Best coffee, tea & espresso according to redditors
We found 8,830 Reddit comments discussing the best coffee, tea & espresso. We ranked the 1,927 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 8,830 Reddit comments discussing the best coffee, tea & espresso. We ranked the 1,927 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
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Get some beans, and you'll have better coffee than 95% of campus.
If you want to move to a Chemex instead of the aeropress, you totally could, but remembering dorm life, I'd absolutely pick an Aeropress.
There is no products from brands. Everything on amazon is from alibaba and every brand is no deeper than a name and maybe a logo.
If you want a trick on Amazon, sort by highest rating and find something that looks good. Then sort by lowest price and look for the pictures, COMPLETELY IGNORING ALL REVIEWS. You'll find a picture that matches exactly the same product that was highly rated, but for less than half the price.
Here is an example:
https://www.amazon.com/JavaPresse-Grinder-Conical-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B013R3Q7B2/ref=sr_1_8?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1543270477&sr=1-8&keywords=Electric+coffee+grinder
https://www.amazon.com/Manual-Coffee-Grinder-Adjustable-Consistent/dp/B078RW6QDJ/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1543270500&sr=1-2&keywords=Electric+coffee+grinder
Here is a third one and probably a more accurate match
https://www.amazon.com/Umwon-Adjustable-Precision-Stainless-Traveling/dp/B07CCHBG76/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1543274929&sr=8-12&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Electric+coffee+grinder
>mocha pot
Did you mean Moka Pot?
i'll play. go get an aeropress, it's like a french press on HGH.
http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000GXZ2GS
The Aeropress if you drink coffee. It's £24 on Amazon at the moment but it has been under £20 before. https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Coffee-Tea-Espresso/Aerobie-AeroPress-80R11-Maker/B000GXZ2GS
I don't really understand how it makes such good filter coffee, it's magic or something, but it's really easy to use and makes great super-fast one cup coffee for those who want to use filter or grind their own beans but don't want to run a full coffee maker / make loads of cups / wait around.
Hario V60+Filters, Bonivita Electric Kettle (or any goose neck kettle), a kitchen scale that reads in grams, a stop watch/timer, and some coffee. Done. If you have the extra money get an electric burr grinder, if not just have the roaster or wherever you buy the coffee pre-grind it for pour over.
edit: Added some Amazon links in so people can see prices.
The Hario Mini MIll is the coffee grinder I'd suggest you go for on a student budget. It's hand-cranked and a burr grinder that's pretty popular on here as an affordable, quality grinder - it's just not suitable for more than one or two cups at a time if you don't want a hand cramp.
Looking at Amazon Germany, it seems to be 25 euros - http://www.amazon.de/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/
Perhaps keep an eye on it and see if the price drops? Over in the UK it's currently £22 on Amazon but I bought it for £13 back in August from the same retailer.
It works very well with a french press for me, the grind can be a bit inconsistent, but I've never found it to be detrimental to the quality of the brew. I'm sure many other folks can chime in on their experiences with the Hario Mini MIll as well.
I do think this post is BS too, but I have that same [espresso maker](Bialetti 06800 Moka stove top coffee maker, 6 -Cup, Aluminum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNY6UK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OedKDb3B9DN2J) and it absolutely gets hot as fuck on the bottom. You put it directly on the stove top to use it.
Edit: Links don't work here, I guess. It's a Bialetti Moka Express for those wondering. It works very well.
Here's a pretty good setup if you're willing to get whole beans and grind them yourself:
French Press ($12), Hario Skerton hand grinder ($40) - if you have a pot to boil water in this is all the setup you'd need for great coffee at only $52.
If you don't have a pot, add on an electric kettle for $20 and you're still only at $72 total.
THIS??
Electric kettle. It will heat the tea to the exact temperature.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KYSLNQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Not only does it help control flavor, but for green tea I can start drinking immediately after steep. Whereas with boiling the water you usually need to let it sit longer than steep time.
Hario Coffee Mill Slim Grinder
Melitta Ready Set Joe Single Cup Coffee Brewer
Filters
That leaves you with about $12 to spare, which you could spend on some beans.
(This is my own setup btw, so I may or may not be biased. It is cheap though.)
Bottom line is: not really.
Even the moderately good super-automatics start at 4 times the top of your budget ... and they come with plenty of problems of their own which will mean you're going to end up being disappointed in them.
In your budget, you can get yourself a decent hand grinder; a moka pot and a milk frother ... team those up with some decent fresh roast beans and you can get yourself a very acceptable cappuccino. If you spend just a little more and get an electric burr grinder, then you're going to find it a lot easier and faster to grind your beans and you'll use the moka pot more.
For what you're saying, I'd recommend going with: an Encore; a bialetti; and, matching milk frother. All those links are pulled straight from Amazon, but by all means shop around and you might get it down to your budget. As it is, that comes to around $200 - most of which is the grinder. Once you have that grinder, though, you open up a whole world of good coffee in the home.
Edit for link
Do yourself a favor and buy a Moka pot
That shit will survive the apocalypse and I'll be brewing dank coffee over a fire built with the dried bones of my children
That's a Hario burr grinder (dear god why do I know that?). Mostly used for coffee.
Edit: link to product
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ
this:
https://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-6-Cup-Stovetop-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000CNY6UK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1542296556&sr=1-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=bialetti&dpPl=1&dpID=41UCgigskiL&ref=plSrch
Coffee is wonderfully strong and concentrated. The only thing you need to replace from time to time is the sealing ring. I‘ve done that twice so far, I use the system daily and have had it for over 15 years.
Wow. Its not "buy it for life", its "shit coffee for life".
How can you have broken a drip coffee maker by using it correctly? They're porcelain. You just put the coffee in the filter and pour in hot water and wait. There aren't any moving parts. I genuinely can't believe you've broken five.
I've used a coffee filter to filter my bacon fat and the end result is crystal clear, melted gold.
edit: if you find that you're needing to filter bacon fat often, I'd buy one of these, granted you aren't filtering gallons of the stuff at a time.
I haven't used this gold filter for bacon fat, but in terms of coffee making, some fine dust particles will make it through this filter. If you want something that'll filter out almost every solid, maybe you can go with this.
Wait until your fat has cooled off a bit, then plop this filter cone on top of an open jar, put a coffee filter in, and pour away. I have seen both of these filter cones in multiple grocery stores like Wal-mart and Kroger. Super cheap and reusable!
Get a hario skerton for $29...the one at world market is likely crap
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ
My simple guide for UK beginners.
Don't waste your money buying fancy AA single estate small batch beans because you just won't get the best out of them. You want a reliable and inexpensive blend that doesn't need a chemistry degree and £300 worth of equipment to achieve good results every time.
I would go as far as to recommend new comers just pick up some decent supermarket branded beans to practice your technique and figure out what type of coffees work for you. The when you become more confident with your method feel free to start exploring more luxury beans.
Well, I just moved for the first time in 7 years... I had been getting coffee at my local shop EVERY morning since they opened over the 4 years ago.
So, I am relatively new to brewing my own coffee-- around 2 weeks actually. I went out and bought the stuff for Father's day.
My setup.
Black & Decker Grinder - Not great, but it really works. I got it at a local store new for $22.
[Chefman Water Kettle] - Fucking amazing and quick - $39.99 same local store.
[Boodum French Press 8cup] - I love this thing - $21 at Target.
Wooden spoon for stirring & hand painted mug.
Wanted to get some feedback on mysetup. Apparently the grinder is not amazing, but it seems to be working just fine for me on the coarser setting.
This goes two ways depending on whether you're lazy or willing to work for your coffee.
Are you a very lazy person?
Get some ready-made decoction from Amazon. Boil water, mix a little decoction. Done. It's much better than Nescafé.
Are you willing to put in some effort? You need to buy beans, grind them yourself and use an espresso machine.
Beans: Blue Tokai is very good, but expensive. I've heard Koinonia is good, too, but it is again expensive. Devans has good coffee and is cheaper, but are sometimes inconsistent on the roast. The Coffee Gatherer is probably the cheapest source of good beans, but they don't roast well at all. This may or may not matter very much to you.
Grinding mill: buy a dedicated burr grinder. Use it only for grinding coffee. I have this. It's good enough but you can buy bigger and more expensive ones.
Espresso machine: I have a Tecnora. It's cheap and very good, builds great pressure, makes great espresso. You can dilute the espresso to make Americano. Machines from other brands in the same price range don't build up enough pressure and make a very weak Espresso.
I also have an Aeropress which I used for years. People swear by it, as I did, but the espresso machine makes much better coffee. I also used a French press before. It makes gritty and bitter coffee, and leaves grounds in so it keeps brewing as it sits. If you tend to sip large cups over a long while French press coffee is the worst.
Jesus, you guys are the best!!! THANK YOU!!! I'm getting this one. I've been doing it wrong for too long. Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043095WW/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_Df0kybY52HEEX
Baratza Encore ~$130 new. Check Baratza refurbished website from time to time
The Encore isn't the best but is a good starting electric burr grinder
Edit: links
Going strong for one year now. Hamilton Beach var temp kettle. http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI
If I had to make that small an area work, I would rely heavily on countertop appliances.
Forget a built in burner, takes up too much room.
Get a gas or induction hot plate for use in the summer, and use the black oven in the winter.
Make outlets readily available on the counter. Best place would be the underside of any cabinets, or just the wall.
You can do a lot with one of those combo griddles. Cuisinart makes a cheap one, but you can get nicer ones from others. Breville is one, but I am sure there are others.
Build your knife storage into the counter, a la Alton Brown. Saves space, and makes them always available.
Don't skip the dishwasher. It'll take up valuable storage space, but working in a small kitchen like that will be much more bearable if you don't have to wash dishes by hand.
Make sure you get plenty of prep bowls, and have storage space for them. Mise en place will be very important with a small space, and they will help a lot.
A Magic Bullet type blender is really handy for cooking for 2, and for a lot of tasks that would otherwise take up more counterspace (chopping onions, beating eggs, chopping herbs, etc).
Make the whole countertop out of end grain butcher block (or side grain if you don't want to/can't spring for end grain) so that you don't have to deal with cutting boards at all.
If you don't already, try cooking sous vide. Takes little space, and good for summer cooking as it won't let too much heat into the space.
Have a hood vent for your black stove, and in the summer, put your hot plate there. The vent needs to be the type that goes outside, not the filtering one.
You don't want a small space like that filling with smoke from cooking.
Actually, depending on how you build the kitchen, you might be able to just put the vent in the middle of the room. Have the ceiling slope towards the center a bit.
Don't skip the garbage disposal in the sink - you'll regret it. Also, stick with a single sink instead of the traditional double. You're better off with one normal sized sink than two half sized sinks.
Skip the microwave, and just get a large toaster oven instead, one of the deep ones that can fit a 12" pizza. You can do most everything you can do in a microwave in the toaster over, it just takes a bit longer.
Skip the coffee maker, and get a hot water ketttle with a gooseneck spout like this. Learn to do pourover, get an Aeropress, or a Chemex. Saves you counterspace, and you can use the electric kettle for other cooking things too.
I have the BonaVita. I can't speak to BIFL, but I like it and there are no submerged plastic pieces.
Yes, ditch it. You'll get better coffee for less money with less environmental waste from any of the methods suggested here.
I'll put in my vote for what got me into pour-overs, and which never seems to get much love on this sub: a good old fashioned Melitta drip cone, which makes a more than decent cup of coffee with easily obainable (and cheap) filters with a minimum of fuss. You can pick up a small one that's perfect for one or two cups for under ten bucks, and a set with a larger cone which also includes a glass carafe (perfect for making multiple cups at once) for not much more than that.
https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Coffee-Single-Pour-Over-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6
https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-640446-Pour-Over-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0000CFLCT
Here's a really cheap grinder. I got it on Amazon for $20, so if you wait and watch, the prices might drop.
Depends on the store. Trader Joe's coffee is really good for the price. Whole foods is probably good too. I've heard got things about 8 O'Clock, a brand most stores carry, but I've never had it.
You should check out ceramic manual hand grinders! Basically a small, inexpensive, low investment, quick way to ensure fresh coffee!
I have a Beratza Encore now but I used a hand grinder for 18 months before I got it. The little hand grinders are honestly pretty amazing.
Brb with a link.
I am back.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013R3Q7B2/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517587258&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=hand+grinder+coffee&dpPl=1&dpID=31OfOtErjNL&ref=plSrch
Hmm... if he just got a French Press for Christmas and is buying pre-ground then I would say to get him a burr grinder such as the Hario Mini Mill (amazon).
Basically, good coffee needs only a couple things and one of them is freshly ground and freshly roasted beans. It doesn't matter what coffee you brew if you didn't grind it freshly it won't be as good. The Mini Mill is also pretty affordable so you could pair that with a bag of freshly roasted coffee. If you don't mind buying things offline (ie, in the real world), then I would try and find a local roaster that you can drive to. Odds are if you're in/near a city you have one but may not know you do. You mentioned a particular place, they sound like a re-seller but likely they do get very fresh shipments (perhaps once a week since this is how my local shops work). If you would prefer to buy it online, then I can suggest Klatch Coffee Roasters in CA and Verve Coffee (also in CA). The former charges for shipping, but it's $5-$6 via USPS. The latter does not, which is fantastic if you're interested in ordering one bag of coffee. I wouldn't pay $5-$6 to ship one bag of coffee, but I would to ship two bags.
The important thing to remember with coffee beans is that you want it fresh. Ideally a couple days after being roasted, if not sooner, so you should be looking to buy this a few days before Valentine's.
I use a coffee filter cone. It's dirt cheap (mine was $2.50) and makes a single serving.
From reading this subreddit for a couple days, this sounds like what /r/coffee would recommend:
Drink better coffee.
I started drinking black coffee when a friend bought me a grinder and an Aeropress. I started buying different beans from gocoffeego and now get 2 bags a month. Have never looked back to cream and sugar.
Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp Kettle
Best: multiple portraits of Ulysses S. Grant.
Worst: multiple portraits of Ulysses S. Grant.
Me entire family sans SO gave me cash for Christmas. I can't really complain; I wanted a bunch of boring adult things (new contacts and glasses, underwear, socks, shoes) and now I shall have them. Cash is stupid dull on Christmas day, though, once everyone starts pulling out their new toys and playing with them. Super easy clean-up, though.
My SO gave me the electric tea kettle I've been coveting for the last year. If President Grant wasn't such a charmer - and I wasn't so excited about getting new undies (it's been awhile) - my SO would have won Christmas.
That's a pretty terrible grinder. Coffee snobs won't like it.
In this price range, for a coffee geek, you're better off getting them a nice cup, like this or a manual grinder like this. An AeroPress would be amazing as well.
A nutribullet probably uses blades like a spice grinder or blenders. You’ll get a huge difference in the consistency of the grind using a burr grinder. You can pretty easily get a manual burr grinder from amazon and even the cheap ones will be a lot better than a blade one. The Hario Skerton is on the less expensive side and will definitely be good enough for a french press starting out. Not sure what the price is like in Ireland though.
Hario Buono kettle and either the Hario Skerton or Porlex. Use the rest to buy a scale if you don't have one, or a pour over if you don't have one, or a bag of beans :)
Honestly, we have an $800 fancy espresso machine at my work with all the bells and whistles, and it is a grand pain in the ass to use. My $100 DeLonghi machine at home consistently makes a fuller and richer crema and it easy to use. I would recommend that one for a cheap start to try out. Grind fresh coffee, learn to pack it right, and importantly, keep the machine clean!
Why the fuck are you using amazon.com instead of amazon.fr or .uk or .de?
Ich mach mir meinen täglichen Kaffee hiermit.
Not a shill for Amazon I promise, but I think this is really all you need.
Hario V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripper, Size 02, White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P4D5HG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gXyzCbNQG9JHC
very inexpensive option just as good as anything else. Probably the only thing you want to make sure is that it's not plastic, but rather ceramic.
>Stove
bruv
What the fuck are you smoking?
One of the more popular kettles in the tea community is this and it is great https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40/ there are a few higher end ones that heat up even faster as well.
The variable temp is important for tea ofc but lmfao @ you thinking that I'm using a stove or that it would be unsafe. This thing will hold the temp for 2 hours before it gives up and turns off.
For the best value, get a hand grinder. Electric you are paying for convience and the motor. Hand grinder usually has better quality to warrent the price. I recommend Lido 3 (best but a little expensive, $200), Porlex Mini, or Hario Skerton
https://prima-coffee.com/equipment/orphan-espresso/lido3
https://www.amazon.com/Porlex-Mini-Stainless-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0044ZA066
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill-Skerton/dp/B001802PIQ
I love my Encore:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007F183LK
Thanks for the update. That's plenty of money to start.
The two big things you can do to drastically improve your cup is 1.) fresh WHOLE coffee beans (check the roast date); none of that pre-ground stuff. If you are looking for speed and cheap this is a decent grinder that will meet your needs, however if you have the time, (effort) and want to do it right. I would strongly recommend something like this. It is a burr grinder and will give you MUCH better results (rather than chopping beans you are actually grinding them. Burr grinder = squeezing out the best aromas and flavor into your coffee). You can buy one for ~$40 (along with ~$30 for a decent french press).. Get the beans whole and grind them before each use (two scoops of coffee per 6 ounces of water); don't let the beans sit for more than a month. They lose freshness and aroma/taste each day after it's been opened. 2.) use good water. You don't have to use bottled, Brita is fine or tap if you have good water.
and that's it. From there you can explore the types of roast you like, the different regions, blends, etc since you will be making consistent coffee each time this way (very few variables unlike many of the methods of brewing- but hey, isn't that half the fun? Although most would suggest getting a scale right away, I would recommend holding off. A scale can then help you fine tune your technique, but is IMHO a bit too complicated to start with. Instead, I would take the money saved and check out some good coffee shops in your area, particularly ones that roast their own coffee. You'll quickly learn what you like and what you don't.
Good luck, have fun and feel free to msg me if you have anymore questions.
Also: you can try to adjust the grind for the strength of your coffee (to taste). More fine = stronger. More coarse = less strong. That will affect not just the strength, but also the body and "mouth feel" of the coffee (if you do go with a french press, you want a "coarse" grind).
The Harios are decent hand-grinders
... but since it's a gift, electric is a very nice thing to have if you're up early in the morning:
There are others for under a hundred, but this is an ok place to start.
I'd go for an aeropress. It's what got myself, and later on my girlfriend, into coffee, and it's pretty cheap. It will make a strong, small batch of coffee each time, somewhere between an espresso and a french press (in my opinion).
I'm guessing the macchiatos your fiance is talking about is the Starbucks variety. Macchiatos are supposed to be an espresso shot with very little milk added.
Anyway, continuing on the assumption that the drink she likes is 1-2 shots of espresso and a mug of foamed milk (and flavoring), I would start by making a copy of that at home with the aeropress.
The way I did that is I'd warm up a mug of milk while I'm boiling the water, and use a handheld frother to froth the heated milk. (This won't create the same caliber of foamed milk as you'd get from an espresso machine/steamer but I'm guessing you don't want to drop the cash on one quite yet)... Once the milk is frothed and the water is heated I'd add freshly ground beans(important that they're fresh!) to to the aeropress, and then water, and brew the coffee right into the mug of frothed milk.
At this point you have a pretty close replica to a latte. Since you are newcomers to coffee, you might want to add some sort of flavoring to it. I rarely do, but when I did, I'd just add a little vanilla extract and sugar.
Tips:
You're going to want to grind your beans at home. Buying preground beans almost guarantees they're going to be stale.
Gear:
Beans: (Places I've tried)
Mugs:
If you have any questions, or if I'm wrong about something let me know! I think this is all for now.
Okay I guess -
This one is pretty, and comparable to this teapot
Stainless steel tea kettle. Compare stainless steel teapot.
Pouring Kettles typically function as their own pot, in the style of these gooseneck pots.
This Kettle is Black, and calls out his friend The Teapot as also being black.
I'm convinced that this glorified Tea Kettle is really the same product as this novelty Tea Pot.
Who wore it better?
He has an espresso machine, can't read the model name, it might be this capresso model, but it looks standard enough.
he has a vacuum coffee maker, looks kinda like this
Then he has an electric coffee grinder that's pretty good sized. it's not exactly this model, but it's close enough. Edit: it may be this Capresso model grinder as well
I personally think his coffee mugs are way too small, but I drink coffee by the 20oz thermos mug. I might have a small addiction.
Then I'm seeing Angostura Bitters, Milagro anejo tequilia, sailor jerry rum, pre-made simple syrup, and a couple bottles I can't see.
from /u/eeyore9999:
Bonavita Variable Temp [$61 on Amazon] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/)
It looks like you are set on a grinder. Virtuoso and Encore are both great. It's up to you if the Virtuoso is worth the additional expense.
The Fellow Stagg Kettle looks sexy, but honestly the basic Bonavita gooseneck kettle is a workhorse and a great value. If you want a little more temperature control then you can go with the variable temp Bonavita gooseneck kettle. I have the basic Bonavita gooseneck kettle and honestly it does exactly what I need it to and I haven't missed having a temp control.
I recommend a stainless steel insulated french press, like this one from VonShef. It keeps the water temp from dropping during the brew process and it won't break like the glass body french press.
Good luck!!
I wrote an answer to a similar question yesterday. Here's a version edited for you, hope this helps.
​
Cheapest possible way to get into it is a whirly blade grinder and a french press. No filters needed, just fresh ground coffee made rather quickly and easily. This was my first ever coffee set up, and really got me into drinking better coffee. Buying locally from a reputable roaster will be the best option for quality beans for a good price, and you seem to know that already.
The other option, is to buy nice or buy twice. After using the above set up for a few months I was hooked and decided to upgrade everything. So I will send you some options for the most cost effective way to make specialty level coffee. For this I would look at a nicer grinder and a pour over set up. While hand grinders are great, almost everyone upgrades to an electric one. The linked options there are my favorite for the money. The electric model from baratza can be found refurbished on their website from time to time for additional savings.
The next thing you'll need is a pour over and a kettle to pour with. I recommend a Chemex here as they are good for serving one to three cups comfortably. I recommended a glass handle chemex because they are beautiful, but wood necked models are a little cheaper. I would get the white square filters with it as they impart less papery flavor. As for a kettle you have a ton of options. I am going to link a budget electric kettle as I find the stovetop models to be more of a hassle. The additional cost for an electric kettle is pretty marginal.
Hope this is helpful! Happy brewing and welcome to the fam!
This one for me, the variable temp control is a really nice feature. seems like it's on sale, looks like a darn good price to me.
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1540949854&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bonavita+gooseneck+kettle&dpPl=1&dpID=41m5oiUYEaL&ref=plSrch
Edit. Sale price is gone. That was quick
Grinder
>Capresso Infinity - $89
>
>or
>
>Hario Mini Mill Slim - $30 - If you don't mind hand-grinding your beans
Coffee Maker
>Aeropress - $23 - Balanced flavour, easy cleanup
>
>or
>
>Hario v60 - $19 - If you enjoy the process of preparing your coffee, and enjoy a brighter (more acidity) cup of coffee.
>
>or
>
>A french press - $20 and up - If you want to make more coffee at a time than the Aeropress, don't mind a "thicker" (more coffee particulate and oils in the cup) coffee, and are not opposed to having a little bit more clean-up.
You'll need a kettle for any of these brew methods; a programmable/temperature controlled kettle like this one ($95) is ideal for manual brew methods, but any kettle (and a thermometer if you'd like to get fussy) will do just fine.
Personally I would get the Capresso and the Aeropress if I were you. It's a very balanced and forgiving brew method that can make coffee a few different ways (eg. paper filter for a "brighter" cup, metal for a thicker one). Set aside the rest of your budget and find a good coffee roaster near you!
Beginner's Kit around here is pretty much going to be a grinder, scale, and Aeropress.
For a grinder, unless you want to jump into the depths of coffee, I'd probably suggest a Porlex, or either a Hario Mini Mill or Skerton.
For a beginner's scale, you can use whatever you have on hand, if you already own one. If you need one, American Weighs are highly recommended.
And the Aeropress! Despite all of the gear I've picked up, I still come back to this method. It's clean, simple, and fast.
But don't forget the fresh coffee. That's going to make the biggest difference.
C'mon OP...
If your interested. Couldn't live without mine.
Bialetti - stove top espresso maker - you'll never need to buy an expensive coffee maker ever again.
Leuchterm 1917 journal for my bullet journal
6in Ruler to go with my journal - fits in the back pocket perfectly
Huhuhero Color Pen Set also to go with my journal -- has every color you'll need and has a really nice thickness. I use a finer tipped Staedtler for writing but these pens are perfect for titles and decorating and under $6 can't be beat
Customizable dog tag
Ahava Dead Sea Bath Salts - for a luxurious bath that won't dry you out
Ramekins for all of your baking needs. It's also fantastic to use for cooking (holding onto spices, separating eggs, etc.) and for serving dips.
Dog Toy Basket - adorable, holds a ton of toys, and looks really chic in my apartment.
Salt and Pepper Mill Grinders - pretty and functional
Bath Overflow Cover - get your water higher for a more satisfying bath
Bath Spa Pillow
Grippy Stand - the BEST stand for any size tablet.. I have two of them they're so good
Hotel Spa Cotton Towel 4 Pack - smallish bath towel with so many uses. I leave then by the front door to wipe the pup's paws.
Popin Cookin 9 Pack - the MOST FUN you'll ever have 9 times over
Tons and tons and tons of books - look under the "available for less money" links for "used" paperback versions that will make them super affordable and they usually come nearly brand new!
That is basically the cheapest good burr grinder that's not manual. Of course the manual ones work too--the grinder you linked is basically a knockoff Hairo Skerton:
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ
I started with the Hairo Slim, but it got old eventually and I purchased the Encore.
You'll be in Seattle, what's the problem again? Oh, funds.
For dorm use a French Press and an electric kettle + a manual grinder should do you and not break the bank.
If espresso is more your thing, look into the aeropress, but the grinder and kettle recommendations stand.
I'd go for an Aeropress, a decent hand grinder and an electric kettle. You will have far superior coffee, you can use the kettle to make all sorts of food (boxed mac and cheese, ramen noodles, cous cous, etc.), you will save some money and you will be able to explore all sorts of amazing freshly roasted beans.
I love my Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001802PIQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Total: $91, spend all remaining moneys on beans
I have this kettle: Cuisinart PerfecTemp Kettle. It's great. I use it for coffee and tea. It doesn't have a temperature display exactly, but you press a button to select your desired temperature. But my favorite feature is probably to "keep warm" feature. Great kettle, well worth the money.
After much experimentation, you have a few options:
Many places off-campus & within a reasonable walk serve coffee, but I don't know of any other notable options.
At home, I use an incredibly inexpensive coffee maker: Aerobie Aeropress, with a Hario Hand Mill, both of which are highly-recommended by /r/coffee. I haven't been able to find an amazing place to buy unground coffee beans near campus yet, and I tend to buy beans when in Toronto.
Hope this helps.
I'd have to recommend looking away from a pod based machine. Because it's pre-ground the coffee is stale already when you buy it. In addition to using stale coffee these machines aren't capable of producing enough pressure (9 bars) to produce real espresso. Instead of opting for a machine I'd get an aeropress.
An [Aeropress,] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS/) [grinder,] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_PE85xb5KY6678) [scale,] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004164SRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_NG85xb8VP81H3) and [kettle] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IGOXLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8J85xbF33PVD0) will be cheaper than the Nescafe and will produce significantly better coffee.
The nice part about the aeropress is its simplicity and versatility. You can use it as an espresso substitute for Lattes and milk drinks, drink it black for a clean, bold cup, or dilute it to an americano for a traditional cup of coffee. Make sure to get some fresh beans from a local roaster too!
This is not a straightforward answer. Sorry.
It really depends on what you want to get out of the cup:
I personally use a V60. The others are all fantastic, you really can't go wrong.
Hario Skerton: Baseline manual grinder
Baratza Encore: Baseline electric grinder
Hario v60
Kalita Wave
Clever Dripper
Pick a grinder, pick one of the pourover methods (or get a French Press) and filters, and you're set. You can get a gooseneck kettle if you want for a better pour.
That's basically how I started and discovered that manually brewing coffee is much better than a drip machine.
You can get a Melitta very cheap. It's probably cheaper at a box store than on-line. It closely replicates the cone you used, as it only has one hole. Additionally, the filters are very inexpensive.
For your next upgrade, I'd highly recommend a scale. You'll be able to produce consistent results. After than it's all about better
toystools.kettle: http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417710975&sr=8-2&keywords=bonavita
Scale: http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Drip-Scale-Timer/dp/B009GPJMOU/ref=pd_sim_k_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=04WC4XNEDPNT7K81849C
Hand mills (good to take with the aeropress while traveling):
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1417711031&sr=1-2&keywords=hario+mill
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Canister-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B003EEGDSM/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1417711031&sr=1-3&keywords=hario+mill
Or if you want to go all out you could get a small roaster and some green bean samplers to have some fun with.
Hario Skerton Hand Grinder - $40 manual burr grinder. Some people have complained in the past about getting plastic shavings in their coffee, although this may be a fixed issue. An excellent alternative to blade grinders on the lower end of the price range.
Hario Mini Mill on sale as well for $24! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001804CLY/
I think I might pick up both thanks to this subreddit!
EDIT: Nabbed the Aeropress, filters, and Mini Mill for $50. I am ready for coffee heaven.
Because I must have temperature control, I love the Bonavita (have 2 and given many as gifts). https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Electric-Gooseneck-Temperature/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1492702531&sr=8-2&keywords=bonavita+kettle
I have the Hario as well, but it's difficult to manage the temperature.
But next coffee bar will be the Stag EKG. Pre-order only though: http://fellowproducts.com/shop/staggekg/
I have the Bonavita variable temp kettle and I love it, but not for the temperature control (which I keep at near boiling). I love being able to wake up, click it on, and then hop in the shower without worrying about it boiling over or having the stove on. Holding water hot for an hour or so is, to me, the biggest "win" for the electric kettle.
A simple stovetop will do, of course. I used that for years and my brews were awesome. But I love my electric kettle.
Edit: Looks like the Bonavita variable temp is on sale now for around $50 on Amazon(as of 7am Pacific time, 11/21/19).
Considering what you've described I'm surprised you're considering a hand grinder. A $99 refurbished Baratza Encore (or a new one) is a great price to performance value.
Probably the gourmet shop in five points will have a baratza burr grinder. This is the one I have and it is 👍👍
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007F183LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_X6zVDb8FAAGD8
Sure!
This is the popcorn popper I'm using to roast (not pictured)
This is the Sweet Maria's sampler pack (4 lbs of green coffee for roasting). Mine specifically came with these four coffees:
Now on to the equipment:
Bonavita BV3825ST 1-Liter Stovetop Kettle
American Weigh Black Blade Digital Pocket Scale, 1000 by 0.1 G
Taylor Classic Instant-Read Pocket Thermometer
Chemex Coffee Maker 8 Cup Classic
Chemex Coffee Filters - 100 Chemex Bonded Unbleached Filter Squares FSU-100
Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Slim Coffee Grinder
I also have a bodum french press and an aeropress. The scale is big enough to measure coffee, but not big enough to brew on, so keep that in mind if you are thinking about getting one, but it was pretty cheap and I don't mind pre-measuring the coffee and water rather than doing it while i brew. I also have already had some issues with the thermometer head rotating, throwing off the measurement, but it's not really a huge deal because it's easy to rotate it back and I usually just bring water to a boil and then let it drop 10 degrees regardless of what the temp actually says. Overall, loving all my new goodies!
I take this everywhere - Aerobie Aeropress. It's not super light however it makes fantastic coffee. In fact I use it at home as my coffee maker of preference.
I use this grinder - Hario Mini Mill Slim Grinder - again, it weighs ~250 g and it just does it's job well.
Edit:
I weighed my grinder including handle - ~250g (+/- 5g accuracy on the scale).
I also weight my Aeropress including the stainless steel S-Filter - ~250g (+/- 5g)
I use the Toddy system.
http://www.amazon.com/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458661773&sr=8-1&keywords=toddy
I believe he said in his most recent subscriber stream it was this:
Toddy Cold Brew System
Highly recommend the Toddy cold brew. Yeah, it's way more expensive than the Mason jar, but it holds a lot more and is also very easy to use.
If you can stretch your budget, Capresso Infinity isn't too bad, and comes with Prime shipping.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AR7SY/
​
I've had this one for 4 years and I love it. Cheaper than the Baratza Encore. I'm no coffee expert, but it's miles improved over the previous budget grinder I had before.
For those of you interested in an electric kettle, consider this Bonavita kettle. It has restaurant/barista precision when it comes to accurate temperature. Kettles like the one posted here can have a variance of 5% of the set temperature which can mean almost 10 degrees difference if you're aiming for 180, and even more when you're heading to black teas. This kettle here is accurate within 2% of the exact temperature you set it for. Check around at good tea and coffee shops (you'll see baristas shooting for 205F when doing coffee) and using similar devices. Don't risk scolding your precious leaves! Simple brewed beverage enthusiast here.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
Indeed $50 new.
Link : Bonavita 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2YlaBb56GN88P
Great find! Bought one of these for $85.70 (before tax) on Tuesday and I love it.
Wish there was some way I could've saved the extra $20.Why is the price so low right now?EDIT: Amazon customer service refunded the price difference. Apparently they do this if the price changes within 7 days and you request it.
Pretty sure it's hard to go wrong with a French Press, but most of the people I know who use one have a Bodum. Since you are upgrading, it would also be worthwhile to get some whole beans and a grinder (if you haven't already). Folgers will not be significantly improved with a French Press.
Large Clever Dripper is my vote, the ease and larger cups of a french press, but paper filter to make it a cleaner cup and much easier cleanup. The aeropress is fine, but the small cup size is slightly annoying as you have to make a concentrate and water down if you want larger, though it is faster. There's also the cheap test if you want, to get a $5 Melitta dripper with #2 filters that are sold at almost every major grocery store, a lot of times cheaper than you can get online. This is what I use most days now over the Clever/Aeropress/Chemex, I make about 14oz cups.
​
It's better to grind right before brewing, but if it's down to like a $10 blade grinder or ground 4 days prior by a big Commercial grinder, the commercial will be better as it's much more consistent. if you want to try before investing in a grinder, go to your local nice coffee shop and when you buy a bag have them grind it for you on their big shop grinder.
I think that the complexity of different coffee flavors keep enthusiasts coming back! There are so many nuances in a cup that can change with brewing method and even drink temperature. So, if you're finding that there's a lot more to it than a caffeine boost, you're right! There can be a lot of ritual to your morning cup, and it's an essential part of my morning. I rotate between two brewing methods: aeropress and pourover. my wife got me a very simple pour-over a couple years ago and I love it: https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1480523276&sr=8-6&keywords=pour+over
If you're looking for different brewing methods, you can't beat this one on price and quality. You can find filters for it on amazon or most grocery stores.
Seconding the use of a large in-mug infuser like this one
All I drink is green tea and they are wildly different in flavor and worlds beyond bagged tea. Remember that especially with green tea, you can and should perform multiple infusion at the appropriate temperature since each subsequent infusion will have a slightly different flavor. The in-mug type of infuser makes multiple infusions super easy to do.
Get yourself a kettle with automatic temperature control -- those things are awesome.
I use the Cuisinart Perfectemp.
There are other kettles that are recommended, but this one works great, and has been in use multiple times per day for years with no issues. You hit the button, it heats the water for you and then you just start pouring away.
I have this Cuisinart one, which offers 6 presets (not adjustable) and a 30min keep-warm button:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1459448793&sr=8-3&keywords=variable+temperature+kettle
I've had it for just under 2 years. It does the job and wasn't too expensive. It doesn't look very nice, and I worried that the buttons wouldn't last, but it's served me well so far.
I know this one is out of your price range. But after looking at the wiki for this sub, I purchased this grinder a year ago and have absolutely no regrets. If you love coffee and want a machine that does a good job while been seemingly durable, I would honestly consider upping that budget of yours
Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043095WW/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_eTq6wbQWE9GSJ
Aeropress - $25
Hario Mini - $25
Elec Kettle - $15
Total: $65 for a decent college budget brew station
The aeropress and french press are the easiest way to get a good cup of coffee. Check out these brew guides to see which one you think would be best for you.
Both are pretty easy to clean, but I think the aeropress is a bit easier. However, a good cup of french press is hard to beat with any manual brewing technique, imo. Aeropress only brews a single cup, whereas a larger french press can brew however much you want it to up to its limit. The big downside for french press is that it uses a coarse grind and you have to drop some money on a good grinder if you want a consistent coarse grind - grind consistency is key. (You could also buy beans and have them ground coarse wherever you buy them if you don't want to grind fresh.) With the Aeropress, you use a medium-fine to fine grind which can be achieved with a relatively inexpensive grinder such as the [hario mini mill.] (http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Slim-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451402224&sr=8-1&keywords=hario+mini+mill) I frequently use both. Aeropress is great for travel and work, whereas french press is great for weekend mornings.
You can get a Hario Slim for less than $35. That's probably your best bet.
I'm going to assume that the pepper grinder won't work because of the size of the opening leading into the grinder-- it's going to be optimized for peppercorns, not something the size of a coffee bean.
You could get away with smashing the beans. There was just an infographic posted from Tonx -- here it is -- that talks about smashing with a mallet.
They do sell it loose leaf https://www.amazon.com/Twinings-English-Breakfast-Loose-Ounce/dp/B009G3TTFE
and go buy an infuser like this https://www.amazon.com/FORLIFE-Brew-Mug-Extra-Fine-Infuser/dp/B001JPA3Y8/
I have this guy. This is the cheapest variable-temp kettle I've ever seen.
The interface is a little weird, and it's definitely not as easy to use as the Cuisinart PerfecTemp, but it sets accurately to within 5 degrees and holds 1.7 liters. It's served me well for probably around a year now. For ~$40, it can't be beat. That's barely more than most non-variable kettles.
