(Part 3) 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 products ranked 41-60. You can also go back to the previous section.
The method the MC is using here is the coffee drip/pour over method. The glass heating containers on the left are the siphon coffee makers.
When you're picking up coffee as a hobby, remember that you're going to go through a lot of batches of coffee that aren't good until you master your technique. You're also going to go through a lot of beans which just don't have the taste you're looking for (these make great gifts for other people).
For online subscriptions, I recommend https://one.mistobox.com/
For good coffee equipment, I recommend checking here.
If you want to do it like in Leblanc, then go with pour over coffee equipment.
You'll want to get a gooseneck electric kettle such as the bonavita model shown here.
Why a gooseneck like the one in the screenshot above? The gooseneck shape is very useful for limiting the amount of water coming out of your kettle while also allowing you to be far more accurate with how you pour your water than over a standard kettle. This is very important in the pour over method as how you pour does determine the taste of your final product. I also recommend electric kettles because having precise temperature controls is very important with trying to figure out the exact temperature at which to make your coffee.
If you want the pour over coffee method, you'll need one of the drippers/filters here.
Pour over method requires precise aim to ensure a good cup of coffee. Here you go!
If you want to do it through the siphon coffee method, I recommend this.
People love a good cup of coffee and becoming a master of such a skill will make you well loved by your SO. Its also a great topic and skill to teach others.
Proper coffee is drank black without milk, sugar, or cream (though depending on your culture you may add milk and cream). The reason for this is that these extra ingredients are typically used to cover up the taste of bad coffee. If you get good coffee beans and treat them right, you will be fine. Make sure you're using filtered water as well as bad tap water will heavily alter your taste with extra "flavors" you aren't looking for.
Head over to /coffee subreddit and they'll get you hooked!
Coffee making, like tea, is a relatively cheap and easy hobby to pick up while also being useful and a great topic of conversation. Its a useful skill as well and an easy way to impress a date or friends, though if you really want to impress people, learn to cook. Learning to cook is NEVER a bad idea.
Also make sure to buy a good UV-coated and airtight container to store your beans.
Some extra guides if you want to be super serious about coffee. 1, 2, 3.
I want this. Found it
That does seem nicer than your typical 'push button to boil' pot, but I prefer my Zojirushi CV-DSC40 which is awesome. It keeps 4 liters of water hot all the time; vacuum insulated so only uses a few watts. Never having to wait on water heating up is a huge benefit.
And 4 liters means plenty of extra hot water so I can preheat my thermos and measuring bowl (I brew in a measuring bowl), even if I am making a lot at once.
I keep it set at 195; this is perfect for black and oolong. If I want to make green or white, I pull water out (at 195) for my preheat, and add a little fresh water back in to lower the temp to 175-180.
Granted it is a tad pricy, but I am of the opinion that it is worth spending a lot on things that you are using every day. I have had mine at least 8 years now, used near daily, and only had to replace the lid assembly once.
Yay! I can actually help with this!
Adagio Teas has my FAVORITE loose leaf teas in the world. It depends what kind of tea she likes to drink, but you can get her a bunch of samples and go from there. You'll also get frequent cup points you can use later if you get some samples.
My favorites are:
(Black teas) Yunnan Gold, Golden Monkey, and Black Dragon Pearl: all chocolatey and rich, I drink them with soy milk and listed from not-very-earthy to smoky-earthy.
(Green teas) Gyokuro, Sencha Overture, and Jasmine Yin Hao: I prefer Japanese steamed greens which are more grassy and vegetal than Chinese pan roasted ones, but if she likes nutty green teas Dragonwell is also great.
(White teas) Silver Needle and White Peony:
Awesome because they're low in caffeine(I was just informed they aren't necessarily lower in caffeine, so let's just say awesome for the sublime nectar-y taste), my white teas have been kind of lonely since it's winter here, but in the summer they're perfect. Apricot liqueur and honeysuckle come to mind.But I'm not a big fan of blends (she may be), or Oolongs, or Pu Erhs, and definitely I don't drink anything not camellia sinensis (like honeybush), and a lot of my favorites are pretty expensive (but so worth it), so if you know she loves peppermint or chamomile by all means do that! If you only got one from Adagio, I would go with yunnan gold undoubtedly. You can get a sample for only $5 and it's heaven. Nobody dislikes this tea, not even people who say they don't like tea!
