OT: Coffee maker

[Nashville Lion]

Hey guys. I am looking at suggestions for a new coffee maker. I am the only coffee drinker in the house...my wife gave up coffee years ago when pregnant with our first child. I have been using a Keurig ever since but am thinking about making the move back to the old fashioned coffee pot.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any suggestions for reliable coffee pots...also interested in something that looks nice in the kitchen...something stainless steel or black. I am leaning towards the Cuisinart but I thought I would ask the board for any brands they like.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mn78psu83]

Hey guys. I am looking at suggestions for a new coffee maker. I am the only coffee drinker in the house...my wife gave up coffee years ago when pregnant with our first child. I have been using a Keurig ever since but am thinking about making the move back to the old fashioned coffee pot.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any suggestions for reliable coffee pots...also interested in something that looks nice in the kitchen...something stainless steel or black. I am leaning towards the Cuisinart but I thought I would ask the board for any brands they like.

Thanks in advance.

We are extremely happy with our Cuisinart and it was under $100.00.

LINK: Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

Hey guys. I am looking at suggestions for a new coffee maker. I am the only coffee drinker in the house...my wife gave up coffee years ago when pregnant with our first child. I have been using a Keurig ever since but am thinking about making the move back to the old fashioned coffee pot.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any suggestions for reliable coffee pots...also interested in something that looks nice in the kitchen...something stainless steel or black. I am leaning towards the Cuisinart but I thought I would ask the board for any brands they like.

Thanks in advance.

I just purchased a new coffee maker two months ago. I did quite a bit of research over the Internet. The highest rated brands for the money were Cuisinart, Mr Coffee, and Hamilton Beach. Each model I looked at had its positives and negatives.

The Cuisinart had issues with it catching fire(I'm not kidding), the Mr Coffee made the coffee taste like plastic, and the Hamilton Beach had inexpensive buttons/controls. I really wanted the Cuisinart but went with the Hamilton Beach.

 

[mn78psu83]

I just purchased a new coffee maker two months ago. I did quite a bit of research over the Internet. The highest rated brands for the money were Cuisinart, Mr Coffee, and Hamilton Beach. Each model I looked at had its positives and negatives.

The Cuisinart had issues with it catching fire(I'm not kidding), the Mr Coffee made the coffee taste like plastic, and the Hamilton Beach had inexpensive buttons/controls. I really wanted the Cuisinart but went with the Hamilton Beach.

If it's any consolation, our machine hasn't caught on fire yet and we use it twice a day. I better keep an eye on it. Thanks.

 

[Nashville Lion]

Thanks guys. I am looking at both of those brands.

 

[Hotshoe]

I have a combo Krups that's 29 years old that's still going strong and makes great coffee. Has a steamer as well.

 

[klive]

If you like real coffee, then I suggest a French press. Inexpensive and really makes the best tasting coffee IMO.

 

[Nashville Lion]

Funny you should mention the french press...that is what my wife suggested too. They are cheap and I have heard the coffee is good.

 

[tboyer]

Keurig makes terrible coffee. There is a single serve system that makes very good coffee -- it's the Nespresso system. You might look into them.

As far as drip machines, what matters is brewing temp. Most major brand coffee machines don't get the water hot enough. The Bonavita machines have good temp control and brew at the correct temp -- about 200 degrees. They're expensive but worth it.

If you want to spend less, the bottom of the line $20 Mr. Coffees without any bells and whistles get good reviews -- they brew nice and not. If the Bonavita breaks, I will probably get a cheap Mr Coffee.

Do not get a coffee maker with a grinder built in, or a clock or an alarm or a baby monitor or whatever. Just get something that makes coffee.

But really, if you are the only coffee drinker, a drip machine is kind of wasteful. You were on the right track with the Keurig -- it's just Keurig makes terrible tasting weak plastic flavored coffee. Nespresso is a bit more expensive but makes excellent single serve coffee.

Yet another possibility -- if you're willing to spend an extra 2 minutes. Just buy a melitta cone dripper that fits over your cup, and hand-pour your coffee from the tea kettle. Again, think temp control -- you want to pour when the water is just below the boiling point. Hand pour is a great way to make one cup of coffee.

 

[mn78psu83]

Funny you should mention the french press...that is what my wife suggested too. They are cheap and I have heard the coffee is good.

We have one that we use too. Makes good coffee.

 

[NitNE73]

French press - ditto.