I have this one. It's been great so far, though I just got it about a month ago. My only complaint is that the cord is super short, so if you aren't using it right on your kitchen counter, it can be kind of hard to find a good place to plug it in.
Coffee and cigs.
FYI, this is the best coffee maker I've ever used.
This is why the Aeropress was invented. A french press typically produces gritty coffee, while the Aeropress uses a paper filter and is much cleaner. Filters cost $6.50/350 or about a week's supply if you drink as much coffee as most grad students...
Does he have any pourover devices? If he does, a kettle would be really nice to have. This is the one I have, and I love it.
I guess that is something I would buy myself, though, so that doesn't fit your question....
Hario Buono Kettle for $36. I'm considering it myself as I don't have a kettle at all. Hario V60 Buono Coffee Drip Kettle, 1.2 L https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IGOXLS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_rhSPwbMRE3BG8
Ok. There's been some great advice in this thread and I don't want to step on anyone's toes. But I went through a similar process when I wanted to stop drinking shit coffee a couple years ago, and this is my current setup.
The Grinder. You want a conical burr grinder. You can do this without breaking the bank: I got a Breville for less than $100 and it kicks ass. Grinds like a boss, whisper quiet, and it looks like a robot.
But why, you ask, should you splurge on the grinder? You could get a little Krups grinder for $15. And that would be great -- if all you wanted, ever, was to drink french pressed or drip coffee. But if you ever want to make espresso, then you need a conical burr grinder. And it sounds like you are going to want to do some experimenting.
The Brewer. My personal thing is this: I don't brew coffee through anything that plugs in. There's just no reason to.
Get yourself a kettle for your stove - I like this one, because you can see that there's nothing growing inside. And you avoid the mineral-y crust that you would have to scrape off of an electric kettle.
Use filtered water. It makes a difference.
Get yourself a simple drip cone or, if you want to be a little fancier, a Chemex carafe. You put a filter in the top, you grind the beans, you put the beans in the filter, you pour hot water over the top of it. The beans get thoroughly steeped and you end up with an even, smooth coffee with little to no bitterness.
Because you've saved so much money on coffee makers, splurge a bit. Get yourself a French press for when you want something with more oomph. And get yourself a little Italian stovetop espresso maker. You put fine espresso grinds in the top, you put water in the bottom, you put the whole thing on the stove - voilà.
There. If you wanted all this shit to plug into the wall you would have spent $1000. But you can get all of this for less than $200.
The Beans. Here's the dirty little secret about coffee beans: freshness matters more than brand. You could get the finest quality beans shipped to you from halfway across the country if you like - but they're going to be stale by the time they get to you.
Here's what you do instead: find a cafe that roasts their own beans and buy from their cafe. They'll have been roasted within the last few weeks. The beans will have this great oily sheen to them - that's how you know they're good. Buy them one package at a time and keep them in an airtight canister. And for christ's sakes, never freeze coffee beans.
There you go! With this setup you can make almost any type of coffee drink available at your local Starbucks, for cheap. There'll be no gunk to clean out of the musty interiors of a complex drip coffee maker. And a lot of this stuff has a great aesthetic, so your kitchen will look fantastic.
Edited for spelling.
Keeping it under $70 at that point is gonna get tricky if you need to buy all those things, too. But here's what I'd recommend.
-Hario hand grinder ($30)
-Any digital scale, maybe upgrade eventually ($14)
-Any kettle, something like this should be like $10 at Walmart or something
-Aeropress ($33)
That's $87. If you just heat water in a microwave container if you already have that, that'll save you $10.
Or swap the Aeropress for this. melitta pour over ($6) and some filters ($6). These make good coffee, too, and will save $21 off the price of the aeropress (though you'll need more filters eventually)
Many of these you'll eventually want to upgrade to something better. But these will get you started.
Spend $5 on one of these suckers.
Are you broke and patient? Or broke and impatient? The hario is a manual grinder that allows you to control the grind size, admittedly with some trial and error.
For the current $10 price difference on the electric kettles ([Hario] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003EEAPPY/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1535523722&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000IGOXLS&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1VMZV8HBSW85J8171MR3) vs [Bonavita] (http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40)), definitely go with the bonavita. It lets you set and precisely maintain your desired temperature. (this can be very important, depending on your pourover device, degree of roast, and grind size) Unfortunately, IMO function outranks form. Watch for price drops, I got my Bonavita from Amazon for $59.99.
I'd go pour-over. I feel like it's a good place to start because the more expensive things that you need are useful to have in general, but you can also get away with skimping on. Variable temp kettle, accurate scale, burr grinder. You could spend $5 on an instant-read thermometer, and go with the "let the water boil and then sit for 30 seconds" route instead of getting an electric kettle with temp settings, and you COULD buy local coffee in small bags that has been ground right when you buy it (though personally I'd rather buy a burr grinder than buy coffee every couple days). A bee house dripper and filters are like $30 and totally sufficient if you only want to make one cup at a time. Then you can upgrade as you go with kettles, grinders, different pour-over brewers, etc. Although you'd probably want at least a cheap gooseneck kettle.
This is what I'd get. Granted, slightly over $150.
Electric kettle with temp setting
Burr Grinder
Pour-over brewer
Filters
Scale
Electric or stove top? I'd suggest going electric and sticking with the bonavita variable electric kettle. There are a couple places you can get them cheaper (the occasional massdrop drop) or other places, but this will let you have full control if you're going to go for a chemex
I have the Bonavita electric gooseneck kettle w/temperature control and it's fantastic. Highly recommended.
Have it and love it.http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1413852010&sr=1-1&keywords=bonavita+gooseneck
Get a refurbished Vario with steel burrs, electric gooseneck kettle, and a V60 of your choice.
$324 - https://www.baratza.com/product/vario-refurb-with-steel-burr-set-installed/
$89 - https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
$7.99 - https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Plastic-Coffee-Dripper-Clear/dp/B001RBTSMM
Spend the remaining $80 on a scale, pack of filters, and some yummy coffee.
When buying new gear like this, I often find it worthwhile to buy the good stuff from the beginning. It'll cost more upfront, but in the long run you save money by not sinking it into gear that you're just going to upgrade away from. I know you're looking for a starter kit, so I'll outline some entry level stuff and then some recommended upgrades.
For a burr grinder, a decent entry level manual grinder is the Hario Skerton. One complaint with this is inconsistent coarse grind size, which is what you'll be using with a French Press. Orphan Espresso makes an upgrade kit that fixes this problem, but personally I feel that if you're going to spend $40 on the Skerton and $15 on the upgrade kit, you should just spend a few more bucks and get something like the Capresso Infinity. This grinder is going to be way more convenient, versatile, and consistent than the hand grinder. For one last option, there's the Baratza Encore. This is probably the best grinder you'd want for French Press, because anything better / more expensive would just be overkill as they're primarily aimed at espresso.
The Press itself isn't too important. Bodum is usually the recommended brand.
You'll also need a way to heat water. You could go with a stovetop kettle, but I think electric kettles are more convenient, and are roughly the same price anyway. You can get a pretty standard one for less than $25. But getting a gooseneck kettle is going to help control your pour better and ensure the coffee grounds are completely saturated. If you don't want to worry about getting the perfect temperature for brewing, a variable temperature kettle will take care of it for you.
Other than that, you might want a kitchen scale to get the right coffee-to-water ratio, and a thermometer to check your water temperature.
Toddy Maker.
https://www.amazon.com/Toddy-THM-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1538083255&sr=8-3&keywords=cold+toddy
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I've had this for years. It works great and produces a concentrate that can be used several ways. The concentrate keeps well in the fridge up to two weeks.
You're not going to find any good electric grinders for under $100. Hand grinders are still great as long as you aren't doing espresso.
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill-Skerton/dp/B001802PIQ
I bought a Hario Skerton about 2 years ago before moving onto an electric one and it's great! Every time hand grinders come up on the subreddit, the Hario Skerton is always recommended for beginners.
Hope you enjoy!
Here's a link to it. I have this one, and I love it, but I have noticed that the size of the grounds isn't as consistent as I was led to believe it would be. It's not really an issue for me, but I'm not the most refined connoisseur, either.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Hamilton Beach 1.7 L. I've had it for a just about a year and a half, it has a standard 1 year warranty if any malfunction happens (no questions asked), its a bigger kettle (1.7 L is on the larger but not crazy huge end of electric kettles). I did quite a but of research and because I like mine programmable and also not crazy expensive (I didn't exactly think controlled temperature water was worth 200$ on some I saw while researching mine). I bought mine for either 40$ or 45$ with Amazon Prime (so free two day shipping, and it stays at this price, not from a third party), and it does have a really nice, although h not necessary for myself, guide on the side of the kettle telling you in small subtle print what temperature for what tea (or coffee) drink is needed. It only does preprogrammed temperatures (the temperatures for white, black, green, Oolong and coffee) and it does tell you the exact temperature at every moment, as it's boiling or sitting at room temperature. So there is a bit of control manually if absolutely necessary. But I find complete temperature control is unnecessary when it comes to tea brewing. The preprogrammed temperatures do tea well.
Edit: here's a link to Amazon where it's sold by Hamilton Beach at a 10$ discount for 3
$39. (Just a note, I never got a feeling that it was cheap even though it's definitely in the lower end. Hamilton Beach makes great small kitchen appliances and this steel kettle has been amazing. Plus their customer service has always been really easy going). http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0083I7THI/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1459456433&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=hamilton+beach+electric+kettle&dpPl=1&dpID=4186x8-tdwL&ref=plSrch
Daaaamn!
Okay, I assume you are like me and prefer cold coffee. So I have this thing here: https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-Patented-Airtight-Silicone-1-Quart/dp/B00FFLY64U/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1525466142&sr=1-9&keywords=cold+brew+coffee+maker
It's wonderful. You put the coffee grinds in the middle, then put water in it and eventually the coffee grinds seep into the water and it's coffee! Pour it into a cup and add your stuff to it and it's just as good! If not better.
If the coffee at your place sucks and you would rather have some solid coffee, that is the way to go and a good way to make it cold without spending a crazy amount of money.
More Info:
It holds about two large glasses of coffee each, which is 4 out of my 5 work days. So when I use the second cup up, I just refill it with the same coffee grinds. It tastes fine to me because the thing holds about 14 scoops of coffee (on average). So in about a month I go through a large thing of coffee with is about $10. I buy regular creamer (nothing fancy) every other week which is $3. Then I use Stevia sugar because I'm trying to cut real sugar out, and a box of 100 packets cost about $5. That lasts about two months for me. So the total you get is way, way cheaper than the $4 a day iced coffee.
hmm, well are you looking for en electric of hand grinder?
for electric, I'd go with the Baratza Encore
hand grinder, I'd go with the Hario mini mill
You've probably seen this little guy before, but I use it for all of my coffee needs (Aeropress, Chemex, French Press) and it's perfect. I have two roommates and we all drink copious amounts of coffee and grind it all with the Mini Mill, about 2 years strong and no complaints whatsoever. 10/10 would buy again.
You all need to go to /r/coffee
And sorry to tell you but all the GOOD coffee I've found in Tokyo is around 900jpy every 100g.
I recommend you to buy this grinder HARIO ( ハリオ ) 手挽き コーヒーミル ・ セラミック スリム MSS-1TB https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001804CLY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dlzdzbK42C1V8
If you don't have money for a grinder, then I can suppose you don't have a real espresso machine so I recommend you to throw it and buy an aeropress, V60, Kelita or a French Press, and get beans from a specialized shop.
I've been using the Hario Mini Mill for six months now with no problems. You can use to it to grind anything from Espresso to French Press. I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373867989&sr=8-1&keywords=hario+mini+mill
The Baratza would be great, but if you opted for a hand grinder, you'd spend $30 instead $100.
I've had a Hario mini mill for 3+ years now, it's great. Porlex (spelling may be off) makes a similar hand grinder.
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Mini-Mill-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY
I've use this one and it works great for small batches.
Eu! Ando para fazer um post sobre café no /r/portugal há algum tempo. Para além de expresso, costumo beber café de balão, aeropress e por vezes "pour over" num cone antigo da Melitta.
Em Lisboa tens 3 sitios onde podes beber café bom:
Copenhagen Coffe Lab Lisbon
A Fábrica
Wish Slow Coffee House
E na Ericeira tens o Kfé
Conheço os 3 de Lisboa e sei que tanto no Copenhagen Coffee Lab como na Fábrica podes comprar café em saco e equipamento.
Para mim o melhor kit para começar é um Aeropress e um moinho "Hario Mini Mill". Comprei ambos no Copenhagen Coffee Lab e levo-os sempre comigo quando viajo.
Se tiveres alguma questão, coloca.
__
PS: Para quem não gosta de café de filtro, vão a estes sítios beber um expresso e descobrirão que o delta do dia-a-dia não é assim tão bom.
Better coffee helps. I've been drinking my coffee like a cowboy for quite a while now, and don't ever think twice about it anymore. But if I'm stuck with shit (like the crap you find in hotels) I'll throw a bit of sugar in there.
If you haven't already, start making your coffee at home. You'll not only save money, but your coffee can be exponentially better than what you can get at Starbucks (Who overroasts the shit out of their beans, resulting in cups that taste burnt.)
Buy a hand burr grinder and a French Press, and start buying fresh roasted beans from a local shop.
I own this grinder, and love it.
If you don't have an independent shop around, online companies like Intelligentsia ship amazing coffee out at what can be called reasonable prices. I never buy more than a pound at a time. Keep your beans airtight and in a dark, cool place.
Never grind your beans until right before brewing, as grounds begin to go stale after twenty minutes. For French Press, you'll want to use a coarser grind.
Try out different blends until you find something tasty, and gradually subtract creamers and sweeteners until you're in the black. I've converted more friends than I can count to black coffee simply by giving them something truly fresh.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001804CLY/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
Up that budget by just $13, you won't be disappointed
Why not the Hario Mini Mill? It's only $24 w/ Prime, and you can even get it for $20 and free shipping from other sellers on Amazon.
You will never regret this purchase. I use this, and a 22oz Tervis Tumbler almost every day of my life.
I don't like tea balls very much because they don't allow the tea to fully expand, which results in a less flavorful tea. I prefer metal strainers because they are easier to clean and produce a more flavorful tea.
This is the one that I use: http://www.amazon.com/FORLIFE-Brew---Mug-Extra-Fine-Infuser/dp/B001JPA3Y8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317657140&sr=8-1
Though, if you find a good tea ball, it might be more ideal, simply because you could store it inside your thermos after you're done drinking the tea.
I always recommend upgrading the grinder first if you're using a whirly-blade. With a decent grind, you can make excellent coffee with nearly any brewing method, but you're not going to get a decent grind from a blade. I have a Capresso Infinity that I'm pretty fond of. It's not the best burr grinder you could possibly get, but it does a great job for the price.
>My budget is to stay between the $30-$50 range....NOT looking for a hand grinder though!
Sorry to say but that's an impossible ask. The cheapest automatic burr grinder is the Capresso Infinity which can sometimes be found for ~$70, otherwise you are stepping up to a refurbished Baratza Encore for $100 or a new one for $140.
Hey there. I'll give you a little summary of what I think most people on here will tell you in response to your questions.
Books: Blue Bottle ,Coffee Comprehensive and Uncommon Grounds are all good books to cover most of coffee and its processes.
This Capresso Infinity is considered a pretty decent burr grinder for the price. It will not do espresso but will be good enough for most other coffee brewing methods.
Getting a set up that is acceptable for "real" espresso is kind of expensive. A Gaggia classic is considered the bare minimum espresso machine for a "real" espresso. A Baratza Virtuoso is considered bare minimum for a decent espresso grinder. Now, you can (and many people do) find these items used, which obviously reduces the cost greatly. But depending on your area, finding these items up on craigslist or similar sites can be pretty rare.
I'm not from Rhode Island, but googling local roasters will provide some results. As for online ordering, tonx, blue bottle and stumptown are favorites around here for their price and quality. Beans are broken down on what region they came from, how they were processed and how dark they are roasted. Each region has different flavor profiles in their beans. African beans are known for being more fruity than other beans, for example. A little warning, most people on this subreddit believe Starbuck's espresso roast coffee to be too dark. However, many of Starbuck's light/Medium roast coffees have been reviewed as pretty decent. Most websites that sell the beans will list a flavor profile of the beans. The basic saying on this subreddit is that if you have crappy beans, no matter what, your coffee will be crappy. If you are going to overspend anywhere in the process, overspend on quality beans.
The espresso machines that you will be using at starbucks are machines that will basically produce espresso at the push of a button. They will grind, tamp and extract the espresso without any input from you. You should just know right off the bat that there is a whole other world to espresso making that is the exact opposite, with people grinding the beans to the right size, tamping by hand, and extracting shots with a lever that controls pressure. Neither way is right or wrong, you should just know that there are many different types of espresso machines and baristas.
I'll share a little bit of advise, take from it what you will. I was an ambitious college student coffee drinker just like you. I asked for a Breville espresso machine as my first real coffee making device (even before a grinder, how silly of me). I just wanted an espresso machine because that was all I was getting from these coffee shops. Since then I've gotten a nice grinder, a melitta pour over, french press, gooseneck kettle, aeropress, V60, moka pot, and chemex. I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't turned on my espresso machine in over a year. There is so much more to coffee than espresso. There are so many methods to brew coffee that are cheaper, more complex and more interesting. If I had a chance to do it all over again, I'd buy the burr grinder I linked, and an Aeropress or any french press (Starbucks sells some pretty nice ones. You could get one with an employee discount) and just learn to love coffee on its own, without frothed milk and flavorings.
There is a ton of info on this subreddit if you stick around for awhile. Questions like yours are posted all the time and answered by very knowledgable people. Your enthusiasm for coffee is extremely exciting to see. Please don't let any of my advise subtract from your enthusiasm. Everyone takes a different path while exploring coffee. That's part of the excitement. You will learn a lot at Starbucks and you will learn a lot if you stay here. Enjoy your stay.
Here's a quick howto
This is the cold brewing rig I use. It's fairly inexpensive and the filter can be washed and reused forever (as far as I can tell). For your first time, of course, I recommend you improvise something instead of spending money.
Don't let yourself fall into the trap of buying expensive items to "save money". For example, don't buy a coffee machine, get a simple single-cup brewer like this. Don't get an expensive tupperware set, grab a $3 pack of reusable containers from the grocery store.
Brutally honest answer: not worth your time and your money to make this work because you wont ever get the results you want.
More informative answer: The amount of extraction time during the brewing of a K-Cup is not enough to properly get the full flavor of the coffee. Additionally you have no control over water amount or grind amount. When I had a Keurig I bought one of the reusable holders and despite it saying 2Tbsp I could barely fit 1 1/4Tbsp. The most control you have is the water temperature and even then the temperature is not ideal. Also Keurig's are kind of junky, I had one fail after a year and the replacement was acting up within two months. No matter the grind, temp, bean, etc the coffee will always come out under extracted and not enjoyable.
90% of this sub hate keurigs, myself included, but we often do understand the appeal of them. However you need to be aware with that appeal comes major drawbacks like your experiencing now. They are meant entirely as a no frills way of making coffee for people who just want a cup of a coffee.
This would be my recommendation: If you like the appeal of a no frills coffee setup but want to experiment with different beans then I would consider selling the Keurig to a friend or family member. I would use that money to pick up a higher quality drip machine and a hand grinder. If you don't like the idea of using a hand grinder than maybe consider buying a Baratza Encore but it will cost more (FYI watch the Baratza site, every Thursday they restock the refurbs store so you could get a deal).
If you want to get in on the ground floor, so the speak, start with a [french press] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ADS5FO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aeh3xb6XXSXTYand) and/or [pour over] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YA7OUK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Xhh3xbR6CNMZ4), and a [grinder] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_njh3xb7MY9XAP).
Those are all very entry level versions, there is better everything avaliable of course, but you would barely break $50 for all this stuff and have plenty of opportunity to learn and upgrade as you go!
TL;DR: Use fresh-roasted beans from a local roaster, grind them yourself with a burr grinder, use filtered water, and don't cheap out on the brewing equipment.
First of all: /r/Coffee
Now that that's out of the way: What's your goal? Are you just disappointed in how your home-made coffee turns out, and want it to be more like the coffee shop experience?
First, let's talk about the coffee itself, before you add anything to your cup. A good cup of coffee, regardless of whether your goal is just a black cup of joe or a fancy espresso drink, absolutely requires good beans, a good grinder, good water, and a proper brew.
Beans:
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Ok, obviously, right? Garbage in, garbage out. The problem is that most of what's out there is closer to "garbage" than it is to "great." Beans should be used within a couple of weeks of when they were roasted. That's not snobbery, that's just a fact - roasted beans lose a considerable amount of flavor after the first few weeks, and most of what you'll buy in the grocery store is already weeks old, maybe even months old. Go find a local coffee roaster and buy beans from them. My local roaster charges the same as (or less than) Starbucks for a pound, and the coffee is considerably better.
Grinder:
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Do not buy pre-ground beans. That bit about using coffee within a couple weeks of roasting? Once you grind it, that drops a lot. You should grind your coffee right before you brew it. However, I would rather use a burr grinder at the time of purchase than use a blade grinder at home. Those will turn some of the beans into fine powder (which will make your coffee bitter), some into big chunks (which will be bland and flavorless). A consistent grind is important, and you can get one from a burr grinder. Use one scoop of grounds per "cup" of coffee (cup is in quote marks because a "cup" of coffee is 6oz, whereas the unit of measure "one cup" is 8oz - your drip maker's carafe should measure by 6oz cups).
Water:
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Coffee is more than 99% water. It stands to reason that shitty water makes shitty coffee. If your tap water has any flavor to it, use filtered or bottled water. If you use tap water, use only cold water. Or, get a coffee maker with a built-in filter and change it on schedule.
Brewing:
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Your equipment really matters. The flavors in a coffee bean come out best at right around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, give or take 5 degrees. A colder brew comes out weak, and a hotter brew extracts nasty bitter flavors. Do you suppose a $20 Mr. Coffee brewer achieves the correct temperature and maintains it for the entire brew cycle every time? It probably doesn't. This is even more important with espresso, where pressure is just as important as temperature. Cheap espresso machines rarely give a quality brew. ("Cheap" for an espresso machine, btw, is generally under $400.)
Now What?
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So, those are the basics. And if you follow them well, you might even find you don't need to add milk or sugar to your cup. Of course, you can - some of the flavors in coffee aren't soluble in water, but they are soluble in fat, so a bit of non-skim milk can actually bring those flavors out.
As for how much cream/sugar to add, well... it's "to taste," as a rule. Taste it black first. Too bold? Add milk. Too bitter? Add sugar. Just a little at a time.
Espresso Drinks
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Espresso-based drinks (generally anything French or Italian-sounding: espresso, cappuccino, americano, cafe latte, cafe au lait, etc) are tough to make at home, because a good electric espresso machine is expensive, and a good manual one can be even more expensive and much harder to use.
A good compromise is a Moka pot. What it makes is not technically espresso (per the Italian Espresso National Institute), but is very nearly the same. They're generally used stovetop, but electric ones are available.
Once you have your espresso, turning it into something else (cappuccino, americano, whatever) is generally about adding ratios of milk, milk foam, and other ingredients. The milk is heated or turned to foam using steam. Espresso machines generally have the steam wand you need in order to do this. A moka pot will not. You can get a standalone milk frother - some just whip air into it like a hand mixer (though much smaller), others actually use steam (but of course are more expensive).
Use this as a guide to building your espresso drinks.
So what equipment do I use, then?
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It always bugs me when people give general advice but won't give specifics. So here's what I use at home:
And there you go - that's how to make coffee that's as good as, or better than, coffee shop coffee at home. I know the giant wall of text makes it seem like a lot but really it comes down to the TL;DR at the top.
While a french press is good I highly recommend the AeroPress. It works similar to a french press but is much easier to use and clean. I switched to the Aeropress about two months ago from a decend drip maker and have been using it every single day since. Its also the quickest way to make coffee which I like because I'm often in a rush.
At that price point, I believe that Bonavita variable kettle is the better product. It's going for 90 dollars right now, but a couple months ago I got it for 60 bucks. The Bonavita lets you choose which temperature you want, which is great for experimenting.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407789280&sr=8-1&keywords=bonavita+kettle
I assume you're talking about this.
It's way too expensive for what it does, and will leave you frustrated with what it can't do.
You need to heat water to specific temperatures - there are a few good kettles that will do that for a third the price.
You need a vessel to steep your leaves in. Do you need it to be a liter and a half? If you did, you would not want that comparatively tiny basket, which would keep the leaves too tight to steep effectively.
Do you need to agitate the tea leaves as they steep? Never.
Do you want to have any control over the process? This will deny you that control.
Don't buy this.
So what should you buy?
Water:
Steeping:
I'd recommend an Aeropress wholeheartedly. Combine it with an electric kettle or microwave to get some hot water and you're in business.
I've been eyeing this kettle and it just dropped to a much more tempting price on Amazon recently: Bonavita 1-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Gooseneck Kettle by Bonavita http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_czhTtb0342HQB
Aeropress: Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker by AeroPress http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_OAhTtb19EX9SZ
I think its largely going to depend on what you want out of the kettle.
Any kettle with temp control would be ideal. You want to look at your price vs. use and see if one with a digital exact temp will be preferable to one with predetermined settings.
Gooseneck kettles are lovely and provide a very steady and controlled pour so finding one that allows this is beneficial but often costs a lot more.
I am currently using this one: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B019J0A092/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_lgo7BbGV0DHER
It has a hold feature so my water stays at temp for 2 hours which is great as I tend to start water, get distracted, and then remember I wanted to make tea! Plus it's good for longer sessions with tea that needs steeped many times and I can have water at the perfect temperature instead of steadily cooling.
However this is the kettle I actually wanted: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xoo7BbFWKM023
I think there might be a better version of this now or an alternative that is better since I have been happy with my less fancy version and cant afford the nicer one I haven't looked into it!
Good luck!
Probably the single biggest thing that'll reduce acidity is brewing at a lower, more controlled temperature. If you don't have one already, get a variable-temp kettle and try brewing at 180ish F. You can also get pH test strips on Amazon if you want to science the fuck out of it and actually measure the effect different brewing parameters have on the final acidity.
Upgrading from a blade grinder to burr grinder will help as well. Blade grinders smash the beans together, heating them up and causing them to roast a bit extra. Burr grinders also give you a much more consistent grind size, which will give you a more consistent brew. This is the one I have, but there are cheaper but still good options too.
I'm a card-carrying member of the cult of Aeropress if you want an alternative to your French press.
If you have a spare Tuesday, go down to Conduit Coffee on Westlake near the Fremont Bridge. They have a weekly open house where the owner talks shop and runs a coffee tasting. If you tell them you want low-acid coffee they could probably suggest some beans for you. They also do subscription deliveries by bicycle, which is how I get my beans.
Here is the most recent pic of my setup. Not much has changed since the last time I posted in one of these threads. I moved into a new house, got an electric kettle and a nice wooden handle tamper for christmas, but other than that the other equipment is the same. The snow that morning was so nice!
> Gaggia Classic/MDF Grinder
>
> Rancillo Steam Wand
>
> Kitchen Cart
>
> New Tamper!
>
> Kettle
I've used this Bonavita at least twice a day for a few years w/o any issues. It has fine temperature control, which is great, but really the best feature is that it will hold it at that temperature for 30 minutes.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_bWDltb03JV709
I accidentally did that with my electric teapot last week. It's this one and I absentmindedly set it down on a hot burner instead of its base.
Luckily my wife was watching me. Once she shouted "STOP" for the fourth time, I realized what I was doing.
I use Bonvita gooseneck kettle. Currently $75.99.
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Electric-Gooseneck-Temperature/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480115613&sr=8-1&keywords=bonavita+gooseneck
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There are some really good videos about it on Youtube too. First time I tried cold brew I followed this video using the mason jar method and it turned out pretty good, just was a little messy to cleanup afterwards.
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As a side note, you do not necessarily need whole coffee beans to make cold brew. You can use pre-ground coffee to save some time and money, but using fresh whole beans usually produces a better tasting coffee. I use a basic hand operated coffee grinder.
https://www.amazon.com/JavaPresse-Grinder-Conical-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B013R3Q7B2
That one and the porlex mini will also fit in the aeropress I believe. Grind won't be as nice. I have taken my aeropress on trips, but I've never bothered to take a grinder as well.
Its not a good plan to invest that much $ without knowing if you honestly like tea or not. To begin just get a simple infuser this one works , hopefully you already have a mug. Just boil or microwave water to start before you are sure you really love tea. You could always get a cheaper kettle but the most basic way to start is just infuser+mug+tea . Grab yourself a few sample from adagio or harney. I like harney to start since their samples are 2$ each. Grab some from as many of the major tea groups as possible. Find what you like. Good luck.
TL:DR Spend more money on tea, less money on accoutrements
Obligatory /r/tea plug.
what-cha.com is fantastic! Great selection and good prices.
Use 1 tsp (5g) of tea leaves, and you can steep them multiple times (up to 3-5 depending on the tea you use), so 50g of tea is quite the value. You can also try samplers of more "exotic" tea if you want to try them out.
I highly recommend Yunnan black tea, tastes like chocolate and caramel black tea without all the watery fillers and flavorings. :D It also doesn't get bitter if left steeping for a minute or two longer than you intended.
I also just tried a sample of their Kenyan Flowery Orange Pekoe black tea recently, and it's basically a higher grade of the regular black tea you get in stores. Less astringency, more delicious juicy flavor.
I use this type of strainer and it works great in all sorts of mugs.
Hope this helps!
The Cuisinart CPK-17 Variable Temp Kettle is on sale on Amazon currently.
Per Camelcamelcamel this is an all time low at $51.04.
In the past I've been able to have Bed Bath and Beyond match Amazon prices when it's shipped and sold by Amazon, so I would suggest doing so if you want this Kettle but don't want to support Amazon. I included a link, but I'm not sure if it's a referral link or not. Just search CPK-17 and it'll come right up.
If you're willing to pay (what I believe to be) a lot for a variable temperature tea kettle, I can not recommend this tea kettle enough.
I've had mine for...about 6 months now I believe. It still works as perfectly as the day it was bought. It's also gorgeous so there's that too.
On Amazon the price fluctuates but it drops down as low as $79.99 every once in a while. If you don't mind waiting, I'd recommend it to save the $10-$20. Also, don't let that weird "You save 51%" thing fool you, it actually retails for $100 on Cuisinart's website.
The Bodum Bistro one is really solid for a good price.
I make large batches of cold brew once a month (almost 5 gallons) to fit into my kegerator and the process is really simple. For what it's worth, my coffee breaks down to about $1 a day for a large Nitro Cold Brew coffee on tap (which sells around me for nearly $4-5 a cup) and I get a lot more coffee, plus very high quality. You could get this price even lower without the kegerator because I included the price for nitro and I also use relatively expensive beans.
Here are the basic tools I would recommend:
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Depending on how much coffee you're looking to make, you can use a different sized vessel. For example, I use a 5 gallon bucket for my keg, whereas if you don't need that much cold brew at once, you can use something like a large mason jar or a smaller sized bucket (say 1 or 2 gallon bucket). I'll definitely recommend you get a bucket with a spout. This makes it very easy to dispense your cold brew.
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As for a coffee grinder, buy what you can afford, there are plenty of options on the market. Obviously you're going to have a better grind if you invest a little more but if you can't, at the end of the day, it's not really going to break you. If you're doing large batches, I'd recommend buying an electric grinder. I use a Bodum Bistro Grinder which is less than $90 and works great. You could use a handheld grinder if you wanted to save more money, obviously it's just more work.
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To filter the coffee, I use a fine mesh food grade bag (they sell these for things like almond milk) and sit that on top of a mesh strainer that sits on top of my bucket. You don't need the mesh strainer part, it just makes it easier for us since we have more coffee. You might want to strain your cold brew before you pour it but to be honest, I don't always and I don't have much problem. You can always double bag your beans to remove some of this too. Most of it settles on the bottom of the bucket underneath the spout anyway, so you just throw away that part.
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Get whatever beans you like. I buy mine in bulk from a local coffee shop. I'd suggest doing a coarse grind and using a 2:1 water to coffee ratio until you figure out your particular preference. That would be to drink it straight out of the gallon. If you want to do more of a coffee concentrate, use more coffee and less water and then add water/milk/cream or whatever when you're preparing your cup.
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I hope that helps. Enjoy!
I've got a Hario Skerton (http://www.amazon.ca/Hario-Coffee-Hand-Grinder-Skerton/dp/B001802PIQ) and it's easily stashable. If you're really tight on space, you could get the Hario Mini, but you might be limited on the volume of beans you'll be able to grind at once.
Burr grinder gives you a more consistent grind when you grind, and since you can set the coarseness of the grinder, you can easily recreate the same coarseness. With a blade grinder, the coarseness can be affected by how long you hold the button down for, the volume of beans, etc. Lots of variables. Also, super pain in the butt to clean.
For ceramic vs stainless steel, Baratza has a good post explaining it while discussing heat generation in the grinding process: https://www.baratza.com/blog/steel-vs-ceramic-burrs-and-heat-generation-the-lowdown/
Grind by hand like a masochist.
If we're backpacking. I couldn't care less about fresh grounds. I want something hot and that sweet sweet caffeine. We've all switched to instant packets. It's light weight and is less trash to pack out.
if we're car camping, depending on who's going, we either pregrind or bring the grinder. i'm also not above preground beans in a bag. but my hand grinder is glass (older version of this (Hario Skerton)), so it just seems silly and heavy to bring on a hike in.
So I got a coffee mill but then decided not to grind the beans the night before. So I was rushing get things together and the first grind came out way too weak and I had to buy coffee because there wasn't time to get another pot together. But tomorrow should be good. Day off, will be experimenting until it's where I want it.
Never do a blade grinder. It will burn off the oils in the coffee. I started off with this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/KRUPS-Electric-Coffee-Grinder-Stainless/dp/B00004SPEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425611192&sr=8-1&keywords=blade+grinder
Coffee tasted pretty bad, switched to this guy:
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425611218&sr=8-1&keywords=burr+grinder+manual
And the coffee tasted great, but the grind was a bit inconsistent. I used it for about a year, but just bought this guy used on Craigslist:
http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Virtuoso-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00LW8I45C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425611248&sr=8-1&keywords=baratza+virtuoso
Now I'm complete.
I just bought a hand grinder, makes a damn fine pot of coffee but it is a lot of work. I bought this one Amazon has it marked under review for some reason. Before that I had a blade grinder, which is much easier but your coffee won't be anywhere near as good. Pretty much the #1 rule I hear is that the grinder is the single most important piece of equipment for a good cup so it isn't something to skimp on.
This is what I use, and it's wonderful.
Part of making a good cup is repeatability--eliminating variation wherever possible. You'll want a burr grinder and a scale. It's tough, especially with an inconsistent grind, to correctly measure coffee by volume. Any idea on your general brew time? That might be a good indication of what's going on. Let's experiment with technique a bit!
It sounds like you're pouring all of the water in at once after letting it bloom; instead, why not pour about a cup at a time, let it drain for a bit--never letting it get completely dry--and then add the next cup. Rather than pouring in the center, continue pouring in circles the entire time to ensure an even extraction. These are all super minor, and I'm honestly unsure if they'll make any difference. Still, worth a shot!
Maybe try a finer grind, if you can. Shake the blade grinder, grind it for longer--whatever works! A finer grind will prolong the brew time.
> Yeah not 100% sure how to describe the flavor. It's kind of sour but also very "planty" tasting. Sorry if that's unhelpful.
Nah, don't worry about it! I have a tough time describing taste, too. It sounds underextracted to me. If ya have any spare money, a scale goes a long, long way. I use this scale. If you're interested in a grinder, my first--and I'm sure most people's first--was the skerton. I currently use a Baratza Encore, but that might be more than you're willing to invest in a grinder right now.
If you're interested, I can make a video of myself making coffee in my little Chemex.
This is a totally wide-open question, depending on budget and time commitments, as well as personal tastes.
I hate to sound like a /r/coffee cliche, but Aeropress is probably the most flexible, especially for milk drinks. You can brew a concentrated batch with an espresso blend, or a lighter cup with a more standard recipe and whatever beans you prefer. You can kinda texture milk with a french press. It's not going to be cafe-quality but it should be pretty good. If you don't want to get the french press you can honestly just use warmed milk and make a cortado.
Check out this video for some ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_J6Q4oAvLM.
You could probably get away with doing everything with a french press, but it's harder to brew smaller batches with one. You could also consider a Moka Pot instead of an aeropress, but it's more of a one-trick pony, and can be finicky to get consistent results.
I suggest picking up a grinder, a Hario Mini Mill is the best value in the low end. This way you can use fresh beans and get the best flavor. If you're not concerned with all that, the method I described above should work fine with Cafe Bustelo or Lavazza pre-ground coffee.
For a grinder, try one of these guys. I take that & a portable press with me when I tour or go on road trips. Most gas stations have hot water spouts, so I can snob out even in coffee wastelands.
Haro Mini Mill Grinder
French Press Travel Mug or Areopress Coffee Maker
Digital scale able to measure 0.1g
Your favorite kettle/hotpot/other water heating method
Hario Skerton
Fellow college kid here, I went with this Hario hand mill. Sure it takes a little more effort to get your coffee, but its not nearly as bad as people make it sound. It takes a few minutes and I usually do it while heating up the water. I also hear good things about Hario's mini slim.
What do you guys think of this one?
As I've mentioned in other comments, I only make a cup at a time, so this seems sufficient.
The general tradeoff is taste for ease of use, a keurig you'd just pop in a capsule and get mediocre coffee, with some other brew method you'd get better coffee but you would have to work harder. A common starting setup which is quite quick and easy whilst providing a good cup of coffee is an Aeropress, Hario Mini Mill and any decent scale.
