slug_dub

It is more costly its true, and it isn't really just the machine, a good grinder is almost more necessary, so you can sort out the grind just right for whatever the machine might be inclined to do...

But I regret absolutely nothing. I love coffee and this does save us in the long run offsetting the number of coffees we were buying out*

Its nicer coffee than any other option.

*reduction in actual number of coffees bought out statistically insignificant.

coffeecoffeecoffeecoffeecoffeecoffeecoffeecoffeeco ffeecoffeecoffeecoffee

We have a Rancilio Silvia, not a double boiler but a solid unit.

2manyhobyz

iTrader: (4)

Since you mentioned work is this one for home or office? A little searching says the 1900ts and the Brazen Plus are both really good machines. The Plus has more controls, but that might be a bad thing at work. If I was gonna get one for the house it would be the Plus.
For some people making coffee in the morning is ritualistic. Heating the water, grinding the beans, brewing. For others, "I just wanna push the button". Either way, you will want to get a burr style bean grinder. Freshly ground right before using make a big difference in taste.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Good question: home.
We have some industrial one at work, if I took this to work they'd probably break it in 2 days, there's so many people using it.

Right now I'm one of those guys that "want to push 1 button" but again, I'm just getting into it, so I don't want to find out in 6 months that I have to spend another 200 bux, that's why I'm making sure.

I've drank coffee for about 6 years now, since I start work at 5am. It's really weird that I never became a coffee snob, it was always just something I drank for the energy bump and not as much for the flavor/enjoyment, but as of late I've got this urge to try new things and not drink the same mediocre crap I have for 6 years. I'm probably getting old and actually care about stuff like coffee, beer, food, etc now hahaha

yep, shopping for one of those too

2manyhobyz

iTrader: (4)

This is the grinder I've had for about 6 years, is seem bullet proof.

MDF Gaggia Coffee Grinder | eBay

I don't thing you can go wrong with the plus. There will be some experimenting with different brands of coffee to see what you like. I've found I like Starbuck's Caffe Verona. It's @ $11.50 a lb. It was important for me to balance what I could get immediately when I ran out versus the cost of mail order or driving 40 miles into Chicago for a local roaster. (I have a caffeine problem, but I'm not crazy)
-JB

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

This thread bump is timely as our coffee machine has been getting progressively worse. It's likely on its last legs.

We drink a fair amount of coffee and buy whole beans from a local roaster (Home - Crossroads Coffee House - Really good coffee, Waxhaw, NC), which are amaze *****.

We've never spent more than $100 on a coffee machine though, $175 for the Bonavita is a bit steep for our single income household but we should probably bite the bullet...

y8s

iTrader: (8)

I have a Brazen. I use it ERRR DAY. The best part is you can n00b it now and just make yo coffee and then later you can change all the **** (bloom time, brew temp, manual release) and be a l33tist.

But you also should get an Aeropress because sometimes you just want some strong and perfectly extracted coffee, but only for one cup. Big machines are great if you're brewing for 2+ large cups, otherwise neh.

Only issue with the Brazen for me is that it's apparently VERY sensitive to hard water that's not even that hard. So if you have hard water, look elsewhere. My water is borderline and while I don't get scale, I suspect that two failures (each after about a year) of the release valve assembly, MAY be related.

Still, bitchin warranty got me replacements and each one was updated from the previous, which probably helps matters.

Best thing about it is that it has a timer! morning coffee requires no morning work! Though one could argue that you could put any on/off machine on a light timer (of sufficient current capacity) and get the same thing.

If I didn't get a Brazen, I'd probably get a Technivorm Moccamaster with a thermal carafe.

Also if you're srs about coffee, you'll need a GOOD conical burr grinder. The cheap Baratza Encore is a very solid investment. You could also get a hand mill if you need more forearm strength.

I have the Mr Coffee and while it is cheap and effective, it is loud as **** and doesn't go very fine (which you'll need for drip/aero). We have a previous generation Baratza at work and it is the bomb.

DNMakinson

iTrader: (3)

<p>We use one of these:&nbsp;https://www.katom.com/021-212500000....n14aAqyR8P8HAQ</p><p>Bunn's&nbsp;bottom end of commercial units. That along with a commercial grinder I got from work when our espresso maker broke.</p><p>It doesnt have a timer, but, with the preheated reservoir, it makes morning pot in 3 minutes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Interdasting.

I'm not sure how hard/soft our water is, but we do use this at home:

The quantity statement is interesting too cause I don't need a lot of coffee. 1, sometimes 2 cups, that's about it.

So the french press/aero press:
You basically fill it with boiling water, do it's thing, but how do you maintain consistency? I hear too cold and it's bitter, too hot and it's burnt, etc. I have no idea how consistent our boiling water is, and I'm not geeking out with a thermometer or something

Girz0r

iTrader: (1)

I like the smell of coffee *sometimes*, but I don't drink it.

