Author Topic: Coffee Makers, need a new one. Which to get? (Read 1463 times)

bearmgc · « **on:** March 10, 2010, 06:22:05 AM »

My 5 yr old coffee maker just bit the dust. That's about the average life of my coffee makers. Not about to give up the vice just yet. There's so many flashy coffee makers nowdays, that I don't know what to get anymore. I just want a plain old coffee maker that works, hopefully for a long time. If has a couple bells n' whistles that I can figure out, well ok. Any recommendations? Gots to get something by tomarrow.
No coffee is not an option...

Heather · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2010, 06:33:13 AM »

We have a Keurig single cup dispenser. You can buy cups to slip right into it in a variety of flavors, or you can buy your favorite coffee and fill the small filter up. Then press a button and coffee is nice and hot! If you are single it might just be perfect. They aren't expensive and the cups that you can buy for it have some pretty awesome blends. It can be annoying if more than one person in the house wants coffee at the same time. It only takes a sec, but refilling that tiny cup over and over again is annoying.

Heather

Skunk · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2010, 06:53:03 AM »

I'd go with an industrial quality Bunn. It might cost a bit more, but it would probably be the last coffee maker that you'd ever have to buy. Talk to a restaurant owner or supplier, they'll get you set up.

Even the regular consumer Bunn is a great coffee maker. I have one that has lasted around 7 years and is still going strong, while others around me are having to buy at least a few of the cheapo coffee makers per year.

This is a big decision Bearmgc, so pick wisely.

~Skunk - the self-proclaimed coffee machine expert - at least today anyway

rex6666 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:02:12 AM »

I can't remember the brand i have, i do know that it makes coffee that
taste good to me since i only drink coffee(no cream,milk,flavors,sugar)
I like my coffee just like my women.
"strong and straight"

I do like a timer on a coffee maker, ready when i fall out of bed.
Wally world has them starting at about $20.00, don't think one will out last the other uunless you go to a commercial grade.

dukkillr · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:21:59 AM »

A decent quality Mr. Coffee or such. Two things to make sure it has:
1) A timer or alarm function so the coffee will be hot when you wake up
2) A reusable filter basket

rockbilly · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:34:32 AM »

My old Bunn ten years old and still going strong................I usuall makes two pots of coffee every day, sometimes more on the week-end when company stops over. We also use it to make ice tea three-four times a week. Expensive but you get what you pay for............

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:54:20 AM »

Bunn is the way to go, forget the perks, try to stay clear of the plastic ones as they seem to leave a plastic taste in your mouth get the commercial ones as they seem to last.

Deaconllb

teamnelson · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:02:29 AM »

Sounds like a good time to get you a quality stainless steel french press. No power, no filters to buy, and if you've got heat you've got good coffee. We got sponsored by a coffee grower in Kuai last time I was in Iraq and he sent us a bunch of presses, and a couple hundred pounds of coffee. I love mine.

Frieling 8 Cup

Old Fart · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:26:23 AM »

I'm a cheap old fart so I get whatever is on sale.
I only make it on the weekends so it'll last for years.
I do agree the reuseable filter basket is nice though,

MGMorden · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:27:24 AM »

We have a large 4 pot Bunn here in the office (well, it only makes 2 pots at a time, but it's got warmers for two up top) and it's great. Not sure how much the thing cost though.

At home, I've actually just got a standard Mr Coffee 12-cup machine that's worked for at least 8 years or so. Nothing fancy - just pour water in the back, put in a filter/coffee and turn it on. I've been contemplating getting one of the espresso/cappuccino makers, but I'm just not sure I could figure out how to work it.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2010, 08:51:22 AM »

We have and love our 12 cup Cuisnart Grind & Brew Thermal in S/S. Put in fresh beans the night before, add water and set for 6am. And when the grinder goes off at 6am, it's your wake up call and fresh brewed hot coffee all day.
It's wasn't cheap but hey, you only live once.

DDZ · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2010, 09:55:57 AM »

Quote from: TeamNelson on March 10, 2010, 08:02:29 AM

Sounds like a good time to get you a quality stainless steel french press. No power, no filters to buy, and if you've got heat you've got good coffee. We got sponsored by a coffee grower in Kuai last time I was in Iraq and he sent us a bunch of presses, and a couple hundred pounds of coffee. I love mine.