Not trying to start a debate with you but... French press, aeropress, chemex, etc. Less than 30 pounds to make amazing coffee.
Way off topic, but this is well worth the extra $6.
Welp, let's try a different route then :) I submit the french press. It's glass, but it's minimal and usually recommended by coffee connoisseur. You can also use it for brewing tea (although don't use the same one for coffee and tea because oils are left behind from brewing). Just don't drop it and it'll last a life time.
http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-1548-01US-1-liter-34-Ounce-Coffeemaker/dp/B000KEM4TQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320065663&sr=8-1
This is totally worth the investment. All you need is ground coffee and water:
http://www.amazon.com/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372607856&sr=8-1&keywords=toddy+cold-brew
You get about 10oz of coffee concentrate that you can mix with milk or just ice water. I've only ever mixed it with milk, but you use about 1 part coffee concentrate for 3 parts milk (25% extract, 75% milk). You can mix sugar or sweetener but I never use sweetener.
You can also use the extract in hard drinks. Adding a bit of rum to an iced coffee is amazing.
EDIT: Forgot Link
Well here's the thing about coffee, it's finicky stuff. Much moreso than most Americans would give it credit for. Automatic machines like you have can deliver quality coffee, but unless the one you have cost $200 or more, it won't really be up to the task of making cafe quality coffee. If you want coffee of the same quality (or even better) you'd find at a cafe, you're going to have to know a couple things. Don't worry, I'll tl;dr this with a few specifics at the end, but right now I'm going to go over the things that affect how coffee tastes:
Bean quality: probably the most esoteric and taste-dependent part of coffee, it's not much worth getting into grading, processing, etc, just suffice it to say that folger's is definitely not using top-rate beans and they're mixing robusta (high caffeine, very bitter) in with arabica (moderate caffeine, much better flavor), whereas a decent coffee shop is using 100% arabica
Freshness: Coffee goes stale quick and the flavors dull within about three weeks, a month tops after roasting. Those mass market beans are months old by the time you get them off the shelf. The good news is that there's almost definitely a roaster near you who sells decent beans that are nice and fresh roasted. The bad news is that the cheapest decent coffee you'll find is ~$10/lb most places.
Grind: piggybacking on my last point, coffee, even when sealed in those cans, goes stale VERY fast after being ground (like, within an hour), so buy whole bean and grind it yourself right before brewing
Grind consistency: if the grind isn't uniform, the coffee won't extract evenly and will taste off. The normal blade grinders you think of when you think "coffee grinder" won't work, you'll need a burr grinder, whether hand crank or electric. Doesn't have to be fancy but it does have to be a burr grinder
Brew ratio: coffee will optimally be brewed (for most methods) with 16 or 17g of water (a fat tablespoon) for each gram of coffee. You can guestimate it but digital kitchen scales that read in grams can be had for dirt cheap on amazon. IME people who don't know about brewing coffee tend to use way too little coffee for the amount they brew. This extracts too much from the grounds and makes it watery and bitter
Brew time: each method has its own ideal brew time but for most, like pourover or french press, ~4 minutes is optimal
Water temperature: Coffee should ideally be brewed between 195-205Fthis is where the vast majority of home drip machines fail, the reason that /r/coffee approved drip machines start off at like $200 is that they have big, heavy copper heaters that can reach ideal brew temp, most drip machines have crummy weak heating coils that end up brewing at lower temperatures and making the coffee taste flat and sour.
TL;DR
I know this seems overwhelming, so I'll give you a nice, easy starter kit and instructions how to use it to get you started. And I know you said your bank account was getting crushed, so I'll make this nice and wallet-friendly
For a grinder, go with either this manual one which has the advantage of being really cheap and producing decent grinds, but will take some effort to grind your coffee (2-3 minutes) and setting the grind size can be a pain, or if you want to spend a little bit more and get an electric, go for this one, it's not the greatest in the world but for a starting point it works ok and it's darn cheap.
You can either keep brewing with your auto drip or, if you're still not satisfied, get a french press. They're crazy easy to use (weigh coffee, put in press. Place press on scale and tare. Pour in water. wait four minutes. drink), and they can be had for damn cheap
Then find someone who roasts coffee near you, get some beans, and enjoy!
Anyway sorry to bombard you with the wall of text but coffee's a complicated thing and we're hobbyists (and snobs) around here. Hope that helps! Feel free to ask more questions
EDIT: forgot to add in Todd Carmichael's awesome instruction video for the french press.
Hario mini-mill is a solid option.
I used it for about 6 months with good results. But I got tired of grinding 40g of coffee every morning by hand so I upgraded. It's nice have $300 for coffee grinders money.
Your best bet for dorm room drinks is going to be an Aeropress. It's a weird plastic tube that you use to push hot water through coffee. People here swear by them, and I do too. They don't make espresso, but they can make a terrific cup of coffee as well as a coffee 'concentrate' that can be used as a worthy espresso substitute. In terms of milk, it's really easy to froth milk in a french press. You just put warm milk in a french press and pump the plunger up and down a few times.
Grinding your own beans, if you want to make good tasting drinks, is unfortunately unavoidable. When was first getting into coffee I quickly became bummed out that the expensive and most important part of the process wasn't the exotic, perfectly roasted beans, nor was it the beautiful brewing devices, but instead... the grinder. Fortunately, a basic hand grinder will last you a long time and won't cost too much.
Aeropress - $28
Hand Grinder - $24
French Press - $17
In total that's about $70 worth of stuff. Add a bag of beans and you're at around $80-85 (hey, Christmas is fast approaching!).
Oh, and flavors like french vanilla and pumpkin spice don't really occur naturally in beans, at least not the way you're going to get them somewhere like Starbucks. Cafes typically use syrups, either artificial or natural, to get those flavors.
Oh oh I love coffee! Some cool products to check out on the cheap:
Hario Mini Mill Slim Hand Coffee Grinder: It's a hand crank grinder, but it's a burr grinder so it produces a more consistent grind which in turn produces a better cup of coffee.
Chemex 3-Cup Classic Glass Coffee Maker: Not as cheap as the french press, but since it uses a paper filter so there isn't as much sediment in the cup. I find that I prefer it over the french press.
Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker: Classic french press.
Optional:
Etekcity Digital Kitchen Scale: Scales are helpful in getting a consistent cup every time. You can measure out the water and coffee and dial in the perfect ratio.
Also check out Pinewood Roaster's coffee. I think they're on Franklin and 11th in the same building as Alpha Omega. Grab a bag of Ethiopian Beriti and enjoy!
Or buy a Hario Hand Mill! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001804CLY/
You can just use one of these. Maybe not the best, but I'm sure it's fine for the money.
https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1474305097&sr=1-2&keywords=pour+over
Sono Americano, per favore scusare il mio Italiano ma questo tema e vicino al mio cuore.
Non hai detto dove lei abita. C'è buon caffè a San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, e New York (forse Chicago, ma non so personalmente). In altre parti del paese, sia un disastro veramente. Dopo Starbucks c'è più o meno da niente. Non abbiamo la cultura di caffè al fuori delle città. È una vergogna. (Tra parentesi Starbucks hanno sempre espresso, anche se non lo elenchino nel loro menu.)
Due marche che mi piacono sono Blue Bottle e Stumptown Roasters entrambe di quale è possibile ordinare sul Internet. Naturalmente senza assagiarli ciò è una problema diversa. Però comincerei con Blue Bottle - Giant Steps. Stumptown hanno forse troppe scelte.
Per fare il caffè, mi piace una Melitta con filtro #2 o una pressa francese (Bodum). Qui è possibile trovare una Melitta nel tanti supermercati. Secondo me, il metodo e la macchina di caffè americano di base entrambe fanno schifo. Lei potrebbe anche ordinare una Bialetti da Amazon.com.
Detto questo, ho una macchina espresso da Illy a casa e anche una disposizione permanente con loro a spedirmi nuovi caffè ogni mese. Si funziona bene per me ma non è specialmente economico.
Making tea requires 3 things:
Anything else is mostly extra however most people like split out #2 into a brewing vessel and drinking vessel.
Since you already have #1, you can get by with just a brew basket like this one. You put the leaves in, put in cup and then lift in cup. The combination of your cup and brew basket becomes your brew vessel.
It's important that the brew vessel gives space to the leaves to unfurl especially if you get into Chinese/Taiwanese style teas that do not break up the leaves during processing.
If you wish to dive into Eastern style brewing I am a huge fan of plain white, porcelain gaiwans which are just cups with nifty lids. They require a bit of skill to use but honestly it seems many people exaggerate how hard they are. A day of practicing and some common sense will make you proficient.
Pots are another step up. Japanese Kyusus are an easier to use alternative. Of course English style tea pots are another options. I would recommend against a large 12oz English style because the pot itself soaks up so much heat.
In many cases, the pot itself will have a build in strainer to remove leaves but many times small bits still get through. In which case a small strainer is poured through. You have English style strainers which are really pretty and the Chinese style strainers which come in metal, bamboo etc.
I would stay away from any clay unglazed pots like Yixing when starting off. This market is filled with tons of misinformation and in general is an unscrupulous industry. Porcelain, ceramic and glass are the way to go.
Dollar for dollar, buying better leaves will always yield better tea than any kind equipment you can get. Bad tea in a 5,000 USD, early R.O.C. Yixing Pot will be forever be bad tea. However very nice leaves in a 5 USD gaiwan makes for good tea.
If you are looking at teas from unusual origins, say the country of Georgia, try what-cha.com.
if you are looking mainly at Chinese teas, Yunnan sourcing and teavivre are good places to start.
you can get some wonderful Taiwanese teas at Beautiful Taiwan Tea, and they have a very reasonable threshold for free shipping. You can also go to Yunnan sourcing's Taiwanese sister site taiwanoolongs.com
If you want to go down the rabbit hole that is Puerh, try out white2tea (they also have some gorgeously yummy black teas and oolongs) as well as the aforementioned Yunnan sourcing.
yunomi is a decent place to go to for Japanese teas, but since it is a marketplace type website, you would have to do some hunting (and Japanese teas are not my speciality, so I will leave much of that to other users.)
for flavored teas- there's really a plethora of places to get those, but the one that I have found with the best tasting flavored teas of the bunch is New Mexico tea company. This is just personal opinion, some people like Adagio better (and I do love Adagio's chestnut tea as well as a few others, so don't take that as a strike against Adagio).
I would stay away from most mall-type stores like Teavana because a lot of their teas are more cheap filler ingredients and less tea, just to cover up the low quality of their teas.
On the subject of tools, seeing as you are a coffee guy, might I suggest a hario teapot? A gaiwan would be the next step in going towards the gong fu style of tea. A very basic 100ml gaiwan would cost you less than 5 bucks + shipping. (shipping is expensive from here, so I would suggest getting more than one item).
For very basic tea drinking there are always in mug basket infusers.
Or you could always go grandpa style, where you just toss your leaves in a mug and refil the water whenever it gets low.
We use this Cuisinart Electric Kettle for coffee and tea, and like it a lot. Water heats up quickly, and has buttons for different temps (for the different types of tea) and one button for french press at 200°F. The $80 price point may be a bit beyond reasonable, but I think it is worth it.
http://smile.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414441702&sr=8-1&keywords=Cuisinart+CPK17
I've used this one for about two years, it's good: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003KYSLNQ/
Just buy this https://www.amazon.ca/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW
If you want pourover (though you specified you're not crazy about it), go with the Hario V-60 ceramic. Pick up one of these for expert level pouring. I also agree that the aeropress is another great (and easy-to-clean) option for a one-cup operation. For improved flavor, there is a reusable stainless filter that allows more oils through (versus paper filters). You can also pour instant coffee directly into your mouth. You're welcome.
I hear very good things about this kettle.
Or for $100 less, the bonavita temp control I’m sure the stagg is nice too if you have the funds
I have a Hamilton Beach electric kettle from Walmart. I've been using it for a year or more and I love it.
Hamilton Beach 40996 Programmable Kettle, 1.7-Liter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083I7THI/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_PajZtb1DHM8386CF
I've had this Hamilton Beach kettle for a few months now and I love it. It has pre-programmed temperatures, the ability to program your own temperatures, and will hold your temperature for up to an hour (I don't remember if you can set it for longer or not). It has a clock and it has a neat feature where you can set a time that it will turn on and heat your water- so you can have your water ready when you wake up in the morning or ready for you when you get home from work.
Don't be jealous, I used to have this one and it's not very good. The lid warped and wouldn't shut properly after a few months, there's no temperature control so you have to measure the temp manually, and it doesn't heat up as quickly as most kettles. The light on it is pretty awesome though, I will give it that.
I ended up upgrading to this Hamilton Beach kettle,and it is so much better. Has temp control, has a clock feature on the base that you can also setup so it automatically starts boiling at whatever time you set it for(I set it for right before I wake up in the morning so that by the time I wake up my water is already done heating up), the water heats up much faster, has a feature that automatically heats itself back up to the set temp when the temp drops(which is nice for long gongfu sessions), and just feels much more well-made overall.
GRIND manual coffee grinder
BOIL immersion heater
BREW french press or an aeropress.
With the french press, you can boil the water right inside of it using the heat stick. With the aeropress, you'll need another container.
I would say that the grinder is one of the most important part in brewing a good coffee because a good grinder ensures that you have the same grind size, which means that you have an even extraction. If you buy the beans pre-ground, the beans usually oxidizes and loses some of it smell and taste. I would say that I has a lot of effect in the taste and the smell.
Grinder option:
When you say "cheap" how cheap is cheap? If you want to use a manual grinder, I would recommend a Hario Skerton https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ
If you want an electronic grinder, you can buy a Baratza Encore https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1510625247&sr=1-2&keywords=baratza+encore&dpID=31mL3pz0NrL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
If looking for electric, the most commonly recommended are:
Capresso, $90
Bodum (Red, $90)
Baratza Encore, $130
The Baratza will be the most recommended and if you look around you might be able to find it for closer to $100. Otherwise the Capresso is probably the best bet.
My favorite thing about coffee as a "hobby" is that, like some have said, it's a hobby that isn't just a waste of money. Fresh beans are a huge 1st step, they really just have tons of flavors that change almost as you work through the bag, and sometimes I feel like the first sip of a french press is different than the middle, etc. For me the different methods I use just work better for different beans, I'm still figuring that out myself. I prefer to french press african beans, pour over on more typically "harsh" beans, and I'm still dialing in aeropress, but I feel like it takes a lot out of the coffee so it seems to work best if I'm like "hmm I'm not sure I like this bean", aeropress... oh nevermind it's great.
You could buy:
Good grinder ~$140
Scale $15
Kettle $25
And three interesting and different types of brewers:
Aeropress ~$30
V60 ~$20
French Press ~$20
That's all the gear for now, you're SET until you become a crazy coffee nut, but for me 90% of the coffee I make is in one of those 3 methods. I have a moka pot, and they're cool too. But that's $250 for gear, and you could probably save a bit with different grinder options but plan to drop the biggest amount of that.
Add in $20 for some high quality beans (S&W is great and their reddit discount is on this page somewhere) and you're around $270 to be brewing great coffee a few different ways. Now you have 4+ different coffees, 3 ways to make it, and the equipment to make sure you're doing it "right".
Okay that's a lot and I hate this "if you buy a cup of coffee a day" crap, but let's just say you drink work swill most of the time, but get a cup of coffee out 3x a week. At $3/cup maybe you tip a quarter each time, you pay off this stuff in 6 months and these things pretty much last forever.
The point is, yes, some of the costs of entry (specifically the grinder) can be a little daunting, and sometimes we get carried away, but overall, the cost of making great coffee at home is significantly less than going out. You're actually getting BETTER coffee too, trying different ways to make it, and enjoying yourself. Wow, okay rambling there. Good luck!
For your budget, I'd say either the [Baratza Virtuoso] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000EG70IK?pc_redir=1408943545&robot_redir=1) if you can spring for the little bit extra, and if not the [Encore] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007F183LK?cache=075d072a13b3a5940fafef883998d436&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1409057670&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1) is a very close alternative.
I'd also check Baratza's website for refurbished models as well.
This goes a couple of dollars above $50, but if I were buying a gift to myself with these criteria I'd get myself:
A Hamilton Beach programmable kettle for $38.
A Finum double-walled Hot Glass System for $14.
I actually own both of these items and think quite highly of them.
You can get this variable temperature hamilton beach kettle for about the same price. It may not look as nice, but it is very convenient for white/green/wulong teas. If you drink anything other than black teas I would strongly recommend something more like this.
For a goose-neck kettle I recommend the Bonavita 1.7L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle BV382518V. If you don't care about it being goose-neck I have a Hamilton Beach that has lasted awhile now. Don't think they make it anymore but I think the brand is good. Hamilton Beach 40880 Stainless Steel Electric Kettle, 1.7-Liter $23.08. Fount this one Hamilton Beach 40996 Programmable Kettle, 1.7-Liter $29.99. I cannot speak for other brands. I just know that Hamilton Beach is over 5 years old and did not cost that much.
Here's one for $40 that has 5 preset temperatures and an alarm feature. I have the same kettle, except mine allows me to choose the temperature in 5° increments from 160°F to boiling. I haven't tested the alarm feature since I don't get up at the same time every day, but it is a good kettle.
>First off, how do you store your teas air-tight? I have one tea that doesn't have a seal, so I just keep it in a ziploc bag inside the paper box.
I do the same. Put the tea in something that blocks out light, then put that in a ziploc bag to keep out air.
>Also, how do you approximate the temperature of water in a kettle? I know it's important to have the temperature right, so how do I get the temperature right for non-black teas with a kettle?
I use this kettle, which has a variable temperature control. Before that I boiled water in a pot and used a cooking thermometer, which was more work, and before that I just estimated based on the size of the bubbles in the water.
I bought a $20 pitcher on Amazon and make cold brew at home. Prep it the night before, put it in the fridge, and you’re good to go in the morning. Linked to Amazon below.
Takeya 10310 Patented Deluxe Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker with Airtight Lid & Silicone Handle, 1 Quart, Black - Made in USA BPA-Free Dishwasher-Safe https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFLY64U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ck4jDbMT49F9Z
On the cold brew note, I picked up a Tayeka Cold Brew Maker (linked to Amazon, but I bought it at Natural Grocers). it's nothing you couldn't do with a nut milk bag or french press or whatever, but it sure beats adding the grounds directly to water and then trying to filter them out. Also, Trader Joe's has/had a bag of cold brew coffee bags, like big teabags. I had to steep for 24 hours instead of the much shorter time they list, but it tastes pretty good for pre-ground coffee. I use one bag to a quart mason jar.
If you like cold brew get something like this it makes it super easy (but overnight).
So here's my advice: I currently use a Helor 101, which is a little outside of your target price. I moved to it directly from the typical ceramic Burr grinders.
Those grinders actually work pretty darn well. Quite consistent grind, easily adjustable, easy to clean.
The only issue is their lifespan. You're going to get anywhere from 6 months to a year (I never got that far) of daily use from one before the plastic body shears away from the steel housing. I went through three before I went to the Helor. BUT I knew enough about grinding and what I like in a hand grinder after the first one.
My suggestion: get that cheap ceramic grinder, and get your mileage out of it. That will give you enough time to know if you want to invest in a manual at all, and what you like/don't like. When it finally goes, you'll have everything you'll need.
If you have amazon prime, I think you can choose a "get it tomorrow" option and get it tomorrow...I've had this for 2 years and it has been working fine.
Yeah definitely worth considering! Personally I use my roommate's Keurig K10 Mini Plus with this reusable filter, grinding whole beans with this manual burr grinder. That all adds up to pretty close to $150. Now I can't guarantee that the coffee strength will be great if brewing a larger quantity of coffee using a larger-sized Keurig machine (the mini really only works for up to 10 oz of fluid). But for now I am pretty happy with this setup until I decide to go for an upgrade.
EDIT: A lot of people also recommended an Aeropress or French press. I haven't tried an Aeropress myself, but I think both might be really great options for you too (and much cheaper), only real downside is that both take more steps and manual work than using a machine like a Keurig or standard drip machine. If the idea of just pressing a button and getting your coffee appeals to you strongly, maybe avoid the mechanical options in favor of the electronic ones. But you would be well-off with any of these tools, I think.
Have a Hario mini mill:
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Slim-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY
It's pretty good for every-day grinding, and would be fine to pack. Can't vouch for any different/better/worse than the GSI one though.
A tablet + a server running plex.
Replaces a TV, DVD player, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon et al accounts. Provides tons of entertainment when at home and when traveling.
Sleep Stuff
Personally I think there's really no proper way to value a good night's sleep. After years of dealing with poor sleep due to breathing problems in a dry climate and living with obnoxious neighbors whose religion prohibits using headphones figuring out some cheap solutions to my sleep issues has yielded immeasurable quality of life improvements.
Nasal dialaters.
I was having a lot of problems sleeping due to narrow nasal pathways + seasonal changes and my BP was off the charts. The quality of life improvement from quality sleep is hard to quantify as a value.
[Really comfy sleep masks.] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FJQFJX8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1)
The inner lining on these ones reliably peels off for me but I still use mine and I think I could put these on 1 mile from the sun and not see light.
Super comfortable noise canceling ear buds
I have a ridiculously loud 300lb stomping upstairs neighbor who enjoys putting together furniture at 3am due to either meth or sleep apnea or both. He also really enjoys his shitty 1990s R&B. I've had several confrontations and he's changed some of it but you can't request someone not walk around their apartment when they want. I think he has knee problems so his steps are really heavy. These things are the best answer I could find. If I put these on + a TV show it drowns him out. It sucks to rely on noise to cancel out other noise but I love these things, they're super comfortable and they do the job I need.
Coffee Stuff
GeneCafe Coffee Roaster
So I'm the sort of person who is willing to spend the right amount of money when there's value. For me roasting my own coffee provides tons of value. For starters you can order green beans online for $3-5 a lb. I order 6+ months worth of coffee at a time for around $100, give or take. This roaster has now paid for itself compared to buying coffee at my favorite roaster and is in line with the stale, burnt tasting shit you can buy in giant vats at the grocery store.
But beyond just that I get the supreme joy of truly fresh roasted coffee roasted to a level I like which is a lot different than the black and greasy shit you'll get at Kroger's or whatever. I also love that I can bring this is going to be useful if/when I'm living on a homestead somewhere.
Stainless Steel French Press
Goes with the above. I used to buy glass ones and break them, but this $40 french press will probably last for a very long time with only the screen to worry about replacing and god only knows how long that will take.
[Rough Bur Grinder] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001804CLY/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
I really enjoy replacing electronic equipment with stuff I can power with elbow grease. It's not much of a workout, but it's quieter and still does the same job as the electric one I had purchased and unless other electric ones I'm not sure this one will ever break. My previous ones would break/clog constantly, this one has been trucking without issue for a year and I suspect will last several.
I'm not sure what your price limit is, but I'd suggest considering Hario's Mini Mill. It has ceramic burrs, adjustable grind size, a 1 - 2 cup capacity and is operated manually (hand crank). They're about ~$30, but if you're patient you can get a pretty good deal on one. I have been very happy with mine.
33 bucks for a Hario ceramic burr hand grinder is hard to beat.
Edit: I should mention that I own one, and am quite happy with it. It provides a consistent grind. Be aware that it will take a good amount of work to grind the beans however. I grind while my water is heating, and it usually takes about the same amount of time to grind coffee for 1 cup as it does to boil the water for it.
This decision mostly depends on what your limits are. I'm guessing price, space, and quality are the three most important variables. With those machines you would consistently get a pretty medium quality cup, at a mid-high price range, and it would take up a fair amount of space.
What I would do is consider using a more hands on brewing method, like a french press, aeropress, or pour-over. These three options would be cheaper, take up about the same amount of space, and produce a higher quality cup every time (when you get used to them). If you were to choose one of these you would also need a kettle.
I would also use whole bean coffee (meaning you need a grinder, I would just use this.
In the end it's all up to you, but my favorite brew method is the AeroPress, after a few months of using it I could really start to taste the coffee the way I believe it's meant to be tasted. You'll start to notice things like the natural sweetness, and hints of chocolate or caramel. With a Keurig or Starbucks single-cup I'm sure you would never really get this deep into your coffee.
TL;DR: I advise using a kettle+hand grinder+AeroPress or French Press, not an electric machine.
Bag
Patch
Jars
Hario Mini Mill Slim
Hydro Flask mug
> Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill Hand Grinder - ~$33 - Cheap alternative to an electric burr grinder. Good for people on a budget who still want the quality of burrs.
This one is awesome for camping / traveling as well. Unlike the Hario Skerton, this one has a plastic body, so it's less likely to break.
AeroPress, for sure. Here is probably the cheapest setup you can do, and still get the best flavour/experience.
Aerobie AeroPress + Able DISK Fine - $40 (I strongly suggest the DISK Fine over paper filters, but the AeroPress does come with a bunch of filters.)
Pocket Scale - $7
Carafe - $7 (so you press straight into this, and measure yield, as most mugs will not fit on the scale; also great for serving two)
Hario Slim burr grinder - $34 (if you'd rather go electric, the Bodum Bistro burr is a great buy and can be had for $120 new or under $100 used/refurbished)
Bonavita Gooseneck kettle - $50 (You do not need a gooseneck for the AeroPress, but you do for any type of pour over, so why not?)
Good luck, and have fun! Give my video a gander to see how to prepare with the AeroPress. It is fun! Almost as fun as an espresso machine. Ha! Yeah, right! But definitely worth the small coin.
In my opinion, you notice the most difference with:
I'd say the most important thing is a grinder. You can go for a cheap electric blade grinder, or you could go for a slightly more expensive adjustable hand grinder. The hand grinder is great quality for the price, with the tradeoff being it can take you 3-5 minutes to grind your beans.
Start with a french press or an aeropress. Both are quick and easy, and you shouldn't have to spend more than £25 for one.
I have am the CEO of a large aid organization which specializes in the playing of sweet bass to French Press and AeroPress coffee makers. He has a job with us, any time he's ready.
Incidentally, anyone who hasn't played sweet bass to an AeroPress loaded up with Lavazza Super Crema has yet to live.
I've just recently bought a fresh batch of Ethiopian coffee from the local roaster, a nice man with a stall in the Cambridge Market. For the last few months I've been making coffee with an Aeropress - I can not recommend it enough, it's honestly the best £24 I've ever spent.
It's halfway between a French Press/cafetiere, and an espresso machine in that it uses immersion to bloom and extract the coffee, and pressure to actually get it into your cup.
Edit: my awful spelling
Anyone looking at getting away from instant coffee, or also for a nice gift, this should most certainly top the list.
Edit: Assuming you mean Americano in that you're using espresso and hot water, you'll actually get more caffeine from the drip/filter coffee! :)
Since I'm a coffee nerd as well, if you're looking to get into coffee for god sakes save for a good grinder. Visit /r/coffee and browse around.
Minimum setup for decent coffee IMHO for a beginner
Grinder: https://www.amazon.com/Porlex-JP-30-Stainless-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0002JZCF2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1499788564&sr=8-12&keywords=hand+coffee+grinder
Kalita Wave for Pour-over: https://www.amazon.com/Kalita-05033-Wave-185-Drippers/dp/B000X1AM0Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499788582&sr=8-1&keywords=kalita+wave
Goose neck kettle: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-VKB-120HSVV60-Buono-Pouring-Kettle/dp/B000IGOXLS/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1499788593&sr=8-7&keywords=gooseneck+kettle
Alternatively to the wave,
Aeropress - https://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Coffee-and-Espresso-Maker/dp/B0047BIWSK/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1499788632&sr=1-3&keywords=aeropress
Clever - https://www.amazon.com/Clever-Coffee-Dripper-Large-Ounces/dp/B00EOM5RN0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499788656&sr=8-3&keywords=clever+coffee+dripper
Personal notes:
I've used all 3 types of coffee makers above and I still prefer my Kalita wave/v60. If I'm pressed for time and don't really want to think, the Clever.
Welcome to the coffee world! It can be fun acquiring a taste for it and exploring what you like. Since this is important for your diet I recommend gaining a better understanding of coffee to the point where you can enjoy it vs. starting out with crappy coffee.
Visit some local shops and taste variety of drip coffees. They'll range from $2-3 for a 12oz cup. If you don't know what you're ordering there's no shame in asking the baristas about coffee. If they're good they'll be thrilled to talk coffee with you. I'm also happy to tell you my favorite shops across the valley.
There are many different brew methods that influence the flavor and amount of coffee you can make. Since you're new I recommend using an auto drip machine to keep things easy. I began this way, moved to french press and now use the Aeropress and love it. Start simple and get more complex as you go if you would like.
Here are some items you'll need to start:
- Coffee machine
- Coffee grinder
- Bag of beans
Check amazon and read reviews for your coffee machine. There are quite a few out there. As for your grinder I recommend getting what's called a burr grinder. It gives your beans a better grind which will affect the taste/flavor. There are hand grinders, auto grinders, etc. I use this one from Amazon because I wanted one I could camp/travel with.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013R3Q7B2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Beans are going to vary. I recommend buying whole bean and grinding yourself just before brewing so they stay fresh longer. Store them in an airtight container. You can buy beans locally, online, from the grocery store, coffee shops, etc. I'm fussy and don't recommend purchasing generic beans from Starbucks, folgers, grocery stores, etc. Harmons Grocery sells great local beans sometimes at a discount. My favorite local roaster is La Barba Coffee. They cost a bit more but the flavor is great. They also have a bag punch card you can pick up from their Downtown SLC or Draper store. Daily Rise is a little cheaper and also local.
Watch youtube videos on grinding and brewing and go from there. If you dislike black coffee you can always add milk, flavored creamer, sugar, honey, etc.
It depends what you're looking for and what your budget is. Personally, I make my coffee with an AeroPress, which makes a beautiful, clean-tasting cup of coffee. I actually use a super fancy grain grinder leftover from the prepping days of Mormonism. Be sure that no matter what grinder you get that it's a burr grinder, not a blade grinder. A blade will give you inconsistent sizes which will lead to over- or under-extraction of the beans. If you want something relatively inexpensive but still good, you should get a manual grinder. The Hario Skerton or Mini Mill is a good place to start. But it really depends on your budget what you should get. Electric, you might go with the Baratza Encore. You might make your way over to /r/coffee for a better answer, but that's my advice.
You're going to get MUCH MUCH MUCH better flavors if you grind it right before you brew it. The oils on coffee, that give it the majority of its flavor, start to degrade very quickly (in a matter of seconds for fine grinds). You will get so much more flavor coming out of your beans if you buy them whole and then use something like the Hario Skerton to grind them right before you use them. This is usually the largest improvement when getting started out.
So what you are going to gather here is that you aren't going to be able to obtain "espresso" for that price range. However, if your girlfriend likes strong coffee in milk there are other options that would get you there without breaking the bank.
For the coffee:
For the grinder:
Hand burr grinders from Hario or Porlex are great and have a good following. You can get a knockoff on amazon for a lot less but it may fall apart after a while. Depends on your estimated use.
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1480362440&sr=8-6&keywords=porlex
For the milk:
Frothing Pitcher: https://www.amazon.com/Gourmia-GMF215-Detachable-Stainless-Non-Stick/dp/B01MD0AAVJ/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480362139&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=frother&psc=1
Frothing wand: https://www.amazon.com/Ikea-Milk-Frother-303-011-67-Black/dp/B013S27CLQ/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480362139&sr=1-9&keywords=frother
Both of these together should get you where you need to go and make a nice gift bundle (maybe with some beans if you have a few bucks left over.
I hear that the nespresso are ok but I really have to take a stand against the waste and concept. Putting together a bundle gives you a ton of flexibility and is a more thoughtful gift in my opinion.
My college setup is going to be a Hario Skerton, Hario V60, and a Bonavita Electric Kettle. It may seem like a lot of money, but after that initial investment you'll spend about 90 cents per cup. Also, the V60 is much easier to clean than a french press.
I have been using the Hario Skerton with my Clever Dripper, and it is a solid grinder. I grind about 21 grams of beans daily, and it is not too bad.
I store my beans in an Airscape and really like it. Keeps the beans fresh, protected from air, temperature, light, and moisture, looks good, and I think it's reasonably priced. I would assume that it does a similar job of storing ground coffee, but I just don't really see the point.
Once you grind the coffee, it begins to go stale much quicker than it does in whole bean form. I totally understand your desire to not wake up your girlfriend by grinding each morning, but grinding the night before is going to drastically reduce the quality of your morning brews, regardless of what you store it in. I would suggest a hand grinder like the skerton or LIDO for grinding fresh each morning without making noise. Actually, the skerton comes out to roughly the same price as the container, so if you already have some way of storing beans (really anything works as long as you're putting it in something airtight and in a dark place), I think buying a hand grinder is the better solution.
How did you measure your coffee and water? What kind of filter did you use? What beans did you use and how old are they?
Would it be possible to squeeze The Skerton into your budget?
I'd say this one.
Even cheaper than aeropress and just as good, but different, is a Hario V60. If you need a new grinder, I'd also recommend Hario.
Total outlay? $36 and change.
Hario Coffee Mill Slim Grinder
Beehouse Dripper
or
Hario 02 Dripper
or
Bonavita #2 Dripper
or any other pour-over device you like.
And cone filters from the supermarket for 3 or 4 bucks.
I'd recommend going with the beehouse or bonavita if you don't have a pouring kettle due to the slightly more restrictive nature.
This is the hand grinder that they recommend in r/coffee. I own one. Very high quality.
Everyone around here seems to recommend this grinder for those types of brew methods.
I presume he's actually talking about this one but I'd imagine they're largely the same. I have the mini and it does a great job.
I have this Capresso model, and it's working fine for me so far. I use fine for Aeropress and coarse for French press, how it compares to other models.
It's easy to clean. I got mine from a local coffee joint and I think it was less expensive than Amazon.
For a few more bucks you can get one with an all metal outer case.
There are definitely $100 grinders recommended in this sub (Baratza Encore and Capresso Infinity are both just over $100 and can go on sale)
https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00LW8122Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465874028&sr=8-1&keywords=encore+grinder
https://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1465874043&sr=8-2&keywords=capresso+infinity
Before I start, I should warn you that discovering good coffee can be expensive. It's also a bit time consuming. If you're in it for convenience, stick with the beans you're drinking now.
Freshness of coffee is highly dependent on two things: the time since roasting and the time since grinding. The best thing you can do is find a good local coffee roaster and get whole beans from them. Then get a good burr grinder (I love my Capresso Infinity Grinder) and grind it yourself immediately before brewing. Getting the coffee locally is good because you'll get to know the roaster and they'll almost always print the roasting date on the bag. Grinding it yourself ensures that the flavor stays locked in the beans until you're ready to drink your cup.
If you don't have any local coffee roasters, you can try your luck with some decent coffee from Amazon. Cafe Altura Sumatran is pretty good, although they don't put the roasting date on their bags, so you'll have no idea how fresh it is. Some of the best coffee I've ever ordered online was from The Birds and The Beans.
If you're just starting out, then I recommend getting a french press or an aeropress. You can even use them to make pseudo-lattes. (Obviously, to make a real latte, you'd need an espresso machine. But those get really expensive, really fast for anything decent.)
Hope that helps. :)
I'm an entry novice to coffee and did a lot of research on grinders.
I found this grinder
http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1417670127&sr=8-4&keywords=capresso
From what I gathered, it does the job for everything but espresso.
Apparently it doesn't get a fine enough or consistent enough for espresso
You need to know that your coffee is about to get a lot tastier. Also siltier. The silt puts some people off, but I love it--just decant carefully. Also, after the four minutes of steeping, press the plunger and get the coffee off of the grind immediately. Transfer it into a thermos or your cup, don't let it keep sitting there on the beans in the press.
But I will say: DO NOT get a french press without also investing in a decent burr grinder and buying fresh, quality beans from a good roaster (or learn to roast at home). I would recommend this one as a quality grinder at a good price. Set your grind to course, and don't grind until your water is near boiling. Your grinder is your most important piece of equipment for world-class coffee brewing; it is not the piece you want to skimp on.
I have had some truly transcendent cups of coffee...and blown the minds of friends who had never had french press before. Happy mornings!
I love my Bodum Brazil press.
I used to have one of these before upgrading to the Vario. It can't be beat in its price range - $45 on Amazon for a used one right now from Good Buy Products.
If you can spend a little more, try to get a burr grinder, it will make a huge difference, I got my first on used for $50, but I've seen them as low as $30. For the price I'd say either this or this these will be good enough unless you want to try espresso.
You can also get goodish beans at a grocery store. I recomend Peet's. Or you can order very good beans online from companies like stumptown, verve, or counterculture coffee.
Your next upgrade should probably be an aeropress, but if you've been on /r/coffee for more than 5 minutes you know that.
I don't know anything about that hand grinder, sorry. I just find it to be a pain in the ass to hand grind 48g for my wife and I every morning so electric all the way. Hario has some good hand grinders.
I like the Baratza because of the versatility, even grind size, ease of maintenance, and it's well built. For me, it's the perfect "foot in the door" to higher quality grinders. However, yes, you pay for it! You can go cheaper for example but you're going to get real crappy burrs (I think those are plastic...) and something that breaks if you look at it.
Moral of the story good sir or madame is this. Cheaper grinder:
I just replaced my grinder and was figuring out what to do with the old one (still works fine, but it’s loud and not the best grinder on the market).
Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00018RRRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oXDTDb9JZFAFB
If you’re interested let me know. I’m in Fall River but will be in Dartmouth several times this week and could drop it off somewhere.
There is and it is awesome:
http://www.amazon.com/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341951225&sr=8-1&keywords=toddy
(I know it is not exactly the same, but it is very cheap and does a great job)
Butting in uninvited to say I have a Toddy which tastes absolutely amazing. Once brewed it's a coffee concentrate that lasts up to two weeks in the fridge.
