[PhilNYC]

I just bought a vacuum coffee maker.  Nothing fancy just want to try it. 


I normally buy my Coffee from Starbucks which is only walking distance from where I live.   

Happy brewing.

Levi

Levi, which vacuum maker did you get?  I just picked up a Yama 5-cup vacuum brewer...the resulting coffee is just the right temp and tastes great...!

http://ourcoffeebarn.com/estore/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=14&products_id=1209



Here's how it works (demo with a different brand brewer, but the concept is the same):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1AXmzF1f2s&feature=related

[pjanda1]

I would suggest either a french press or a melitta-style drip filter.  These both make adequate american-style coffee and are cheap.

If you prefer a somewhat more robust, european style of coffee, then I would suggest a bialetti stovetop coffee maker.

I'm with Zheeeem on all of the above.  I use a 4 tasse Bodum press most days (the 4 is wider and retains heat better than the 3 tasse, it also takes the standard 8 tasse replacement parts).  The plastic cone filter holder (which you can get at many grocery stores) makes better drip style coffee than any consumer drip machine except for the Technivorm.  (Because you can get the temp correct.)  "Stove top espresso" pots (Mokka pots) are great.  They don't make espresso, but it is a good cup.  I found a nice stainless one darn cheap at T.J. Maxx.  The only other machine I own is a Gaggia espresso maker I bought on Ebay.  It is the only decent, cheap espresso maker (IMHO).  (Actually I own a couple of 40 cup percolators too, but that's a different story).

So, the good news is that many of the best "machines" are $15.  What you really need are fresh beans and a good grinder.  If you can't buy beans within a couple of days of roasting, forget it.  See the home roasting thread.  You could just get a Bodum C-mill.  But it won't work well with the press pot.  I use one of these for everything: http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.zas.shtml  It'll do great press coffee, and I do fine with espresso.  The later takes a little more practice and time.  Don't use just any hand crank.  The Zassenhaus grinders are the real deal.  Sweet Marias both sells and has great info on all the brewing machines I mentioned above (no affiliation, I'm just a happy customer).

pj
coming soon: www.wildburroaudio.com

[Levi]

I have the Yama 8 cup.

[Levi]

Here it is in action!

[jermmd]

So I purchased an Aeropress coffee maker based on what was said in this thread and it's a winner. So far it's been 5 for 5 making delicious cups of coffee. It's easy to use and low maintenance, a little heavy on the amount of coffee needed (like the French Press), and the produced coffee could be hotter. Otherwise, really tastey without the bitterness or burnt flavor you get with drip machines. So far it's been more consistent than my french press was. Add me to the recommending group.

I've used cheap drip machines, Vacuum coffee maker (too much trouble and not better than a french press), and the Bodum French Press (mine broke-they're fragile but make a decent cup of java), and percolators (good cup of coffee but also a little more cleaning than I want). So far, the aeropress may be my favorite. If only it could make a whole pot of coffee at once.

Also, I've been drinking a new brand of coffee lately. Costco's Kirkland Signature Ground Organic Blend Medium Roast (roasted by Starbucks). I'm generally not a Starbucks fan (too bitter) and I almost always buy beans that I grind. It's really pretty good in a smooth Dunkin Donuts sort of way. For under $5/lb, I can also recommend it.

Joe

[mgalusha]

We recently needed a new machine for our kitchen and the Aeropress would never fly with my wife. The Newco OCS-8 seems well loved on the coffeegeek.com site and I was set to buy one but it seems they are currently redesigning this and it's not currently available.

Given that this had to satisfy the decor needs of my wife we ended up with a Cuisinart DCC-1200. It's not bad but IMO didn't brew hot enough. Thankfully you can make it brew hotter. It has a 1-4 cup setting that according to the manual double heats the water to ensure that it gets hot enough with such a small amount. Turns out that it will brew a full pot on that setting and the result is hotter and more flavorful coffee.

If you have a drip machine that has a 1-4 setting you might give it a try for a full pot, nice tweek for free - kinda like getting your speakers in the right place.