Frieling 8 Cup

TM, I use a press pot also, and it does make great coffee. Since I have started using the press pot, my percolator pot has been put away. I love the taste of coffee from a press pot, especially if you grind your own. I don't think I will ever buy an electric coffee pot again. I would like to get a bigger pot. The one I have says its a four cup, but only makes two large cups.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:03:01 AM »

I have a Kitchen Aid and am happy with it. It will shut itself off by timer as well as start on timer. The water fill is a little tight but I seem to get it filled every morning. If you make a lot of coffee the Bunn is an awful good choice too. If you are a occasional coffee person the Bunn can burn up the element by boiling dry. They are nice about hosing the coffee right out no waiting on the water to heat.

teamnelson · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:06:48 AM »

DDZ, I have definitely found the flavor from a press to be superior for whatever reason. The 8 cup makes 48 oz which is 4 travel mugs worth. The Frieling is double walled so it stays hot for a very long time after. Easy to clean. I also like that I can take it camping, or when recently we were bugging out of the house to head for high ground during the tsunami warning, I packed a pound bag of coffe inside it, and threw it in the car. I'm having good coffee in the apocalypse

DDZ · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:17:46 AM »

I'm certainly going to look into getting a Frieling. Mainly because of the double wall that will keep it hot longer.

I have read that some pots boil the water to make coffee like my percolator pot did. I guess that the boiling hot water does something to the coffee that destroys part of the good coffee taste. Using the press pot they say that using water that is around 185-190 degrees is best. I generally dump it in the pot just before it reaches boiling temperature.

littlecanoe · « **Reply #15 on:** March 10, 2010, 01:43:37 PM »

Second or third the French Press. Also, like grinding the beans fresh.
That combination brings out flavors in the coffee that I never knew were there.
It's a bit more work but worth it.

scootrd · « **Reply #16 on:** March 10, 2010, 01:48:34 PM »

I've actually gone back to the old perks.. Somehow the coffee Just tastes better.

gypsyman · « **Reply #17 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:00:47 PM »

Wife bought a real nice one about 4 years ago. Can't remember what kind it was, but a part broke. Called an appliance dealer to see if I could get a new part. Lady laughed over the phone. Do you really think you can order just that part? Told her I was sorry for bothering her, and hung up. Went to the local Walmart store and bought the cheapest Mr. Coffee on the shelf. Figure if it lasts more than 2-3 years, doing good. Did save the crafe, as when I broke one years ago, it cost about half as much as a new maker. Since I'm not a conousuer of coffee, whatever bubbles out is just fine by me. gypsyman

Cheesehead · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2010, 02:40:19 PM »

We have had a Black & Decker Spacemaker for over 15 years. One minor repair to a water valve.

Cheese

The Hermit · « **Reply #19 on:** March 10, 2010, 04:11:44 PM »

At my main cabin, I got a SS percolator, with a little basket to put in fresh ground coffee out of a hand cranked 80 year old grinder. MMM good.
At the cabin back in the woods, I got an old pot that I wipe out with a dirty sock, and dump the grounds in it and boil. Wake you right up, guaranteed!!

The Hermit

Siskiyou · « **Reply #20 on:** March 10, 2010, 04:57:02 PM »

Speak of timing!

Just before Christmas our coffee maker of many years quit. A trip down the hill to Wal Mart to see what they had on sale. I selected the $19.99 Black & Decker automatic coffee maker. It makes a good cup of coffee and has done so for about 100 days then it quit.

I was meaning to call B&D regarding their coffee marker this morning but was busy cleaning rifles from yesterdays shoot.

There was no panic when it quit. I went to the cupboard and pull out the stainless steel percolator that came from Dad’s place when we closed it down. It has gone on the road with me for about 30 years, and filled in when the newer fancy coffee makers die. It is a Wards brand from an unknown maker. I guess if I did not have that I would have to go to the porcelain Colman coffee pot in the camp box, it is big enough to keep a hunting camp happy.

Out on the fireline we use to boil water in a 2-pound can toss some coffee in, and when ready pour it into C-Ration cans. Coffee was never better. That is why fire fighters wear heavy glooves, to hold hot C-Ration cans

I will make the call tomorrow. Suspect it is cheaper to buy one then pay shipping.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #21 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:18:54 PM »

Cabelas sells a nice SS perculator. I had been using one for about 5 years when last year for my birthday my son asked me what I wanted. I said a French Press coffee maker. He went to Starbucks and bought the standard glass version they sell and I love it. That 48 oz. model would be even better if, no when I break the glass on this one I'll look into that one though.

subdjoe · « **Reply #22 on:** March 10, 2010, 07:57:56 PM »

Or even the inexpensive plexi or lexan ones from REI. About 1/3 cup of grounds, just shy of a quart of water just off the boil, stir, wait 3 minutes, press. I use one at reenactments, and as people stagger up for morning coffee, they always get fresh and hot.