Am I missing out on this magical morning beverage?

chriscar

iTrader: (24)

After my Breville died with the same 001 error as so many others, I wanted something simpler. Enter the Bonavita

It's the Namamichi CD400 of coffee makers (without the failure prone CD mechanism). IOW, it has minimal controls, looks like a $29 Mr. Coffee, and is so simple to use, that when you're all groggy and need your coffee, it's dead simple to use. Therefore, the coffee goes in the pot, and not all over the counter, and floor.



C

SchmoozerJoe

iTrader: (2)

Yes. A well brewed shot of espresso (or brewed coffee) tastes as good as the beans smell.

Vlad, don't overthink this. Grab a grinder, an Aeropress, and an electric kettle. Heck. If you want to get fancy about it, they have electric kettles with built in temp settings... So you can co consistently heat the water to 205, etc... making your life much easier.

We'll leave the discussions about adding PID controllers to your espresso machines for later. Much later.

But an Aeropress, $100 grinder, and $100 electric kettle will surpass most any brewed coffees you can get out of the house, without the effort required for a pour-over. Or necessity to brew an entire pot of coffee like the Technovom units.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

almost spit out my instant

y8s

iTrader: (8)

Aeropress is easy once you learn how.

Here's my method (the Inverted method):

1. put water in kettle and boil til it whistles
2. grind coffee. I use about 1.5 scoops of beans (using included scoop) or 1 scoop of grounds
3. assemble plunger to body of aeropress so it's as extended as possible (plunger seal about 3/8 from end of press) and sit it upside down on counter.
4. dump in grounds (use funnel to avoid mess)
5. take water--just off the boil, so around 200+ degrees, and pour it SLOWLY to the top. Stir with the included paddle to wet all the grinds. The bloom will subside and leave a little headroom.
6. start a timer for ~2 minutes
7. top off your water / grinds so they're about 1/4" from the top
8. stick a flter into the cap and wet it if you like.
9. wait impatiently / get a mug
10. when the timer goes off, screw the cap and filter onto the end of the press and HOLDING THE PLUNGER SO IT DOESN'T POP OUT, flip it upside down and set it on top of your mug.
11. press slowly using the weight of your arm until it goes FFFFSFFSSSCHSSCHSS and all the air is squeezed out through the grinds in an esspressoy brown foam.
12. take the press to the garbage or compost and unscrew the filter cap. Press the plunger the rest of the way down and *pop* the coffee puck into the trash.
13. Top the mug with hot or cold water depending on how hot you want your coffee. Or adulterate it with milk/sugar/flavored bullshit as you prefer.

It's pretty simple when you do it in practice. There are about 16 million videos and methods on the internet.

I have yet to get a too bitter/too sour using water off the boil. If you use the microwave to heat your water, it's not as science becasue you can under heat or super heat it without getting a boil and that will **** YO **** UP. Plus a kettle is also possible to use anywhere you heat, like camping. And great coffee when camping is pretty much the holy grail (not of miata cooling systems).

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Very helpful, thanks.
I'll also check those videos you speak of

basically you're doing the upside down thing to relieve the trapped air similar to what the "pre-soak" process does on the machines?

SchmoozerJoe

iTrader: (2)

Yup.

And I'm totally not joking about the PID controllers for the boiler temps.
Auberins has a kit out there to help eliminate the need to temperate surf the brew temps on lower priced espresso machines.

I'm not a fan, purely because you can fit the guts inside the case.
Otherwise, it's a pretty handy way to eliminate a variable from the equation.

Can you tell I'm a geek?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I think I'm gonna start with a french press now that I'm looking into it.
I don't want to find out $200-400 later that I'm just not into this that much and wasted money.

if I love the whole "good coffee" thing I'll definitely step my game up.



so do most of you guys not "taint" your coffee with milk/creamer/sugar?
I'm watching videos and it appears that these are the MT equivalent of racelands/obx manifold

y8s

iTrader: (8)

seriously just ignore reason and logic and get an aeropress for $30 and see if you even like coffee. It will do a great job and not blow your wad (unless of course you decide it's so delicious you accidentally in your pants).

Even mediocre pre-ground beans taste pretty D in an aeropress.


edit in response to above: not a french press. you'll probably not like the grit and sludge you get. Also you'll break it in a week because glass.

I put sugar in my coffee, but only a tiny bit. you do what you want, but definitely try it black when you try a new process. it may surprise you.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

aeropress is 30? for some stupid reason I thought it was 100

okay I'm getting one

SchmoozerJoe

iTrader: (2)

Yup. Very inexpensive.
Basically it's a French Press with a bit of filtering action as well.

Added bonus, one cup at a time.

You should swing by one of the Temple Coffee locations for your beans.
The owners are very race-car friendly... and campaign an e30 on the track.

Temple Coffee Locations

18psi

iTrader: (76)

look at this thread winning

so theirs should be better than costco/sprouts/etc?
that was sorta my next question

by "better" I mean they'll have a good variety and someone will take my n00b hand and guide me through what I might like

*edit: just checked their site. they have tastings. they also have the aeropress.

WIN/WIN