(And you can use code 6905673943 for $5 off!)
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Next she's going to need a way to brew it. I abhor doing dishes, my mother has made me some wonderful tea cups (she does ceramic pottery) but you can definitely just use the coffee/tea cups you already have to start. If you wanted to make it a cute holiday basket, of course, a tea cup would make the whole thing look adorable. At the risk of sounding like I work for Adagio, a glass cup like this is so perfect because you can watch the color of the tea as it brews which is a great indicator of tea strength!
Since I hate dishes so much, I have ended up using just empty, fill-able tea bags (I get the 2-cup capacity ones here) which is really great for re-steeping because you can just save the tea bag and put it in the fresh water.
Temperature is super important if you're brewing anything other than super robust black teas or herbal teas. For example, I steep my favorite green tea at 170 degrees F, which is a lot cooler than the 212 of boiling water. I bought this thermometer more than a year ago, and I've never had any problems... plus, getting a temp-specific tea kettle is so expensive :/ To walk you through how I personally make my tea:
I'll often put agave sweetener in my tea, and soy milk if it's a black tea.
I have also bought this for steeping and I adore it but it's another dish to do for a student without a dishwasher... It's a spring-loaded receptacle where you place your loose-leaf, and when it's done steeping in the hot water, you put it on top of the teacup. The gravity pushing on the spring releases the tea from the receptacle leaving the leaves and it's really really cool and efficient and you can make more tea at a time... but for a beginner, I would really recommend empty bags.
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Best of luck!
tl;dr Adagio is not a cult
edit: linked to Adagio
So about a year ago I realized how silly it was to pay for k-cups, and moved to this, which is arguably the anti-keureg machine, it has no waste products other then used coffee, and is single serving:
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-49981A-Single-Coffee/dp/B00EI7DPS0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1396275221&sr=8-3&keywords=hamilton+beach+coffee+maker
So it uses two stainless steel filters and that is it, I'm extremely happy with it as an single cup coffee maker.
We have a Rok and love it.
I make a ton of cold brew, both to have nice cold coffee when it's hot out and because my boyfriend is just now getting into coffee and can't handle much bitterness, and i recommend buying a cold brew pitcher! Something like this. I have that exact one and I do about 4 heaping spoonfuls of ground coffee into the mesh cone, then after it sits at room temp for 24 hrs i pour it into a bigger pitcher that is stored in the fridge and refill the mesh with new coffee. The cone does a great job of keeping the majority of the grounds contained so I don't actually have to take the time to filter it, and I can keep it brewing continuously while we drink the brew in the fridge.
The finer the grind the more flavor you'll get but really it'll work regardless so it's up to you. I use about medium-fine. For starting out if you don't want to buy a pitcher before you're sure you want to drink cold brew a lot you can just put grounds in water and after it sits for a day strain through a small strainer lined with a paper towel
It’s apparently a coffee maker , and for being so unique, isn’t priced to badly really.
You're mixing serving temperature for espresso with brewing temperature for other methods. Almost all coffee is ideally brewed in a similar initial water temperature range. That would typically be around of 90-96°C, though it may be preferable to go a bit lower with some coffees. The INEI standard is 88°C ± 2°C, but very few decent cafes prepare espresso that way outside Italy.
A double espresso brewed with a group exit temperature of 93°C is in the low 70s once it's in a well-heated demitasse. Good commercial or home drip brewers like the Bonavita or Technivorm generally have brewed-in-carafe temperatures around 80-85°C, which drops further once the coffee is poured into a mug. There is a lot of heat loss from brewing to brew vessel to serving vessel.
