Shopping For New Coffee Maker

[LarryG]

(Seems an appropriate subject for Around The Coffee Pot, um?)

My drip coffee maker is slowly dying, so I'm shopping for a new one. I'm a bit of a coffee snob (grind my own beans, rotate through many varieties) so I want a good unit. But that's not to say it has to be expensive: my current, all-manual Braun cost ~$40 and has served me many a fine cup.

I've never had a unit with a timer or automatic shutoff or an onboard grinder or etc, but that's not to say I am necessarily ruling out such features. (And AAMOF, my cheapo grinder is getting a bit long in the tooth, too.) Price is always an issue but I'd rate it well down my list of priorities.

The only thing I know for absolute certain is that I want a unit that uses cone filters; definitely don't want the kind that uses flat-bottom filters, ala Mr Coffee.

Biggest decision centers on whether to get a glass carafe, which I've always had, or a thermal carafe. I've read numerous complaints about thermal carafes not keeping the coffee hot enough, though.

All types of feedback, good and bad, will be useful. However, there are a lot of choices out there and I'm sure most of them do at least a respectable job, so perhaps the most illuminating type of comment might be, "I have a JavaDripper XKE2000 Plus, and believe me you don't want one of these, because _____ ."

Thanks very much!

EDIT: Forgot to mention that I'm looking for a 10-12 cup maker. I drink a lot of Joe, and have a French press for those times when I want a smaller, superior batch.

[bigsteel15]

Well, I'll start off by NOT recommending the unit I have with the built-in grinder. It is a huge PITA to clean if you grind the coffee in it. It is the Cuisinart unit (Grind-n-Brew?) and does have flat bottom.
Personally I want a vacuum brew when mine dies.
In the meantime I generally use my french press if I'm in the mood for a good cup. LOML and I don't like the same coffee, so I make my own.
The carafe in the Cuisinart is great though. 2-3 hours is still good.

[vaking]

I had few in the past and there was always something I did not like- flat bottom filters and cones. At the end the winner is (my current unit and with me for awhile already):
http://www.epinions.com/Bialetti_Mok...p_Coffee_Maker

If you want an official review of what is out there:

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/ki...ews/index.html

[jseklund]

Haha, it's kind of funny that I am going to respond to this. My girlfriend and grandmother have always complained that coffee wasn't as good at home as it was when you got it "out". They didn't know why. I don't really drink coffee, but thought I'd do some research and try to help out.

What I found is what you probably already know- the brewer and grinders make a HUGE difference. Bean quality and freshness is also important. After much research I narrowed my search down to two brewers- the BUNN BT-10 and the Capresso model for around $200. At the time, the bunn was on sale for $100, so I went with that. My mom has a Cuisanart Grind & Brew and no one is impressed with it.

I am happy with my purchase. I now drink coffee ALMOST every day- but ONLY if it's made from this Bunn machine. It's just got a better texture and flavor than any coffee I've ever tried before. I don't hate coffee and would try it elsewhere, but I never really liked it. This machine is GREAT. I bought one for my grandmother too- she likes how it makes coffee too. Everyone who visits LOVES the coffee that comes from it.

This machine isn't fancy, and it isn't flawless. No timer, isn't a "cone" filter, you have to use Bunn Filters ($0.99 at wal-mart, target, amazon, etc. for 100), and is just "plain". There has also been a recall. Both machines that I bought for my girlfriend and my grandmother have been sent back to Bunn in the first year that I owned them. Mine started leaking all over, and I called bunn. I sent it back ($5.00 to ship it) and they sent me a NEW machine. Then they had a recall and I just recently sent my grandmother's in for that (the new one I got wasn't effected) after they sent me a label and they repaired it and sent it right back. Every time I've had to deal with an issue their customer service has been EXCELLENT. I know a lot of people get upset if they have to cover shipping to send a "defective" product back to the manufacturer when it's under warranty, and I normally would, but it's cheap enough and they do take care of you and stand behind what they make. Under the recall they didn't make me pay for the shipping back either.

The other issue is the Carafe. It's a thermal carafe, and like you said- there are issues with these. This carafe gets bad reviews for keeping coffee hot and I agree, but it's usually good for 1-2 hours after it brews, which is enough time for me to polish off the pot anyway. It makes good coffee, so it doesn't wind up sitting around too long.

The other benefit is that it brews coffee fast. Out of the box it takes 3 minutes. I called bunn and they sent me a "high altitude" head that reduces the flow and makes the coffee brew in about 5 minutes instead- which I just believe is a more appropriate brew time. Call them and they send it out for free.