The bonavita is one of the only electric kettle's I've ever seen that has a gooseneck, and it has a thermometer (temp control actually)
this is the kettle I'm supposed to get right?
edit: 6 or 8 cup chemex? assume for two people
If I were you I would spend it on a nice kettle like this or some teaware, or just save it for something else
You're not going to find great quality tea on Amazon
If you want a quality tea sampler I would highly recommend What-Cha's Intro to Tea Collection
In my variable temp Bonavita, It drops at around 1 degree/minute once it has reached 100°C and is taken off heat. It starts cooling more rapidly as time goes on and the kettle itself isn't holding residual heat. You are of course correct though that every kettle is different, and that ambient temperature will effect this. I do believe this however to be a solid rule for people without access to a variable temp kettle or a thermometer.
Your easiest, relatively cheap option would be something like the Bonavita Connoisseur. Just slap in water and ground coffee and it’ll do the rest. Your cheapest option would be a pour over device (Chemex, V60, Kalita, etc.) and a kettle with a thermometer. You could go stovetop (cheaper but less convenient) or electric (more expensive). I’d go with something with temp control like the Bonavita or Brewista for something inexpensive but functional.
Now you are probably gonna hear a lot of people recommend getting a dedicated grinder, and for good reason. If you get a pour over, I’d say a grinder is needed for most of them unless they have some flow control (Kalita, Blue Bottle, or immersion droppers) as you’d need to be able to adjust grind size for best flavor. The Baratza Encore is always a good pick. The Porlex Mini or Hario Skerton are inexpensive and perform adequately for pour over although hand grinding may not be your thing.
For under $100 you obviously won’t be getting the best coffee you can, but overall if you want quality and don’t mind spending 10-15 minutes making coffee then I’d go something like the Skerton grinder, Kalita pour over, and Bonavita kettle. It will be effort though. If you just want something adequate, a dripper (Bonavita above) with basic temperature regulation will be leagues better than keurig, even with preground coffee (grind in store if possible).
You can get the temp controlled one for $55 from Amazon Warehouse Deals. I bought mine that way and it works great! They say “used” but they are basically just open box products. I buy a bunch of stuff that way and have never had a problem. But if you don’t like it you can always return it.
Edit: words
If you are doing greens, you want something with a temperature control. I love this one personally. It doesn't have a plastic window - which I prefer for alarmist BPA reasons. Also it looks cool.
https://smile.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Electric-Gooseneck-Temperature/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_8?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480702280&sr=1-8&keywords=electric+kettle+temperature+control
I'd recommend this one http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1453570674&sr=1-1&keywords=bonavita+kettle+temperature+spout ... it's listed @ 71$ right now, I'm a big fan of the pouring spout :D
The Bonavita Variable Temp Electric Kettle is arguably the best and while it's normally around $85, it did get down to $68 the other week (though this was by far the lowest it had ever been) on Amazon. I purchased mine then as I had been using their non-variable temp one for the past 2 years and had been lusting after this one. I highly recommend it but if you can't wait for the sale, the non-variable one is just as good, if not quite as convenient (and requires a separate thermometer if you want to ensure your temp is accurate).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0GDA
We just got a Bonavita and we LOVE it. However it's electric vs kettle, so probably not what you're looking for, but ours is stainless steel and heats up fantastically. Lots of preset temps, holds the warmth for up to an hour, it's fantastic.
If you want to go quick and minimalist, with little prep time and clean-up, a Hario pour-over cone is hard to beat. You slip a filter in, add the grinds, slowly pour over hot water.. and presto, you have yourself a cup of coffee.
Don't really think it matters whether you choose plastic or porcelain.
V60 - http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-Dripper-Ceramic-Funnel/dp/B000P4D5HG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367811837&sr=8-1&keywords=hario+v60
Chemex - http://www.amazon.com/Chemex-Drip-Coffee-Carafe-Cup/dp/B0000YWF5E/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1367811983&sr=1-1&keywords=chemex
Clever - http://www.amazon.com/ABID-CO-LTD-C-70888-Dripper/dp/B0047W70GY/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1367812013&sr=1-1&keywords=clever+coffee+dripper
I feel like these are your best options.
You could just get one of these pour over cones and a reusable metal filter.
Or if you have a Jetboil you can just get a French press adapter. Or go for the titanium french press. I keep it simple and just do drip coffee with one of these.
BTW, PRzitremedy1, awesome! I think I'll bring my Bialetti for a hike next time!
Most bang for your buck.
If it works, it works! Personally I would just use an infuser like this one. Arguably even better for lazy people because you don't have to worry about leaves getting in your mouth. Steep, remove, drink. I have found no easier way to brew tea.
Cuisinart PerfecTemp: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397060878&sr=8-1&keywords=CUISINART+TEA+KETTLE
Notes and observations from a couple months of drinking:
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ
exactly the reason i got this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=pe_309540_26725410_item
I'm a fan of insulated glass mugs and steel infuser baskets - here's a cheap set on Prime. As far as equipment, you mostly need a kettle. You can either go for a basic stovetop kettle, simple and cheap but no variable temperature - or electric kettles. A good one can run for quite a bit more cash (like mine, not cheap but highly recommended), but are easy and can have variable temperature.
Loose tea isn't cheaper than tea bags, but I'd say it's definitely better and way more diverse.
Check out the Bodum Bistro. I've had mine for about 3 years and it's a great grinder for under $100. I've got a French Press, Aeropress, and Chemex that I can get an amazing cup of coffee from any of them once you dial it in.
If you don't want to break the bank, the Bodum Bistro is a very nice grinder. I brew using mostly the same methods, and have no problems with consistency or size.
I use the Able Fine disk with my Aeropress and was able to dial in a perfect grind size easily.
EDIT: Link
Better idea. Half the price and much better reviewed.
OR for the same price. Their refurbs are awesome. And that grinder will last you forever.
Most people aren't going to have a recommendation on it. It's an uncommon grinder for this forum
The Bodum burr grinder has served me well for years, averaging 2-3 pots a day. I replaced my Baratza with one, intending to upgrade later, but it works well enough that I'm satisfied.
It's well under $100 when on sale.
How serious are you about your coffee? Or would you like to be?
For what it's worth, I had one of these for 3 years+ and it served me well. You can get this / comparable models for under $100 though. I think I paid $80 for mine, I forget but the Amazon price bot will reply to my post and show the all-time low ;)
http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419522809&sr=8-1
I have a Bodum Bistro burr grinder and really think it does a great job for $70. There is another Bodum grinder here that people dislike, but in general this one gets favorable reviews most everwhere I've looked.
If you want to make a single, easy cup of coffee at home you may look into getting an Aeropress. It is fairly easy to make a good cup of coffee for most anyone using one of these things.
I have no experience with the Ninja coffee bar (but I love my Ninja blender). I would recommend looking for a local coffee shop that maybe roasts their own coffee. It isn't guaranteed to be good coffee, but it will be a good place to start because they will likely have many different choices and you'll be supporting a local roaster. They will probably offer to grind it for you and ask what type of method you are using (pour over, drip, french press, etc) until you get a grinder.
I recommend getting a basket infuser, something like this. Then you can brew loose leaf tea directly in your mug, you just put the leaves in the infuser, the infuser in the mug, and pour hot water in the mug. Then when the tea is strong enough, you remove the infuser and rest it somewhere. If you've got good leaves you'll even be able to reuse them and brew more tea with them.
I would suggest that you get an in-cup infuser like the Forlife (there are other brands that should do the trick). I love my Forlife as it gives plenty of room for tea to expand and makes a great cup. You might also check out tea pots with large infusing baskets.
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As to the question of microwaving, there is nothing wrong with it scientifically speaking. If you are microwaving water there are two things to pay close attention to. First, make sure you place a WOOD skewer or chopstick in the cup to give a place for bubbles to form. If there is no imperfection for bubbles to collect on you risk superheating the water without it coming to a boil, then when you move the container the jolt would set off the boiling and you could burn yourself badly as the water over flowed. The second thing with microwaving is that you will need a thermometer to check the water temperature before you start brewing. This is because you don't have good temperature control in a microwave and this can result in a bad cup.
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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JPA3Y8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For Life
Finum
The Cuisinart PerfecTemp is a favorite around here. I've had one for a few years and absolutely love it.
Maybe it's the cuisinart kettle?
I always have a cup at my buddies place and love it. Fuck it, I'm going to buy a gourd and order some Yerba right now.
Edit: these were his recommendations:
How to for traditional preparation. This is a little much, but you will get the idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3hh7Qh828U
A properly made gourd will last all day.
Gourd and bombilla
https://www.amazon.com/ARGENTINA-GOURD-YERBA-STRAW-BOMBILLA/dp/B001E8P93A/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1487864201&sr=8-8&keywords=yerba+gourd
Good Yerba brand
https://www.amazon.com/YERBA-MATE-CRUZ-MALTA-2-2lb/dp/B00E3UI0SC/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1487864314&sr=8-2&keywords=cruz+de+malta
electric water kettle
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1487864357&sr=1-9&keywords=electric+water+kettle
Also, need a thermos or insulated coffee cup.
For a quick yerba here is a tea infuser. Its not as effective as traditional, but still does the trick for a quick fix. And you can make it in a coffee pot if you are making a large amount for whatever reason.
https://www.amazon.com/SALE-Tea-Infuser-Stainless-Strainer/dp/B01DMMVXLW/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1487864396&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=tea+strainer&psc=1
My parents' house burned down around Thanksgiving and they asked me for pot & pan recommendations as they rebuild. Here's a list I sent them of things that ought to last forever but won't break the bank (no Mauviel, Staub, All-Clad, Le Creuset, etc). #1 on the list is a 12" Lodge skillet, just like the one we have. :)
This is the one that I am COVETING!
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451440676&sr=8-2&keywords=CUISINART+TEMPERATURE+CONTROL
You might want to mention what country you live in. If you’re in the US or another 110v country, your options will be much more limited and the kettles will be much slower.
That said, I’ve been happy with this Cuisinart multi-temp kettle. Pricey, but reliable, and handy if you drink a lot of white/green/Wu long tea.
Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_NVoSDbMKAJ0F1
I'm bringing this electric kettle with me. Between that and my new Camellia Sinensis tea flask I should be good to go.
Bodum Burr grinder is ~55 cheaper - currently $75 which is a good price. I've used one with a bonavita for years with good results - others on this sub have said favorable things about it as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW/
Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder-~$170-This thing works like a champ and seems to always produce even grounds at any fineness (of which it has many options to choose from). It's very easy to clean. I have been using it for two years and have had no problems with it whatsoever. Its basket is glass, therefore there is no static cling with the grounds.
The only real complaint that I have heard is it may not grind quite fine enough to produce great espresso, but, as I do not make espresso, this has never come up for me, and I cannot speak to its performance in this area.
The best thing about this grinder is its relatively cheap price-point (some places list it at $120) compared to other burr grinders of the same quality.
If you're willing to sit at the top end of your budget, you might just fall in love with this Bodum piece.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422731209&sr=8-1&keywords=bodum+burr+grinder&pebp=1422731211511&peasin=B0043095WW
 
This is the best grinder I've ever used at home, and using the machine itself is simple. You can easily adjust the fineness of your grind (it adjusts the grind size for our French press and Moka pot beautifully) and serving amount so you aren't over-extracting or wasting your beans.
To add: get a good burr grinder; it releases more flavor oils by shaving the beans, rather than chopping them up. If you don't want to dish out the money for an electric (which can run well over $100), you can get a Hario-style hand grinder for $30-40. There is even a slim version for smaller hands.
Treat your awesome beans right with a good grinder and it will pay itself off in excellent coffee for years.
First thing you need is the Hario Burr grinder (if you're on a budget).
Here is the one I use camping and at my boathouse:
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ
If you're new to the coffee scene, I recommend subscribing to a coffee service like Blue Bottle Coffee until you develop a taste for what you like. It's a little pricey, so if you're on a budget buy a variety of locally sold beans.
Next, get a water kettle. I bought a variable temperature one 4 1/2 years a go and it still works great and accurately (got a new thermometer and themalcouple for Christmas and just ran an accuracy test just for this comment!)
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
For the budget coffee drinker, microwave your water to a boil and measure the temperature with a $5 Walmart kitchen thermometer. Pour on your grounds at 185-195 degrees F.
If you want to get very precise, get a scale that measures to a tenth of a gram. A timer is also useful, but usually don't need to buy once since you can use your phone, microwave, watch, etc.
To any uninformed readers: the grinder OP links to is a knockoff of the Hario Skerton. If you buy a grinder of this style, make sure it is a real Skerton. Here is an Amazon review illustrating why.
You came to the right place. Generally don't buy a box of stuff when your new to something. Always one or two items you don't need or want. And one or two items that are missing.
If your going for frugal, spend most of your money on the grinder. Hario Mill Grinder Slim is your best start. French Press is one of the cheapest brew methods (as low as $15 and no additions, plus it makes great coffee). Unless you want to do cowboy style coffee.
I personally like the V60 but it is soooo much easier to do when you have a gooseneck kettle. Maybe consider that later ;P.
Aerobie Aeropress is easily the best coffee maker around. I have made coffee and espresso for some of my pickiest coffee nerd friends, and they love it and always ask me how I made it. Great Christmas gift for your coffee-loving friends.
Als jemand der auch lange Zeit auf French Press geschworen hat, schau dir mal eine Aeropress an. Ist nochmal ein paar Stufen höher auf der Hipster-Skala, aber der Kaffee der dort rausblubbert ist schon echt sehr, sehr gut. (und kann auch mit Metallfilter betrieben werden).
I take the aeropress as a luxury item.
AeroPress Coffee Maker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GXZ2GS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JDoUAb57EPTP0
Aeropress plus Hario or Porlex grinder. Perfect set up. Exactly €50. Add some great, fresh beans and you are sorted :-)
http://www.amazon.de/Aerobie-80R08-AeroPress-Kaffeebereiter-Papierfilter/dp/B000GXZ2GS - €27
http://www.amazon.de/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ - €23
In our office, we make drip in the mornings, when we're just looking to take the edge off the caffeine headache. In the afternoon, French press. I've actually considered getting an Aeropress. I've no personal experience with it, but the reviews are compelling.
What's your price range? The Hario Buono Kettle runs for just shy of $40 on Amazon right now, and the Fino Kettle runs for just under $30.
If you're really tight on money though, you can always look for one of those tall silver-plated tea pots with a long spout from a local antique store. I picked one up for $3 and used that for years before getting myself a Bonavita. It's a little unwieldy but it gets the job done, and pours much cleaner and slower than a normal kettle.
The typically recommended options for stove-top would be:
If you just want a standard stovetop kettle then you'll be fine with most reputable brands since there really isn't much that can go wrong with them.
Edit: I just realized I'm not in /r/coffee. If you're not doing pour-overs then pretty much any kettle will work. I'd probably go with a $20 Cuisinart or something.
If you are looking for an automatic coffee maker this one seems to get recommended often. I have never used one myself though.
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1500TS-Carafe-Coffee-Stainless/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1517883812&sr=1-6&keywords=bonavita+coffee+maker
For a grinder this one is recommended often as a basic electric model. If you want to save some money and don't mind a little effort than a hand grinder like the Hario might be a good option.
https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1517884047&sr=1-4&keywords=baratza+encore+grinder
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B01LXZACFB/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1517884146&sr=1-3&keywords=hario+skerton+pro
I do have another recommendation. IMO, pour overs are the absolute best way to brew coffee, as they extract flavor the best. For this reason, you want to optimize your setup for better results. You're already doing this by buying a scale, good kettle, and grinder for home. What I would also do is buy a paper filter based system. They are often cheaper or the same price than what you're considering buying. I use this V60 at home (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BA2I7A/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and it produces amazing results. Additionally, filters are cheap and probably impact the environment equally to stainless steel filters (due to dumping grounds and excess water use), even though this is usually a big appeal for the permanent filters. Paper is significantly better for taste than the steel filters IMO.
Buying good beans is also very important. I hate to use price as a reference point, but most high quality specialty beans are going to be around 15-20 for 8 to 12 oz bags. Stick with single origin light roasts. Look locally or online and build a sense for the flavor based on region and processing.
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Feel free to ask any questions!
You probably want to spend the majority of that on a grinder. Quick google That's about the minimum, in terms of quality of the grinder, that I would recommend.
I will have to agree with what u/Pumpkinsweater said. Last year my girlfriend and I were in the same boat, but we decided to get a french press and use a cheap $40 grinder with not-so-great results.
We then got the Hario Slim hand grinder, which made a huge difference, but was just a bit too much work for the mornings.
We now have a Baratza Encore grinder and an Aeropress; a $150 (USD) total investment. We still use cheaper beans because we are on a budget, but properly ground and pressed cheap coffee, to me, is still quite nice.
The cool thing about the Aeropress is it makes coffee at double strength, which you then dilute down to "regular" strength or whatever you want. If you want a latte-STYLE, just use the double strength and finish with an equal volume of milk/creamer/whatever. You get a ton of variety from one little Aeropress. It's quick too, I can have a cup made (after the water is already heated, of course) in just under 4 minutes.
The Baratza Encore grinder will work across whatever you want to try. They say it's not great for french press, but I find it perfectly fine. Aeropress, French Press, Pourovers, or grinding for a cheap-o drip coffeemaker, it works for them all.
Oh, that's one thing, you will need a hot water kettle. We've had the Hamilton Beach temp controlled w/ timer since last year and it is awesome. You can program a time for it to turn on, so your hot water is ready, and also set the temperature (I brew coffee at 195-200 degF, then I can vary it for teas). http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418247900&sr=8-3&keywords=hamilton+beach+hot+water+kettle
Anyway, good luck in your ventures!
If you don't feel like spending the money on a variable temperature kettle (I own this one which is generally the cheapest variable temp kettle you can buy), I recommend purchasing an instant read thermometer. They're typically $15 or less. That's what I did before I got a programmable kettle and I'm glad I upgraded.
amazon ,
follow this link it gave me 5c, its a cold brew coffee machine
https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-Coffee-Maker-1-Quart-Black/dp/B00FFLY64U/
French press and a kettle. I've never liked the taste of Keurig coffee and it takes up a lot more counter space. A french press can be kept in the cupboard. The glass ones likely won't even look like a coffee maker to your family. They'll know it is one, but it would probably be far less triggering. Plus it will give you all kinds of coffee street cred.
The other option is cold brew, but you have to have 2 or 3 of them so you can rotate. I love cold brew in the summer. The taste is totally different. So smooth. This one takes up about the same amount of space has a half gallon of milk.
I just use this from Amazon.
Full the filter, submerge and let it sit in the fridge for about a day. To drink I usually do 1/3 to 1/2 brew, add ice and water & enjoy!
I'm starting to realize from a lot of these ratios that some tastes are very different! I'm sure that a "recommended" ratio is out there but an ideal ratio is what tastes best to you.
As you've noticed, you definitely need to increase your steep time, especially if you're using the fridge.
I've tried many methods but the one I've been using for a while now is the following (just a suggestion if you're into that sort of thing):
I was very skeptical about the CoffeeSock's ability to filter properly as I was using Chemex filters before this which obviously filters well. I spoke to CoffeeSock about this and they said "you will pass some fine silt only" and they were correct, much to my surprise.
The french press definitely had some fine grinds coming out of it, as did most of the popular products I've tried. Some people don't mind this but I did. :)
The product tastes fantastic, in my opinion, and comparable to the concentration of many shops I've purchased cold brew from. Just play around and at some point you'll settle on the method that works for you.
Happy brewing!
I’ve got this one works well and is easy to clean but wish I had gotten the 2 Quart size.
If you really want control over how you grind your coffee I recommend getting a manual grinder. I have one myself and it works amazing. Here's the one that I have
https://www.amazon.com/JavaPresse-Grinder-Conical-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B013R3Q7B2/ref=mp_s_a_1_6/140-5654303-8085930?ie=UTF8&qid=1549224010&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=coffee+grinder&dpPl=1&dpID=31OfOtErjNL&ref=plSrch
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Slim-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY
Good and cheep for when you only want one cup at a time.
The Bonavita drip brewer ($140) is one of the very few SCAA certified home brewers out there. It will make excellent coffee.
A good cheap burr grinder is the Hario Mini Mill ($20). It's a hand grinder and that entails a bunch of extra effort and time, but it's a fraction of the cost of comparable electric burr grinders. If you want a decent electric grinder, a good place to start would be a refurbished Baratza Encore ($99).
The Encore + Bonavita combination will make really good coffee and won't really be much more work than a combo grinder/brewer. However these things are obviously expensive, probably more than anyone who isn't looking to get seriously into coffee should consider. Find what works best for you.
The mini mill is only about $24. If you're so strapped that you're already eating rice and beans every meal, then at least start saving up for one. Otherwise, I'm sure there's something you can sacrifice for a week or two to buy a burr grinder.
I think most supermarkets/Costco has a bulk coffee grinder you can use. I hand-grind my beans every morning and use this. I'm probably going to upgrade to an electric grinder soon. Sorry about the $250. He sounds like a shitty human.
You could look into a French press (I like bodum but all brands work). I also recommend getting a melitta brewing cone, for the $3-$5 it costs it makes insane coffee for the price. Also if you can, never go with pre ground beans, you can actually get a grinder for pretty cheap on amazon or at the least go to your local coffee shop (non Starbucks) and buy a bag of beans from them and ask them to grind it for you. Hope this helps! Excited for your coffee journey!
I think you get the best home results with a pour over, which is just a cone that holds a filter over your cup while you pour water in slowly. You can get the whole setup for about $100. $45-55 for a hand grinder (Porlex or Hario), $20 for the cone (V60), plus V60 filters from Amazon and a kitchen scale that measures in grams. You'll need a kettle with a fine spout too but you don't truly need the special goose neck kettles they sell.
You can find youtube videos of how to do the brewing but basically you use a lot of beans per cup (25g), pre-wet them, then add water slowly in phases up to a full cup (360g).
As for beans, Stumptown is a good bet for premium beans if you're mail ordering.
Making espresso at home is much harder and takes expensive equipment to get right so stick with the shops for awhile.
This guy nails it. However, instead of a french press I would recommend this cheap-ass, easy-to-clean, impossible-to-break pour over cone. Although Amazon prices it at over $5, I usually see it in stores for $2-4. French presses make great coffee, but I think they're a pain in the ass to clean and oh so easy to break.
Dude, get one of these.
Boil water, and you have drip coffee, with very little extra weight. I've carried mine for thousands of miles.
Well a funnel strictly speaking isn't the right angle to properly support a coffee filter, making it get lopsided easily and likely fold on itself. Now that said you can get plastic versions of these for about $6 and they're just as good. Although I'm sure you'll get someone complaining about the plastic interfering with the flavor, which is likely bullshit.
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In the end tho, look how pretty the porcelain is!
My recommendation would be
Hario Skerton for grinding
Clever Dripper for brewing.
Aeropress is another option, but IMO the Clever is a little less clean-up to do at work. Clever gives press-like steep with filter for no sediment and easy clean-up. Either is a good option though.
TLDR buy this. It's what I use and it's amazeballs for the price.
The Capresso Infinity is the only one worth buying under $100. If you don't want that, try to buy in half pound bags from a local roaster that will grind the coffee for you.
https://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Conical-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/
I can help you with this: http://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-16100-Evolution-Espresso-Cappuccino/dp/B0001KO9RY
Best decently priced entry level semi-automatic espresso machine to get
http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1457504719&sr=8-3&keywords=capresso+infinity
Best entry level grinder
Get your beans from trader joe's (seriously cheap, but seriously good coffee, you'll find out that starbucks uses over-roasted beans)
I like mine with 2 oz espresso and 10 oz of foamed milk and half a tablespoon of sugar
I basically lived at starbucks for 3 years while studying 12 hours a day 5 days a week, this is the cheaper, tastier and faster version
Well, you really should not buy this grinder: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Automatic-CCM-16PC1/dp/B00018RRRK
The bouldering is absurd and the fines are ridiculous. I have to grind my beans like four times over to get anything even vaguely reminiscent of a consistent grind, it's loud, ugh. I'm not even making espresso, just pour overs...sigh. Terrible grinder.
I'm going to replace it with the Hario Skerton/Skeleton, I think. I read good things about it somewhere...
Whatever you do, don't get this: https://smile.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Grind-Automatic/dp/B00018RRRK
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It's too inconsistent if you're picky like me. Well, for drip it probably wouldn't be bad cause the filter will catch everything. All other applications you won't get a uniform size. Also the plastic container that catches the grounds is just a magnet for the grounds.
Grinds coffee to an exact size. So I can have the right grind for the brew method I want to use. Aka French press, espresso, cold brew, etc
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Grind-Automatic/dp/B00018RRRK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
a one time investment will improve the taste of your morning coffee for the rest of your life. i'm not trying to be pushy, but freshly grinding your beans is by far the most important thing to improving your coffee flavor. by far!
A Toddy is only about $30 and is perfect for making cold brewed coffee. You brew 12oz and it will usually last me about a week.
http://www.amazon.com/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1417011307&sr=8-3&keywords=toddy
This is my every day coffee. This is what I use to make it. I've been doing this for three or so years now. Best damn coffee, and everyone gets the strength they want.
I have a Bodum. It's pretty decent but I'm far from an expert on the subject but it should give you an option.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0043095WW?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
I got this one. I brew both green and black teas, so I wanted to make sure I had the option to brew both at the right temp.
I got the Bonavita Gooseneck Kettle. True, it is the single most expensive single purchase so far for my coffee but it has made coffee making a ton easier. Getting water to 205 degrees (or whatever you prefer) without any hiccups and being able to pour it without worrying about splashes, over-pouring or anything else has made it one of my favorite purchases so far. It just adds a ton of control to your coffee-making, which is super beneficial when there are so many variables in it already.
Generally not a fan of these guys. They do work hard on design, but they often miss key elements in the finished product (specifically in their first coffee steeper).
I bought a version of the Bonavita gooseneck four or five years ago (here's an example of a recent model) that still works like the day I took it out of the box. When I am home, it gets used at least once per day, if not multiple times. Coffee in the AM, tea in the afternoon. I can't recommend a model like this enough.
An app and WiFi is fun, but I prefer this version.
There is Temperature Variable Bonavita Gooseneck for $68 and free shipping, it's a steal.
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Electric-Gooseneck-Temperature/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1480367109&sr=1-2&keywords=bonavita
I'm looking into getting an electric kettle that has a manual temperature control. I like the idea of boiling my water to different temps according to the beans I'm using or the type of tea I'm making. But I've been reading the reviews on both the Fellow Stagg EKG and the Bonavita BV382510V and it sounds like they're garbage-- they either break down after a few months or won't even work out of the package. On top of that, some people complain that the temperature the kettle reads is quite different than the actual temperature of the water.
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My question(s) is: is it worth it to get a temperature controlled kettle? Or should I just use a conventional kettle and a thermometer? Are there any temp controlled kettles that you all recommend?
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Here's the two I'm looking at: Bonavita , Fellow Stagg
there's always the bonavita electric kettles
I just recently got this burr ginder: Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder ($119.95).
It's pretty pricey, but it's a step up from my blade grinder. Really everyone here is going to advise against a blade grinder.
Totally! I love talking about gear.
Grinders:
Scale - Hario Drip Scale w/ Timer - It's black, measures to the tenth of a gram, the first one I bought is slow and it struggles to keep up with measuring my water grams...then I bought another a year later and it's much faster so I'd say if you get one that seems sluggish / slow, return it it's like they added a new CPU or something later in the life of the machine.
Aeropress sometimes....it's the fastest way to make coffee with really easy clean-up. For the event I'm just gonna brew 2 batches on everything except espresso (since I don't want to tote that thing in the office). I hope it turns people on to better coffee.
It's back down to 59.99 on amazon again.
Edit: 60.99
granted
Looks like he might have used this.
I think you've got your priorities a little mixed up if you're using a microwave to heat water because you don't have the money for the most expensive variable temp kettle you can find.
Pick yourself up a cheap kettle, electric or stovetop, and a thermometer. Get the kettle you want when you're good and ready. Brewing with water that is a little too hot isn't going to immediately destroy your brew.
Someone mentioned the possibility of superheating your water and scalding yourself. If you're going to continue boiling water in the microwave, please make sure you've got something to prevent this (/u/seepgnarr mentioned a chopstick).
I personally use a Bonavita Variable Heat Gooseneck kettle for my coffee (usually pourovers). http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
No idea what's best, but here's the ones I've owned. I tend to avoid ones that have plastic bits touching water:
I have the ceramic bella, I don't use it much, but it holds a lot more water than my other units. It's a pain to fill with how my water spout off of my fridge (filtered water) is designed because it has a has a wider brim. I do not have the temperature adjustable ceramic, that was just a random Amazon result that looks good that I threw in.
This is basic gear for so-called "Western-style" brewing for one person. If you decide you want to scale up with this method, there are pots that work with the same principle.
Oh, a dedicated pouring kettle is crucial for any pourover brewing methods. The gooseneck design allows for far more granularity and precision in the flow rate and position of water flow. The faster the extraction rate, like a V60 pourover, the more important the control over those variables becomes.
I have this Bonavita. It's probably the single best purchase I've made for my coffee brewing adventures for a few reasons. First, it's got that gooseneck spout I mentioned. Second, it has a variable temperature sensor and control, which removes the guesswork from water temperature. The hold function is great, too, since I can put water in and set it to 200, hop in the shower, and it will hold the temperature at 200 until I pour it. Super useful. Lastly, it heats water faster than any other method I have. Faster than stovetop, faster than microwaving. It's great. Massdrop has been doing runs on them occasionally for ~$78, so you could keep your eye on that.
Not enough control. I prefer this
I'm not OP, but it looks like a Bonavita Variable Temp. Gooseneck, which can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464394066&sr=8-1&keywords=bonavita+variable+temperature+kettle
If you're looking for loose leaf, this is a pretty good little sample pack to try a couple different kinds. If you're really new though, (coming from Keurigs and Starbucks and such) I'd probably recommend starting off with some less expensive/complex bagged tea first.
Assuming you're in the U.S., Twinings is likely to be the best you'll find in an average grocery store. P.G. Tips are pretty good as well, though as far as bagged tea goes I prefer the selection of Twinings. You can try all the different basic kinds this way and refine your tastes from there. Get a kettle, electric for convenience or stove-top if you like the whistle. Then just put a tea bag in your favorite mug and add hot water. There are also individual tea steepers so that when you have loose tea you don't have to make a whole pot at once.
If you go electric and have spare cash, you can spring for one that measures water temperature. That will make it much easier to make sure that you brew each kind of tea at the optimal temperature. Here is a quick guide on what temperature is best for each basic kind of tea. If you get into more complex teas from there, the supplier will usually have more specific directions.
Lastly, make your tea the way you like it. Don't be discouraged by people who say black is the only way to appreciate tea, if you like it better when it's half cream then more power to you. Milk, cream, sugar, honey, and lemon are all popular additions, feel free to mix and match and add and subtract until you find what's right for you, and then let your tastes evolve from there. (Many darker teas may taste a little bitter at first, but with milk and sugar become quite a treat).
We registered at Amazon for the selection and convenience. We could find just about anything on amazon, and could add anything else through the universal registry feature. Guests shipped most gifts to our home, which was great since we live across the country from where we were married. I'd heard the return policy was rough, but luckily we didn't have any duplicate purchases. Amazon's registry was perfect for our needs.
Some of the most-used items we received:
You could also save on your scale and get something like a Jennings CJ4000 (I have it, and you can plug it in so you don’t have tho use batteries) the hario scale is more accurate to .1 as opposed to the Jennings .5 but that’s not super import in pourover. Especially as a beginner, you won’t be able to detect the taste difference of a few 10ths of a gram of water or ground coffee. The hario also lags, and your mostly paying extra for the aesthetic. But if the aesthetic is worth it, go for it.
This is the Bonavita I have and I love it!
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Digital-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1525132017&sr=8-3&keywords=bonavita+tea+kettle
It's not really a question of "better". It's just different, and it's up to you which you prefer (or maybe you'll prefer one or the other depending on the coffee beans). In my opinion, French press coffee tends to be somewhat muddled. It's hard for me to distinguish different flavor notes. Pour over produces a cleaner cup that's also less oily, and none of the fine coffee grounds end up in the cup. I usually use the French press for blends, but stick to the pour over for single origin coffees.
For making pour over coffee, it's pretty important to have a kettle that gives you good control over the pour, which is why a gooseneck spout is preferred. I would recommend the Bonavita 1L variable temperature kettle.
Here are some alternatives:
Bonvita variable temp gooseneck kettle
Hario [scale]
(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009GPJMOU/)
American Weigh scale
I've used many electric kettles, and the Bonavita 1L Variable Temp Gooseneck is by far the best. It's expensive on Amazon right now, although you can usually get one secondhand for around $65. There's one on eBay for that price plus shipping right now. Since it's gooseneck, he can also use it for coffee pourovers if he decides to pick that hobby up too.
Hmm, maybe you got lucky or I got unlucky. I used it 2-3 times a day and they both developed the rust and it also started taking significantly longer to boil. The rust problem seems to be mentioned in a lot of the reviews on Amazon too... https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1540718362&sr=8-3&keywords=bonavita+kettle
You can get an electric kettle with temperature control if you want more control: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_awdm_zCMoub1Q9WQAE
I second the Cuisinart kettle. Also, Bonavita works for me just fine. The only downside is that it’s a gooseneck kettle, so the water drops a few degrees while being poured. But the kettle usually overheats by a couple of degrees anyway, so at the end it balances out.
Bonavita BV382510V 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0P.5CbZC5HDYN
I use this one and love it so far.
In my opinion, just pay $9 more and get this Bonavita BV382510V 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bOW5CbHK339A6
No problem! Hope it ends up being useful.
The kettle is the Bonavita Variable Temperature kettle:
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417298015&sr=8-1&keywords=bonavita+kettle
It is amazing. Worth every penny, in my opinion. It completely eliminates the temperature guesswork involved in everything coffee.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1417710975&sr=8-2&keywords=bonavita
As /u/geekRD1 listed below = Best gift I ever received. Differen't coffee's and tea's need to be brewed at different temperatures, PLUS for pourover's the gooseneck spout is something you cannot be without, otherwise the water flow is messed up.
FYI, the Bona Vita Variable Temp Gooseneck electric kettle is only $50 on Amazon. This is one that I see a lot of people use. It's not as pretty as the Fellow Skagg EKG, but imo it's a better value.
For $50, I think everyone here will recommend the Bonavita variable temp: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/
Baratza grinders are hard to beat. If you can manage to wait a little while, they offer refurbished models for sale too (I think they update on Thursday mornings US Eastern time) - https://www.baratza.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=RFRB
For a scale, I use and love the the American Weigh 2Kg scale. It has 0.1g resolution to measure your beans and because it can measure up to 2Kg you can put the Chemex right on it and measure your water while you brew! Plus, it's under $20USD. http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-SC-2KG-Digital-Pocket/dp/B001RF3XJ2
If you have an iPhone, Intelligentsia has a great app that has guides for all sorts of different brew methods. It includes timers and calculators to let you know how much water to use for a given amount of coffee. (Sorry, I can't help with android apps). http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/content/iphone-app
I haven't gotten a gooseneck kettle yet and have been using a 2L electric kettle without any temp control. I use a thermometer every year or so to measure how long it takes for the amount of water I put into it to cool off from a boil to ~200F (which is around 2 minutes) and then just set a timer when I use it. That said, this kettle is on my wish list: http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
I make a pot of coffee with the Chemex almost every morning before going to work. I use a Klean Kanteen insulated bottle (http://www.kleankanteen.com/products/wide-mouth-insulated-20oz?variant=1605388483) and some generic travel mug. Before brewing I pour boiling water through the filter of the Chemex and also into the bottle. Then when it's time to brew I pour the water from the Chemex into the travel mug and brew the Chemex as normal. Post brew - empty the warming water from mug and bottle, and pour in the coffee. The mug doesn't keep things warm for very long, but the bottle works pretty well for several hours.
Happy brewing!
This is my preferred kettle for tea and coffee:
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Electric-Gooseneck-Temperature/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1482382252&sr=8-5&keywords=temperature+control+kettle
I like my Earl Grey a bit more on the bitter side. Look up 'Uncle Grey', it's made with vanilla in it. On that note, look into make a drink called a 'London Fog', they're fantastic.
We had a flash heater in my dorm freshmen year. It was pretty neat but there isn't much more you can use it for if you don't eat lots of ramen. I don't know much more about them but I'm pretty sure they should mostly have a temp regulator.
However I think an electric kettle may be a better move, especially if you're on 220 volts. It looks like that isn't the case for you though. This electric kettle that I have is great. It only takes a couple minutes to heat up a full liter to 190 degrees and if you use a hand grinder the timing works out pretty well. I think this would be a better purchase.
bona vita variable gooseneck. no question. http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
This is the cheapest available option for a variable temp kettle that I know of that still stays under $75 (most are closer to $100).
If you want precision by a single degree, Bonavita has one as well as a gooseneck version that fall under your budget.
This one is good, lots of features like "keep warm", and variable temp.
Yeah, hard to beat for $50.
Bonavita Variable Temp Kettle
As /u/Lion_Thompson mentioned, you can consider getting a BonaVita that allows you to control the water temperature, that is, if it's within your budget. I usually brew mine at 205F but there're a lot of Aeropress recipes out there. Heard someone used 140F in a competition so you can definitely experiment with it!
Otherwise, I'd recommend just getting a decent gram scale so that you can start playing with the coffee:ground ratio, and the brew time if you'd like :)
Amazon Japan has the gooseneck version of the Bonavita available via Prime.
https://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B005YR0F40/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_cr_x__a_w
I brought over the non-gooseneck version of the Bonavita and have used it for a few years. I like the degree-specific setting and hold mode for up to an hour. Built in timer as well.