[Val]

Black & Decker Brew 'N Go single-cup coffee maker + Melitta Number 1 paper filters + Bustelo Espresso Cuban coffee (inexpensive, free shipping). All three components are required to make a perfect cup.

A paper filter is needed because Bustelo is a very fine grind (espresso). Regular coffees do not need the paper filter (but of course do not taste as good).

[DaveC113]

I got the aero press and am pretty happy with it. Its a bit smoother than my Bialetti stovetop espresso maker, but I don't think it brings out the flavors in the same way.... types of coffees are more discernible in the Bialetti and flavors are more pronounced. Anyone have any comments? I'm thinking of trying a fine stainless steel screen instead of the paper filter...

Also, I'm looking for a budget burr grinder and it looks like the Capresso Infinity will fit the bill, any advice here?

http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY

[jqp]

Haven't read this topic lately, so I am chiming in.

You can't extract all the oils without forcing steam through the grounds, so you can't get all the flavor either. But I can't drink espresso - it bothers my stomach, whereas drip or press coffee does not, for some reason. I can only assume it is some of the extra oils that espresso method yields. The beans are the same.

Paper filters will absorb some of the oils and flavor, no way around that. You can get unbleached filters but they still absorb.

I have been using french press (Bodun) for several years now. Home roasted of course No increase in bad cholestrol for me (my edocrinologist says that its 95% genetic anyway). Last month I ordered 2 replacement glass carafes and 4 screens. Not bad for all the years I have been using the 2 french presses. I bought one for home and one for work originally.

Now you can get UNBREAKABLE carafe french presses! Also you can get stainless steel french presses, but I like to see what I'm doing

Also you can now get a double walled french press - a vacum carafe. Its about $80 but may be a good idea for some. I use a double walled coffee cup instead.

I just use a $20 blade grinder. I grind it a little course for the french press, probably doesn't matter much for the flavor compared to the freshness of the roast itself when using the french press method.

[doug s.]

Haven't read this topic lately, so I am chiming in.

You can't extract all the oils without forcing steam through the grounds, so you can't get all the flavor either. But I can't drink espresso - it bothers my stomach, whereas drip or press coffee does not, for some reason. I can only assume it is some of the extra oils that espresso method yields. The beans are the same.

Paper filters will absorb some of the oils and flavor, no way around that. You can get unbleached filters but they still absorb.

I have been using french press (Bodun) for several years now. Home roasted of course No increase in bad cholestrol for me (my edocrinologist says that its 95% genetic anyway). Last month I ordered 2 replacement glass carafes and 4 screens. Not bad for all the years I have been using the 2 french presses. I bought one for home and one for work originally.

Now you can get UNBREAKABLE carafe french presses! Also you can get stainless steel french presses, but I like to see what I'm doing

Also you can now get a double walled french press - a vacum carafe. Its about $80 but may be a good idea for some. I use a double walled coffee cup instead.

I just use a $20 blade grinder. I grind it a little course for the french press, probably doesn't matter much for the flavor compared to the freshness of the roast itself when using the french press method.

get yourself a burr grinder; the improvement is substantial.  having the bean ground a single time, and not re-ground - which is what happens when you use a blade grinder - makes a big difference.

doug s.

[srb]

You can't extract all the oils without forcing steam through the grounds, so you can't get all the flavor either. But I can't drink espresso - it bothers my stomach, whereas drip or press coffee does not, for some reason. I can only assume it is some of the extra oils that espresso method yields. The beans are the same.

Because of that, I've found that "Americano" (1/2 espresso and 1/2 hot water or 1/3 expresso and 2/3 hot water water) always seems to taste a little better than drip or french press.
 

get yourself a burr grinder; the improvement is substantial.  having the bean ground a single time, and not re-ground - which is what happens when you use a blade grinder - makes a big difference.

I've had both, and I have to agree.
 

I just use a $20 blade grinder. I grind it a little course for the french press, probably doesn't matter much for the flavor compared to the freshness of the roast itself when using the french press method.

I haven't tried to roast my own beans (yet), but my guess would be that the fresh roasting would have more of an impact than the type of grinding, since I have seen the difference fresh roasting makes with the nuts I buy raw.
 