So, if you are looking for GREAT coffee period- I am happy with the Bunn BT-10 (They have a B10 that has the glass caraffe too). There has been some work involved, but the coffee that comes out is like a dessert so it's worth the work. I will agree that they need to fix some engineering issues on their home equipment, but their service backs it up IMO so I can deal.

If I wasn't looking for the work, my next choices in no particular order (I haven't tried any of these- just done research) is the Bunn Home Brew series which is lower priced, and actually doesn't seem to get as many complaints about "needs fixing" issues as the BT-10, or the Capresso machine. I actually saw the Capresso $200 brewer/grinder in home goods the other night for $108....which would have been a great deal if I was looking for a coffee pot.

And of course, a lot of people feel this is too much to spend on a home brewer, so maybe my advice isn't too useful. It's just my .02. Hope it helps!

[bmyers]

I went with the Hamilton Beach thermal carafe. It has a large carafe or two smaller travel mugs (included) that it will brew into. I would never go back to the other kind after this. It keeps coffee plenty hot in the time it takes me to finish it up. Sometimes I like a 2-3 pm cup of joe to get me through the rest of the day and it's still warm enough. If not a few seconds in the microwave does the trick.

What it doesn't do is "over cook" the coffee. Heated coffee pots concentrate coffee down over a few hours into nasty stuff. The thermal carafe doesn't change the flavor of the coffee not matter how long it sits.

Also there are no hot parts that a curious child could grab onto. I have 2 little ones who are very curious...

Its got a simple timer, an internal water filter, uses cone filters, and has become my close personal friend during my morning ritual. Rated well by consumer reports. Can be had for 50-70 bux, and thats with 2 thermal travel mugs.


Bill

[JR]

Cuisinart grind and brew

Another negative vote for this model. Very messy if you grind beans in it.

I would buy one with a timer again, assuming all else is equal. On those days when you have to get up extra early (long ride to a century?), it's great that the coffee's already brewing.

JR

[Deadhead]

So, if you are looking for GREAT coffee period- I am happy with the Bunn BT-10 (They have a B10 that has the glass caraffe too).

I totally agree with jseklund on the Bunn.

http://www.bunnomatic.com/retail/products/b.html

I've been drinking coffee out of these for close to 15 years. In fact, I have a 2nd unit as a backup because I refuse to us anything else. And the best part is that I can have a full pot within about 3 minutes of pouring the water.

[LarryG]

Okay, no on-board grinder, then.

I know that Bunn is the gold standard in restaurants, but I once had a Bunn home machine and it was, hands-down, the worst coffee maker I ever owned. We had an identical one at the office and it was no better; even the cheap-jack Mr Coffee we replaced it with made better coffee. Not long after both units were purchased, Consumer Reports did a comparo test and the Bunn was the only model in the bunch that they rated "Unacceptable." Granted, this was close to 20 years ago and things might well have changed. But, once bitten, twice shy. I wouldn't buy another Bunn without a taste-test.

The Hamilton-Beach that Bill mentions sounds interesting; I'll try to find one of those and check it out.

Anyone else?

[germdoc]

My .02--Sartin's Law of Planned Obsolescence applies here, along with inkjet printers, washing machines, American-made transmissions, and a few other things I can't think of right now. They last until the warranty expires, then POOF! I have never had a coffeepot, no matter how much I spent for it, last more than 2 years.

On the other hand, I am a coffee fanatic and need to have a good machine. I have usually had either Krups or Braun (the Germans really know how to make good coffee)--I buy whatever is on sale and try to avoid anything gimmicky. I've had a problem with some coffeemakers that have a unique water filter that cannot be found anywhere in the Western World, so watch out for this.

Currently I have a Braun--spent about $40 for it. Works OK now, but I wouldn't be surprised if it gave up the ghost anytime now, as I've had it just over a year. The on/off light stopped working right away, but it still brews good coffee.

[crokett]

I have a basic B&D, under-cabinet model that I like. The best thing about it is the insulated pot. You can take the pot off and set it on the counter.

[bigsteel15]

Larry, this thought just occured to me.
We have a $15 single cup B&D here at work. I think they have a double unit as well.
It takes tiny cone filters and makes the best cup of coffee.
My travel mug fits perfect. We only use it for fresh ground.

[430752]

Try a Capresso? And Solis grinder

Few years ago my wife and I went hog wild on coffee. We figured we do it everyday, several times a day, err.. meaning the coffee... and thus wanted to get the right stuff. Well we got the grinder right fer sure and maybe the cofee pot.