I have the Bonavita variable temp gooseneck kettle and I absolutely love it. The gooseneck is much better than the stubby spouts for gongfu. Easier to control the pour. Plus 1L is the perfect size, so that I'm not continuously boiling the same water.
By the way, there have been quite a few threads in the past with the same discussion, you could probably find some good info by searching for "electric kettle" or something like that ;)
Just to add a more modern option to the lineup, I bought this kettle to take to college with me, and it has served me fantastically! The temperature control is a must have imo if your brewing up some good green tea :D
The Kalita Wave Pot is gorgeous and the comments say people use it on gas, electric, and induction stoves. It's just $1 over your budget.
The Hario V60 Buono Kettle is another option as well, slightly less expensive at $38.
Lastly, I know it's out of your price range and you don't need electric but wanted to mention it anyways. The Bonavita Variable Temp Kettle is pretty much the standard just in case you're interested!
Love it, nice overview picture. Just about the same setup as I've got at home, minus the hario. I haven't splurged for one yet (just using a teakettle, ugh), but I'm tempted to jump for the Bonavita electronic kettle. Any thoughts on why not to get an electric kettle?
It dropped to $60 on Amazon recently. http://camelcamelcamel.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/product/B005YR0F40
Ok, so if you want a consistent grind that you can dial in accurately, you're going to want a burr grinder. Really any should be sufficient for a moka pot, because the only problems might be on the extremes of the grind size. Stay away from those whirly-blade spice grinder type of grinders.
For your low-price options, you're going to be looking more at hand grinders. They're perfectly fine (and some think they actually give a more consistent grind than the electric counterparts), they just take a little more work. A good one at a low price point would be the Hario Skerton mill ($31.58).
If you have a bit more to throw around, you might want to try an electric grinder. Some of the better ones in the middle price point are the Bodum Bistro ($140, though you can sometimes find them on a good sale). Or, you could go with the Baratza Encore ($130).
If you're looking for something more than that, I'm probably not the one to ask. But, if you're just doing moka pot coffee, those should do just fine.
Others are more than welcome to weigh in here, though!
What is your budget?
The aergrind is possibly the best valued grinder, but it is a manual grinder. This guy can grind espresso quality and will greatly improve your mokapot and aeropress. Their Feld2 is also great but less portable. These expensive manual grinders are much easier to grind than the cheaper ones, you dont need nearly as much force. They grind as good as electrics 4x the cost.
If thats out of your budget you could go for this porlex or mini mill but these produce far less consistent grinds, harder to turn, and cant grind as fine.
If you want electric, the baratza encore is a popular recommendation. This is good enough for everything thats not espresso. This is very easily repairable, so it can last longer than other options.
But honestly the price difference to the bodum bistro isn't worth it. Id go for this if you wanted a cheap electric. Also wont grind espresso, but good enough for just about everything else.
Hope that answers your questions!
Great setup. For when you're ready.
Something that's cheap and reliable:
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007F183LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BJJGDbZW2HR7G
Something that's super cheap (blade grinder)
KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SPEU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_6KJGDbFZSYVDE
Gooseneck kettle is a must for pour overs if that's what you see in your future! I have the Bonavita 1L electric kettle. Looking back, I would have invested in the more expensive version that lets you vary temperature, but I've had great results with mine regardless.
I started out with a v60, then a Chemex, then the Aeropress. Of the 3, I use the Chemex the most often; it gives the best quality brew with the highest quantity (37g @ ~600mL of water). It took me quite a while master the pour, but it was definitely worth it!
Hope this helps and good luck on your coffee journey!
EDIT: For grinders, I have the Hario skerton. It takes a while to grind the beans, but was marvelous for my budget at the time. Once I have the money though, I'm going for the Baratza Encore. It's cheaper than the Virtuoso, but an old roommate had the Encore and I LOVED having all my beans ground in such a short amount of time.
Just some food for thought!
As noted a couple of times by others... Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007F183LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_W8IzCbV0EW1FV
After a year of Starbucks on my walk to work (and adding it up and shaking my head), I reached out to a high school friend and mega coffee nerd, and ultimately went with his recommendation for "best entry level" brew at home set up. It's been great. A little spendy to get into it, but it paid for itself quickly, and I've loved experimenting with different roasts of whole beans and doing the grinding myself.
​
Grinding:
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
​
Brewing:
Breville BDC450BSS Precision Brewer Thermal Coffee Maker
​
Storing Beans:
Airscape Coffee Canister
​
Good luck, and happy brewing!
​
Edit: Formatting
I think to best answer this request, we'll need a bit more info. Are you ok with a manual grinder, or do you prefer an electric grinder? Do you want a drip brewer or a pour over set up? Are you looking to get into espresso? And, what is your actual budget in your local currency?
And now for a guess at what might work for you...
A [Melitta Plastic Pour Over Dripper](https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527536804&sr=8-1&keywords=mellita) $5 to $6 (a lot of grocery stores carry these in stock)
A box of #2 Cone filters at your local grocery store $2
If you want an automatic drip brewer, and you are making smaller amounts for just you, the [Bonavita 5 cup](https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1500TS-Carafe-Coffee-Stainless/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537674&sr=8-4&keywords=bonavita+brewer) is wroth a look. it runs about $66. I have the 8 cup for the wife and I and we love it.
Filters can be purchased, again, at your local grocery store for about $2.
[Brewista SmartPour Kettle w. Thermometer](https://www.amazon.com/Brewista-Variable-Temperature-Kettle-BKV12S02NA/dp/B01CFBBUVY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537033&sr=8-1&keywords=brewista%2Bsmart%2Bpour&th=1) $40. There are cheaper ones, but I personally have this one and have loved it.
[Scale](https://www.amazon.com/Jennings-CJ-4000-Compact-Digital-Adapter/dp/B004C3CAB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537139&sr=8-1&keywords=Jennings+CJ4000) This is a must. $30
[Bratza Encore](https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1527537371&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=baratza+encore&psc=1&smid=A302OQK4GZWXCC) Grinder is the default recommendation around here, and for good reason. It's high quality, and easily serviceable. New they run $139, but you can save $40 and pick up a [refurb](https://www.baratza.com/product/encore-refurb/) (still with the 1 year warrantee) for $99 direct from Baratza.
If you want a cheaper option, and don't mind a manual hand grinder, there are a few options, but the [Hario Skerton Pro](https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Grinder-MMCS-2B/dp/B01MXJI90S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1527537536&sr=8-1&keywords=hario+skerton+pro) is about the lowest cost / still decent quality grinders, grinder that most would recommend. It runs about $60, and personally, I'd spend the extra $30 on an Encore refurb.
Happy Mug Beans are a pretty great option. I really enjoy the Big Foot Espresso blend (despite it's name) as a pour over, and even like it in my drip brewer. The Inspirational Artist Blend is a great option too. But really just try them out and see what you like. Their bags (for 1lbs of whole beans) run $11 - $13
Hope that helps.
I was in the same shoes as you, from Canada with a Hario Skerton - which did a fine job at grinding beans consistently in my experience. But who in their right mind is going to get up every morning and manually grind beans, it's gets old.
Bite the bullet. Order yourself a baratza Encore from Amazon. I've never found myself desiring anything more and it is the single best piece in my coffee arsenal
Adagio has a pretty good teapot/tea sampler to start out with. This:
http://www.adagio.com/gifts/holiday_ingenuiTEA.html
is what I use. I also recommend buying a programmable electric kettle since different varieties of tea require different water temperatures. I have this:
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI/ref=sr_1_52?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1395218831&sr=1-52&keywords=electric+kettle
and it's been amazing. I drink mostly Oolong and green teas, so I wanted something that had temperature control.
The best way to find what your preferences are, and to understand your palate is to try what sounds appealing to you. Adagio is a pretty good place to start. :)
Hey there--if this lucky individual is really into tea and interested in learning more/expanding his/her palate, then I'd highly recommend starting with something like this ["Discovery Collection"] (https://redblossomtea.com/products/discovery-collection) or the ["Green & White Collection"] (https://redblossomtea.com/products/green-white-collection) from Red Blossom Tea Company, based out of California. Pair it with a cheap tea basket from Amazon (~$10.00USD) and call it a day! If you're really feeling generous, then I'd also pick up this ["Hamilton Beach Programmable Kettle"] (https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI/ref=sr_1_13?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1511811952&sr=1-13&keywords=variable+temperature+kettle) from Amazon if he/she doesn't already have a kettle. Hope this helps!
A lot of people like this one from Hamilton Beach if you can spend about $10 more. https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI
Quick Google search returns this one. It also has some preset temperatures and a hold function. I haven't tried it but it was the first thing that came up.
Google "programmable kettle" and you'll get some options.
You could also go with a smart plug and put a timer on that, just plug into the outlet (outlet turned off), turn on the kettle and set the plug to turn on at a certain time. If you get a smart plug with power monitoring it can also notify you when it's done.
https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI/
I use this one and it gets the job done
You could always get something like this http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI
It's probably not very quiet but it has a timer and you could literally pour a cup of tea when you wake up.
I use this Hamilton Beach kettle. It can be set to between 150 (I think) to 212 degrees, in 5 degree increments. My only real complaints are that it is kind of loud, and there's no alert to let you know it's done heating (although it gets much quieter once it's finished).
I use the Hamilton Beach Variable Temp. Electric Kettle . I drink a lot of varietys of tea that require different temperature. If you just drink black tea, or just aren't that serious about tea, a tea kettle would be fine. You can find simple ones at super markets. And you do not put tea in tea kettles. Those are tea pots. And sometimes they arent even required. When I drank loose leaf tea casually (without any gongfu (chinese) teaware) i just used two cups, poured the water in one cup with the tea, and poured the water out with a strainer into the other cup.
I've used this almost every day for a year without issue. Variable is the only way to go.
I have this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0083I7THI/
I actually bought one of the Amazon warehouse ones for like $28 or so. They come and go.
So far, it heats the water quickly and works pretty easily. I haven't verified the temperature independently, but I'm honestly not that exacting (/r/coffee blasphemy, I know).
The LCD interface to set the temp and other things is pretty confusing. I pretty much just fought through it, set the temp to 195 (what I like my aeropress at) and then have left it alone. Now I just hit the on button, it heats up and holds for an hour.
Possibly my only complaint is a gooseneck would be nice, but I mostly do aeropress, not pour over, so I just am careful with the pour and don't have any issues.
This one
I have a [Takeya] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFLY64U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WwJuDbKSB0770) cold brew pitcher I got from Amazon. 17 bucks, works great!
Well for what’s it worth, here is my recipe/process. Feel free to give it a shot or modify as you see fit :)
Recipe: https://imgur.com/a/qOSzZ
Cold Brew Maker: https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-Coffee-Maker-1-Quart-Black/dp/B00FFLY64U
Cold Brew Process: Fill it up with coarse ground beans. Add cold water and put in fridge for 24hrs. Remove from fridge and pull out infuser.
Coffee Addition Process: Brew/ferment as you normally would. Keg beer, pour entire contents of cold brew into keg (30ish fl oz). Purge of air, shake shake shake. Carb.
Definitely a strong coffee flavor, but it’s balanced and not overpowering. Always the quickest keg to go!
We have a cold brew pitcher that I freaking LOVE. If this is your preferred method of coffeeing, it's bomb to be able to make it at home without making a giant mess.
I tried the paper filter and pitcher route, and then the giant tea bag route, and they worked fine. Then I bought a pitcher specifically for cold brew and it makes the clean up so much easier.
This is similar to what I have, and I would highly recommend it:
Takeya Cold Brew Iced Coffee Maker, 1-Quart, Black https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00FFLY64U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oDxUBbTR5EKXA
I make cold-brew iced coffee with one of these [https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-Coffee-Maker-1-Quart-Black/dp/B00FFLY64U]. I don't like hot coffee. I have a cup to wake up, do my routine, and head to work night shift 12 hrs.
I stop and get a iced coffee at Dunkin Donuts (traditional, not cold-brew) which I sip at work. I finish it by 9 or 10pm, then don't have any more caffeine. That will keep me awake through until the end of my shift. If I have caffeine any later, I'll have trouble sleeping.
Iced coffee is way better. If you don't have ice You should buy a cold brew pitcher and make your own. I recently started doing this, taste great with any dark roast coffee. I carry it in my backpack on the way to the office
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FFLY64U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_1g1YWQfrmdTbI
not the exact model, but a similar concept
https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-Patented-Airtight-Silicone-1-Quart/dp/B00FFLY64U
overnight infuser. put the coffee in the water, let sit overnight and it's great in the AM
https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-Patented-Airtight-Silicone-1-Quart/dp/B00FFLY64U/ref=sr_1_7?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1522251909&sr=1-7&keywords=cold+brew+coffee+maker
Me and two of my keto friendly bro's use this. We love it.
I invested in this for cold brew concentrate. WORTH IT!!
Nothing glamorous but this brews cold coffee and is easy.
She might want to take an extra step at the end and filter through a paper filter to catch smaller grains. But overall a good easy product to use.
https://www.amazon.com/Takeya-10310-Patented-Airtight-Silicone/dp/B00FFLY64U?th=1&psc=1
There a lot of more expensive options out on the market, just depends on what you are looking for in a brewer.
Search this subreddit for takeya and you can read about everyone else’s experiences.
I got myself one of these. Cuts down on prep and cleanup time immensely.
I have a Takeya, I don't make $60 an hour and a half ago I think?
JavaPresse Manual Coffee Grinder, Conical Burr Mill, Brushed Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013R3Q7B2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7GhaAbH5TR7N1
Nice of you to think of your future possible roommate. We have a "quiet" electric burr grinder and it is loud AF. Our cat exits the house immediately and stays gone until the fish comes out to lure her back in. I'm interested in trying this one out: https://www.amazon.com/JavaPresse-Grinder-Conical-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B013R3Q7B2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=hand+burr+grinder&qid=1564165325&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1 . But I have no first-hand experience.
This one is: https://www.amazon.com/JavaPresse-Grinder-Conical-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B013R3Q7B2/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=hand+large+burr+grinder&qid=1556983024&s=gateway&sr=8-4
I love it
Same exact thing here. Drinking a cup of coffee after a night of whiskey was a coin flip as to whether or not it would trigger a full blown panic attack, which I'd deal with by--you guessed it--pouring myself a drink, even if it was before noon.
Very much enjoying the ability to enjoy a nice cup of tar-black Italian roast every morning.
Also if you've never had one of these before, invest in one. It's a pain in the ass to make coffee with it, but it's PHENOMENAL:
https://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-6-Cup-Stovetop-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000CNY6UK
I took this review from Amazon for when I purchased my first moka. This is the only way I ever use my moka and it is delectable!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B000CNY6UK/RAK1DGKYEF0GQ/ref=mw_dp_cr?cursor=1&qid=1408335688&sort=rd&sr=8-5
Generally for a Moka Pot, the Bialetti 6-cup is touted as the standard here. Spotted that there will be a "lightning deal" on it on Amazon tomorrow (in 17 hours). Just dropping the link here so if someone is interested in trying it out, it may be a good time to do so.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CNY6UK
Hopefully this doesn't clash with bullet #4 as I don't want to make a thread about it. Otherwise, feel free to share Moka recipes.
with something like this
Price range will dictate alot of this.
My wife and I got the De'Longhi EC155 a couple Christmases ago. When we got it we passively enjoyed coffee and lattes (very low standards).
But its been like a gateway drug and we've been piecing together our coffee arsenal. Like the other poster said though, the grinder will make a bigger difference.
You can get small espresso machines with steam wands for fairly cheap, like this one for $90. Then you can make all the lattes your heart desires! (Granted you have espresso beans and a grinder.)
My De'Longhi espresso machine's recently taken to "leaking." As the water heats to ideal temperature for brewing, it sounds like a valve or internal component isn't closing, so there's a hissing sound and water leisurely drips down into the catch for some period of time before it rights itself again. I don't know how to fix the problem or even where to start, so help would be appreciated!
You know, if you have the time to make them in the mornings, you should invest in an espresso machine with a milk steamer to make your morning mochas. You can get a nice automatic one that still makes espresso with excellent crema by Nespresso for $111 on amazon plus the cost of a milk steamer or frother and the pods. Or you can get something nicer that is more manual like this De'Longhi espresso machine with milk wand. In the long run, it's way cheaper to make these things yourself even if you are doing fancier espresso based drinks vs plain black coffee.
I bought this guy as a cheap machine a while back. Twice the price as your Mr. Coffee.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Cappuccino-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347649968&sr=8-1&keywords=delonghi+ec155
Delonghi EC155. It was an okay machine at first, espresso okay with its pressurized basket and steamed okay milk with its little plastic attachment. I bought a non pressurized basket and changed the steam wand out along with chopping off the bottom where the basket goes.
NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENCE especially with the new basket. It made okay espresso before with fake crema but NOW IT DOES IT FOR REALS.
Also my grinder wasn't cutting it much anymore (bodum burr grinder) so I just hooked up my power drill to my kyocera hand grinder and that works like a charm until I can afford a better grinder
Edit: For anybody interested in the new basket it is this basket: (MP68) La Pavoni Europiccola/Professional - Millennium Model Double Shot Basket
Also steam wand is (R_1054) Rancilio Silvia Steam Wand I don't recommend if you are not mechanically inclined, I had to basically take apart the entire unit to swap it out.... but the pressure now is AMAZING.
I have the DeLonghi Ec155 and love it. I still only have a blade grinder because the espresso machine was a birthday gift and I haven't saved up the money for a good burr grinder yet, but it still tastes great. It does have a milk frother, but its a bit awkward to use because the stem is so short, so I sometimes just use the AeroLatte milk frother.
I have had it for a few years now and I think it makes great espresso. It has 15 bar pressure, not just pump driven like some of the espresso machines out there. I did mess my first one up by leaving it on milk frothing mode for 2 hours, and fried something. That was a problem with the newer ones and they fixed that issue and sent me a new one for free.
The only problem is finding a correct size tamper. It does have a plastic tamper on the upper right, but I wanted to get a free standing one. I had to settle and get one that is slightly too small.
My go to budget conscious suggestions are: Hario Mini Mill + Aeropress or French Press of your choice.
$32 Hario Mini Mill
$26 Aeropress
$20 French Press
not a french press, but i recently bought an aeropress. i have to say, it makes tasty coffee.
If you get the chance you need to give an aeropress a try. Very different flavor profile, and you get your fix quickly. I absolutely love mine.
Another relatively cheap alternative is the Aeropress. One reason I like it more than pour-over is that it can make espresso-strength coffee for when I don't have time to sip a full cup.
This is way under your budget but I have an Aeropress.
I find that filter coffee gets bitter because the water stays in the grounds for too long. Same with french press (though I still like it). It's also way quicker than a stovetop espresso maker, but still tasty.
I buy coffee beans from wherever I can. I like columbian, but with the aeropress you need to go for espresso (ie fine) ground stuff so you might be more limited if you're buying it pre-ground.
I end up buying lavazza espresso ground stuff. In the blue tin.
>I thought about a pour over, but I don't really know what I'm getting myself into
Honestly, not that much. It's pretty straight forward. A Chemex produces a fantastic cup, and would only really require you get a gooseneck kettle. Ditto if you go the v60 route. Bonavita has a couple, either temperature controlled or not. Other wise Hario kettle would also work.
Regardless, take a look here at Brew Methods. It has summaries on a variety of brew methods, from chemex to other. May give you some ideas.
>I don't want to spend a ton of money,
Depends on what "a ton of money" is to you, but:
> would a chemex be a better investment?
Yes, imho. Buy a cheap gram scale, a gooseneck kettle, and a chemex/v60. You'll be very pleased with the results.
About a year and half ago I went from 0-60 with this setup:
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VKB-120HSV-Buono-Drip-Kettle/dp/B000IGOXLS
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Dripper-V60-Clear/dp/B001RBTSMM/ref=pd_sim_k_6
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-White-Filters-Brewer/dp/B001U7EOYA/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1349906139&sr=1-1&keywords=hario+v60+filters
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1349906080&sr=1-2&keywords=hario+hand+grinder
http://www.amazon.com/Ozeri-Digital-Multifunction-Kitchen-Elegant/dp/B004164SRA/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1349906101&sr=1-5&keywords=kitchen+scale
Here is a video I found about how it all works:
http://vimeo.com/34182806
The big thing is to use FRESH roasted beans (we're talking ~3 weeks old or less). If you are buying beans that don't have a date on em, try again. Hopefully there is a coffee shop around you that will sell their own roast (usually comes in a 12oz package). If not you can try the grocery store or order online (http://ceremonycoffee.com/ is a good start), it really depends on the city you live in.
I had always liked the aroma and taste of coffee in other things (ice cream specifically) but it wasn't until I got into beer that I really started to appreciate it. Hopefully this finds you well, feel free to send a message my way if you have any specific questions!
The only thing is that you basically need the Bouno Kettle or a similar kettle to use the V60 properly. Unless OP has a kettle that can give a slow consistent pour, the V60 may be a bit out of the question...
The Hario gooseneck is floating around the lowest price it's ever been on Amazon. According to camelcamelcamel:
Currently: $33.49
Lowest: $30.97
Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:
Link: here it is on amazon
This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting).
The kettle is indeed necessary. It's only $40 though.
First of all, if you want to get into loose leaf tea, you're going to want to get something to brew it in. The simplest to use and clean is a French Press. But getting into loose leaf doesn't mean you have to forsake bagged tea all together, I still use both.
As far as finding a tea you like, you should start with bagged tea just because it's cheaper. You need to get familiar with the tastes of black, green, white, herbal, etc teas. Once you get a feel for the different tastes, get yourself acquainted with a nearby tea shop. There's not much of that by me, but at least I have a Teavana.(Good teas, but way overpriced). A lot of times they'll have different teas you can sample or at the very least smell.
The best way to buy quality tea without bleeding your wallet is probably through Amazon. You can buy it in bulk (generally 8oz+) for pennies on the dollar.
I don't have much experience with mixing teas with alcohol, but I know that Earl Grey goes well with scotch/whiskey. And I bet that a spiced rum would go wonderfully with a hot milk chai. Actually I think I'll try that out once I get home from class.
Here are some other favorite teas of mine, I'd recommend them all if they adhere to your personal tastes.
Dragonwell Green This is my favorite tea of all time, but it's not for everyone. Very earthy.
Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate (Mate/Herbal)
Bourbon Street Vanilla (Rooibos)
Honey Lemon Ginseng (Green/White)
Constant Comment (Black)
Earl Grey (Black)
Honey Vanilla Chamomile
The main difference quality-wise between a Bodum one (~$18 for the Brazil model) and an off-brand one are the filters for the most part.
Found the Ikea one here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60241389/
If you ever decide to branch off into other brew methods and want the most amazing iced coffee (can you tell I'm biased?), I'd highly recommend getting a Chemex. This is my absolute favorite way of making Japanese iced coffee. Seriously, it ends up so sweet that drinking it black is deliciously smooth.
I use one of these and really like it a lot. The lid doubles as a saucer for the basket.
I'd try brewing it in an open basket like this one.
http://www.amazon.com/FORLIFE-Brew---Mug-Extra-Fine-Infuser/dp/B001JPA3Y8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1412355993&sr=8-6&keywords=tea+basket
this is the basket my friend uses.
Personally I like to use a french press.
If you want easy, you can buy a mug strainer or empty tea bags to pack yourself:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JPA3Y8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JIRDSCC
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J3JFJU
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HW1C7VK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00027CM5C
You should get a basket infuser like one of these:
1
2
These are large enough to let the leaves open up so you can the whole flavor. There are other options such as a gravity steeper or infuser thermoses, but these are a good place to start :)
I have this
This is it with a glass mug
I am currently using this tea infuser It fits most cups/mugs, and pretty much keeps all tea leave residue out of your tea. Only tea dust particles or VERY fine teas, such as Gyokuro will have anything getting through. You can also buy the infuser with different tea pots it fits in.
http://www.amazon.com/FORLIFE-Brew---Mug-Extra-Fine-Infuser/dp/B001JPA3Y8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368540939&sr=8-1&keywords=tea+infuser
That's a really great infuser. It was recommended to me here and I love it
This works well for me, although you might be able to find something comparable for less money.
Hey there. If you haven’t already you should browse /r/tea. I know it’s a bit overwhelming, but their tea FAQ breaks down a lot to of good info for beginners.
I currently use a fancy multi temperature electric kettle that my husband bought me (this one by Cuisinart ), but in the past I brewed tea by using a stove top kettle or even just a pan on the stove. How you heat the water is up to your preference. Just make sure you’re heating the water the right temperature and the correct steeping time for the type of tea you’re brewing (covered in the tea FAQ).
If I want more than one cup of tea, my electric kettle actually keeps the water at the correct temperature for 30 mins so I can easily go back and pour another cup. I also have a 6 cup ceramic tea pot that I use and I find it reasonably keeps the tea warm enough, though I usually only use it if I’m drinking tea with someone else. If a tea pot doesn’t seem to keep it warm enough you can knit or crochet or buy a tea cozy to insulate the pot.
I only use loose leaf teas now since the price is better and it’s much fresher than bagged teas. I shop with Asiago since I can order online or go to their shop downtown, but there’s tons of tea shops to choose from.
Well I'm obviously slow but here it is. Great deal with Prime.
It's also available at Macy's, which is where mine was sent from as a gift.
I have this kettle. I press the temperature button I want, and by the time I'm done grinding my coffee and got my aeropress ready, the water is at the desired temp.
The Smart Kettle has no plastic that touches the water.
In addition to the Smart Kettle, I also have a UtiliTEA and a Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp. They both have plastic water level windows. Even so, I prefer the Cuisanart over both the Smart Kettle and the UtiliTEA.
You might want to check out Foxxie's comments on a previous kettle thread. Foxxie talks about which kettles have BPA, etc.
I brought a Cusinart Electric Kettle and it boils a 1.75 liter amount in a reasonable time. About 7 minutes. 2 cups in about 2-3 minutes.
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393879919&sr=8-2&keywords=cuisinart+kettle I didn't pay that much.
You don't have a lot of variable temperature electric kettle options under $50. Cuisinart CPK-17 gets a pretty good Consumer Reports score but is slightly over your budget at $61.19 right now (though earlier this month it was $51.04.) Hamilton Beach 41020R is very similar, and comes in just under your budget at $44.99 (and I see a 25% off coupon. You may not.)
We put this electric kettle on our registry and we use it every day: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003KYSLNQ?colid=1F4292RFY6ZAJ&coliid=I1KRV7C8N20K8U&ref_=hit_wr_dt_vr_md_pt
If you like a variety of teas it'll heat the water to the right temperature, and it heats up SUPER fast :)
Cuisinart CPK-17 PerfecTemp 1.7-Liter Stainless Steel Cordless Electric Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003KYSLNQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_4RO-wb8T7E0D3
There are many ways to make green tea, but in all honesty, just drink it the way you like it. This may take some trial and error, but you will eventually find a way you like it. Usually generic brand green tea bags are more "forgiving" than say the higher end green teas that require you to be a little more precise with the temp and steep times. If the tea tastes bitter to you, try steeping it for less time or lower temps. Usually a good starting point is what they put on the package.
Personally, as I hate making tea at the office as I always struggled with getting my teas the right temperature or let it steep too long as I got distracted by a meeting. Now, I just make it in the morning before coming to work using this water kettle and this travel mug. The travel mug usually keeps it at the temperature I want for several hours.
New to Tea? New to loose leaf? Let me help.
Hello, new friend. So you've stumbled your way into /r/tea, you probably though this was a subreddit for the Mr. T, but no worries you're here and you're in good hands. We're all tea fiends and we're all eager to share our fifteen minutes of meditation, our hobby and our little slice of heaven. So why should you consider switching from Lipton to something crazy like leaves some Chinese person picked off a tea bush?
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So, Where To Start??
^^buy ^^theses ^^teas ^^first!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where | Why?
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GoodLife Tea's $7 for 7 Sampler | Free Shipping! Robb has a fantastic variety of tasty high quality tea important for building up your tea pallet.
Verdant's Five Teas for $5 | Free Shipping! Again, Verdant sells some premium quality tea. Think of their sampler as a crash course into the rich people's side of tea. But the catch with tea is that it's a lot more affordable than wine could ever hope to be. The sampler is great for building up your tea preferences and giving you a kickstart in the right direction.
Upton Tea | My personal favorite store, they send a nice little paperback catalog every quater. They sell a huge variety of teas, from traditional English Breakfast to Tie-Guan-Yin. Not only that but they sell their teas in different grades meaning you can dabble in what is traditionally an expensive tea by trying a lower quality (but still delicious and tasty) grade of tea. You can find the grade and variety of tea that matches your wallet and taste. They also sell cheap samplers, if you wish you can take $20 and order around 15 samples and see where your cuppa takes you.
Adagio | A personal favorite of /r/tea if you can find a store nearby! But don't fret, most of us buy our tea online so no worries if you're in Kodiak, Alaska and can't get down to an Adagio. They sell nice quality tea, their stores people are incredibly informed and helpful (unlike a certain Starbucks owned tea store). They also have Adagio XL which sells tea in bulk.
Harney & Sons | Amazon Prime Shipping. I love my Amazon account, that's usually by go to place online shopping and being able to two-day ship a simple tin of Harney & Sons tea without the shipping cost is fantastic. They sell lots of teas and they're all very good. Maybe not the premium tea you'll see Chinese diplomats drinking but they in my opinion sell tea that all tastes great.
Coffee Bean Direct | Who knew a place called Coffee Bean Direct* sold tea too? Again, with Amazon Prime Shipping this seems to be the place to buy tea in bulk. They're well reviewed and their tea seems to be good. If you're like me and cold brew ice tea frequently then this might be the best place to pick up some bulkier tea to last you the season.
Crimson Lotus | Owned by a frequenter of /r/tea, Puerh_Lover stocks a great store with lots of neat little stuff. Be warned, he caters to pu'er which is a type of fermented tea pressed into bricks or pellets. In other words this is a special variety of tea that needs special equipment and special knowledge to brew. Don't fret if you're not walking out of /r/tea after a day brewing in a gaiwan.
White2Tea | More lovely pu'er.
Yunnan Sourcing | Again, more pu'er, but also lots of green and white teas too. They sell teaware for good prices too so if you're looking to pick up a traditional china teacup or gaiwan this is a good place to get that.
What-Cha | Another beloved store on /r/tea, but they're pretty pricey at times. But you can always expect good quality tea and a looser wallet from here.
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Just How Do You Make Tea?
Traditional Western | Gongfu | Cold Brew
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The way you're probably familiar with when it comes to brewing tea, all it requires is a teapot like this one (I highly recommend this teapot). Western or Traditional works well with every kind of tea. It's the universal method of making tea and the best place to start. | This kind of brewing is very specific as it only works with Chinese type teas like pu'er. This method of making tea is hands down the best way to make a Chinese styled tea and does wonders to enhance and bring out the best in the leaves. But this method wont work for a cuppa English Breakfast or Japanese Sencha. To brew Gongfu style you use a gaiwan which is fancy talk for a tiny cup with a lid. The idea behind Gongfu is more leaves, less water and time. You use micro-infusions instead of waiting minutes like Western or hours like Cold Brewing. | Cold Brewing is for those of us who just love iced tea. It's simple to cold brew, a vessel like this will brew a mean pitcher of ice tea. All you have to do is leave the leaves in the filter and wait 5-12 hours for the tea to brew, perfect for leaving overnight. Fair Warning: tea can go bad, the kind of stuff you'd buy at the store has a massive amount of preservatives in it. Keep your cold brewing tea out of the sunlight and don't let it sit for more than 48 hours.
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On Kettles
So you're going to need a way to keep your water hot. A stovetop kettle is probably the most accessible and the biggest no brainer out of everything here. A microwave heats water inconsistently, can leave an odd taste if your microwave isn't properly clean, and you really don't have a good way of knowing how hot the water is. Temperature is important. Brewing a cuppa green tea in boiling water will result in a pretty shitty cup of tea, and brewing some black tea in the water appropriate for green tea will result in a disappointing cuppa.
You also have electric kettles like the Cuisinart CPK-17 which is going to cost as much as a decent coffee machine but if tea is your caffeine fix then it might be worth it. The Cuisinart is a variable temperature kettle meaning you just have to press a button and it makes the water the appropriate temperature for whatever kind of tea you're drinking.
Tea | Temperature
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Black | 212
Green | 175
White | 190
Oolong | 185
Pu'er | 212
Herbal | 212
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Where To Buy Tea Equipment? What Equipment Might You Want To Buy?
Umi Tea Sets sells lots of cute tea sets. They also sell pretty much any kind of vessel you can brew tea in, from Yixing to Japanese tea sets.
Mr. Coffee Tea Kettle A simple, $10 stovetop kettle to boil some water. It seems to have a little hole in it for a thermometer to go in if you need to measure your water temperature.
Glass Whistling Kettle I have one of these, you can tell water temperature from the bubbles if you learn to read them well. It’s pretty handy but if I could I would exchange it for the Mr. Coffee.
CPK-17 Electronic Kettle probably the device that makes most of /r/tea’s mouths water (that might just be the tea). This is pretty much the best electronic kettle you can buy, cheaper than a K-Cup Coffee machine. It has temperatures for making all kinds of tea labeled nicely. I have one and I love it.
OTHER
Want to find the right kind of tea for you? Here’s a tea discovery wheel! Try it out here.
I've got the Cuisinart CPK-17 and it's been working wonderfully for me. I've read on a review that the temperatures are pretty accurate.
This one's hold feature only works for half an hour, though, and you can't set in 1° increments. Just showing you an alternative.
This is the one i have http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW/ref=sr_1_9?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1485796415&sr=1-9&keywords=burr+grinder
This is the one I use. If you get a little hand vacuum you can just suck the excess grounds out of the shoot between uses and be good to go c:
I almost missed it! I've got a few upgrade from my last post! Here is my gear.
From left to right:
What's next you ask? Well with my neck paycheck, I'm buying the following:
Any recommendations for other gear? Specifically, scale recs?
Edit: Added Amazon links for anyone interested.
For making single serve coffee that's not crap in that price range, I'd consider one of the following grinders (Ordered according to my preference... the first is my favorite):
Combined with one of the following brewers (not really ordered... I could argue for any of these):
They're easy, cheap, and high quality. Any combination of these will get you a low-fuss cup in the morning, and if your friend uses good, freshly roasted beans, it'll be better than most shops can do.
I agree that you need a decent grinder. In other threads, I've suggested the Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder.
Do you know how you want to brew your coffee? I think everyone should have a French Press, and you can get a good one for ~$25 or less. If you think you won't want to wait for 4 minutes for the French Press (or you don't want to clean it, which adds a bit of time), go for an Aeropress, which makes great coffee fast and 1-cup at a time and cleans itself. I'd avoid a drip machine with the other good options. You'll also need a teapot or electric boiler to heat the water, although I suppose you could use the microwave (or just a pot) if you were in a pinch.
Duuude. Do it. For $120 you get perfectly ground coffee (of easily adjustable coarseness) in about 20 seconds. Such a game changer.
I've heard good things about this Caspresso and Bodum as well if you want to save a few bucks.
Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder has served me well for pour overs and French press. It can do fine espresso grinds for your average consumer espresso machines, but cannot grind fine enough for those prosumer machines.
I brew directly into a Chemex, I like it a lot more than the carafe that comes with it.
https://www.amazon.com/Chemex-6-Cup-Classic-Glass-Coffee/dp/B0000YWF5E/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1498833354&sr=1-3&keywords=chemex
Also, I have had this grinder for 6 years and it still works perfectly
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-Electric-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B0043095WW/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1498833502&sr=8-10&keywords=coffee+burr+grinder
I'm also going to recommend you upgrade your grinder, and then revisit what you already have.
I have personally used a Bodum bistro grinder, and I enjoyed that. My wife bought one that had issues, and Bodum sent us a second grinder at no charge: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0043095WW/
A lot of people will recommend Baratza, and for good reason. They have excellent customer service, and they make really good grinders (up to a point). https://www.baratza.com/product-category/refurb/
Throw away that coffee tin and grinder. For french press especially you need a consistent coarse grind that your not going to get with a blade grinder. Get this grinder instead
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=pd_sim_k_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=19DE06SVG74MQS538Q21
Also an electric kettle will be a lot better than microwaving.
Nice work going with that kettle! I have the same one.
A couple things:
1- Yes, your grinder is an issue. I call the result of the grind by that style of blade "dust and boulders". Some coffe will be over extracted, other coffee will be under extracted.
2- What kind of water are you using? Does it taste good?
3- A hand operated burr grinder will run you about 30-40 dollars ([Hario] (http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ)) , but I suggest you pinch a few extra dollars and go for a decent quality electric one. Your grinds will be much more uniform!
4- Have you tried properly ground coffee that's fresh? Have a local place grind a small amount before you take it home. Compare your grind and the other.
5- Do you know what kind of coffee:water ratio you prefer? How are the local places with their ratios? Ask your barista next time you get a pour over...
Good Luck!
This is the grinder that I bought when I was first starting. Cheap and great for beginners!
bodum french press is cheap and goodc
($10). hario hand grinder is relatively cheap and good ($40). glass tea kettle to boil water ($10). $60 total for nice tasting coffee. i did this setup for 2 years or so, no problems, but you'll use a little muscle grinding.
https://www.amazon.com/Medelco-12-Cup-Stovetop-Whistling-Kettle/dp/B000V5X826/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1500248291&sr=1-3&keywords=glass+tea+kettle
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1500248316&sr=1-1&keywords=hario+coffee+grinder
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-BRAZIL-Coffee-Maker-French/dp/B000KEM4TQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1500248377&sr=1-1&keywords=french+press+bodum
A hand grinder for french press is rough. You can get something like the Hario Skeron, but you wont get very consistent grinds at the french press level. I would recommend getting the Orphan Espresso mod to improve the grinder. Without overwhelming you with details, it provides more support for better consistency.
Your best bet in that price range might be a hand grinder.