So I guess the best would be to roast my own beans, grind them in a burr grinder, then prepare an Americano with espresso.  Whew!  Lotta work for a cup of Joe!
 
Steve

[ctviggen]

So I purchased an Aeropress coffee maker based on what was said in this thread and it's a winner. So far it's been 5 for 5 making delicious cups of coffee. It's easy to use and low maintenance, a little heavy on the amount of coffee needed (like the French Press), and the produced coffee could be hotter. Otherwise, really tastey without the bitterness or burnt flavor you get with drip machines. So far it's been more consistent than my french press was. Add me to the recommending group.

I've used cheap drip machines, Vacuum coffee maker (too much trouble and not better than a french press), and the Bodum French Press (mine broke-they're fragile but make a decent cup of java), and percolators (good cup of coffee but also a little more cleaning than I want). So far, the aeropress may be my favorite. If only it could make a whole pot of coffee at once.

Also, I've been drinking a new brand of coffee lately. Costco's Kirkland Signature Ground Organic Blend Medium Roast (roasted by Starbucks). I'm generally not a Starbucks fan (too bitter) and I almost always buy beans that I grind. It's really pretty good in a smooth Dunkin Donuts sort of way. For under $5/lb, I can also recommend it.

Joe

Joe,

Thanks for the recommendations for the coffee.  I've been looking for something lately that's not too expensive yet good.  I used to think that Starbucks had the best coffee, but after having several people point out the bitterness to me, I also agree that it's too bitter. 

That Aeropress looks interesting.  At less than $30, I have to give that a try.

[doug s.]

regarding coffee from costco, i have never tried the starbucks stuff, cuz i am not a big fan, but the signature coffees they have, have always been good, imo.  i presently have the guatemala and new guinea iterations, (costco seems to change the variety frequently), and both are wery nice, when ground at home w/a burr grinder, and run thru a cimbali domus espresso machine.  and, the price is certainly right...

doug s

[srb]

regarding coffee from costco, i have never tried the starbucks stuff, cuz i am not a big fan, but the signature coffees they have, have always been good, imo.

I'm not a big fan of Starbucks as served at their stores, but I have been buying the Starbucks/Kirkland blend at Costco as an everyday brew.  Certainly there are better coffees, but not at $5 per pound.
 
For whatever reasons, I find I more often prefer blends to individual varieties.
 
Steve

[Philistine]

I've got some personal feedback on this, just my experience:

Aeropress:
I used the Black & Decker Brew 'N Go prior to the Aeropress, the B&D is a good solution but you do need to monitor the cold water temperature in winter in order for the heating element to get the coffee to a good temperature.  With the Aeropress you can determine what temperature the coffee is by heating up the water to your own liking.  I find the Aeropress brings out the more delicate flavors of a coffee when compared with a drip process, and I now use the Brew 'N Go mug to travel with my Aeropress coffee.

Espresso & Grinders:
I read on the CoffeeGeeks forum that grinding was more critical than the Espresso machine, the price of a good burr grinder is silly money and I didn't want to believe this.  Well they're right, I bought a Rancilio Rocky and it has far more impact on my espresso than switching from my old Baby Gaggia to a Rancilio Silvia.

Roasting:
I bought a CoffeeRoast Plus 8 from Sweet Maria's, it's a great intro roaster.  I do find that it doesn't bring out the full body that you get from commercial roasters, so I will switch to a drum roaster in the near future - drum roasters have a longer roasting time and slow temperature build up which I understand brings a more robust and full bodied cofffee.  The reason I want to roast is for freshness, I used to buy mail order from small specialist roasters but could not consume coffee fast enough to keep pace with the deterioration in coffee life - measured in days not weeks.  I started with specialist roasters and once you have switched away from mass produced store bought beans you will never switch back.  Green coffee beans have a long shelf life and are about half the price of roasted beans, at the same time you can sample great coffee varieties from all over the world when you use specialists such as SM's.       

[knut_the_viking]

Novice coffee drinker here. I'm thinking about purchasing a simple maker to brew a cup or two in the morning. Looking for something simple and easy to clean which requires no electricity. There seems to be a million different contraptions out there that all claim to make the best cup o joe. Thoughts? I live alone and only drink 1-2 cups in the morning, so I don't need anything too big.