The problem cafes have is that take-out customers often want their coffee unsafely hot in the cup so it will be the right temperature when they drink it 10-15 minutes later. This is particularly frustrating for milk drinks, because once you steam above 60°C it starts tasting scalded rathe than sweet. "Extra hot latte" would make a lot of third wave baristas cringe.
Many grocery stores have an industrial grinder in the coffee section.
Or just buy one. Coffee is so much better fresh ground.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i94ODbDHRHJ79
Hi! If you want to get into tea, I would reccomend starting by watching Alton Brow's episode on tea here. It's a good background on everything involving tea and tea brewing.
If you have a Peet's Coffee near you, you can go and order mugs of tea (brewed with loose leaf). They will give you free hot water refills so you can drink as much as you can handle. You can find a tea you like without having to commit to a huge container.
I prepare my tea in the morning in a tea pot (I have this one, but I don't like it because it's hard to clean) and pour it into a travel mug.
They make travel mugs that are similar to a frech press (here) where you put the leaves and hot water in and just push down a stopper to stop brewing. I'm really picky about the lids on my travel mugs, so I don't own one.
For resusable tea bags, the most popular style is a [tea ball] (http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Stainless-Steel-Mesh-Ball/dp/B00004RIZ7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407090137&sr=8-1&keywords=tea+ball) (although the one I linked is a little too small to allow the tea to fully unfold). They are cheap and fairly easy to clean, but you have to be careful where you store them so they don't get bent up.
They also make tea bags for loose leaf tea. These would be easy to pop into your travel mug. You can also find bags made of muslin that can be washed out, but I don't know where you would do that.
Single serve. I absolutely love this thing.
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-49981A-Single-Coffee/dp/B00EI7DPS0
Yeah. I have one of these now. But all the hate against Keurigs over price is kind of stupid. The cheep-one-upsmanship on /r/frugal is pretty ridiculous.
Handground is marketed specifically to people who like pretty grinders, and is very easy to use, but doesn't have any advantage in grind quality over other grinders that cost half as much.
The Skerton is a well understood and versatile grinder. The knockoffs of the Skerton are of dubious quality, and some of them are not very good at all. If you like the Skerton, but don't want to get caught up in the wave of fakes, buy the Kyocera CM50, which is literally the same grinder, just not rebranded for Hario.
Isn't the Bodum one made in Portugal? Are you wanting a different brand?
Had a Keurig for years (ok, since 2011 when I was gifted one) and recently switched to a single cup drip maker, https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-49981A-Single-Coffee/dp/B00EI7DPS0, couldn't be happier. It's quick, makes great coffee, as weak or as strong as I like, and works without special filters, super quick cleanup. No more stupid kcups staring back at me in the trash. The waste is 100% compostable.
I have this electric kettle and it will boil a full pot in 3 minutes or less.
A 12 dollar coffee grinder then go to an asian store and buy whole spices. Then get some small tupperware tubs to keep the whole spices in. You will make the cost of the grinder back in one trip. For what I would conventionally call spices.
Roughly in that order I guess.
Gaggia Classic - $400 - One of the classic and best cheap espresso machines. Consider trying to find a refurbished or used unit to save money.
You might pair this with:
Baratza Preciso Eletric Grinder - $300 - A reasonable-quality grinder which loosely matches the Classic in budget.
I use a coffee bean grinder which conveniently holds exactly one cup of oats. Such a difference..
No. You might be joking, and some people think a kettle is way cheaper.
People who care about flavor will buy shit like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-CV-DSC40-Hybrid-Boiler-Stainless/dp/B000MAFJRM
I see that in asian homes a lot, right next to the fancy rice cookers.
If the water is too hot like right out of a boiling kettle, it can ruin certain teas. Hotter water leads to more caffeine release and a more bitter flavor as it cooks the leaves, but this is something people pay attention to for green tea mostly. Black tea doesn't really have much of a difference, I'm told. And chai is just whatever. I think you have to be picky about water temps with jasmine though.
It follows the same thing as when we make coffee. If the water is too hot, it will taste worse. Burned, even.