One in that price range is the Hario Skerton currently at $30 dollars.
Just know that it might be a lot of work to hand grind beans. If you think you can't handle this, I would save up for a Capresso Infinity or Barazta Encore or make do with the inconsistent grinds.
Not OP but:
Grinder
Coffee
Brew_Method
Brewing_Gear
Edit: I should note that these beans are roasted. Roasting your own can be a whole new game. Also you will want to get a Water_kettle
It seems like others have pointed it out, but just a heads up: that's a blade grinder. If you like the cup of coffee that you're getting out of it then it's fine. There's no reason to pay more for a grinder if you're content with what you have.
BUT! If you want to try to get a better cup of coffee, then you should look into getting a burr grinder. The go-to starter for a lot of people is the Hario Skerton. It's what I used for a few years until I decided to upgrade to a better grinder (Lido-E). A burr grinder will give you a bit more consistency in your grind than a blade grinder will ever give you (try to get a coarser grind in a blade grinder and you'll end up with a lot of fine particles along with coarse bits). Here's an example of the grind produced by a burr grinder's different settings. You can see that for each setting, all of the grounds are about the same size which will lead to an even extraction when you brew.
I know what I'm about to say is against what you want in coffee, but the gold standard for people starting out, is the Skerton and the Aeropress.
Skerton: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001802PIQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1450636608&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=hario+skerton&dpPl=1&dpID=415JCWEK1sL&ref=plSrch
Aeropress: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0047BIWSK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1450636649&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=Aeropress&dpPl=1&dpID=517aTTC-7pL&ref=plSrch
Its no automatic all-in-one, but for the price, you really can't beat it for starters.
Despite spending upwards of 300$ of gear for coffee, out if the three brew methods I have, the aeropress is my go to.
Its very easy to use and there is a million different "ways" it can make coffee.
There is some effort per cup, you grind beans right before you brew and you have to find a recipe to go by, again, millions, but it makes a very very good cup.
Just my 2c
College usually means frugal so; Hario Mini Mill, $33.00 no s&h.
I was thinking about buying the Aeropress (I've heard great things). I know it won't make true espresso or w/e, but for my needs, I think it'll be just fine. I also found a cheap grinder online that got good reviews. Link: http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Slim-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405019304&sr=8-2&keywords=hario+grinder
Thoughts?
I'm just sick of drinking shitty coffee every day.
If you take a look at the wiki for this subreddit, there's a gear guide. Most people are going to recommend the Hario Mini, it's a solid, inexpensive grinder that will really have a dramatic effect on your coffee.
I'm a mild coffee snob. So what is key: filtered water, temperature and grinding the beans the moment you make it. Straight tap is okay but check your municipality on how they process the water. If they put add weird stuff to reprocess... don't use. I can taste that stuff and then it makes my coffee taste sad, lol. So if not filtered at home then store bought.
I also use a french press. To get the full taste of coffee you don't want to use a coffee filter. The filter pulls some of the nom nom oils from the coffee. Also, more oils means more caffeine in your system. :)
But I had one of those master baristas tell me that they only keep their coffee (once bag is opened) for a week. Gawh! If I tossed out my coffee every week...nope I don't drink coffee that fast and not gonna waste money like that.
I prefer mostly dark roasts. But the most memorable cup of coffee I made for myself was one I bought from a local store and it was an Organic Italian Dark roast. OMG, that was just superb! So I recommend supporting your local stores.
Therefore, get a hand grinder and french press. Also, this may seem like a lot of work but it's a five to seven minute process and really I love it. Once I did it, I gave away my Breville Coffee maker and have never purchased another one since.
I love coffee!
I started out with and highly recommend the Clever Coffee Dripper (I recommend getting the Large which makes about 14 oz and 28 oz if you use the bypass brew method) and a Hario Mini Mill hand grinder. The clean up and prep time for the Clever is just about the same as an Aeropress, but it yields a higher brew volume which is great if you have company.
As for beans, just do a search for a local coffee roaster and start experimenting with beans from various locations (Central/South America, Africa, Pacific Islands, etc). Good luck with your coffee journey!
Grinder: Hario Slim ~$25 or mini mill ~$29 (looks too expensive to go for the mini mill)
Option 1: Aeropress and filters, may be just under or around $50 with the grinder, might overshoot by a few bucks. ~$29 for Aeropress and paper filters, steel filter available but not within budget (~$15-18).
Option 2: melitta pourover cone and filters, need a pyrex to heat/pour your water, but every kitchen should have one of those anyway. ~$13 for cone and filters.
Looks like going the pourover route (before shipping and whatnot) will cost you a total of ~$38, while the Aeropress will be ~$54. The pourover route will mean you don't have as great a control over the brew (many people like an expensive gooseneck kettle, but whatever), but will be significantly under-budget. The Aeropress will be slightly over budget, but you won't have to worry about pour control.
Mmk.
Let's ignore the espresso machine route, and go for something that will give you strong coffee. Either a moka pot, or maybe an aeropress. (I personally recommend the aeropress.)
As for the milk, the cheaper route would be to heat it up (microwave?) and then use a milk frother to blend air into it. You'll get these big bubbles as opposed to microfoam like you'd get at an actual coffee shop. OR. You can go for a stovetop steam wand like this. You'll need to invest some time/money into this to learn how to make microfoam, but the results will be worth it. I'm actually about to embark on this step :/ (Note, you don't HAVE to foam/froth your milk. It just makes it a little tastier.)
NOW. Back onto the coffee. So we have your "machine/maker" figured out. Let's talk about the ACTUAL coffee. Depending on what you've picked from above, you're in $30-$100+ deep. If you have a local roaster, that's great! Buy beans freshly roasted from them. Learn from them. Ask them to make recommendations. If not, there are a few online sources good for buying roasted coffee. Remember, buy what you can use in about 1-2 weeks. Longer than that and you'll have stale coffee.
If you can, you should buy whole coffee beans, and grind them yourself. The cheaper method is to buy a hand grinder. The Hario Skeleton/Skerton is always highly recommended. A few drawbacks to this, but you'll learn about them on your coffee journey. (Don't want to bombard you with too much information for now.) The Hario Mini Mill is also a great option, especially for travelling, but grinds less.
As for electric grinders, the Baratza Maestro is a good entry level burr grinder, but at a pretty steep price :/ Note: always buy a burr grinder, and note a blade grinder. Bear in mind that using the hand grinders is actually quite a lot of work, especially if you're not a morning type of person. The entire Baratza line of grinders are all highly recommended, but as always, the better the grinder, the higher the cost.
I just got the hario mini mill after much research yesterday, and It's supposed to be better than the skerton for a french press grind. I really like it so far. It does have less volume than the skerton though.
This suggestion will be totally not-ultralight... but for car camping I carry a Hario hand grinder along with an Aeropress. I've taken it on some day trips and easy overnighters though but definitely not when I'm really concerned about weight. http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Slim-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY
I've used the same combination in the office at work almost every day for years -- well over 700 cups based on the number of aeropress filters I've used -- and they're both still going strong.
For backpacking I either carry instant, or pre-measure ground coffee and put it in a fillable filter bag designed for tea.
Los ingredientes:
Cafe de supermercado, compro el Senior molido. Encara bastante. Para cuando estoy apurado o para tener en la oficina
Para el cafe regular en casa, compro grano y lo muelo en el momento. Los Araucanos esta super en cuenta, creo que 450$ el kilo, el Palacio del Cafe es un poco mas caro.
Para el cafe especial para hacerse un gusto o impresionar visitas, Amor Perfecto es muy rico. Tambien se puede comprar Starbucks o alguna de las cafeterias especializadas que hay en la vuelta (The Lab) pero ahi se te va a alrededor de 1600$ el kilo.
​
Para bonus extra, utilizar agua mineral sin gas para hacer un buen cafe, queda mejor que la de la canilla. No es tan caro tener un bidon a mano.
----------------
El equipo:
En cuanto a equipo para prepararte un cafe, te recomiendo te traigas un molinillo como este
El metodo de extraccion tambien influye mucho, para mi el mejor es por lejos el espresso. Esta maquina sale unos mangos pero trae litros y litros de felicidad. Por supuesto que hay opciones mas caras y avanzadas.
Sino queres ponerte con una espresso, lo siguiente mejor que encontre (y lo que uso en la oficina) es la Aeropress . Hay gente que realmente ama este metodo y para prepararlo utilizan una balanza de presicion para medir la proporcion agua cafe (hay videos en youtube) yo la verdad no le doy tanta bola.
-----------------
Extra:
Si invertiste en una maquina espresso, te recomiendo comprarte un jarrito de metal para espumar leche y aprender a hacerlo bien. Saber hacer un buen capuchino vale la pena.
You seem to be new here, so I'll help.
If you only have a blade grinder and want minimal investiment, go with a pourover like a hario
If you have a burr grinder pick up a french press(and a hario pourover if you so desire), the bodum presses are great, they have them at target, hell the one from ikea is decent.
If you don't have a grinder, get a grinder. I have the hario mini mill and love it. If you want a decent starter electric burr grinder the capresso infinity is a decent starting point.
I'd recommend adding a decent burr grinder to your collection and you'll have everything required for first-rate coffee at home. It's not intuitively obvious, but the grinder might be the single most influential bit of coffee gear you buy. You'll never get a solid, consistent brew if your grinder cannot produce a consistent grind.
I've purchased 2 of these Capresso burr grinders to give to family and they work great, super easy to use (helpful for my mother-in-law), and are generally quiet, reliable, and consistent.
Second the coffee grinder. We use this "burr" grinder from amazon
French press is good coffee, but for everyday use we're still using a cheap 5 cup automatic coffee machine we got for like $15 from Wal mart.
You'll find you can enjoy
A: making the coffee -- so you'll get into all the different ways to brew and grind coffee and have fun with that
B: adding to the coffee -- so you enjoy adding chocolate or spices or rum or making your own flavors up
C: not making coffee at all and you stop by Mcdonalds to grab a $1 caffine fix
or any combination.
Grinder and uniform grounds is crucial, burr grinders are known to be the best. I use a capresso $100 burr grinder and has been a powerhouse these past few years (I'll link it below). I recommend paying the premium as well, they offer a $45 burr grinder, however, you get what you pay for. The motor is much weaker and much less consistent grinds.
Also try making the grind closer to coarse rather than medium, French press typically allows more residuals through the filter than any other method, so I would bet it's a contributed to the bitterness.
Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_lseozb168FA9E
Edit: also opt for medium roasts rather than dark more often than not. French press brings out lots of flavors and dark roasts are often over-roasted and losing many of the flavors. Bonus fun fact and reason to go lighter: the lighter the roast, the more caffeine. The longer the bean is roasted, the more caffeine is lost because in the process.u
I'd forgo the steel filter, at least for the time being - paper filters produce great coffee and are dirt cheap. I'd put the money you save either toward a scale or an electric grinder. I use a Capresso Infinity grinder, which is about $93 on Amazon at the moment and an American Weigh Scales digital pocket scale, which is about $20 on Amazon.
For the French Press, just don't be cheap. You want something made of borosilicate glass and easy to clean. Bodum is probably the most common, and is perfectly fine.
As for grinders... that gets deep really quickly—just look at the wiki and sidebar links. If you want to make great coffee of any kind, you'll want the nicest grinder you can afford.
If you just need something adequate for press, drip, and pourover coffees, you could do worse than the Capresso Infinity. Whatever you do, make sure it's a quality burr grinder, and not one of those with the whirling blade. Those blade ones are horrid.
Cool! I really wouldn't want to do this though. I have a shitty spice grinder that I use for coffee and that will do until I can afford a ~fancy~ burr grinder.
probs going to get something like this
http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421585714&sr=8-1&keywords=burr
what did you get, OP?
Ah, good, so you know what you're doing. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Grinder-Black/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377711477&sr=8-1&keywords=capresso+infinity
The price tends to bounce around a bit too.
I have an electric burr grinder like this: http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Grind-Automatic/dp/B00018RRRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1407271022&sr=1-1
And a kettle like this: http://www.amazon.com/ChefsChoice-Cordless-4-Quart-Electric-Kettle/dp/B001KZH3ZY
My morning routine is literally pressing 2 buttons and waiting. Kettle for a bit, then prep the french press, then press the grinder right when the kettle starts looking ready to go. In go the grounds, in goes the boiling water, and then I mix and wait. I mix it with a bar spoon like this: http://www.amazon.com/Winco-11-inch-Mixing-Stainless-Removable/dp/B000HBOKIA
For the beans themselves, I used to let them make a mess of the cabinet above, but now I store them in a canister next to the grinder. Michael's has some nice glass canisters if you're into that.
Café de Altura is my go to. Probably not going to find it in every grocery store, but I have good luck at the pulperías near me. The grind is too fine for a French press, so I grind it myself. I use an automatic grinder, that I bought from Amazon.
Congratulations on becoming a free thinker and embracing everything that life has to offer! Never stop questioning everything! It's all about the beans, it's basically impossible to make good coffee without using freshly ground and good quality beans that have been recently roasted (i.e. not sat on a shelf for months).
You will need 3 things to start making good coffee.
That's pretty much it, just coarsely grind the coffee, put it in the press with water just slightly off the boil, wait a few mins depending on how strong you like it, press down and serve delicious coffee!
This guy. It was a christmas present and I've never been able to justify buying something better when the one I have still works. I need to get back into french press; my sister and her husband only use that and it's always a nice change. I have a moka pot that I just can't figure out, but I keep trying!
It depends a lot on your grounds, some would say even more than your method of extraction. Your French press technique is solid though. You're being very smart by getting coarsely-ground instead of normal drip grind, but the individual flavour notes of coffee beans deteriorate massively within a very short time of being ground. They won't be completely eliminated, but you'll get more of a "generic good coffee" flavour than anything specific like "orange zest, red cherry and cranberry".
However, you can't just use a blade grinder and expect a good cup. I found that out very quickly after getting a grinder with a variable grind. What I have is pretty close to bottom of the pack as coffee gear goes but this big guy is what a lot of people on here started with and it's serving me very well. Whatever you get, though, it's mandatory that it has as consistent of a grind as you can afford. If you don't want to shell out for a decent grinder then keep buying good-quality coarsely ground beans like you already have because I can guarantee that slightly stale beans are much better than beans that are inconsistently ground.
The reason consistency is needed when you're freshly grinding beans at home is mainly for, again, flavour. As I understand it if one ground is bigger than another ground, then the two individual grounds will extract at different rates. This leads to the bigger pieces being underextracted (underextracted coffee is often acidic and unpleasant) and the smaller ones being overextracted (adding bitterness, generally). Not only does this make the end brew very inconsistent the finer bits of grounds (particulates) will clog up the filter in your press or pourover cup.
Five easy steps to a good cup.
1a. Smell the bag through the pin hole vent before purchase. Bitter coffee will smell bitter or burnt.
2a. It slows the bittering process caused by exposure of the oils to oxygen.
3a. Let the beans reach room temperature before grinding, or the grinder will clog (condensation + grinds = paste).
3b. Only grind enough for one brew at a time.
3c. Stay clear of CHOPPERS, as they don't increase the surface area of the coffee as much as a BURR MILL does.
4a. Even drip coffee is far better with these steps.
Look at the Toddy. It's not a push button but it's a dump water, dump grounds and then wait kind of operation. You do have to deal with the used grounds when it's finished but it makes a concentrated coffee that you mix with water, milk, etc and a carafe will usually last me about 2 weeks.
https://www.amazon.com/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW/
My sister bought me a Toddy for a wedding present. It makes a coffee concentrate and its perfect for iced coffee.
I used the Toddy system, but that's just because it was given to me by a friend. It worked out pretty well, but you can easily re-create the setup with a large mason jar, just pour through a pour over cone at the end.
Another tip which may seem obvious but I didn't think about at the time: don't be afraid to do some test brews before committing to a batch of coffee. I had never brewed coffee this way before and it came out a tad over-extracted, which came through in my stout.
I've done both. From a process standpoint, not a huge difference.
Coarse grind, leave it for a bazillion hours, filter, enjoy.
Toddy is great because it's significantly more capacity. My French press will produce about half to 65% of the concentrate as the Toddy. I get about a literish of concentrate when all is said and done (you add like 7 cups of water, so 1.6 liters). Compared with my 1L French Press which gets me just over a half a liter.
It's also super easy to use and clean. Let it brew, pull the plug into the decanter that's fit for the top.
looks like it's $28 on amazon which is the lowest I've ever seen it. If you're gonna jump, do it now!
http://www.amazon.com/Toddy-T2N-Cold-Brew-System/dp/B0006H0JVW
I assume you mean this one. Does that provide any benefits over simply making cold brew in a french press? (which is how I've been doing it)
Gloria Jean's several years ago sold what they called iced toddy which they made in a cold brew system. I bought one myself and duplicated the taste exactly. I was never able to get the right taste from normal hot brewed coffee. Their cold brew stuff tasted more like an iced latte to me.
Iced coffee is really easy, albeit a long process >12 hrs, to make, but the concentrate is good for a couple weeks, so you don't have to do it very often. All you need is coffee beans, a grinder, a jar/container, and a fine strainer or something like this if you want the simplicity.
Oh...the Toddy (sorry I didn't link earlier, was on mobile) is not a pour over system either. You put in grounds and water and it steeps at room temperature for 12-24 hours, then filters out the grounds to produce a coffee concentrate. Of course you can DIY cold brew without any of this, but the Toddy is just a really convenient system for it. A lot of coffee shops use an industrial-size Toddy system.
I have tried pitchers like the one you linked, but I've found that because it's not truly immersing the coffee in the water it makes a lot weaker of a cold brew, so you get less mileage for your amount of grounds, if that makes sense.
If we want to turn this into an /r/frugal thread about the absolute cheapest way to make coffee - you can get a cold brew setup at home for less than $50 (Toddy is "the original"; OXO makes a similar system). Cold brew tends to be more forgiving of low-quality beans than hot brewed, and the resulting concentrate can be kept in the fridge for at least a week before it goes bad.
I use two cold brew bags with this cold brew toddy system instead of the felt filters that come with it (they tend to clog). A pound of course ground coffee and it's delicious. Unfortunately everyone at work is now addicted to my coffee.
<--- Barista here! I second the Moka suggestion. Unless you have thousands to shell out on a shop quality espresso machine, this is the next best thing. A good grinder is key, and burr grinders are best. This is mine. Also, steaming wands on cheaper machines never work very well and are horrible to clean. All you really need to get that nice foam easily is one of these nifty milk frothers.
Most retail coffee "machines" aren't built to last and make mediocre drinks. Low-tech almost always produces a superior tasting beverage. I have a Chemex(for normal coffee), a french press(for stronger coffee), a Toddy(for iced coffee) and a Moka(for espresso).
Also, if you can, seek out a roaster that is local to your mother. They will direct you to their best beans for espresso, and it will most likely be very fresh. All the roasters I have worked with are always happy to help customers troubleshoot and tweak to their tastes as well. It's a really worthwhile relationship for a coffee enthusiast.
So, Moka, burr grinder, frother wand, a pound of beans, and you're set. She'll love it. If you have some extra cash, and she likes normal coffee, throw in that Chemex. 10 times better than an auto-drip, and uses less beans as well. :)
Get one of these Toddy Cold Brew things. Starbucks brews their cold brew in a larger one of these and it is awesome at home. Makes a cold brew concentrate, so you cut it with water when you are wanting a glass of it, so you can adjust how strong you want it. It is worth every penny and makes it a simple process. I let it brew anywhere from 16-24 hours and it is always great. Can buy cheaper beans for it too, which is nice.
I can’t refrain from commenting on this since I’ve been having the exact same thought process. As of now I cannot afford an actual espresso machine and other proper gear, and since I only have a French press, I’m considering the Moka pot. Here’s my take on this:
I’m very much a coffee nerd and I love espresso-based drinks, particularly a latte or a cappuccino. To make a good espresso shot with lovely ‘crema’ on top, you’d need around 9 bars of pressure, which can only be supplied by a proper espresso machine. Even certain ones (worth, say, $100) advertised with more than 10 bars of pressure are not very good because they lack the pressure regulation to maintain 9 bars throughout the whole 20ish second shot. The Moka pot, of course, cannot supply such pressure either. Most Moka pots gravitate around 1.5 to 2 bars of pressure, which is significantly lower than what you need. That being said, I do recommend getting one until you can have a professional setup because:
Without doubt, I would recommend to go for a Bialetti such as these:
Bialetti 6-cup stove pot espresso maker
Bialetti Venus Induction coffee maker
Happy coffee making!
Get a Moka pot!!!
I brew my own coffee! I have this stovetop espresso and I buy ground coffee beans from Peet's coffee in UTC. I usually get medium french roast. Sometimes I'm in a rush and buy coffee from Peet's (their americano is better) but I can do starbucks too :|
You could probably even get by with a Moka Pot, a solid burr grinder, and an electronic milk frother for when you want a hot mocha instead of iced. $30 for the moka pot, $150 for the grinder, and another $120 for the milk frother (optional) and you've got a setup cheaper than a superautomatic (albeit, more manual effort required).
I'm a strong advocate against pods, because the single-use pods are incredibly wasteful (from an environmental perspective), and price-per-pound of coffee, very overpriced. You could buy a re-usable capsule, but I feel that kind of defeats the purpose of the "convenience".
\ A moka pot doesn't produce "true" espresso, but you can make a very concentrated cup of coffee with it. And considering how quickly Starbucks pulls their espresso, you're probably not far off in flavour.
I have the perfect solution for you:
Hario Mini Mill.
Look no further, just buy it now.
Check here for information on kettles/scales/etc. A grinder is the most important part of your setup, but with your budget I would recommend simply visiting the store a little more often, buying smaller quantities of beans, and getting them ground there. Otherwise, the Hario Mini Mill for $28 is your best budget option for grinding at home, though they have trouble with coarser grinds (which means that the coffee grounds will extract at different times, potentially resulting in a bitter brew).
Where you'll further run into "money issues" are with the kettle and coffee. A gooseneck is recommended for the v60 and is a little more expensive than a simple kettle. I suggest pouring hot water from a pot over the Joe. Quality beans can be a little pricey. But if you do the math, I think you'll find them worth it. $9 a pound at 12 grams per cup is about $.25 a cup. I'm buying some beans now that're $14 for 10oz (I think) and it's around $.60 a cup (I did the math awhile back, so I could be wrong). Point is — do the math for quality beans per cup and it'll put into perspective how (fairly) inexpensive quality beans can be. Especially when compared with store bought drinks or K-Cups.
So, my overall recommendation: Joe, filters, scale, pour hot water from kettle/pot, grind at store for now. That's $22-$30 (depending on scale choice) for a good setup. Spend the other money on decent, hopefully freshly roasted and definitely freshly ground, beans. I suggest a 1:16.6 ratio of beans to water. I do 12g coffee per 200g water. Gets me about 6oz., which is how much I prefer to drink at once.
Upgrade options: Hario v60, gooseneck kettle, grinder.
*Scales aren't absolutely necessary, but they're very helpful. The $17 is my recommendation. Much larger base. But reviews for the smaller AWS scales show people using them for coffee. Likely only 1-2 cups at a time with the weight limitation, however, unless you do some smart tare work. A scale is really the only way to get consistent, repeatable results.
This guy has served me well in my portable coffee kit for the past 4 years: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Mini-Mill-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/
Smaller than the skerton- can't say enough nice things about Hario
This grinder would make an excellent addition to your current setup. Coffee grind consistency is pretty important when using the pour over method and your current grinder is a complete butcher (I should know, it's the one I started with too.)
For this price point I'd suggest getting a hand grinder like the Hario Coffee Mill Slim Grinder, Mini https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001804CLY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_3mzJub0BJ1SAD
But I'm not sure how consistent it is with coarse grinds.
For a french press, might I recommend this: Bodum french press?
As for a grinder, you want to grind coarse for french press. Blade grinders are extremely inconsistent with grind size. Like others have mentioned, burr grinders are better because they grind more consistently and will not heat up the beans as much during the grinding process. The issue with the Hario Skerton that you posted is that is known to be pretty inconsistent at coarse grinds (unless you make some modifications to it). The Hario Slim Mill may actually be better because there is a spring loaded that helps prevent the burr from wobbling.
Your total here would be around $40 which is pretty decent for a beginner setup.
Well, knowing your budget would be important, but trying to be cost sensitive, I found a refurbished Baratza Encore for $99, and the brew method many suggest for entry level is the aeropress which is on amazon for about $30. If that's still too steep a price, you can always start off with a decent hand grinder like the Hario Mini Mill which is also about $30 on amazon. The hand grinder is more cost effective, but obviously takes more time and effort than the electric. All of this is fairly good entry level equipment, and you can always trade up grinders, and try new brew methods further down the road if you so desire.
For starters, get a grinder (here's a cheap but decent manual one) and an Aeropress. It's cheap, takes the last amount of time to brew (~3 minutes), lasts forever, requires the least amount of extra equipment, produces a great balanced cup, is super forgiving with regards to methods, beans, and grinders, you can experiment with its variables (brew recipes, steep time, press duration, etc) endlessly, and the cleanup is super simple (eject the puck, rinse under the tap). You don't need a scale or a kettle; just use the included scoop and fill the chamber.
The Aeropress is the device that got me through college. I used to buy coffee, grind it in-store, heat water in a mug, brew using the inverted method, and then press into the same mug. 8 years later and I still use it (though now I have a grinder, scale, and kettle, and I use a metal filter cuz it tastes better and saves money in the long run).
I would personally recommend against a pourover for your first brewer, as it requires more equipment and is less flexible and more finicky.
If you're having trouble finding good beans around the area, there's a huge variety of online vendors. Craft Coffee is the cheapest I've found ($10-14/12oz bag).
Resources I used: /r/coffee and youtube (I particularly like the sumpcoffee channel).
Conclusions and setup I arrived at:
Also, in regards to cleaning the french press. You don't want to dump the grounds into the sink because it can cause clogging. This is what I do - rinse off the metal filter immediately after brewing. Some grounds will be stuck to it, but this shouldn't be a problem. Then, I just leave the glass beaker out on the counter to dry out. That night or next morning the grounds are mostly dry, I dump them into the trash and rinse out the glass beaker with hot water.
this
+
this
+
Any whole bean coffee of you choice (I like green).
This will delicious and still be way cheaper than paying for starbucks even semi regularly.
My beginner battle station.
Traveled down the coffee rabbit hole november and most of this stuff is from Christmas. The gear is, from left, a 250 ml graduated cylinder, a discontinued-found-at-thrift-store copco tea kettle, under it an old continental electric hot plate, next to it a hario slim mini mill grinder, an aeropress, and an aws 100 gram scale. I usually use 250 ml of water with 13-15 grams of coffee, grinded medium-fine, at 15 seconds off boil, steeping for 15 seconds and pressing twice that long. I'm planning on getting a bonavita variable temp soon too.
This thing? that's tempting...
Have you looked into hand grinders? I have this Hario Mini Mill to go with my aeropress and love it! That way you can enjoy fresh ground coffee without needing electricity.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001804CLY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1419405564&amp;sr=8-2&amp;pi=AC_SY200_QL40
Those are kick ass, really love the beautiful & unique Russian one!
I just found my favorite infuser, works awesome.
Will vouch for this infuser. I have this one, and it helped a lot with my grit issue. I used to use a mesh ball infuser and it left ten times more grit in my tea than the infuser I'm using now.
I bought one of these the other day. The lid doubles as a place to set the infuser. I love it.
I toast to the french press!
It's been 3 hours, so I assume you've gotten your coffee fix for today.
For tomorrow, get yourself a French Press and an Electric Kettle. The two together will run you about the same as a medium-quality drip coffee maker. Chances are you can even get them locally at a Walmart / Target for cheap.
i never really liked coffee from the drip coffee machine, if you want to venture into the coffee world a bit, i suggest getting:
V60
and filter
(youtube the instructions)
and grinder
or maybe french press....
a little more work to make your coffee in the morning, but its worth it
Is this what you mean when you say a V60?
You could do a pretty awesome /r/EDC
The v60 is $15 on Amazon right now. This is the lowest I have seen it at. It is worth the $15 for sure.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000P4D5HG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453744816&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&amp;keywords=v60
Totally agree! Even a cheap-ish grocery store coffee like Eight O'Clock tastes 100x better than Starbucks drip coffee to me. Especially when you buy the whole bean and grind it yourself before brewing.
I use a simple one-cup pour over cone. I got mine for about $3 at Christmas Tree Shops. I like that it's easier to clean up than a french press. Just grind the beans, put in a paper filter, and pour small amounts of hot water over the beans until the cup is full. Doesn't even compare to Starbucks.
My story is a simple story of liking coffee then slowly going down the wormhole into a full fledged problem.
I always liked coffee, since high school. Would always drink it black, sometimes would add some cream or milk, but usually just enjoyed a good cup. A good cup from a drip is rare, I didn't know this before, it was good to me.
What started me and my completely normal addiction, was a girl. I had taken a new job out of town, a 3hr drive away, and needed to move. I had just started seeing this girl so nothing was serious and we promised to keep in touch and visit once in a while. Well the relationship never slowed down and we ended up seeing each other every weekend. The problem was, when I went to see her and stay at her place, she didn't drink coffee so she didn't have a coffee machine. I would end up having some tea to hold me over. One day while we were grocery shopping, I ended up finding one of these. I thought $5 well that's not bad I'll be able to at least get a cup of coffee now. No reason to by another mr. coffee just to use twice a week, So I bought it with a bag a ground beans.
The next morning I tried out my purchase, had to boil water in a glass measuring cup in the microwave. Made my cup and tasted it AND..... I don't remember now but it was passable, same as my next few cups. I slowly was getting my coffee:water ratio down and was getting better and better cups. And every so often I would get an amazing cup that would rival anything I had ever tasted, but then the next was ok, weak, or extremely bitter. Couldn't figure out why.
At this time I had just found reddit and found /r/coffee. I started to read some of the How to Coffee links and doing some Google searches. Oh water temp, get a quick read thermometer. Coffee was much better consistently. This was good for a while, finally the GF found a job near me I bought a house and she moved in. Then I had a Kitchen with lots of empty cabinets to fuel my new found addiction. Burr grinder was the next purchase along with a chemex, Coffee is excellent and consistently good.
Now over the next two years I'm always looking for the next best cup, Slowly it consumes the rest of the kitchen. A scale, a electric kettle, Aeropress, french press, vacuum pot, cold brew, Turkish, a goose neck kettle, pop corn popper... My kitchen is now full, once section dedicated to coffee, and every morning I slave over measuring the perfect amount of beans, getting the grind just right, perfect water temp. Timing the bloom with the correct amount of water. Perfecting the pour from the goose neck kettle. All so when I finally get to enjoy a cup I always wonder if I could get it better.
not really a moka since it doesn't use steam to push water through the grounds. more like a shitty pour over when you dont have 5$ to spend on on this
ceramic might be easier to clean, but if you're a cheap bastard like me a plastic one works just as good
https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1467135134&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=plastic+pour+over
i'll probably never buy another electric coffee maker
Or don't get a Keurig brand machine. If you absolutely must have the convenience of single-serving k-cups, there are 3rd party brewers that use the same form factor but without the lockout. They're only screwing themselves here.
If you're not a fan of the thin coffee that comes from K-cups, but you want single serving coffee, my advice is to get either a manual drip cone filter or an aeropress.
The aeropress makes the best coffee, hands down. However it takes a little more work, uses a little more grinds, and is a bit convoluted with all of the different parts. This is what I use at home on the weekends. The manual drip is what I use at work. I've got the routine down:
if you're super brand new and dont' even know what your coffee should taste like yet, i'd suggest just starting with something like a cheap Melitta cone and working your way up with kettle, grinder, scale, etc as you go.
This is what I use. But I swear I got it for around $20.
I have the black one and i can really recommend it, the only thing is that don't trust the grinding dots on the regulator they don't really work all that well to the kinds of coffee you want to brew, especially the espresso grind. They shouldn't even have put a espresso grind choice on this one because it doesn't even grind as fine as espresso should be grinded. BUT the aeropress grind works perfect for aeropress so if you want to only grind aeropress buy it.
Or you could buy a hand grinder it's a little cheaper and you can regulate the grind of your tasting.
I have this one. Just make sure when you purchase, it says that the order will be fulfilled by Amazon. I didn't get a fake.
Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton Storage Capacity (100g) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001802PIQ/
Can't comment on that grinder, but it looks like the Hario Skerton which I do have, and does a pretty good job. Not the greatest when it comes to course grind, so if you want a french press, look elsewhere, unless you do the mod, but then you can't get very good fine grinds.
I have to set aside a good 10min to do a V60 pourover, which includes boiling water on the stove, and grinding with my Skerton. I'm sure it could be done quicker with the right stuff.
For pourover look into a gooseneck, a scale, a grinder, and a pourover device (Kalita Wave/V60/Chemex).
Edit: And that grinder would be a good investment if you have the money.
Aeropress
Grinders come down to price. Bare minimum Hario Skerton if you want electric I would go for Baratza Encore moving up in price Lido 2 or 3 or others of like the Helor other electrics would be Smart Grinder Pro or the Baratza Vario.
Got bought one of these for my birthday, does anyone have suggestions on good places to get beans? I'm central based, and I was just going to head down to Espresso Workshop and buy some.
Alternatively, what's a good way to get into coffee snobbery in Auckland?
Thanks for the contest. Now go and kick some ass!
Here's my entry.
$19 will get you better coffee for years. You'll need a grinder too, but I really don't see this stuff breaking any time in the next 10 years.
Alright, I'll lay out two set ups for two different price points.
Cheap Set Up
Hario Skerton This is the most basic entry level grinder possible, grinds enough for one person pretty easily, and gets "good enough results for a poor college student
Aeropress You can make full cups of coffee or pseudo-espresso that you can mix with milk for a pseudo, its easy to clean, and probably the most forgiving coffee making tool.
And then any kettle and any scale. Look for cheap on both, were going for cheap here, and were not doing rocket science, should be another 25-30 total for both of these, which lands you just under $100 total for this set up. You don't need to bother roasting beans yourselves, and if you're in a college town theres probably a local roaster around that you can get good quality roasted beans from and be happy with. For cold brew just throw grounds and water in jar in you fridge for a day in a 8:1 ratio, then strain the goop the next day for a solid cold brew concentrate
The pricier beginner college set up
Baratza Encore. If you can afford this, then get it. The things great, does everything but espresso grind really well, and because its not manual its doesn't take that long and it doesn't require any real effort on your part. I love mine, but the $140 price tag could be steep (I wouldn't have bought it when I was in college, I was poor as shit).
Brew Methods: I still recommend at least an Aeropress, but pair it with a 1LFrench press too for when you want to make a lot of coffee at once, or coffee for friends. you can also make cold brew in a French press instead of a jar, and you can use it to strain it out. Also, if you really want to make the closest thing to espresso that you can without blowing $300 dollars, get a 3-cup moka pot. You can find a cheap one at your Ross or Home Goods equivalent.
For kettle, you can get a variable temp one if you want to spend the money, people recommend the Bonavita Variable Temp Gooseneck but I still just use my cheap 15 dollar kettle and am doing fine.
As far as scales go, I still just say find a cheap scale that works well enough.
Bits and Bobs
Hand held Milk Frother for frother hot milk for lattes. Sounds like something you would like.
No a french press is different. Creates coffee with a little more body to it. Easy to use and clean. Basically just dump ground coffee in it, pour in hot water, wait a couple minutes and you have coffee. You can find them at pretty much any store.
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Brazil-French-Coffee-34-Ounce/dp/B000KEM4TQ
here's one on amazon
Seriously? Seriously?! A French press costs $20. Assuming it lasts a year (conservative estimate) and you drink 5 cups of coffee/week, that's $0.08 per cup of coffee. If you get your beans ground fresh where you buy them you don't need to buy a grinder. Water + the energy required to boil it has got to be like $0.30 (I rent my apartment so don't directly pay for water & electricity, correct me if I'm wrong).
If you are serious, then you sir, are intensely frugal. I hope you're joking though. You could save more money employing the most frugal cliche of all: reusing sandwich bags.
I would go with a standard Bodum french press:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KEM4TQ/ref=twister_B004NBYAF8?_encoding=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Simple, cheap, works great, and they sell it everywhere (Target, ect.)
Is this better than a normal, actual french press that costs less? like this
While I can't speak to the plastic getting soft, I found that the plastic model usually have other plastic components too.
When I had the Bodum Brazil - and I can't stress enough how much to steer clear of it. The construction of the unit itself was great, but the linchpin was the plastic locking piece that holds the plunger down when pressing. Since the Brazil uses a plastic piece for this, the threads strip out and in about 2 months you can't plunge because the plunger doesn't lock down any longer.
You can see on the Amazon page where the customers post their pictures, two of them show the black piece right above the plunger - that's plastic. (Link)
Otherwise - I completely agree with the Chambord recommendation. Have 2 now (bought 1, other was a gift) and use them as often as I can. After a quick cleaning, they always look brand new.
Something like this-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KEM4TQ
And this-
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000AR7SY
Would probably be great for you, based on what you said, and stays in your budget.
You'll probably want to expand eventually, but this is a great starting point.
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Coffee-Dripper-White/dp/B000P4D5HG
I'm leaning towards V60 then. I always get a cup of V60 from the roasters I grab my beans from, and I love it. Just curious, what equipment would I need aside from the cone? I'm looking at this ceramic cone
I used this recipe! It was very similar to the other ones ive seen so I used it. I am not sure how much weed I used because I dont have a scale, but i believe it hight have been .25-.5 grams. not really a lot because I wanted to see how much it affected me being a every weekend or so kind of smoker.
BTW the thing I used to strain it was this! its great for pour over coffee and I hadnt used it in a while and it worked OK for straining...problem was the weed built up at the cone tip in the filter and clogged it a bit...so I had to squeeze it out with a spoon but ended up getting a little herb in the tea because i poked a little hole in the filter on accident.