I would suggest a Technivorm Moccamaster.
I've had thermos and non-thermos models for 15 years (And my family before that) and can highly recommend them.
Solid, durable, easy part replacement.

PLUS, it makes the best drip coffee (Which is all I drink)

Pricey, yes. But in this case, you DO get what you pay for.
I've had the KBG 741 (Or the KBS -- S for silver)
Currently I have the KBTS 741. I rather like making it into a thermos instead of a glass caraf.

Some links:
http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/drip/technivormmoccamaster
http://www.technivorm.com/
http://www.technivorm-us.com/

[WG]

For roaster, I highly recommend the Hottop. It's not an inexpensive unit, but is a very good unit. I have an original, that I purchased nearly 6 years ago.  There's now several choices on the electronic options, and units can be upgraded and repair and replacement parts ordered.  To date, I have not had to order any repair parts.  I typically roast twice per week.  I do not purchase the disposable air filters--I make replacement filters from terry wash cloth material.  There are a number of locations where these can be sourced, including Sweet Maria's.

Regards,
Will

[doug s.]

Novice coffee drinker here. I'm thinking about purchasing a simple maker to brew a cup or two in the morning. Looking for something simple and easy to clean which requires no electricity. There seems to be a million different contraptions out there that all claim to make the best cup o joe. Thoughts? I live alone and only drink 1-2 cups in the morning, so I don't need anything too big.

I would suggest a Technivorm Moccamaster.
I've had thermos and non-thermos models for 15 years (And my family before that) and can highly recommend them.
Solid, durable, easy part replacement.

PLUS, it makes the best drip coffee (Which is all I drink)

Pricey, yes. But in this case, you DO get what you pay for.
I've had the KBG 741 (Or the KBS -- S for silver)
Currently I have the KBTS 741. I rather like making it into a thermos instead of a glass caraf.

Some links:
http://coffeegeek.com/reviews/drip/technivormmoccamaster
http://www.technivorm.com/
http://www.technivorm-us.com/

i confess that i have never tried this machine.  but i have never had any drip coffee that remotely compares to coffee from a french press.  an espresso machine is even better, imo, even if you are making "cafe americano"...

ymmv,

doug s.

[ctviggen]

Based on these reviews, I'm going to order an Aeropress.  I usually drink my coffee cold, so I'll have to see how I work the Aeropress into that scenario.

[ctviggen]

So I purchased an Aeropress coffee maker based on what was said in this thread and it's a winner. So far it's been 5 for 5 making delicious cups of coffee. It's easy to use and low maintenance, a little heavy on the amount of coffee needed (like the French Press), and the produced coffee could be hotter. Otherwise, really tastey without the bitterness or burnt flavor you get with drip machines. So far it's been more consistent than my french press was. Add me to the recommending group.

I've used cheap drip machines, Vacuum coffee maker (too much trouble and not better than a french press), and the Bodum French Press (mine broke-they're fragile but make a decent cup of java), and percolators (good cup of coffee but also a little more cleaning than I want). So far, the aeropress may be my favorite. If only it could make a whole pot of coffee at once.

Also, I've been drinking a new brand of coffee lately. Costco's Kirkland Signature Ground Organic Blend Medium Roast (roasted by Starbucks). I'm generally not a Starbucks fan (too bitter) and I almost always buy beans that I grind. It's really pretty good in a smooth Dunkin Donuts sort of way. For under $5/lb, I can also recommend it.

Joe

Joe,

Thanks for the recommendations for the coffee.  I've been looking for something lately that's not too expensive yet good.  I used to think that Starbucks had the best coffee, but after having several people point out the bitterness to me, I also agree that it's too bitter. 

That Aeropress looks interesting.  At less than $30, I have to give that a try.

Well, I purchased this and the coffee is much smoother and more flavorful than coffee from my coffee maker.  The coffee is also much less bitter.  Having said that, I'm not getting rid of the coffee maker, because it makes more coffee (important for me, since I refrigerate the coffee I don't drink and then drink it cold laer) and I can set it to make coffee so that there's coffee when I wake up.