Posted: 11/20/2011 8:31:13 PM EDT
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Just looking for some advice. Started drinking coffee again as a caffeine delivery method to replace the (way too much) soda I've been drinking, So what is a good coffee maker? I am pretty much clueless, all I know is that I will rarely be making more than 1-2 cups at a time, I like it reasonably strong, and so far I have no experience with anything other than standard drip coffee-makers. So, what is the best option out there? Any good brands to look for or avoid?
Thanks |
| I really like this one, it grind the beans and has a nice big hopper. |
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I use a Bodum French Press and fresh ground French roast in the AM for the drive to work.
For entertaining when I need a lot of coffee, I use a Hamilton Beach coffee dispenser that has no glass carafe. It has a timer so you can set it for early risers when you have guests and want to sleep in. 
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BUNN BT Velocity Brew 10-Cup Thermal Carafe Home Coffee Brewer
Reservoir-style home brewer makes up to 10 cups of coffee in just 3 minutes Stainless-steel water tank; 800-watt heater and internal thermostat Sprayhead design improves coffee-flavor extraction; hot water available for tea Stainless-steel vacuum-insulated carafe; close-and-brew lid; vacation switch Measures 14 by 7 by 15-2/7 inches; 3-year limited warranty http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g368/rmilse/Mobile%20Uploads/41hPEVZm1EL__SL500_AA300_.jpg |
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Drip is for when you're in a hurry. Peculators are when you want to stand a spoon in the cup when done. French Presses are for when you want to enjoy a cup.
For the drip, I use a 12cup Cuisinart Brew Central with one of these. For the enjoyment, I have a 25oz Frieling Ultimo Stainless (Double-Wall) press. No plastics, all steel. Also helpful if you use the right kettle. Also, try to find fresh-roasted beans and try the varieties till you find one you like (if it's good to the nose, it's probably good on the palate). Also, a decent grinder will take you a long way. For the entry-level Burr Grinder. When you make it more of a 'thing': Try this |
| Ditto on the Cuisinart Brew Central as mentioned above, I have one, but it has the metal carafe. I also like to grind my own coffee beans. I think that makes a huge difference in taste, but, there is a lot of coffee out there that is fine already ground, but whole bean is the way to go if you don't mind the extra step. |
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Quoted:
French press for the best quality coffee from a pot, keurig for the most convenient decent single cuppa. +1! I like the coffee I get from the press, and I like it strong. Wife doesn't like it strong, and is more selective about her coffee, she tried 1 from a Keurig & liked it, so I got her a Keurig mini-plus & variety pack of coffees to try - she seems to like it. (more cost per cup, but when we were brewing more, we usually wasted more) Keurig is tough to beat if you only want 1-2 cups & are wanting it quick! |
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It is kind of hard to beat a Keurig for the convienence.
We have one that we take traveling with us. - if you like a particular coffee, as mentioned above, you can get a "fill with your own" cup. I think it is called a My K Cup. As a plus, it makes a quick hot chocolate for the grandkids or a hot apple cider for grampa. 
For everyday use we have a Capresso CoffeeTEAM Luxe. If you buy a coffee maker that grinds beans be sure it has a burr grinder. If you really get serious about coffee, try roasting your own beans. WOW! 
....and it turned out to be a lot easier than I thought. |
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Quoted: It is kind of hard to beat a Keurig for the convienence. We have one that we take traveling with us. - if you like a particular coffee, as mentioned above, you can get a "fill with your own" cup. I think it is called a My K Cup. As a plus, it makes a quick hot chocolate for the grandkids or a hot apple cider for grampa. For everyday use we have a Capresso CoffeeTEAM Luxe. If you buy a coffee maker that grinds beans be sure it has a burr grinder. If you really get serious about coffee, try roasting your own beans. WOW! ....and it turned out to be a lot easier than I thought. Discernable difference? I've been thinking about trying it with a hot-air popcorn popper. I like espresso roast beans. Worth the effort? |
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Yes, we (wife and I) think there is a difference.
Plus, green coffee beans store a long time in mylar w/O2 absorbers, so, we got coffee.
I use a whirly-pop popcorn maker ($20.), as suggested by sweet marias. (sweetmarias.com is where I order my beans from now.) I also bought a couple of cases of green coffee beans packed in cans from mredepot.com when they had them. It is not overly difficult to roast them, but I have found roasting is a bit of an art..... gotta watch and listen to the beans. I just roasted up two cups of beans from Ethiopia today. |
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Quoted: Yes, we (wife and I) think there is a difference. Plus, green coffee beans store a long time in mylar w/O2 absorbers, so, we got coffee. I use a whirly-pop popcorn maker ($20.), as suggested by sweet marias. (sweetmarias.com is where I order my beans from now.) I also bought a couple of cases of green coffee beans packed in cans from mredepot.com when they had them. It is not overly difficult to roast them, but I have found roasting is a bit of an art..... gotta watch and listen to the beans. I just roasted up two cups of beans from Ethiopia today. Thanks. Think I'll give it a try.  |