Question for the coffee snob, recommendation needed

[tractor]

I have always enjoyed coffee, the darker the better. I also make most of it at home, and over the years have been very disappointed in my coffee maker. We usually buy a new one every year and because of our hard water and overall cheapness, buy a cheap one. Last year we went with your basic Mr. Coffee. I am done with it.

I’m ready to make the plunge and buy a coffee/espresso maker that will add significant pleasure to my life. I want to be able to sip the highest quality brew in my jammie bottoms at home while pretending I’m on a beach in the Mediterranean.

Any good recommendations? I will also start using purified water for the coffee making so the insides don’t get destroyed with our calcium rich tap water.

[Tennesseer]

I used to use a coffee maker but switched over to using one of these about 10 years ago.  Just put a paper filter inside it, add a teaspoon or more of your favorite ground coffee in it, put it on top of your coffee cup, and add boiling water.   The coffee cone will need to be filled twice with hot water. 

Clean up is easy and it takes maybe five minutes to make from heating up water to waiting for the last of the water to filter through the coffee, filter, and cone.

[sesfw]

Tea














Sorry ........ couldn't resist 

[Apple]

I have at least 7 methods of coffee making at home, and will roast my own beans on a good, windy day if I'm not being lazy (otherwise, I go with roasted beans from Costco).  So, I may be a touch of a snob...

My go-to method: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CH9QWOU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I've had this Breville espresso machine for 4 1/2 years, and it pretty much gets used at least once daily (I make a latte for myself nearly every day, and my son will use it for shots of espresso often).  

The grounds do tend to get all over, so put it on a tray or something that is not easily stained and is easily wiped up.  We put a paper coffee filter under the grinder to help contain some of the "spray" grounds (then I put them back in the basket, or put them in a mason jar to use in cold brew later).  We don't use the dual filter baskets, just go straight to the single wall filter basket.  Also don't use the razor trimmer, I just tamp the grounds and call it good (and the grounds don't always fill the basket).  It does take a little playing with the settings to get the perfect pour, but if you use the same beans consistently, it's pretty "set it and forget it" (since I change the beans up, I have to figure out the setting for each type, but try to at least go through a full bag so I don't have to constantly tweak the settings).  

Buy off-brand filters to save money (or filter your own water separately and you won't need the little filter, but it does help).  I get the cleaning tabs at a restaurant supply store, $10 for more than I've used in over 4 years, much cheaper than buying the Breville brand tabs.  I also descale the unit whenever the clean light comes on, since we have hard water.

Other methods we have for making coffee, but are used less often: pour over (like Tennesseer posted), French press, Moka pot, Turkish pot, a single-brew hamilton machine (can use pods or just the little filter), and cold brew (two mason jars and two sizes of strainer).

Many years ago I tried a cheaper espresso machine, but got rid of it fairly quickly because it was just a hassle and didn't make great espresso.  The one I have has been well worth the expense.

ETA: I cannot pour a shot and steam milk at the same time, like you could with a professional machine, but the cost difference between the two is not worth it to me.  I just steam my milk to get everything nice and hot, then pour the shot straight into my mug if it's not too tall.

[Deleted]

French press.

[Happy prose]

Dec 30, 2019 10:22:56 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I used to use a coffee maker but switched over to using one of these about 10 years ago.  Just put a paper filter inside it, add a teaspoon or more of your favorite ground coffee in it, put it on top of your coffee cup, and add boiling water.   The coffee cone will need to be filled twice with hot water. 

Clean up is easy and it takes maybe five minutes to make from heating up water to waiting for the last of the water to filter through the coffee, filter, and cone.

I use this in work, and love it. My office has a K-cup maker, but to me, it's just not hot enough. 

[Tennesseer]

Dec 30, 2019 20:25:06 GMT -5 Happy prose said:

Dec 30, 2019 10:22:56 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I used to use a coffee maker but switched over to using one of these about 10 years ago.  Just put a paper filter inside it, add a teaspoon or more of your favorite ground coffee in it, put it on top of your coffee cup, and add boiling water.   The coffee cone will need to be filled twice with hot water. 

Clean up is easy and it takes maybe five minutes to make from heating up water to waiting for the last of the water to filter through the coffee, filter, and cone.

I use this in work, and love it. My office has a K-cup maker, but to me, it's just not hot enough. 

I look at it as every cup is freshly made. I also drink my coffee black so I don't have to worry about sugar, cream, or creamers, or anything else in it.

[Artemis Windsong]

The pour over is supposed to be the best coffee.  The big thing is quality coffee beans  freshly ground and quality water.

This method takes time.