Quote from: TeamNelson on March 10, 2010, 08:02:29 AM

Sounds like a good time to get you a quality stainless steel french press. No power, no filters to buy, and if you've got heat you've got good coffee. We got sponsored by a coffee grower in Kuai last time I was in Iraq and he sent us a bunch of presses, and a couple hundred pounds of coffee. I love mine.

Frieling 8 Cup

Hodr · « **Reply #23 on:** March 10, 2010, 09:01:01 PM »

French press is great but I had gastric surgery and can no longer handle high acid foods. I do like morning coffe though. I got out Dad's old farberware stainless perc and ran a can of mild roast Folgers through it. Ugh, like old mold. After thinking for a bit, I ran through coffee pot cleaner, a batch of baking soda, water with vinegar. That improved the taste but still not right. After looking into the pot I realised it had a well in it. Coarse steel wool, fine steel wool and then a soaped up sponge did the trick. Coffee was smooth, mild mellow and finally tasted like coffee. A week after I could not find the pot, my wife gave it to charity shop. I went down and bought a new one, ouch ($50) in a small pot. It makes great coffee and is quiet when perking. It doesn't wake her in the morning and as long as I keep it clean I get great coffee. One pot is two large cups that I finish in early morning before she gets up.

blindhari

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #24 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:15:09 AM »

Percolator here and I make the best coffee in the world.

Had some of the "press" coffee not too long ago and it was very good.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 11, 2010, 05:54:49 AM »

Quote from: Heather on March 10, 2010, 06:33:13 AM

We have a Keurig single cup dispenser. You can buy cups to slip right into it in a variety of flavors, or you can buy your favorite coffee and fill the small filter up. Then press a button and coffee is nice and hot! If you are single it might just be perfect. They aren't expensive and the cups that you can buy for it have some pretty awesome blends. It can be annoying if more than one person in the house wants coffee at the same time. It only takes a sec, but refilling that tiny cup over and over again is annoying.

Heather

Heather,

this is the coffee maker my wife just bought and she absolutely loves it. I don't drink coffee but I do drink tea and I was pleasantly surprised that they have quite an assortment of teas as well. It's a great singlecup maker with almost no mess.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #26 on:** March 11, 2010, 07:46:26 AM »

One of my customers has a Keurig single cup. I absolutely love the Black Gold coffee

Heather · « **Reply #27 on:** March 11, 2010, 07:54:39 AM »

Quote from: Hairtrigger on March 11, 2010, 07:46:26 AM

One of my customers has a Keurig single cup. I absolutely love the Black Gold coffee

I love the Virgina blend coffee, but the hot teas are really good as well!

Heather

nw_hunter · « **Reply #28 on:** March 11, 2010, 07:18:28 PM »

Quote from: Heather on March 11, 2010, 07:54:39 AM

Quote from: Hairtrigger on March 11, 2010, 07:46:26 AM
One of my customers has a Keurig single cup. I absolutely love the Black Gold coffee

I love the Virgina blend coffee, but the hot teas are really good as well!

Heather

Don't want no stinkin spot of tea! Tea is pose to be ice cold

.........Coffee hot. This is America, not the bloomin British Isles.

I gets up every morning, go out in the back yard, start a far and brew me some Yuban in a old coffee can.

I'm lying!........The wife has coffee made and ready when I stumble out of bed in the morn. "Bless her heart"

Siskiyou · « **Reply #29 on:** March 12, 2010, 06:32:27 AM »

Wife settled the coffee pot problem and came home from town with a Mr. Coffee automatic coffee pot. Not a bad choice. I cleaned it up yesterday evening and set it to go for the first pot this morning. It made very good coffee.

Coffee filters are cheap and I use them with whatever coffee maker I am using. The Mr. Coffee came with a permanent coffee filter but I modified my practice. In the past I would put a filter in the basket as normal with an open top, then I followed by putting the appropriate amount of coffee in a second filter, folding it closed and put it inside the first one. This makes for a cleaner operation with no wet coffee grounds getting lose into the coffee or spilling when dumping the used grounds. The idea was reinforced by a study of coffee drinkers. The conclusion was that there are health benefits to filtering coffee. Yep, I realize there is a new study on every subject week, and without a doubt there will be conflicting studies and opinions. Out in the woods a cup of Joe boiled in a can test good on a cold day.

I still need to call B&D; the pot should not have failed in less than four months of use.

Fancy Coffees: Coffee is a matter of taste and a safe gift for our daughter is an assortment of different specialty coffees. My test in coffee in less refined. A few years ago I bought a few one pound bags of Starbucks coffee. It did not suit my taste and gave them to the daughter for her household. You would think I gave them bags of gold.

About once a month I pickup my father-in-law and take him to breakfast and head for the one that serves good coffee and keeps the refills coming. We drive right by Denny’s which has specials but if you get two cups of coffee you are lucky.