Looks fierce. I think I might have to buy one. This one ok?
What kinds of coffee is preferred over others for this method? Any better than others?
>I guess my expectations are high because of the tight bond this community shows.
Yeah, I totally get that! I find cigar people, even IRL, are friendlier than most.
&nbsp;
By "drip method" are you talking about an auto-drip machine? Because if so, I highly recommend exploring a manual pourover set-up. I prefer the Hario V60, but many others like Chemex or something like the Clever Dripper (a combination pour-over and immersion brewer) instead. The cheapest option for trying your hand at a pourover is the plastic Melitta brewer, often available at your local grocery store for $2-$3, some standard #2 filters, and an electric (or stovetop) water boiler with a decent spout for slow, steady pouring. It's funny that you mention a (french) press pot and moka pots don't give you a full enough flavour, though, because those are typically two of the more full-flavoured methods. I suspect your water:coffee ratio or grind size/consistency might be causing a weak (under-extracted) brew.
In my opinion, though, whilst brew method makes a difference in your cup, I'd say bean freshness and grind make more of a difference than anything. I'd much rather have fresh beans recently ground at a proper size and consistency brewed in a $10 Mr. Coffee than stale pre-ground or poorly ground beans in a professionally-poured manual brewer.
In the end, if you find a manual brewer is too much hassle, the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) does test and maintain a list of certified auto-brewers that meet the temp/brew time requirements.
*Ninja-Edit: Here's a good starter on grind size and how to adjust for flavour.
Since you're 17 years old and likely don't have access to a few hundred dollars to really get started, I would save up and get a Hario Skerton grinder and V60 single cup pour over here: http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-Dripper-Ceramic-Funnel/dp/B000P4D5HG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1372182859&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=hario+v60
then I would save up for a bag of intelligentsia, just buy whatever single source sounds good to you. watch youtube videos on how to do proper pourover technique. learn how to use a kettle (there's no need for a gooseneck one just yet), figure out how to pour slowly with a standard kettle. maybe buy a cheap thermometer so you can get the water temperature right. start pouring yourself coffee, but remember to drink coffee right after it's been roasted, not months later.
if you're rich, do the same thing, but buy the bonavita temperature controlled gooseneck kettle in addition to the v60. and a baratza virtuoso.
actually do whatever you want, there's no good answer. just about any advice you take from this subreddit will be significantly better than what you're currently doing.
posting this topic is the equivalent of 17 year old with a casio keyboard asking a concert pianist for advice in becoming a musician.
Personally I've been enjoying the Hario V60 dripper(
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-Ceramic-Coffee-Dripper/dp/B000P4D5HG).
It has some grooves in the dripper so that coffee can extract from the sides of the filter. And this specific dripper uses the Hario filer papers (not that expensive a solution).
And most important, it makes a good cup of coffee!
The answer to your question is really dependent on budget. A quick perusal through the sub will show you that the Aeropress is a popular option because it is one of the least expensive ways to get a solid cup of coffee.
If you have some cash to part with, it might be worth looking at setting yourself up with a pourover setup - I'd probably suggest the v60. You would need the v60, the hario buono, and you'd probably want a scale to weigh coffee (there are a LOT of options, many cheaper than what I've linked). You would also need to get a reasonably good grinder - check out the sidebar for a list of grinders. Yes, it's a lot of capital to get started, but the coffee is fantastic and the equipment is very durable. This equipment, properly cared for, could potentially outlast you in many cases.
There's also the standard drip coffee maker, but from my experience if you go that route you ought to just invest in the cheapest one. The quality coffee from most drip machines is pretty similar. A better question is what grinder to get - that will improve your brew quality across all methods. Again, sidebar has great advice, but a really popular grinder here is the[ Baratza Encore] (http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00LW8122Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1459250167&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=baratza+encore+coffee+grinder) which you can sometimes find on their refurb page for discounted prices.
No matter what you choose - good luck and happy caffienation
Hario Shops - list of Hario shops. Select Tokyo on the top right hand corner of the map and scroll down to see the addresses of shops. Those with the coffee filter logo sells the coffee filter. Not sure if they sell what you are looking for however.
As a guide to the price:
Hario online shop
On Amazon.jp
Hope this helps!
(LONG POST) I also recently transitioned to hardcore coffee drinking, and I found that it is only a modest investment to get some seriously good cups. Perhaps you should try pour-over brewing, which I switched to from French Pressing - imo you get a lot higher flavor clarity. The industry standard was the Hario V60, which is kind of tricky to use, but I as with many have switched to the Kalita Wave, which is especially forgiving for novices. Keep in mind that the Wave I linked is a smaller size, so it can be a bit finicky for a good pour method, but it is a major score compared to other Kalitas I found across the web. Filters are a bit pricey with the Kalita though, so the V60 is better moneywise but again tricky to achieve consistency. A good scale can be found for about $15-20, which is essential to getting the correct ratios. As others have said, a Mini Mill is possibly the most important investment, but I HIGHLY recommend modding it to get high consistency (I used a rubber band for this.... it will all make sense with the link). For pourovers, some will tell you a specialized kettle is a must for pour control, but I fare just fine with a ceramic tea kettle https://imgur.com/uIWppVj . Anyways, cheers to entering coffee! :D
Link for the lazy
[Hario] (http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-Ceramic-Coffee-Dripper/dp/B000P4D5HG
) on amazon.
Honestly that looks great. The capresso infinity grinder is great and that looks like what is used in the grinder. You'd be very happy with that setup. My recommendation for having them separate is Baratza has WONDERFUL customer support for repairs or small parts orders. Also, if you ever decided to brew a different method you can. From extremely coarse to near fine for espresso. The grinder on that all in one only looks like it has a few different variables and the grind for a pour over and for a drip is not the same. Its a pretty significant change in taste just by grind size or even brew temperature. I fully nerd out and use a thermometer for my water. Brewing at near boiling versus 200F makes a massive difference.
Reusable tote bags and veggie bags for the farmers market.
I've found some really great recipes in this cookbook, if he cooks: http://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Vegan-Bean-Book/dp/1592335497
For coffee, if he doesn't already have any of these: a French press, a pour-over (http://www.amazon.com/Hario-VDC-02W-Ceramic-Coffee-Dripper/dp/B000P4D5HG), or an insulated coffee mug. I think stumptown coffee does a coffee club subscription thing.
Random, but a bento lunch jar could be cool if he has to take lunch to work. Reduces packaging, plastic sandwich bag use: http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SL-JAE14SA-Bento-Stainless-Silver/dp/B000246GSE
Honestly, the easiest way to start is probably an Aeropress and a decent kettle. Get a gooseneck early, then you won't have to buy a second kettle later if you decide to start playing with pour-overs. If you want to make boiling water a little more passive, get an electric one. I have this one and it works like a charm.
Another cheap starter option for brewing is the V60 and its various clones. The original is plastic, but this one is ceramic and only $20. It takes some practice to get pour-overs just right, but it's worth it. And for $20, it's not a bad way to give it a shot or just to have in your collection.
Grinders are a whole discussion. I have a Baratza Encore that I really like. It's easy to maintain and Baratza's support was pretty good to me when I needed them. If you want to go a little cheaper, you might consider a Skerton or Mini Mill.
For beans, have fun. There are a ton of places to get decent beans, and part of the fun is finding new places. There are a number of redditors that roast and will probably sell beans to you if you like. (Including me!) I would suggest some, but I actually skipped this part and went straight to roasting.
EDIT: Oh, and good luck. You're opening a door to a rabbit hole, now.
One of these works very well for single cups, with the added benefit of better tasting, cheaper coffee.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000P4D5HG
Also you can make a smaller amount in a french press or drip maker also.
Everyone else has most of the bases covered so here's amazon links if you can't find things at second hand stores/dollar stores/clearance centers.
Storage Containers
Ace Hardware
[Target] (http://www.target.com/p/kerr-1-quart-32-oz-wide-mouth-mason-jar-set-of-12/-/A-14527331)
Rather than getting tupperware get a flat of quart size mason jars. Doesn't spill in transport, works in the freezer, microwave proof without the lid, and doesn't absorb smells or warp with frequent use.
*Alternative is to save glass jars from groceries and wash them for use
Coffee Maker
Get a single cone coffee brewer if you drink coffee. You can buy it on amazon or find it in the coffee section at walmart/target/any grocery really.
Can Opener
Don't buy a can opener at the dollar store or CVS in a bind. Just order this one. I've had it for years with frequent use.
If you have an ikea nearby, they also have a great kitchen section especially for inexpensive flatware sets.
Tips:
Don't drink it, you are transforming a good beverage into a bad drink.
You know when you add more coffee to a regular coffee maker make it slightly strong with good taste? Well is not the same for instant coffe, only makes it worst.
*I'm a broken student too, and I offer you two solutions that worked for me: This cheap plastic coffee maker that you put on top of your coffee mug and you buy a permanent filter and you are done.
Don't like it? Well This awesome french press save my life at work, no filters! Just add hot watter wait a couple of minutes and you have a tasty fresh made coffe.
I hope it helps, and remember instant coffee it's never the answer.
I'd stick with the V60 based on the "it is cliche for a reason" logic. The other ones I've tried are the Beehouse and the Melitta
I don't think there is a huge difference. Swirly ridges inside foster proper flow channels.. blah blah. Maybe, but it is a pour over, you have to get a lot of other stuff consistently right before that is your issue.
I will say this, ceramic is the way to go if you are willing to pre-heat. I've blind taste tested that and it is noticeable in the cup.
i have one of these and i love it
http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6
Thanks for posting this. I hike and camp regularly. My pack weight for a 3-day trip is 38 pounds including food and 1st day's water. The difference between 38 and oh, 42 pounds is very noticeable.
I use a Melitta pour-over frame like this. Lightest solution I've found that makes good coffee; only complaint is that its odd shape can make it hard to pack.
This is what I use, i just sit it on top of my cooking pot.
single coffee brewer
Also doubles as a filter for getting debris out of melting snow.
I use this: Melitta
Works awesome, you can buy normal coffee pot filters, no need to buy the special shaped ones.
Kind of hard to tell how much water you're putting in it though, i overfill my cups often.
This a million times over! The flavor ranges from "bitter black water" to "Parmesan cheesy" to "fish." And since I'm not a sugar and cream fan (or in my work place's case, powdered cream-like compound), I can't even mask the flavor.
Fortunately, there's a hot water tap on the side of the coffee maker, and I have a single cup coffee brewer so I can make my own. Everyone always asks why I pay to bring a bag of coffee and some filters in when I can always get free coffee, no matter how bad. I just reply with "you get what you pay for."
you can go even cheaper. https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6
this is the one i use on a daily basis. for reference, i have all of the other manual methods mentioned on this page including aeropress, chemex, and frenchpress.
Not espresso, but cant beat a melitta for budget coffee maker. Its as simple as it gets.
But for more espresso-like, aeropress.
Melitta Ready Set Joe. $6 on Amazon. My local supermarket has them for $3.
A few years ago I brought a bag of good fresh coffee backpacking with a girlfriend. A plastic Melitta pour over thing and a few filters were much appreciated in the cold mornings. I just weighed my brewer and it's a whopping 58 grams, and at most grocery stores for like 5 bucks. I pretty much always bring that plus a Trangia kettle, good coffee is just hard for me to compromise on...
Yeah, those Melitta cones are great. They have them on Amazon, too.
The pour over sets at my local shop are cheaper than even this one. A big package of filters is usually $1.
Drip
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00005MF9C/ref=psdcmw_602608_t1_B00006IUVD
Provide your own hot water:
Press
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Brazil-French-Press-Coffee/dp/B00008WU9F/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=Bodum+1543-01US+Brazil+French+Press&amp;qid=1572469254&amp;sr=8-2
Pour Over
https://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Coffee-Single-Pour-Over-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=single+cup+drip+coffee+maker&amp;qid=1572468382&amp;sr=8-1
Melitta cone cup-top and pot-top filters are quite cheap and, in my opinion, do most if not all of the job of a Chemex or whatever without the financial outlay. I'd see that as your next step: Moving from the Mr. Coffee to something that brews at the right temperature.
You can simply heat water on the stovetop, until you get a better solution. Premeasure the water, so that you know to just pour the entire lot instead of guessing how much water to pour after it's heated. If you have a thermometer that goes high enough, time how long it takes that amount of freshly boiled water to cool down to your target brew temparature. If your inside conditions remain the same and you use the same vessel to heat the water, then you don't need to use the thermometer each time. Just bring the water to a boil, switch off the heat, and wait that long.
As far as using the Melitta, don't neglect to "bloom" the grounds for several seconds with a bit of that hot water, before continuing the pour. Pour the water carefully, to help keep the grounds from "climbing" the sides, where they will not extract fully. I pour some water thusly and then also tap the side of the Melitta lightly to help settle the grounds. I pour the water in a few stages, instead of all at once, again to help keep the grounds settled and so promote better extraction.
Switching to a Melitta filter made a big difference, for me. If you are concerned about quality/flavor, you want to get away from that Mr. Coffee.
P.S. Non-affiliate Amazon links, just as examples including of low prices. Not saying it need be Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Ready-Single-Coffee-Brewer/dp/B0014CVEH6/
http://www.amazon.com/Melitta-Cone-Filter-Coffeemaker-1-Count/dp/B000MIT2OK/
i've used a french press and an aeropress in the past, but ultimately settled on a melitta cup-top pourover cone: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0014CVEH6/
also, i recently did a lot of googling around on good + affordable burr grinders, and ended up with this one, which i'm very happy with: http://www.coffeebean.com/Bodum_Burr_Grinder/d/1239?CID=em_ordership&amp;utm_source=tran&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=ordership
you'll also want an electric kettle.
Is your grinder a blade grinder? If it is a burr grinder will be a big improvement. But regardless try a different Brewer. If you're strapped for cash get a cheap pour over Brewer like this Melitta with that you can boil your water and control the temperature better than what the machine will do. I would recommend a thermometer of some sort but it's not 100% necessary. The Melitta was my first coffee Brewer and I still use it from time to time. A Chemex would be a bigger improvement but there no reason to go all out at first. Start small and get your technique down before you put money into something bigger.
A scale is also a big improvement so you can accurately weigh the beans and the water you're using. I bought a $20 scale from the grocery store and it's been kicking for a few years now. I would honestly say that a scale is more important then the thermometer but that's just my opinion. I'm a fan of accuracy.
Keep reading through this sub and you'll find all kinds of good advice. Have fun!
Interesting. I use a non-folding version both at home and when I'm camping without any undue waiting.
I have the previous iteration of this hario and it works great. Be sure to order the metallic filter like keith_is_good recommended, even more savings and cleaning is a not an issue
I second the Hario Skerton or the Slim. Those are the best grinders you're going to be able to find at that price range. Absolutely steer clear of any blade grinders whatsoever.
Seriously, get a grinder! A Skerton is all you need for cafetiere, and it's only £23.
As the other guy mentioned, Hasbean is a great place to buy beans. There is also Rave and Pact and numerous other roasters selling beans online, too many to mention. The advantage of getting your beans from these guys rather than in the supermarket is that they're freshly roasted, whereas the supermarket stuff was probably stale before it even left the warehouse.
For ease and lower cost, I'd recommend getting a hand grinder like a Hario Skerton and a Clever Dripper. If you have a little extra cash, step up to an electric burr grinder like the Baratza Encore. Any kind of electric kettle will be your best way of boiling water.
In a basic coffee system, grinding fresh before you brew is likely to make the greatest positive impact and electric is super easy. A hand grinder might take 30-45 seconds to grind for a batch of coffee, but that's a small time investment for a large return. In terms of brewers, lots of folks like the Aeropress for its portability and its ability to produce fantastic coffee, but I like the Clever because it's also very easy and tends to produce a normal cup of coffee rather than a more intense and concentrated cup that you get from the Aeropress.
They do at my work as well, but it's my K-Cups.
The solution is lame, but it's effective, and produces a better cup IMO:
1.) I have a pourover coffee maker. http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/three-cup-classic-series-coffeemaker.html
2.) I bought a hand crank grinder. https://smile.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ?ie=UTF8&amp;sa-no-redirect=1
3.) I have a gooseneck kettle.
I just make hot water in the keurig, have it drip into the gooseneck, grind up some beans, and do a pourover, slowly at my desk.
Everyone stopped taking my coffee. Plus with some locally-roasted beans, it beats the shit out of anything Keurig.
Amazon link.
Ok I am going to try to answer every question
Lastly, and most importantly, BUY A GOOD BURR GRINDER. Freshly ground truly does make all the difference. A good starter is the Hario Skerton availiable on Amazon, or a Hario mini mill, also on Amazon.
I hope this helps! Good luck man!
i'd say at that price try to find something used. this way:
1.)if you get a cheap pump-driven pressurized portafilter machine, you're not going to regret it after moving up and realizing you spent so much on something that would have little value later (for resale, or just keep as a "backup")
2.)you may be able to find a decent used machine. not sure what the UK market is like but here (vancouver, canada) you can find stuff like the old starbucks machines (with the non-pressurized PF) comfortably in that price range.
either way, if you get used make sure the owner can show you how to pull a shot on the machine. the reason is it can be quite involved (especially for better machines), and it also shows if machine is in good shape (the gaskets, especially). on cheaper machines it may be close to impossible to replace. (i picked up a bar32 for $5 at a thrift sale to play with, and it leaks like crazy. =)
as to the grinder, this article is making more and more sense the more i'm getting into espresso. there is a minor loophole: the hario hand grinders here and here can actually get you to pretty close to the grind that works on most machines.
TL;DR- machine: try get used. grinder: hario hand grinders
The one in OP's pic looks like a Hario Skerton
There is lots of info at /r/coffee ..... my recommendation based on my research and my use is the Hario Mini. The Skerton has some downsides as compared to the mini which swayed me to the mini. It's been almost 2 years since I researched so I don't remember exactly the differences.
As for the Aeropress in OP's picture, it is a very fine coffee maker and I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend a Chemex. I use my Chemex daily and the Aeropress frequently.
/r/coffee should have all the info you need.
A burr grinder & high quality beans are essential if you want to make excellent coffee. Here's the most minimal & least expensive burr grinder that I know of...
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill-Skerton/dp/B001802PIQ
I'm satisfied with mine, but every so often I feel lazy and yearn for the expensive, massive burr grinder that I sold.
I think you answered your own question. If you have been using and enjoying a french press then stick with it there is a whole range of size and price options and even places like Target sell them. As far as other inexpensive options there are a variety of pour over devices that use paper filters which may be easier to clean up. I have a Cilio #4 that I use at work with a Hario Skerton grinder and a cheap electric kettle. The Cilio is porcelain and has held up well but there are some stainless ones. There is also the Aeropress which is a fun little gizmo and makes great coffee. The Porlex grinder nests nicely inside the Aeropress plunger so it takes up very little space in a bag.
Hario makes quite good manual burr grinders.
I have this grinder and I love it. Definitely go for Hario.
Orphan Espresso has an upgrade kit for the Hario Skerton (or Kyocera CM-50CF) which makes it suitable for press, but it also makes it more difficult to adjust to finer settings. The reason they have the upgrade kit is because otherwise the burrs rattle around on the spring mechanism when working with coarser grinds, resulting in unevenness (though definitely better than a blade grinder). The Skerton + the OE upgrade is likely the best bang for your buck in terms of hand grinders which perform well at coarser settings!
Not sure about availability and pricing in Germany so everything here is in US dollars. If pricing over there is a straight conversion from dollars to euros ( $100 = 105€) you'll be pretty close to 100€.
In terms of grinders, you'll be in the manual grinding arena with Hario Skerton, Hario Mini or the Porlex JP-3 if you want to spend a bit more. Just be aware these are good enough for a single person but if you're doing more, be prepared to grind in batches.
Since you're doing a pour over, you're going to need a gooseneck kettle to help control your pour. You're out of the range for electric kettles with temperature control, however you may be able to find electric goosenecks without temperature controls. Again, Hario is a popular option but I've heard mixed reviews about them, namely poor heat retention and debate over whether to use it directly on a stove top. The Stagg Kettle is well regarded and can fit into your budget if you choose a less expensive grinder.
I would advice against buying that electric grinder. It won't be very good and pretty hard to make consistent tasting coffee with.
This one uses blades. Blades to grind coffee is like using a rock to cut vegetables. Yes it gets "the job done" but with a lot of compromise.
Blade grinders (as opposed to burr grinders) are unable to grind coffee in consistent size particles. Meaning hot water won't extract your coffee evenly. Which makes a huge difference.
Cheapest "good" hand grinder is the Hario Skerton or Hario Mini Mill. A step up from that is the Porlex Mini which offers a bit better grind quality, alluminium instead of plastic, and fits inside the aeropress.
If you want to go electric the cheapest good option is this Bodum grinder but at that point you might as well go with the Baratza Encore which is a great iconic grinder that is a great grinder for everything up to espresso.
Manual grinding isn't too bad. If you enjoy "the ritual". Grinding for the Aeropress takes about 1 minute. The thing is, if you want to start brewing more, for say French Press or V60, you really want to invest in an electric grinder. Because grinding for 4 cups of coffee by hand suuuucks! Also, early in the morning, you really appreciate an electric grinder.
Ideal is to have both. But I know that's kinda crazy. Electric at home, manual for at work/while travelling.
I have a Hario Mini Mill which I like and it gets the job done, but I'm really looking for something electric. If you're doing french press, it doesnt take much time to grind beans but if you're doing anything finer than that it probably takes me 5 minutes to grind 45-50g of beans which just isn't what I wanna do right after I wake up. I've heard good things about the Hario Skerton as well.
For electric grinders, I've heard that the Baratza Encore is the best bang for your buck. Also, I would get an adjustable temperature kettle (people perfer goosenecks but I just have a regular one) and a kitchen scale! The scale is super useful for cooking in general and I think they're good to have, especially for coffee.
Also, I have a Chemex and love it. I don't think I could live without it.
Start looking here, https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ
if you have the coin Orphan Espresso makes some badass hand grinders.
I use a refurbed baratza virtuoso cause I'm lazy and dont want a workout with my morning ritual.
I don't understand this... If you make tasty coffee in the morning it is a wonderful way to start your day. The caffeine is my least favorite part of coffee (though I don't really experience much effects of it). If you have a good pour over or french press in the morning it is such a wonderful beverage. I drink it for the flavor; I didn't have any for the month and didn't experience any withdrawal effects. Get some freshly roasted beans, a grinder and a clever dripper. Once you have good coffee you won't go back.
The Baratza Encore is one of the most recommended grinders over at r/coffee. $140 for a very reliable grinder with great customer service. If that's still expensive, then a hand grinder, like the Hario Skerton, is a great alternative at $40.
Aeropress gives you a lot of freedom on the taste of your coffee, so I recommend that. There is also no need for a lot of additional equipment with it unless you want to get info coffee more in the future. Quality of your coffee is equally as important as your method, so you don't have to break your bank, but try to get your hands on locally roasted single origin beans. (Best result is if you can buy your own grinder to make the freshest coffee, but if your budget doesn't allow for that, then ground coffee will do).
Aeropress - $35
Electric grinder - $37 (decent, takes no time at all)
Hario Skerton hand grinder (more reliable, takes some time, don't cheap out on the $15 dollar amazon version if you want a decent grind) - $39
If you go this route I also recommend looking at the World Aeropress Championship recipes and following in their lead to emulate a world-class cuppa joe.
I got recommended the porlex mini and the porlex JP-30. Both are the same expect for size and use burr grinders. Got the JP-30 and I think its great. Also heard the Hario Skerton and Hario Mini are pretty good.
Grab one of these. On sale for 27 bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1415137856&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=hario+grinder
Next step is good beans. Finding the best beans is of preference choice, you'll have to explore that on your own. I started with Stumptown, Intelligentsia, Counter Culture, and Collectivo and found my favorites from there.
My recommended way of making coffee would be the Aeropress for starters, and moving on to a Moka pot for some really good espresso if you can find a hot plate.
My [Hario Skerton] (http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ) with the [Orphan Espresso mod] ( http://www.orphanespresso.com/OE-Lower-Bearing-UPGRADE-KIT-for-Hario-Skerton-Kyocera-CM50-Hand-Grinders_p_4066.html) isn't half bad at a coarse grind. I use it for my French Press daily.
You absolutely need the following to enjoy coffee out of a chemex:
The scale is the least necessary, but the other two are absolutely essential to make decent coffee out of the chemex.
Once you have those, watch a couple demonstration videos and mess around to find what you like! Below is the video I watched when I first started using this method:
Overall, it's a bit of an investment, but it's so worth it! The chemex is a great method, and I use it often! Good luck!
I ceramic hand grinder works well. This seems like a popular one. I have this one and it works pretty well. If you drink coffee pretty regularly, then you should probably go with an electric one. This Baratza is considered really good for the price.
Depending on how much coffee you drink, a Hario Mini Mill or a Hario Skerton is probably your best bet. There's really no replacement for a burr grinder if you want consistency, and the Harios have high quality ceramic burrs and are both <$50.
Also keep in mind grinding. Not a problem if you buy pre-ground, but if you buy whole beans, just get something like this. https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Skerton-Ceramic-Coffee-Mill/dp/B001802PIQ
I have a set up that i love that was only like 50 dollars and makes great coffee.
I have this french press
http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Brazil-French-Coffee-34-Ounce/dp/B005ADS5FO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1450216508&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=french+press
and this grinder
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1450216551&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=coffee+grinder+hario
It is sorta labor intensive but makes way better coffee than most machines that are way more pricey.
Also the key is to have good, fresh beans.
I also have a hario v60 for when i want to make coffee quick.
7 hours in and not a single link, huh? Anyway, not sure about the most useful but the one I'm most in love with at the moment is my new coffee grinder and it's getting quite a lot of use. This thing is really the best. A true quality grinder will set you back an embarrassing sum and this little thing outperforms electric grinders at 5 times the cost. Get it.
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Ceramic-Skerton-Storage-Capacity/dp/B001802PIQ
I had pretty good results with this when I used it years ago.
To answer your question, the strength of your coffee is mostly influenced by how much coffee you're using versus how much water. For a strong cup with your Keurig, go with the setting with the smallest amount of water. The Keurig is by no means the "best" method to make coffee, but it will make coffee. If you decide to get a manual brewer (French press, Aeropress, Kalita Wave, etc.) the brew time has some leeway, but I'd recommend just using more coffee than trying to push the recommended brew time too far. Coffee can/should be strong without being bitter, and keeping the water and coffee together too long will create bitterness.
What follows is everything you need to know about making great coffee. Warning, this may be overwhelming:
and 2) Those are your best bet. Although I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, you can get an automatic blade grinder if you might have an issue with manual grinding/don't want to drop a lot of money. I will mention that darker roasts are easier to grind manually so there's less worry for your wrist. The problem with blade grinders is you get a bunch of differently sized bits, which makes it more difficult to get consistency and figure out a grind size/brew time you like.I would recommend a French press (1 2 3 4) or Aeropress for someone just getting into coffee. They're much more forgiving than pour-over methods, meaning you're less likely to make a bitter cup. They each have their own drawbacks, too. An Aeropress is easier to clean up, but can only make one cup at a time. A French press takes more time to clean, but can make about 3 cups at a time. (By cups I mean a standard 12-ounce mug.) Definitely get a grinder, too (see above). A scale (1 and 2) is optional but recommended. For beans, seek out a local roaster/coffee shop, but there are tons of online options available, too.
Welcome to the wonderful (and sometimes crazy) world of coffee!
a hario hand grinder will do a decent job if you don't want to fork over 300 for an electric burr grinder, won't get it quite as fine as you want but it will be ok until you can upgrade. skip the blade grinders entirely these will make your coffee sad.
also /r/coffee
The common answer will be the hario skerton
Yes, I have the Porlex mini. It's not cheap at $42, but be glad you're not paying CDN prices - for me it was $60. The Porlex JP-30 Stainless Steel Coffee Grinder is larger, It says 30g capacity. I thought it held more. My mini holds 25g easily, which is a common dose for a single pourover.
The Hario Ceramic Coffee Mill Skerton is often recommended here and is slightly cheaper at $37, but I don't have any experience with it. I like that the porlex seems more durable as there is no glass. the Porlex mini also fits inside an aeropress. But you're going for the pourover first right?! ;)
The Lido is another option but maybe beyond your current budget. You can see what /r/coffee thinks about it here
It's hard to beat the affordable and durable Hario Mini Mill or Hario Kerton hand grinders. They aren't the best grinders around, but for below $40 and a little work, it's well worth the minor investment.
If you happen to choose the Mini Mill, check out the mods that are easily installed and your grind consistency will improve significantly.
The aeropress makes good coffee, but it has always been fickle for me. The Clever Coffee dripper, OTOH, is great and around the same price.
Also, I just got a new grinder (link below). Ceramic conical burr, but no motor. I don't mind doing some work for so much cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Hand-Grinder-Skerton/dp/B001802PIQ
If you ever make coffee for friends or like brewing a few cups at once, I recommend this one instead.
Mühle und Wasserkocher
Wenn du aber schon einen Wasserkocher hast, kauf bitte nicht extra einen neuen. Die Temperatur für Tee und Kaffee ist zwar wichtig aber "kocht seit zwei Minuten nicht mehr" reicht bei den beiden Getränken echt aus mit Präzision.
For iced coffee I generally steep in a french press overnight. Plunge & serve/store. Works pretty well. As for grinders, definitely go with a burr:
-Cheaper manual: Hario Skerton
-More expensive automatic: Capresso Infinity
I do cold brew for my weekend coffee, and it's wonderful. Less acidic, smooth, and rich. I use a Hario 1000ml pot and use a coffee mill to medium grind my beans (~100g). Espresso blends are a good place to start, flavor-wise. Slowly pour filtered cold water over your grounds. Refrigerate for 18-24 hours. Discard the grounds and enjoy.
My typical cold toddy is:
Simple syrup is crucial if you want sweetness. Even castor sugar doesn't dissolve enough. Simple syrup is... Simple. Bring equal parts (by weight) of water and sugar to a boil, stirring until fully dissolved. If you want flavors, just simmer for a while with either vanilla bean, lemon peel, cinnamon sticks, honey, lavender, or whatever. Cool and then store. You can even do fancy stuff like buy caramel or chocolate sauces.
Good luck!
Edit: The Hario pot is about $20,and a coffee mill can be had for $20-40. Get some Mason jars or spring-top jars from Goodwill/SA. Get good beans and make your own syrups. Cheap investment for the best coffee you've ever had.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001VPXEBU?cache=4ea5976e2c9e936ae8b097d6c5d0065c&amp;pi=SY200_QL40&amp;qid=1411452831&amp;sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001802PIQ?cache=4ea5976e2c9e936ae8b097d6c5d0065c&amp;pi=SY200_QL40&amp;qid=1411453722&amp;sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1
More than just an expensive grinder you want a quality grinder. The two are not always the same. I have a Hario manual burr grinder. It gets very consistent grinds and isn't much work at all.
Link to what I have: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001802PIQ/ref=mp_s_a_2?qid=1325167220&amp;sr=8-2
What grinder are you using? If you have a blade-type grinder, while they're much better than using preground coffee, they make consistency both from batch to batch and within the same batch nearly impossible. I'd recommend dropping $20-30 on one of the Hario manual burr grinders.
You talking about this one? Been a while since I used it but dont remember having too many issues with inconsistent larger grinds.
Just got this. http://i.imgur.com/duwBXU0.jpg
I've been into this world for about 2 months now , what i can help you with are some suggestions for what i've been using lately
And about the beans , im pretty sure you can find a local roaster here or there . I used to say the same and i was totally convinced that we have 0 roasters ( regardless of whether they're good or not ) but after some research and asking around i found 4 ! Its just a matter of asking the right people .
Making good coffee i believe is a long process of trial and error , you'll get there eventually but first you have to have decent tools at your disposal. If you're able to spend a little bit over your limit and get those two pieces of equipment you're more than ready to get started with the process , you just have the other half to deal with , which is the coffee beans . Of course if you ever need help with recipes , techniques , tips , whatever . You can come to this subreddit , really filled with great people who have a lot to say so just ask !
And finally, welcome to this beautiful world !
Not sure. I'd go with the Virtuoso for every thing except Turkish and get a Link: https://amzn.com/B001802PIQ
Edit: shortened URL
I'm not exaggerating when I say you need a grinder. Doesn't matter what method you use to make coffee if you don't start with freshly ground beans.
This one is good and pretty cheap.
Hario Slim is $25 and worked well for me. The hex on the shaft eventually wears out, but they'll replace it for free if you email them (or they did for me at least)
Hario MSS-1B Mini Coffee Mill Slim Grinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001804CLY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DvdZxbM1MQA0Z
Get a little hario hand grinder like this: http://smile.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Slim-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1410441180&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=hario+hand+grinder
And of course you'll need AeroPress Timer: www.aeropresstimer.com
Totally understandable, can't just dispose of a gift. I hope you enjoy the coffee "hobby". I can say my first upgrade when I started was to get a [Hario Mini](Hario Mini Mill Slim Hand Coffee Grinder https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B001804CLY/) to use at my office so I could stop drinking the Keurig garbage haha. It's small, but pretty good for what it is, and the results are good for the money, plus it's portable! Enjoy!
I have this and it does a great job. It grinds the perfect amount for two large cups of coffee. Takes less than a minute to do.
Hario makes good stuff, I use one of their hand grinders at home. Similar to the Skerton but this one is slightly smaller but IMO easier to hold onto while grinding.
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1371863664&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=hario+grinder
Hario Mini Mill and an MSR MugMate or equivalent will be an excellent office set up. I use the Kyocera CM-45 which I love but tends to be more expensive and harder to find - and the MSR mugmate every day in my office. It's essentially french press coffee. Coarse grind, brew for 4 minutes, enjoy!
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1322801932&amp;sr=8-1
Maybe this is too labor intense, but for insanely good espresso and americano, get an Aeropress and a Burr Grinder like this electric one or this hand one
The aeropress prevents over-pressing of the beans, which prevents the coffee from getting acidic, as I understand it. The aeropress requires a bit more work to use, but it's really easy to clean (you just pop the used grounds into the trash and then rinse off the end of the areopress). The burr grinder grinds the beans much better than your average slicing grinder can.
This manual grinder is great - just be prepared to put in some effort:
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Mill-Slim-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/
Kinda late here, but I would say if you want to be able to control grind size on a budget you should get a manual grinder. Here is the one I have and it works great. If you need coffee for more than two people then it's a bit of a chore, but for a single cup it's perfect.
Hey, I'm a complete noob when it comes to coffee and just found this subreddit. I've been looking at what people suggest for single cup coffee makers and and looking at getting the Aeropress and the Hario Skerton grinder. Are these good or is there something else you guys recommend? I'm very open to any input you guys have but would like to keep it under around 100 dollars. Thanks in advance.
This is by far the easiest and cheapest way to make “fancy” coffee. Coffee snobs can spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on all this equipment that really isn’t necessary for regular people who would be happy with a Starbucks latte.
Here is a spice grinder that can be used for grinding coffee because fresh ground coffee tastes way better and you can control how fine it’s ground.
I suggest looking up a photo of how ground coffee should be for the “Moka pot”
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SPEU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xH02DbEBEGM6D
Here is the “moka pot” I’ve found it’s the cheapest and easiest way to make something close to espresso. (It’s stronger than regular drip coffee but weaker than espresso, and it doesn’t have the brown foam that come on top of espresso)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNY6UK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2F02DbAZHNRY3
Here is the milk frother that is a easier and cheaper way of making “steamed milk” (this isn’t exactly steamed milk because usually you need to put a steam wand into milk and use a technique to steam milk properly and it’s expensive and takes practice)
You just push a button and a minute later it’s done.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V9HHMZM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xG02DbC0AG7B5
The thing that really effects the flavor the most is getting good coffee! Maybe you could splurge on more expensive coffee that you save for dates, special occasions or when you want to feel fancy!
Buy a Bialetti, some cans of Illy Moka and Lavazza espresso and now you got some good Italian coffee for cheap. I use mine everyday. I also bought a plug in milk frother for when I'm feeling fancy (for like 9 dollars or something).
https://www.amazon.com/Bialetti-6-Cup-Stovetop-Espresso-Maker/dp/B000CNY6UK/ref=sr_1_3?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501852139&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=bialetti
I am not sure of what you already have or what you would need, I am listing a few things on top of my head:
Based on your incredibly specific description of your sister, I have in the last minute figured out what decades of knowing her prevented you from seeing.
She wants a copy of this book and a Moka Express
You could go crazy and get an espresso machine, but have you ever tried a moka pot? I swear by mine.
Get yourself a percolator. Either electric or stovetop, they're inexpensive, practically indestructible, don't require paper filters, and make coffee that is far superior to anything that could come out of a drip machine. Then it's just a matter of finding the BIFL burr grinder and good beans, and you'll have some serious gourmet shit.
Get one of these. It says espresso but it's really just coffee.
&gt; if I were to use this, would the metal mesh screen capture all particles, even the finely ground ones?
Steel will let some fines through, but the mesh is a lot tighter than on my French press... The fines have never been enough to bother me, basically large enough to see, but small enough that I don't feel then when drinking.
The main difference between paper filters and steel ones is the oils. With paper you get a cleaner cup, the flavors pop a little more. With steel you get more of the oils, and it is a richer cup similar to French pressed coffee.
&gt;how much can I make in one press?
Basically a small cup. Personally I think it's strong enough that you can easily top of a large mug with hot water and still have a good cup of coffee... Definitely still stronger than a basic drip pot makes.
&gt;mostly going to be coffee and water, don't even know what other kinds to make, really. (yet)
Coffee and water are pretty much the appropriate ingredients. Really is a matter of trying different beans, different grinds, different steep times.
&gt;is this a chore for daily coffee making, or is the flavor worth the extra hassle?