 

[massimoManca II]

I'm on my second Cuisinart and they are okay ... Though All of the major brand use crappy plastic components you'll probably get the same performance as Mr Coffee, Black&Decker , Melita etc

Used to LOVE our Bunn o Matic (copper plumbing for guts) but my wife didnt like the energy waste of keeping a small hot water heater on the kitchen counter so we went to the plastic Cuisinart.... Miss those 2minute brew times with the Bunn

 

[flavorguy]

Just as a FYI, I do a tremendous amount of consulting to the coffee industry.

Nespresso is a great "single cup" brewing system. The issue with these systems are the expensive "capsules". It's the infamous 'razor vs razor handle' trap.... Convenient as hell however.

These two brands have both been approved by the SCAA (Speciality Coffee Association of America) for brewing to their standards:

http://www.technivorm.com

http://bonavitaworld.com/products

 

[Keyser Soze 16801]

My wife has a Nespresso and loves the fru-fru drinks she makes with it. I have a 12 cup Cuisinart and it has worked well for quite some time.

 

[TN Lion]

Been using a Bonavita for about 18 months. Best home brewed cup I have ever had. Please refer to flavorguy's post above.

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

We were in a similar situation a few months ago. The Cuisinart died and we needed something quickly. I bought a Mr. Coffee at Walmart or Sams Club (don't remember) and that thing makes the best hottest coffee really quickly.

I've made some really questionable purchases in my day (that Russian mail-order bride wasn't the smartest thing I've done), but this Mr. Coffee hasn't disappointed.

 

[jj410]

Hey guys. I am looking at suggestions for a new coffee maker. I am the only coffee drinker in the house...my wife gave up coffee years ago when pregnant with our first child. I have been using a Keurig ever since but am thinking about making the move back to the old fashioned coffee pot.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any suggestions for reliable coffee pots...also interested in something that looks nice in the kitchen...something stainless steel or black. I am leaning towards the Cuisinart but I thought I would ask the board for any brands they like.

Thanks in advance.

If you only want a few cups at a time and have quality as your primary criterion, either a french press ($20-$40, labor intensive, flimsy) or a Bonavita 1500TS (no-frills drip, 5 very small cups, about $129). The larger Bonavita is also good, $180 or so on sale.
You can also just buy a cone with coffee pot (Melitta) dirt cheap and boil the water yourself. Makes good coffee, no moving parts.

 

[Nit Nolte]

Do yourself a favor and get an Aeropress. Search Amazon.

 

[nitanee123]

Here's another vote for the french press.

 

[Nashville Lion]

Thanks everyone!!!! I might give this french press a try. I also am going to look into the other suggestions like Aeropress and Bonita. Appreciate the suggestions.

 

[Nashville Lion]

Thanks Nittany Ned2.

 

[NovaPSULuvr]

We are extremely happy with our Cuisinart and it was under $100.00.

LINK: Cuisinart DCC-2650 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Have been using the same one for years...does a great job.

 

[Ohio-Lion]

Hey guys. I am looking at suggestions for a new coffee maker. I am the only coffee drinker in the house...my wife gave up coffee years ago when pregnant with our first child. I have been using a Keurig ever since but am thinking about making the move back to the old fashioned coffee pot.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any suggestions for reliable coffee pots...also interested in something that looks nice in the kitchen...something stainless steel or black. I am leaning towards the Cuisinart but I thought I would ask the board for any brands they like.

Thanks in advance.

Jura hands down. Superautomatic coffee maker, grinds and presses. Very pricey but you can find them refurbished online.

 

[pmjoe]

If you want the best coffee, get a simple hand grinder and do pour-over. Keep fresh beans in an airtight container.

Hand grinder $28, stainless, glass & ceramic burr - easy to clean. Grind just enough. A little exercise each morning, less noisy than electric.
http://amzn.com/B001802PIQ

Ceramic coffee dripper, uses #2 filters, sits over your mug, $11-$17.
http://amzn.com/B000P4D5HG
http://amzn.com/B00JNZ7VNW

Arguably slightly better than french press and way easier to clean up. You will need a kettle or something to heat water in (electric kettles are great).

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Thanks everyone!!!! I might give this french press a try. I also am going to look into the other suggestions like Aeropress and Bonita. Appreciate the suggestions.

