somewhat of a coffee snob. My setup is a Kitchen Aid burr grinder and a cheap as hell $20 Mr. Coffee automatic drip. It is great. It has no fancy electronics. It has a single on/off switch. It doesn't try to be a clock. It doesn't make decisions about when it should turn off. It is easy to clean.

The pot is graduated so is the back water hold is also graduated. This means I can pour water straight from the britta into the back without measuring it first.

The pot and filter basket can be easily disassembled and put in the dish washer.

corinstoneseeker 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Some people forget that in that equation of coffee maker is the human element, namely you. You + coffee making device + coffee bean = coffee. you should be careful with your process and procedure, don't be too hasty, be methodical and think of the delicious delicious coffee you and a friend/partner will be havin. it's fun making coffee for yourself but also for another person.

GET GOOD COFFEE, whole bean is great and just grind it with a krups, if you got a burr grinder awesome, but a krups blade grinder works fine.

I like the french press as mentioned (pro tip: if you have a tea strainer handy, pour the coffee through said strainer to get rid of stray grains) also a melitta works great (where you put the paper in and pour the hot water directly over grounds)

so yeah, make sure you have your hot water boiling, pour some into both the french press and the mug(s) after it's boiling (empty out before pouring coffee). grind the beans if you have whole beans rightaway, then pour hot water slowly to wet the ground coffee and stir. wait a bit, pour in more water. stir slowly and pour slowly, the grounds get a chance to get wet and settle to regulate the brew speed.

brew time for a french press should be 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you like your coffee.

grind french press = coarse, melitta = medium to medium fine depending.

hope this helps:

brands of french press = bodom, aeropress, etc. most will do the job fine.

happy drinking!

BlackJacquesLeblanc 0 points1 point 1 month ago* [-]

Can't comment on the drip style coffee makers. However for Espresso coffee at home I highly recommend the AreoPress http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AeroPress

Costs about $40 and makes an excellent cup of Espresso with minimal fuss.

(edit) The burr style of coffee grinder is a given, not just for Espresso but for all your coffee grinding needs.

narstufian 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I inherited one of these.

The refills are expensive and, being Nestle, it makes my complicit in the murder of African babies. But, hey, it makes good coffee and is very quick and easy in the morning.

Smched 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

If you want to make real coffee, get a proper espresso machine. I had a good rant about it the other day. Still, as much as I know about the actual making of coffee, I don't know a lot about what brands of machine are best. I use a stock-standard Sunbeam Cafe Crema. I wouldn't mind a steam wand with a bit more oomph, though.

Wish I could help you more :3

80hd 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I've had lots of success with this

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/cu/cuisinart-coffee-maker.jpg

I live for coffee.

If you want a real nice traveling mug look at this.

http://www.gocontigo.com/autoseal-stainless-steel-travel-mug.html

It looks nice, never loses a drop and keep coffee blazing hot for 2 hours. I have to add an ice cube otherwise it's not drinkable within a decent amount of time.

HaveYouSeenThemCakes 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

So many questions - so many different types of coffee - what are you after? If you like the cafetiere (or French Press) - which after all is a jug and a plunger - then the only real difference is the coffee - get a good grinder (eg Mazza Mini) and fresh beans. If Espresso is more your thing - try coffeegeek.com - lots of reviews and guidance, Mine is the Espresso Coffee Milan (ECM) Giotto. Never looked back.

sonofarex 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

A few years ago me and my brother bought my mom a Nespresso coffee maker for Christmas and it has been amazing for her ever since.

They are expensive to buy and the 'pods' you use to make the coffee probably get pretty pricey too, but if you're a big fan of coffee then its worth it

MpVpRb 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I have an Isomac Tea

It's a big, heavy espresso maker, made in Italy.

Makes great coffee.

Bit of a pain at times, but built like a tank.

Fairly easy to fix when stuff goes wrong.

jebucha 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Can't believe I'm not seeing more mentions of Bunn coffeemakers. Keeping the water heated uses a tad more electricity, but not enough to really notice. Brews the coffee faster so as to make a less bitter tasting cup. I love being able to pour in a carafe of water (no coffee/filter) and have a a full carafe of hot water in 3min for making tea, soups, etc.

Shy of that, I have to agree that either a decent french press, or an Aeropress.

kingsleygershon 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

The water has to come out extremely hot! Return any POS that fails. I've given up on everything except this one:

I'm enthusiastic about Melitta Gevalia 4 cup Coffee Maker which are only available on eBay and in thrift stores. Gevalia has the magazine ads with coffee subscriptions and they give you a coffee maker. This model is from the 1990's and they don't offer it any more.

I'm on my 2nd one over 23 years, and I have a spare. Search Melitta Gevalia on eBay. The sellers know how good it is and all that...

GPechorin 0 points1 point 1 month ago* [-]

Krupps Moka, as an alternative to french press. It's better than the stove top moka pots. I've had the same one for 6 years using it almost daily.

maypopp 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

It is less about the maker than having a good burr grinder and a good bean. If espresso is your cup then I recommend finding some Danesi beans. Pure heaven.

tomyownrhythm 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I have this one http://www.mrcoffee.com/Product.aspx?pid=105 and love it. It's nice because the metal coffee pot won't break, and because it's so well insulated, it keeps coffee hot for 2 hours WITHOUT a burner, so you can set the pot on any surface. The only possible downside is that you can't just turn the pot back on to re-heat coffee, but that's not really a problem for me, as I do not own a microwave. Also, re-heating with the burner tends to make coffee more bitter, in my experience.

anjod 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I've had this coffee maker for almost six years, and I've been perfectly happy with it.

kempo666 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

If you find one, let me know...

Teatoly 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

Yeah it seems impossible to shop for one, when you want a good one. I have a Krups drip coffeemaker and i hate it. I def need a better one and through my research found not much in my price range that i can trust.

seasmucker 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I use this: http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm

Makes good coffee, easy clean up, and no electronics to worry about.

logi 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

I've never tasted "normal" coffee from that, but "my" barista was experimenting and gave me a double-espresso which had then been passed through the aeropress. It was so strong that I simply babbled for the next couple of hours. But the taste was great :)

donahuedc 0 points1 point 1 month ago[-]

If you have the money a superautomatic espresso machine can't be beat. I bought a 'refurbished' one from http://wholelattelove.com/ . If you are into french press coffee, I like the chef's choice one that you can use as to heat up water with too. Very convenient. http://www.amazon.com/Chefs-Choice-695-Electric-French/dp/B00005CDPY