Get the solis maestro grinder and be done. Its a bit expensive (~$120), but it is a conical burr ginder, meaning geek speak for the right kind of grinder that grinds/cuts, not grinds/smashes. Well, whatever, If you're serious, this is the last grinder you'll need. Been at least 3 or 4 years maybe 5, used daily, never a problem.

As far as the coffee pot, we got the capresso model unknown. Its italian I think. Not sure the model, but it can be recognized as having the coffee brew cone and pot on one side (2/3) and a little steam area on the right side (1/3 of body). Its not an espresso machine or the like, but after the cofee is brewed, it uses a little water left over to make for steam to froth. No, I don't make double-skinny, decaf, organic soy lattes, but who doesn't like an coffee con leche or cafe au lait?

Well whatever, I can say I like it and I can recommend it. However, I can also say if I had it to do over again I might still pick it, but I'd look to see what else is available.

We didn't get the capresso cuz its italian nor cuz Tony Soprano has one in his house (he does, check it out sometime), but because at the time it was one of the few that offered some features in a decent package. No, we didn't get it for the steam thing, coulda done without it but it also was a nice bonus, rather, it offfered the timer, small cup brew function, cone filter, thermal carafe, ability to take the water tank(from the coffee maker, complete with a handle) to the sink rather than take the water to the coffee maker, and perhaps most importantly: it offered the highest water rise rate of any. That was the real reason, as I had read that how hot you get the water is the key, hotter the better. This offered the hottest water at the time, I think. Maybe since then others have gotten hotter (and no, I don't remember the rise rate). Also, remember, at about 4 years ago, krups and braun hadn't expanded like they have now. Wife and I each had brauns and krupps before we got hitched, and while we thought they were heads and tails better than Mr. coffee's and B&D's, they were still lacking.

As far as the thermal vacuum carafe goes, I'll say I'm not impressed with it, but I wouldn't go back either. I have the vacuum, double wall stainless thing. I don't know how it can be a thermal carafe if single wall glass thing, what's thermal about that? Here's the thing anyway about the thermal vacuuum carafes: it doesn't keep it fresh brewed hot for very long, maybe only an hour or two. But, on the other hand, it does keep it fresh brewed hot long enough, and most importantly, it doesn't need a hot plate to do so. Hot plates, I've read, are the kiss of death where the heating action both usually eventually overheats the brew and also changes its composition as it evaporates some degree of water left. While I like chewey coffee once in a while, it usually involves a fried egg sandwich from a local bodega as I've gotten up early to go somewhere (fish, move, get home, etc.).

[EDIT: I went back to coffeegeeks. com and looked up my capresso: its the capresso coffeetec, and the "first look" review on the left side of the panel is pretty accurate about the machine generally. He claims it got to 207degrees while most go to only 180-185. That I can't vouch for, but I do like it. Also, as a note, I noticed zojurishi makes a brewer now. Didn't read the review, if there is one, but saw it there with a avg. rating of 8.x and price of $79.99 at newegg.com. I can't comment on that brewer, but I can say this would be high on my list if looking today, just by name, since Zojurishi is a major japanese name on par with braun or something for the krauts. They own the rice-cooker market, and have branched into bread makers and other kitchen appliances with success. I bet they'd to a coffee machine well. ]



Well, just some thoughts. Also, check out coffeegeeks.com for further info. That's where I learned much of the above, although haven't been back much since.

oh, and of course, when you do get the gear, spend a little on the beans.

good luck,

curt j.

[L. D. Jeffries]

Why NOT flat bottom filter?

[Joe Lyddon]

Larry,

I did this and I like it really good...

You get a FREE coffee maker (very high quality) and you buy the coffee from them on a taylored schedule to suit you... I think it's great!!

FREE Gevalia 12 cup coffee maker... just say Joe Lyddon sent you!

There are all kinds of fancy coffees you can buy... I just get the Traditional Medium Roast... It's really super good coffee... I mix it 50/50 with regular store bought coffee.

You buy the filters at the store for a fraction of their cost; don't buy their filters.

Edit:
I just noticed that the link I gave says the coffee is $14.95... But the 12 cup coffee maker is FREE... Call Customer Service... (1-800-438-2542) and ask them...

Enjoy!

[jyang]

http://coffeegeek.com

it's a site for coffee geeks. many reviews, mostly of espresso, but they have a drip section as well. We went with the capresso mt 500 drip maker. it's one of the only ones that heats the water to the right temp, and brews the 10 cups in the optimum amount of time (about 5-7 minutes) for the proper steep. check out the reviews.