For me it's worth the hassle on the weekends. Personally I prefer my Moka pot on weekdays before work, but that's actually more effort (though I cheat and use pre-ground coffee.)
It's definitely not set it and forget it, but it definitely makes better coffee. It is more effort, but if you've got an extra few minutes in the morning is a much better way to start your day. For me it's the difference between "I need coffee" and "I'm going to thoroughly enjoy my morning coffee".
Quick edit: I did use my Aeropress every day until this last Christmas when I got the Moka pot. The Moka pot makes coffee that resembles espresso. The Aeropress makes very strong coffee that doesn't really resembles espresso. Different device, different purpose.
I own a Moka pot and love it, but I'm kinda a noob to the whole coffee thing and don't have a lot experience to compare it to. I can tell you it makes very strong coffee. I mean, I think it would be fair to call it espresso, but probably not the same consistency as an expresso from a machine due to using less pressure.
This is the one I own. The picture can be deceiving as it is pretty small, and this is one of the larger ones they sell. It makes 12oz of expresso which I have found is about enough for 2 cappuccinos or lattes.
I have the cheap an inexpensive De'longhi
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Cappuccino-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1395839459&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=delonghi+espresso
You make an excellent point. So I guess its get the coffee that tastes good and mix it with the espresso shot. Thanks for the info :)
Broke college student here, I'm also a barista that's use to having amazing, freshly roasted coffee. So far, no one has lied. AMAZING espresso IS expensive. But can you make a latte as well as your local cafe? With a little practice, time and money, yes.
My current home setup consists of a Delonghi EC155, this is a true espresso machine, it's not steam powered and with a little modification and practice makes good espresso. Modification wise the only thing I'd recommend is depressurizing the portafilter basket, which is easy. If you ever want a better machine but don't want to spend the money you can modify it even more. They're vary popular machines and can be modified to pull amazing shots. They go anywhere from 70-130, however, occasionally things get repacked or the packaging gets damaged in the warehouse. They'll offer them at a hefty discount, I just got mine "reboxed" from amazon for 47 dollars, wait a few days and one will come up. If you use your student email you can get Amazon Prime for free, take advantage of that.
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Cappuccino-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1396498476&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=delonghi+ec155
I also got this tamper, works well, it's a little light for my tastes but for home use it's fine. The EC155 has a 52mm basket, if having a 50mm tamper bothers you then pay the extra few bucks for a 52mm tamper. Personally doesn't bother me, and it was only 7 bucks.
http://www.amazon.com/Espresso-Tamper-Sizes-Alloy-Coffee/dp/B0001XRNEM/ref=pd_bxgy_k_text_z
Here's a milk frothing cup, you'll need it to properly froth milk. You can poorly froth milk in a microwave but why do that when you can spend an extra 8 dollars and do it properly? I personally got mine for a dollar from a thrift store.
http://www.amazon.com/Update-International-EP-12-Stainless-Frothing/dp/B000MR6I9I/ref=pd_bxgy_hg_text_y
I got one of these grinders years ago for around 20 dollars. I've seen them used, repackaged, and refurbished for about that much. Wait around and a deal will come up. You can also get a Hario Mini and a number of other hand grinders. But this one does just fine. Now out of the box it won't grind fine enough for espresso, however, with about 20 minutes worth of work you can shim it and it'll grind perfectly for espresso. It's not hard and anyone can do it with a screw driver and some tin foil.
http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DBM-8-Supreme-Grind-Automatic/dp/B00018RRRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1396498766&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=cuisinart+grinder
At this point if you're willing to wait for a deal on the EC155 you've only spent 107 dollars. Even less if you're willing to wait on a deal for the burr grinder as well. If you want AMAZING coffee you can spend another 27 dollars and get an Aeropress, or wait for a deal and get it for 20 dollars. It will make a coffee concentrate which will taste "okay" for a latte.
At this point, I cannot recommend going to your local coffee houses and asking if you can buy green beans. They typically sell green coffee for 5-8 dollars a pound. You can roast your own coffee with a skillet and a whisk, or a popcorn popper, there are hundreds of ways to do it cheaply and it easy. You'll save money and you'll be drinking tastier coffee.
Don't let these people get you down, good espresso doesn't have to be expensive. Feel free to message me if you have any questions!
DeLonghi EC155 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker: Cheap and fast, and can be had for ~ 40$ today, using Amazon's coupon OCTGET20.
So I was recently gifted a Delonghi EC155 which I do love and as far as my beginner tastes go, decent espresso.
However I was reading on the Amazon reviews and I am really confused on how the grounds should be packed in the portafilter and the instructions don't help much.
So I load the grounds do a light tamp so it's even (like the instructions say) but the grounds ALWAYS come out soggy and there for make it a pain to clean. I always thought they were supposed to come out more like a puck that falls out easier, am I doing something wrong?
De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker by DeLonghi http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_tjOXtb0F4PE0Y
Yeah I'll X-post it.
I am using this.
Delonghi is the best cheap brand. I have a $250 that I love, not sure about sub $100, but quick amazon search shows this one as an option:
De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000F49XXG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8EhACbX9DB7FK
Edit: also, spend $20 and get a stainless steel tamper. So much better than the plastic ones they include.
What would you recommend as an alternative? For the same price, it sounds like I could get something like a entry-tier pump driven espresso machine (Delonghi BAR32, EC155, or similar) only, and still need to buy a grinder. From what I've seen, it doesn't appear to be too difficult to get the capsules (around 60-70c each though), although there are limited options because it can only make espresso.
It took me a long time to make a perfect cup of coffee. Here is what I do:
(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QTVXCS/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1)
Here is a 10 minute Ted Talk on: The culinary art of coffee
I got this and am incredibly happy with it:
http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EC155-Espresso-Cappuccino-Maker/dp/B000F49XXG?SubscriptionId=0K76CZ6RCX2Y05HSNPR2&amp;tag=plp-sdc-wtb-20&amp;linkCode=xm2&amp;camp=2025&amp;creative=165953&amp;creativeASIN=B000F49XXG&amp;ascsubtag=espresso-machines
My favorite drink was a latte made using the office's DeLonghi Espresso Machine.
I got very, very good at it.
If I was feeling carbonated, though, I'd get Coke Zero or Diet Mt. Dew.
Well then! Back in High School, I was in the Marching band. Additionally, I was also in Jazz band as a drummer / percussionist. One of my most favorite moments was when the band director (also a drummer / percussionist) let me bring my drumset to a football game. Needless to say, this pissed off the drumline (not that I really cared) and the "drum line instructor." I loved playing my set in front of the crowd at games :).
I wish you the Most wonderful time at school and good luck with year 3! I think everyone needs one of these at school. Or anywhere really :P
Thank you for the contest!
You can get something like this for around $300-400 used, and it is pretty good for the price.
The problem is that you can't really buy preground espresso, and espresso grinders start at $300 so finding a setup for $100-200 is nearly impossible.
That said, if you really must have decent espresso for under $200, get this Delonghi for $90 and a Hario hand grinder for $25. You'll have decent espresso, but it will be a lot of work.
I've had this for about 6 months:
De'Longhi EC155 15 BAR Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker
$81.79 down from $140
It really is great for an introductory machine, I've had no complaints. :)
I'm a big fan of a butane can, a Coleman burner, and an AeroPress
Amazon aeropress link :
http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-80R08-Coffee-Maker/dp/B000GXZ2GS
Could you get her good coffee-making equipment? An aero press is $30 and a hario v60 is about $20. Actually hario has a hand grinder that’s pretty cheap too. Throw in a bag of beans from your favorite toaster if you have any surplus.
Edit to add link and update price. My bf loves the v60, might be good!
Edit 2: it looks like it looks like the grinder is $40? which blows my mind. I swear it was cheaper
Well, it's just over £20 however, it is absolutely essential!
Start with whole bean, dark roast coffee - I like the coffee they sell here at Dancing Goats.
This burr grinder on finest grind setting and the aeropress.
Or rougher grind and french press.
I use the following:
Get an Aeropress on Amazon (Aeropress Link). Look up how to use on youtube. Get a sampler from Drift Away Coffee to determine what you like.
Enjoy!
If you want true Espresso the first one you list isn't gonna do it.
I think one of the cheapest useable option is the Gaggia Classic. You can get it with a hand grinder and are all set to go. This one is pretty good.
Want to spend more? The Rancilio Silvia is beloved by many, from beginners to advanced. Here it is with a matching electrical grinder.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of those devices, because my kitchen is way to small for more than an AeroPress but I have friends who own this stuff and they make great coffee.
Aeropress also makes coffee that's not bitter. Helps to start with a light roast too.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Coffee-Tea-Espresso/Aerobie-AeroPress-80R11-Maker/B000GXZ2GS
And for bonus points it's both cheap and portable.
For me the French press is definitely the way to go, but the AeroPress comes pretty close and is a little easier for making a cup at a time rather than a full pot.
What I usually do is make coffee with an 8-cup sized press pot. I'll coarsely grind about half a cup of coffee, add nearly boiling water, stir it a bit to get rid of some of the bubbles and clumps, then let it sit for about 6-8 minutes or so.
To enhance the flavor you could add a little salt. Dark roasts like French are usually better for espresso or lattes; I generally use a lighter roast (Brazil Santos currently).
I use a stovetop hario gooseneck: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Buono-Pouring-Kettle-1-2L/dp/B000IGOXLS/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1518792943&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=hario+gooseneck&amp;dpID=415EGQgqlHL&amp;preST=_SY300_QL70_&amp;dpSrc=srch
If I had to go stovetop I would use one of either of these:
EDIT: formatting
I agree with getting a kitchen scale where you can weigh your coffee. Getting your measurements right makes a difference in the way your coffee tastes. I started out at a 1g:14g coffee to water ratio the first time I started brewing. I'm now at a 1g:16g coffee to water. There's a lot of methods out there it seems on r/coffee and the internet. But I think that's the beauty of it is that we can experiment and find our favorite cup of coffee. TONS of resources online
V60 Brew Videos
Iced Coffee Tutorial I used to learn
Why not just use a cheap electric kettle and pour the water from the electric kettle in to this one. I learned this method from a friend and since then my hario kettle has not touched the stove it's just so much faster and more convenient (though you'll want a little extra water to warm up the kettle first).
There's also a 1.2L Hario Buono
Here's the thing..
Gooseneck kettle will last you forever and it is an absolute staple if you're going to invest in this hobby/truly enjoy this ritual.
I like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-VKB-120HSVV60-Buono-Pouring-Kettle/dp/B000IGOXLS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501770513&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=hario+gooseneck+kettle
I also would recommend a scale that can weigh out by the .1 gram (or even more fine). Also a timer is important.
I like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Drip-Scale-Timer/dp/B009GPJMOU/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501770540&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=hario+food+scale
Kalita wave is very forgiving, great to learn on, and makes a wonderful cup of coffee. I use Kalita Wave each morning and Chemex on weekends.
Kalita Wave: https://www.amazon.com/Kalita-05033-Wave-185-Drippers/dp/B000X1AM0Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501770620&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=kalita+wave
Kalita Wave Filters: https://www.amazon.com/Kalita-22199-Filters-White-Japan/dp/B00BJBOITS/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501770637&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=kalita+wave+filters
Good luck buddy!
Grinder: https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=encore+grinder&qid=1554328450&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Kettle: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-VKB-120HSV-Stainless-Stovetop-Original/dp/B000IGOXLS/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=hario+kettle&qid=1554328475&s=gateway&sr=8-3
Not to mention I don't have the patience for standing over my Chemex for 5 minutes straight - much less the motivation to buy a $50 teapot.
I actually bought mine on Amazon. I'm not home so I can't check, but the Amazon page says it's made in Japan:
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000IGOXLS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
It's the [hario V60] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000IGOXLS/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1416975293&amp;sr=8-2&amp;pi=AC_SY200_QL40) .
Moka pots are fun, but I can't make it a daily thing.
I say shore up your pour over gear. A gooseneck kettle ($38) and a scale ($17) are musts.
You could replace the plastic cone with something prettier like a v60 ($11), but you can use the scale and kettle with the plastic pour over cone just fine.
[edit] the pour over cone I linked isn't a v60, but I'm sure you can find it :)
I broke around 3 beakers using that one. Switched to this Bodum press and love it!
I got the Bodum Brazil 8-Cup (34-Ounce) Coffee Press https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000KEM4TQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_s7r5tb0RRF4D5
As for beans, I would recommend making a post in your city's subreddit and/or google it to find a nice coffee shop that roasts. That's what I did although I've currently shipped in some sttumptown (which I highly reccomend) since I have some connections out west.
A French press is going to be cheaper than a Nescafé machine, short term and long term. With a pod machine, you'll be spending lots of money on pods. With a press, you'll be spending a lot less. Cost-wise, a press is a lot cheaper than a pod machine.
Yeah, a press will take longer to prepare than a pod machine, but it makes worlds better coffee if you use good beans.
Now this is a conversation I can get in on.
Let's begin with my stainless steel measuring cups. I bake a lot so these are so useful. The 1/8 cup comes in so much more use than I ever imagined it would. And they're just so much nicer than plastic ones. I want to get a set of stainless steel measuring spoons but haven't yet.
Next, I would probably say my French Press. Coffee is important, and my French Press makes some delicious coffee.
I absolutely love this skillet. Works like magic.
I also recommend this 3 tier cooling rack to everyone. It's so useful and stores so well.
In the fall/winter I use my crock pot a whole lot. I also find having large mason jars to be useful for storing food, though I also have this tupperware.
Finally, my KitchenAid stand mixer. Self explanatory. It's fucking awesome. I just want to spend every waking moment putting it to good use and baking everything under the sun.
Let's do it in the kitchen.
What you may be referring to is a moka pot and some of the most common ones are from Bialetti. It isn't exactly espresso however.
If a french press is what you're looking for, I would recommend one from Bodum. The one I have is this one and I am very pleased with it.
Along the lines of this- a Bodum French Press makes a few damn good cups of coffee.
Look, if you're a beginner, you really can't do better than a french press and basic coffee grinder. The coffee you'll get, while not as good as consistently ground coffee, will still be delicious. I think it's a great place to start and you can eventually graduate up to a higher quality grinder.
I know there will be plenty of differing opinions, but I used a basic coffee grinder with my french press for four years, and the coffee was still excellent.
French Press - Bodum Brazil
Basic Mr. Coffee Grinder
Would the coffee be stale even right after opening the package? I bought this Melitta package that came with a seal under the lid.
I actually do use a Bodum french press because i didn't want to buy a bulky drip coffee maker and it can also be used for making tea.
I'm not in the UK, but these are kettles that I've used and have been awesome without having any problems. Both of these kettles are great for any types of tea you might want to brew. I really like the precision pour that you get with the gooseneck kettle, and also it is a favorite kettle if you like to brew coffee too.
BonaVita Variable Temperature Gooseneck
And
Breville Variable Temperature Kettle
You could have refrained from buying the cast iron pot. You can make stellar tea with a way cheaper pot. I don't know their return policy, but if you can return it, I would highly recommend that. Look into Gaiwans; Shoot, I use a pyrex measuring cup sometimes to brew tea and just strain through a dollar store tea strainer. I would save the money that you spent on a cast iron pot and put it towards a water boiler that can heat to different temperatures. My favorite it the Bonavita variable temperature kettle.
If you are new to tea, I would recommend getting the smallest weight available of all the teas you buy. I think in Teavana, that is 2oz. This helps you by allowing you to buy more teas to sample different varieties, you can always go back for more if you really love it. Lastly, buying the smallest amount of tea ensures you will finish it faster, which means your tea doesn't have a chance to go stale.
How many people are we talking about? That will inform the decision. Also if more than maybe 2 or 3 you will really want to consider getting a commercial machine or at least a high-end consumer setup. An entry-level espresso machine designed for home use is not designed to be pumping out shot after shot all day.
I think ease of use and ease of cleanup is paramount. I honestly think a Nespresso may be a good bet. Yes they are expensive to operate and yes the pods are wasteful but they are super easy to clean up. If you get a regular espresso machine and somebody forgets to remove the portafilter or leaves scummy milk on the steam wand it will get gross really fast.
Here is what I would recommend:
I own a virtuoso and I love it. Grind quality for anything that isn't espresso is going to be about as good as anything that isn't $2700. The Lido is of course a great grinder, but I really think the no-effort aspect of the Virtuoso is underrated. I just made three cups of the same coffee in different ways - a side by side test is so much better than comparing days apart. I don't think I would have done that if I had to manually grind it out each time.
Pourover, V60 or Kalita are your best bet. Kalita is more forgiving but I think the V60 is more flexible once you get used it it. You should also look at getting an Aeropress - it is what got me used to stronger coffee and ultimately espresso.
Other gear, if you're doing pourover you need a gooseneck kettle. This one is great if you can swing it, otherwise any gooseneck will do. A scale like this one will be your best friend too.
EDIT: Disclaimer: I would not plan on using either of those grinders on espresso. The Lido is certainly more capable for that specific task, but ultimately you will want a grinder for espresso use only for two reasons:
1). Grind quality is SUPER important for espresso, and the Lido might get you to mid-range in that capacity. Plus adjustabilty is an issue here, so while the Virtuoso can grind to espresso fineness, it can not take small enough steps to get a truly great cup.
2). Switching from brew to espresso is a pain, and it will decrease the quality of your espresso. You need to "dial in" espresso, which is finding a very specific grind setting and recipe for a specific bean. Switching back and forth will completely disrupt that process on top of just being a pain.
Now, both grinders will be fantastic for brew and I would highly recommend both of them for that purpose. The above just something to be aware of.
I personally use this one (it's cheaper, and hasn't failed me yet -- and I like the digital readout vs the cuisinart since the cuisinart buttons will gradually wear off and you'll have to memorize the temps for each button):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0044WWB8Y/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
I've been using it daily for about a year and have had zero problems. Cleaning (any electric kettle) is simple by just running vinegar in it to remove hard water deposits, then rinsing thoroughly. Also purchased one for my father as a gift, and haven't heard any complaints. It has a stainless model if the metal aesthetic is important to you, but there are plastic innards.
I've also heard good things about this one (but haven't used it personally):
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/
I got a 1.7L bonavita variable temp electric kettle for around $66 on sale. You can find the 1.0L or the 1.7L on sale if you're patient. Most people on these forums swear by them.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Electric-Gooseneck-Temperature/dp/B005YR0F40/
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-7-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Electric/dp/B00N2278VC/
You should start there.
I usually look for Bonavita for my kettles. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s a guarantee of good quality.
Also, you can get an electric gooseneck with built in temperature control for around $40.
Bonavita BV382510V 1.0L Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T.goDbFT58JXW
Mine looks a little different, but I’ve had it for about 1.5 years and it’s been a trusty companion to making great coffee at home.
I use this one and it works pretty well.
Not sure if it's the "best" electric kettle though. For that, I've heard the Bonavita variable temp is one of the better ones.
On my wish list is the Kalita wave dripper, as I've heard the notes you get from using it are different from a Chemex (my brewer of choice). I also have an aeropress on the list too.
Also, there's nothing like a good espresso brush... they have to be replaced frequently (like once every two months or so), so having them as stocking stuffers is nice.
Lastly, my favorite tool is the Bonavita variable temperature kettle, which lets me get a consistent brew temp every time and has a gooseneck for a controlled pour.
Book: God in a Cup
Bonavita 1L Goosneck Kettle
I think you're looking at the non-gooseneck version... the gooseneck kettle is still around $100.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1416957289&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=bonavita+kettle&amp;pebp=1416957295154
I don't know your budget, but I use the Bonavita variable temp gooseneck for teas and coffee. It pretty much covers all tea and coffee needs without a need to upgrade in the future (covers pour over should you get the itch). I frequently do green tea, hibiscus tea, and coffee, which cover a wide range of temps. The only annoying part is having to adjust in 1 degree increments when switching from one end to the other, but that is what gives it very precise control.
The Cuisinart is good in that it lets you press a single button for temp adjustments if you switch very frequently, but it doesn't have a goose neck or perfectly precise temp controls (neither may be absolutely necessary for your needs currently). There aren't too many options, but they are atleast varied to give you some different choices.
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Electric-Gooseneck-Temperature/dp/B005YR0F40/
I'm guessing you're talking about the kettle and not the grinder here. As far as kettles with all the bells and whistles, she was probably talking about a gooseneck that you can set temperature for each type of coffee, and make it hold the temperature. Something like this:
Bonavita BV382510V 1-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Gooseneck Kettle, Metallic https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BLGzCbH4YQAHA
I would say that (even if you dont get one with all the gadgets) the gooseneck is really important.
I still use a normal food scale and it's not really that big a deal.
As for the grinder, like everyone said, dont get a blade grinder. Definitely get a burr grinder. The issue is that if you're looking for a cheap burr grinder it's going to have to be a manual one which can really get exhausting especially if you're just waking up lol.
My suggestion in general is not to invest TOO much at first. Start off with a cheap gooseneck, whatever food scale you have, or some cheap one, and just getting whatever coffee shop you buy your coffee from to grind it for you. You can ask for a specific type of grind like "pourover" or "french press" and they'll find it to their ideal setting. When you really get into it, you'll realize what you need to upgrade etc.
I highly recommend the Hario Drip Scale. It's made for coffee, super easy to use, accurate, dependable, and good aesthetic design. Been using it for 2 years.
Edit: And while we're on the subject, you don't only want to measure your coffee beans. You want to measure your water temperature and get a consistent grind as well. This Bonavita electric kettle has always been good to me, as well as the Baratza Burr Grinder.
I love the Bonavita Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle. It will bring his pour over game to the next level.
A temperature variable electric kettle is the best for tea drinkers. Some tea require more heat than others and a kettle like this
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
or this what I use
http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-CD-WBC30-TS-3-Liter-Boiler-Warmer/dp/B00M0GOI0K/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1417855010&amp;sr=1-2-spell&amp;keywords=zoujirushi+water
would make brewing a variety of tea fast and easy.
here you go :D
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086UJQN8/ref=od_aui_detailpages01?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
If you want something VERY precise then http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418156999&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=digital+electric+kettle
Can you recommend a scale?
Is it worth it to get a temp-controllable gooseneck vs a standard gooseneck?
Same here. Actually just bought one this morning.
https://smile.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
This really comes down to preference. The good thing is that a lot of these methods are inexpensive, although I don't know your financial situation.
First, you'll want a kettle with controllable temp. There are better, but this Bonavita is ~$50 and totally gets the job done. You'll be able to use this to boil water for cooking, control temps for different types of teas, as well as tweak your brew temp for coffee. I use mine a ton! This device is useful with pour-over, Aeropress, French Press, moka pot, and manual espresso methods. A digital scale is also useful for weighing your beans/grinds, and potentially weighing your cup when pouring.
You can get a ceramic (personally I would pass on plastic) dripper for $12-$20. There are two filter styles: V60 (cone) and Melitta (flat-bottom). Some people love the V60 - I haven't tried one though. I have a Melitta flat-bottom style. I get my filter paper from Trader Joe's; I think it's $1.99 for 100.
The Aeropress is ~$30 and an excellent brew system. It does seem to prefer finer grinds, which oxidize very quickly so fresh-ground is important. French Press is similar in cost, somewhere in the $20 - $40 range for a basic press. You may want to watch this video if you go with the press.
You can't go wrong with these three as starter methods - they all produce good, and slightly different, coffee. However, there's one thing that we need to address, as it's also important:
Grind and bean selection.
Using whole beans and grinding fresh can make a huge difference in your coffee. In addition, the consistency of the grind makes a difference as well, including the amount of fines that your grinder generates. (Fines are ultra-small particles, like dust.) If you are on a budget, you might want a good hand grinder like the Hario Skerton (~$45 - not so great for course grinds though). If you have a bit more money, you might want to look at the Capresso 560.01 (~80). Both of these selections have shortcomings, but they're pretty inexpensive too while still providing a decent quality result. These are just two quick picks - please take the time to dig some more and do your own research. People are highly opinionated about grinders. ;)
OK, last but not least, bean selection. There's a lot of different flavor profiles to be had out there. One problem with Keurig brewers is that the K-cups tend to have pretty cheap, low-quality coffee in them. There's an issue of both the beans that are being used, and your own preferences of different roast levels, and even what roast levels work the best with the given beans. There's no shortcut here other than your own personal experimentation. But I will advise, generally, that you should neither blow your budget on boutique coffee when starting, nor should you go as cheap as possible.
You could potentially stop by a local coffee shop and inquire about pour-overs and French Press. It'll cost a little more but they'll let you pick exactly which beans to try, and you can even contrast methods as well.
Good luck!
Hey there,
I am thinking you might as well have the ability to set a temperature and hold it at the set point. In my industry these little things are the tops. If you don't need the variable temp control, there are cheaper options. https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Digital-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1521834000&amp;sr=1-1-fkmr0&amp;keywords=bonavideaelectric+gooseneck+kettle
https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
This is my current kettle. Really love it. It has a feature that allows you to set a few presets for temperatures which is really convenient.
Also the goose neck looks sexy.
ehh if you're going to be paying in that ball park the best thing to get a a bonivita electric kettle, they are fairly popular in this community. You get to set the temperature and it has a spout designed for 'pour-over'ing
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1422464277&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=hario+electric+kettle
I have the Bonavita with the long spout for my coffee and I love it. I decided against the one OP bought for that very reason. Some people disagree about the ideal temperatures for various teas and types of coffee brewing and I didn't want to be locked into fixed presets.
Both AP and chemex are great methods for great coffee. I have both plus a french press. I use the AP daily because it's the quickest and hard to screw up. I suggest the inverted AP method (google around for videos). The only downside is that you can only brew one cup at a time, and it's not a huge cup at that. Which is part of the reason i bought a chemex, so i could make larger batches for groups of people. I usually reserve the weekends for chemex since it's more involved. It took me several tries before i learned what techniques work well. In terms of which is better, the chemex makes the smoothest cup. I also find the ritual of brewing with the chemex soothing and challenging at the same time.
Equipment-wise you'll need a good scale for both. I use a Jennings CJ 4000 (http://www.amazon.com/Jennings-CJ4000-4000g-Digital-Scale/dp/B004C3CAB8) and am happy with it. Only downside is the 0.5g resolution but I've never noticed it to be a noticeable problem in terms of brew taste/strength. If you go the chemex route you'll also need a gooseneck kettle to ensure precision when pouring. I use the bonavita electric with variable temp (http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Variable-Temperature-Electric-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40) and I love it, especially for the convenience and price.
So, my recommendation would be to try/get both as they are each suited best for different situations. I'm a fan of having options and am always evaluating other gadgets to add to the collection as i consider it to be a hobby of sorts.
You should consider getting an electric kettle. This is the one I use at home and the only one I can really recommend from experience. The temperature controls can be a bit fiddly at times, but once you get used to them its super easy to get the temperature you want. This is another popular programmable kettle which I've heard a lot of good things about. You can also surf around on Amazon and read some reviews, there's a large variety of electric kettles around. Another option is to keep boiling your water on the stove then letting it sit and cool and using a meat thermometer to gauge the temperature.
As for brewing, get a gaiwan! One, Two, Three, Four, Five, and there half a million more options out there. This is an awesome simple guide to using a gaiwan. Look up some tutorials on youtube or google for some more detailed info, or search around /r/tea a bit.
Next on the checklist, SAMPLES! Don't order 100 grams of a tea that you've never tried. Here's some basic sampler packs: One, Two, Three, Four. Plenty of other great sites offer samples too, check out /r/tea's List of Retailers on the sidebar.
Hope this helps, and sorry if this was too rambling and in-cohesive, I've had a lot of caffeine.
Also, I want to leave you with this guide. It's an incredibly well done piece. Good luck!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=asc_df_B005YR0F405480201/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;creative=394997&amp;creativeASIN=B005YR0F40&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=167141308073&amp;hvpos=1o3&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=15174540700106762513&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=m&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9012026&amp;hvtargid=pla-275333816061
This one.
For a variable temp kettle I just got this and it works great. Same brand as top comment but it's variable temp (also comes bigger in a 1.7L)
For infusing: this is neat and not too pricey, not glass but allows you to see the leaves. You can also get one of those neat glass mugs that have the infuser in it that you just lift out, I've got one of them too but not a link.
Many here like the Bonavita variable temp. I have one as well and am very happy with it. Set the temp and forget it :-)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005YR0F40
Mostly flavor, but also mouthfeel. It lacks punch, it tends to feel very thin, and it's just not a very high quality cup of coffee. The beans are old, weren't high quality to begin with, and they have to use workarounds to make the extraction that fast. The only method that will properly extract coffee that fast is espresso, but you're looking at close to a grand for an entry level setup if you go down that road.
But like I mentioned, I'm a coffee snob. Good coffee for me has to be made with freshly roasted beans (If it's much older than 2 weeks past roast, it's too old), ground fresh (Within 5 minutes of brewing), with a decent quality burr grinder, made with the proper ratio of water:coffee (Which requires weighing the beans you're going to use), and brewed using proper technique with the proper temperature water (a difference of 5-10 degrees can make or break a cup). That might sound time consuming, but it generally takes me about 5 minutes to make a cup in the morning.
I don't normally recommend coffee "machines", because they generally make sub-par coffee, and I don't know enough about them to recommend one. I've heard there are a couple on the market that are pretty good, but the overwhelming majority suffer from not getting the water to the proper temperature.
I'd say the easiest way to get into legit coffee for a beginner would be either a pour-over or a french press. You can get a Hario V60 pour over setup or a Bodum french press for pretty cheap. The Aeropress is another good option, but it's a little more tricky, and only brews a single cup at a time.
I would also highly recommend investing in an electric kettle like this one. The gooseneck design is almost mandatory for good pour-overs, and the ability to set it to the proper temperature is invaluable regardless of the process.
Another thing to consider is a grinder. The Baratza Encore is a really good entry level grinder. You might look at the ~$140 price tag and think I'm insane, but the grinder plays a massive role in good coffee. And if you think that's bad, there are $800+ grinders out there that are common choices for home espresso setups. Might take the sting out a bit ;)
Sorry for the overwhelming wall of text, but I like my coffee, lol. It's really not as complicated as it sounds, but there's more depth to the coffee world than most people realize if you're the sort of person that wants more.
I have the Bonavita kettle, I'm very happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40?psc=1&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
This is the one I have and I couldn't be happier.
Since your question has already been answered I won't bother going into those details, but if you ever want to buy a variable temperature kettle and want what I personally think is the best available for the price, get this one. It keeps water warm for an hour, and you can adjust the temperature by single degrees instead of increments of 10 or whatever, so it's more accurate.
I was using a no temp setting electric kettle and a thermometer for at least a year. Finally I broke down and bought a Bonavita Gooseneck kettle (waited until price dropped to $59.99, normally $99.99). Loving it so much!
So I was in a similar position to you at one point.
I found someone on a reddit community I frequented who sold me his Baratza Preciso for $100. It’s basically a retired version of the Virtuoso with micro adjustments on top of the regular macro. It’s served me very well. I had a friend who I got into coffee who just picked up an Encore and he’s delighted with it. For the bang for the buck it’s hard to go wrong with Baratza really in the sub $200 range. Especially considering you can find their refurbs which are updated (on Thursdays I think?) regularly and can get an encore for sub $100.
I find the Chemex to be far more forgiving than a V60. Some people say it’s expensive ($35ish) but considering you can get away with not using a gooseneck it’s cheaper in the long run in my opinion. If you don’t use a gooseneck with a V60, you’re going to have a bad time. V60s are finicky until you get a good feel for them. Don’t get me wrong, they can make a fantastic cup, but you have to put in the work. You can also look at the Kalita Wave which I think you can find the 185 on amazon for like $25 instead of $45 which is typical. It also takes funky filters that are hard to find (similar to v60).
As others have said the body is going to naturally be a little softer and more nuanced with a chemex. If you like big juicy Kenyans like me that may not be your preference, whereas if you like more floral, delicate Ethiopians then you’re golden. As time has gone on I’ve learned to appreciate my chemex more. It’s easy to dial in and brew correctly. Very forgiving of pour and what not and the body issue (less oils from the thicker filter) is more or less non-existent now that I have a little more developed palate (although I’m far from a connoisseur or q-grade taster).
Also a scale is super important if you aren’t using one. It’s ridiculous how easy it is to think you’re measuring correctly and you are totally off without a scale.
TL;DR Buy an encore or virtuoso and a chemex if you don’t have a gooseneck. Maybe a Kalita Wave if body is a huge deal for you. Get the V60 if you’re obsessive compulsive and want to really nerd out and probably brew shittily extracted coffee until you get it down. Any extra money invest in a good kettle and SCALE.
Cheap ass Shopping List:
Total: $168
For shits and giggles: plain bonavita gooseneck $29 and variable temp version $69 (you want this one if you go this route)
>I would imagine that it would be unlikely to find it much cheaper than that, unless it was used.
Amazon has it on sale pretty regularly. for as low as $60.
I'm not a Kalita guy but my Bonavita variable temp kettle has been amazing. I bought it two years ago and it's still great. I use it for coffee, tea, and even for making water for miso soup when I'm lazy. Being able to control the temperature has really helped me step up my coffee game.
It looks like I actually have a cheaper version of the grinder that swroasting linked, this is it.
http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-559-04-Coffee-Burr-Grinder/dp/B004DAYHXO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1406425653&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=capresso+infinity+burr+grinder
I paid a bit less than that for it though.
If anyone else posts recommendations, disregard the $75 limit. After looking around on Amazon I'll raise that to a soft $150 limit, and consider grinders higher than that if they have a feature or quality that makes them really worth the added price.
After looking around on Amazon I really like the look of the Capresso Infinity swroasting posted, and this looks good too. http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1406425785&amp;sr=8-9&amp;keywords=burr+grinder
Any thoughts on which of those would be better for the price?
Maybe something thats well tried and tested, the Baratza Virtuoso? or if you wanted more budget the Baratza Encore, the virtuoso grind is capable of pulling all the great taste from espresso, the encore is capable of making a pretty damn good espresso but not as much as the virtuoso. tbh youd have to be quite the connoisseur to notice any difference.
edit: I do not work for Baratza, I have not used them but anyone I ask has recommended both of these. Web forums and opinion polls will tell you the same! Baratza are damn good at making grinders!
Take a look at the Baratza Encore. I bought mine after reading some good reviews on here and love it so far.
De muelas... algo así
https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK
FreshRoast SR500 for $167. I've tried running this thing into the ground and it just won't die (We're talking 2 hours of consecutive roasting, completely nullifying the warranty). It's great for personal use.
Baratza Encore for $129. I've tried running this thing into the ground too. The motor shut off after 4 consecutive pounds of coffee. Then, after it cooled, kept grinding. Not fine enough for turkish coffee though.
That leaves $600 for the espresso maker, coffee and miscellaneous things (water filter, maybe)... which is reasonable.
I'd look into the Baratza Encore. You can frequently find refurbed ones for ~$100, but still worth it IMO new. As for a kettle, I've been using an electric Bonavita for about 3 years now -- can't recommend it enough. You can find stovetop goosnecks for about half the price on Amazon. Also if your friend doesn't have one already, I'd also suggest getting a scale. I've been using this HuiSmart one which is super convenient since it has the built-in timer and measures to .1g.
All this would run you just under $200. Of the suggestions, I think I would prioritize more of your budget to the grinder then kettle then scale.
Tough to make a recommendation without knowing your budget, and what you currently own, use, and like or dislike.
I have over a dozen coffee making devices, multiple pour overs, Aeropress, Chemex, Siphon, and a few electric machines. They all have their own plusses and minuses, and I use them all (today was a generic ceramic cone with a Melita 4 filter), but the 2 things that get used every time I make coffee are a grinder and scale.
Upgrading to a good burr grinder is almost universally acknowledged to be amongst the most useful things you can do to improve your coffee, and actually weighing your beans and water are probably a close second. My Baratza Encore does a great job, and I'm also very happy with my American Weigh Scales LB-3000.
Aeropresses are really the way to go: small, easy to clean up, and makes a really-good espresso-approximation (think you need to reach like 3 atm of pressure for a real espresso).
I also got a stainless steel filter to use instead of the paper-jobbies that come with it. You never have to worry about running out of filters: http://www.amazon.com/Able-Brewing-DISK-AeroPress-Espresso/dp/B00E58P7ME/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1397759932&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=aeropress+filter+stainless+steel
Also if don't have a burr grinder yet then get one. This one is a good bargain and capable of grinding fine enough for esspresso: http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1397759998&amp;sr=8-8&amp;keywords=burr+grinder
A espresso machine is only 1/4 the way to making good espresso.
As others have said, cleaning is essential since you received the machine used. Descaling and clearing the build up of coffee residue will be a great start.
The other 3 things you need for good espresso is:
We use freshly ground beans from our favorite not-so-local local roaster in Philly (we don't live near there, but we came across it a few years ago and we still order from the place regularly).
For the grounds: 10 - 12 Tbsp of ground coffee. We don't know exactly how much it is unless I go measure it because we just carved a notch at the right amount in our beloved coffee grinder.
For the water: We also marked the appropriate line on our hot water kettle with a sharpie. We use a thermometer to stop it early around 204 - 205F. Someday we hope to get a fancy one that actually monitors the temperature! But not this day.
Then as /u/VoteLobster noted we pour for the bloom. Once it's bloomed we switch between pouring around the edges and in the middle so there's no build up and we get maximum coverage of water-to-grounds.
I was overwhelmed with reading all of the options when I got into this. After a lot of reading I got a Chemex.
Oxo kettle
OXO On Adjustable Temperature Electric Pour-Over Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074KHPS7F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wMMmDbCR9T648
Baratza encore
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007F183LK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_YNMmDbPHSKK4G
American Weigh Scales AMW-SC-2KG... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
These four things were the most highly recommended from all chemex posts on this sub. These are the basics, and from there I used tons of different beans
https://www.amazon.de/Baratza-Encore-Electric-Grinder-Conical/dp/B007F183LK