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The coffee thread!!!

dmention7

dmention7

Hater
I guess this thread can be used for anything coffee-related, but I'm going to start it off by asking for a recommendation on a decent inexpensive 4-6 cup coffee maker. I'd like to keep it to $50 or less, but I'd go a little higher if something came recommended strongly enough. A thermal carafe would be nice, but it's not a strict necessity, since most of the time it goes straight in my travel mug for the drive to work. And I'd rather go out and buy a separate carafe than drive myself crazy trying to find just the right coffee maker.
 
YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
Jess and I have a Melitta Mill and Brew that we love, and it was around $50 through Target, but I did a little looking online and wasn't able to find it that cheap anywhere else. The nice thing about this coffeemaker is that you put the whole beans and coffee in the night before, set the timer and set the amount of grind you want and in the morning it grinds the beans and immediately gets the hot water going through the ground beans for a really fresh cup of coffee. The only thing I don't like about it is that the timer that keeps the coffee hot after it's brewed only stays on for an hour, which sucks on the weekends when I don't just grab a cup and run. Are you a hardcore coffee guy Jay, or just like a cup to get you going in the morning?
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
I'm not a hardcore coffee person, but I can't drink bad coffee either. I need a cup or two to get going in the morning, but I also enjoy it as a beverage.

The reason I'm in the market for a new one is because I was limping along on a cheap little Mr Coffee 4-cup machine, but with it being so little, and the filter basket so close to the reservoir, I think I must've accidentally spilled some grounds into the water reservoir, because all my coffee started to taste really burnt recently. I took it apart, found that I couldn't easily clean the water path, and threw it away since it only cost $20 originally... lol So now I'm on an expensive $2/day Caribou routine until I find a new machine I like better.

I've considered the grind-n-brew models, but my one reservation is ease of cleaning. With a separate grinder, I can just pull the bowl off, throw it in the sink, and have it cleaned out in a minute--I'm not at all keen on the idea of a machine that's going to require a lot of frequent disassembly to keep it clean. That said, I haven't really researched them enough to know if that's an issue or not.
 
Z

ZoomZoom Diva

New Member
I would actually recommend a full-size coffeemaker if you have the space. (I'll check Consumer Reports' latest recommendations when I get home.) It's easy to brew a smaller batch when desired. I have a 15 year-old Black and Decker that still does the job, if the pump is becoming a bit labored.

Mill grinders (the better type, as they offer a consistent grind) are likely to be a pain to clean no matter what. Fortunately, the workings of mine has survived water up to this point. From the issues I have read (reliability, compromised performance...), I would recommend keeping grinding and brewing separate.

Pete, you really don't want to keep the coffee on a hot plate that long anyway, as the constant heating deteriorates the coffee. Spend $10 - $15 on a separate thermal carafe and pour the coffee in there after brewing.
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
Well, the space I like to keep my coffee paraphernalia is a smallish nook, so I'd prefer a 4-6 cup machine, since I literally never have a need to brew more than that. Plus, I've heard anecdotally that most machines brew best when you are using the full capacity of the filter basket. I suppose that makes sense if it uses a flat-bottom filter... maybe it's not true for ones that use the conical filters?
 
Z

ZoomZoom Diva

New Member
It's a lot harder to find a good 4-6 cup machine for a low price, unfortunately, as the mug brewers and pod brewers have taken over most of that market. Also, while a small machine can do better with very small batches (like 2 cups), many machines do just as well with half-pots as full ones.

However, this looks like what you're describing. The negative comments appear to be largely from morons... and a couple bad samples.

http://www.target.com/Black-Decker-...65575-4013513?ie=UTF8&activetab=Guest Reviews

OR... this one ;)

http://www.target.com/Brewmatic-Ele...field-browse=382713011&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=3
 
Last edited:
YSOSLO

YSOSLO

is the word, beotch
ZoomZoom Diva said:
I would actually recommend a full-size coffeemaker if you have the space. (I'll check Consumer Reports' latest recommendations when I get home.) It's easy to brew a smaller batch when desired. I have a 15 year-old Black and Decker that still does the job, if the pump is becoming a bit labored.

Mill grinders (the better type, as they offer a consistent grind) are likely to be a pain to clean no matter what. Fortunately, the workings of mine has survived water up to this point. From the issues I have read (reliability, compromised performance...), I would recommend keeping grinding and brewing separate.

Pete, you really don't want to keep the coffee on a hot plate that long anyway, as the constant heating deteriorates the coffee. Spend $10 - $15 on a separate thermal carafe and pour the coffee in there after brewing.
Click to expand...

James when you say "mill grinders" you mean burr grinders, right? I know what you mean about the hot plate thing, and that's why I was asking Jay if he's hardcore or not. Most coffee drinker don't seem to care if it's the PERFECT cup of coffee, but others are much more concerned about it. Jay, I'm with James on the whole issue about it being hard to find a medium-sized coffeemaker nowadays. The one I referred to above comes apart easily into a few pieces and they're all easily cleaned in a sink or dishwasher. Your point about the grinds being best used in a conical filter rather than a flat one is good, although you may also look for a spray head type of thing that more evenly distributes the water over the ground beans which alleviates the flat vs. conical issue a bit. I'll keep my eyes open for smaller coffeemakers though, just to see if I can spot something that might be a good fit.
 
Z

ZoomZoom Diva

New Member
I was referring to the burr-type grinder. I have a chopper-type mill (spinning blade) from years back as well, and I still use it for spices and the like. If I could find a better burr grinder that didn't cost a fortune to replace my Melitta, I'd do it.

I must say I do like a good, though not necessarily after perfect cup... though I don't like the flavor from being on a hot plate for an extended period.

Fortunately, I have not yet located a scented coffee maker.
 
W

WhiteSpy9

Guest
I am in dire need of a new coffee maker. Let me know how it works out Jay. Do you have to buy a carafe for it?
I have a really nice stainless steel Cuisinart one, but it doesn't autoshut off anymore and makes this insanely annoying clicking noise trying to turn itself off. It needs a little help.

I got this espresso machine for my dad for xmas and wow does it make some really taste espresso. I got it for $60 off amazon though, it is now $100. Still not a bad price for the quality of espresso it was making.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1231438653&sr=8-1
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
Andy, the one I bought brews into a glass carafe, so you don't need to buy one. But I will probably keep my eye out for a good insulated carafe for when I want to spread my coffee out over a morning. Then again, the reviews seem to indicate that the warming plate does a relatively good job of not scorching the coffee, so I'll probably see if that's adequate for me.

Unfortunately, it's not going to ship out till the 12th, but I'll let you know how I like it once I get a chance to take it around the block, so to speak.
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
Anybody need a stack of mini basket style filters for 4-6 cup coffee makers? I know they cost almost nothing, but I've got a bunch leftover, and it seems wasteful to toss them.
 
dmention7

dmention7

Hater
well, it was 5 bucks cheaper when I ordered it... lol

But you're right, it isn't exactly a heavily-featured model. On the other hand, when I've done the "look-touch-feel" (as you would say) on several coffee makers in stores, I was never impressed with the overall design/construction of the more heavily-featured models in the $50-100 range, so I'm hoping that the extra I'm paying for a basic model will pay off in that way.
 
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