My 2 cents on the French Press .... I love coffee made this way, but you'll need a coffee you like, and a coarser grind. That all said, I don't use the press every day, in fact, use it rarely, due to the time/cleanup factor. Don;t have time for it before work, but on weekends it is great.
I have a Keurig as well. I understand the coffee quality is not stellar, but it is acceptable. It will never match what you can get with great freshly ground beans. But I don;t want to spend the time/effort doing that.
I am considering getting a pour over for when I want a great coffee, but don't want to have to clean up the press.
The best coffees I have had in the past year were at shops with fresh beans, ground to order, and using a pour over.

 

[tboyer]

Thanks everyone!!!! I might give this french press a try. I also am going to look into the other suggestions like Aeropress and Bonita. Appreciate the suggestions.

The thing about French Press is, you have to be okay with some grit in your coffee. The metal filter doesn't get every particle. You can attach paper filter to it, but it's an extra step and starts to lose convenience. Hand pouring I think might be a little faster than French Press considering it's less messy and no cleanup (you just toss the filter in the trash)

Aeropress is a really intriguing French Press alternative. If you follow the directions and only pour at recommended temp (I think is 175), it makes really mellow smooth coffee. Even though it's the same technique as a French Press, Aeropress coffee is totally different. Again, downside is cleanup.

 

[bwifan]

1 other thing I enjoy on my cuisinart is having the stainless steel carafe. I like that much more than having glass. I just think coffee doesn't get that burnt taste in stainless steel and keeps it nice and warm for long periods of time. Even the next day the coffee is still a tinge warm from the previous days pot.

 

[Obliviax]

Hey guys. I am looking at suggestions for a new coffee maker. I am the only coffee drinker in the house...my wife gave up coffee years ago when pregnant with our first child. I have been using a Keurig ever since but am thinking about making the move back to the old fashioned coffee pot.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any suggestions for reliable coffee pots...also interested in something that looks nice in the kitchen...something stainless steel or black. I am leaning towards the Cuisinart but I thought I would ask the board for any brands they like.

Thanks in advance.

I have a Cuisinart and am very happy with it. however, I would steer you to the model that has the metal carafe instead of the glass one. This keeps the coffee hot and you can take it someplace else to serve. We have a screened in porch and enjoy reading the sunday paper with our coffee. It also allows you to set a timer without worrying about it getting cold. i make coffee the night before and have it brewed at 6M. If I don't get up until 8, its still good.

 

[RobBliz]

Keurig makes terrible coffee. There is a single serve system that makes very good coffee -- it's the Nespresso system. You might look into them.

As far as drip machines, what matters is brewing temp. Most major brand coffee machines don't get the water hot enough. The Bonavita machines have good temp control and brew at the correct temp -- about 200 degrees. They're expensive but worth it.

If you want to spend less, the bottom of the line $20 Mr. Coffees without any bells and whistles get good reviews -- they brew nice and not. If the Bonavita breaks, I will probably get a cheap Mr Coffee.

Do not get a coffee maker with a grinder built in, or a clock or an alarm or a baby monitor or whatever. Just get something that makes coffee.

But really, if you are the only coffee drinker, a drip machine is kind of wasteful. You were on the right track with the Keurig -- it's just Keurig makes terrible tasting weak plastic flavored coffee. Nespresso is a bit more expensive but makes excellent single serve coffee.

Yet another possibility -- if you're willing to spend an extra 2 minutes. Just buy a melitta cone dripper that fits over your cup, and hand-pour your coffee from the tea kettle. Again, think temp control -- you want to pour when the water is just below the boiling point. Hand pour is a great way to make one cup of coffee.

+ 1 to the Bonavita.

 

[Elwood Blues]

I never liked the Cuisinarts - weird stainless carafes, you can't see how much coffee is left, heavy enough that you can't tell by weight how much is left, and pours weird - slow trickle yet splatters all over the place.

The final result is the same for any drip coffee maker. Hot water runs through coffee. Get something cheap and replace it with something cheap when it fails.

 

[jj410]

Hey guys. I am looking at suggestions for a new coffee maker. I am the only coffee drinker in the house...my wife gave up coffee years ago when pregnant with our first child. I have been using a Keurig ever since but am thinking about making the move back to the old fashioned coffee pot.

I just thought I would see if anyone had any suggestions for reliable coffee pots...also interested in something that looks nice in the kitchen...something stainless steel or black. I am leaning towards the Cuisinart but I thought I would ask the board for any brands they like.

Thanks in advance.

FWIW: Consumer Reports gives top marks to most of the Cuisinarts. See their reviews.