But y'know, if your tongue is blah-whatever about this sort of thing, just use a kettle. :P
Might I recommend T-Sac.
T-Sac Disposable Paper Filter Tea Bags, Size 1, 100 Count https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001BLCIN4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_i8j4Ab10XY90X
What about extending that budget by $30 and getting one of the ones on this list? I can personally vouch for Behmor's customer service, but not their brewer.
Moccamaster $309
Behmor $130
Kitchenaid $144
Kitchenaid $141
Bonavita $130
Bonavita $144
OXO $200
OXO $300
Wilfa $190
Bunn $130
Cuisinart $168
https://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-Maker-Straight-Black/dp/B004EBUZ1A/ref=asc_df_B004EBUZ1A/
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).
The difference in flavour between fresh-ground and pre-ground is like night and day. Even the difference between spices ground in the last hour and three days before is astonishing.
To grind any spice: (1) dry roast on low flame, turning often to make sure there's no burning. (2) Once you start to smell the aromas, and the spice is nicely golden, remove from heat. (3) Once cool, grind (coffee grinders work great). (4) Try to consume at least some of it right away (no, not straight up).
A recipe I love and make often, which uses a fair number of spices is Andhra chicken fry. It illustrates perfectly the power of fresh-ground spices. If you make this with just-ground spices, you'll be blown away. And three days later, if you're lucky enough to have leftovers, this chicken will still be amazing, but you'll see that comparatively, it'll be a dull version of its former blazing avatar.
EDIT: typos, clarification
EDIT: a grinder like this works really well.
I honestly don't see a better alternative than a french press. It might be a tad bit more clunky but this is at the cost of being able to brew more than one cup at a time.
A clever could work as well, if you're into pourovers.
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.
I got one of these Aerolatte mixers and it really comes in handy for my morning BPC coffee. I don't have to fiddle with a blender and it does a good job of giving me foam as well as mixing the fats.
I recommend Zojirushi's water heater, here's one. This is probably the most used appliance in our home, all tea drinkers drinking 6+ cups a day from this heater.
With the caveat that these are def not indie, but they made it possible for me to actually use all the indie loose-leaf tea I acquired... I ran into the same issue, and tried infuser balls but hated cleaning them out. I saw some single-use tea filter bags--these aren't the ones I bought but they're out of those and it's the same idea--and they're working out really well so far! I like that they're compostable and I reeeeally like that I don't have to clean out some fiddly infuser that ends up leaking pieces of tea into my drink anyway and irritates me, defeating the purpose of the tea.
True, but a 120 volt/1750 watt kettle that heats a liter of room temperature water to a boil in 90 seconds ain't shabby.
http://www.amazon.com/T-fal-BF6138US-Balanced-1750-Watt-Temperature/dp/B0086UJQN8/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1410558896&sr=1-1
Looks like it's called a ROK manual espresso maker:
http://www.amazon.com/ROK-ROKMAKER-Manual-Espresso-Maker/dp/B00AV1E0GI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374965113&sr=8-1&keywords=rok+espresso
$200 ain't bad if it makes a good cup...
This is why I simply bought one of these for my desk. My coworkers drink Folgers and Maxwell House anyway. That shit tastes like cigarette butts.
I would check this out out as a good starter option. It has everything you need plus the carafe which is helpful for multiple cups and making iced coffee. The 02 is a good size. Definitely wouldn't go smaller.
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Pour-Coffee-Starter-Clear/dp/B00JJIOJ7E
So one unexpected benefit of the clear one is you can see into a cup that you are using it over, which is helpful for preventing spills if you aren't paying attention to amount of water you are pouring. It also looks cool to see the coffee coming out of the filter and into the funnel. As for heat resistance of the plastic, I'm not sure how it compares so the colored ones (it is a different material), but the clear one is dishwasher safe and I've never seen anyone complain about melting or run off during normal use and cleaning.
You might look into the V60 starter kit on Amazon. Cone, server, and 100 filters for under $20. Pretty good set.
What a steal! I got mine for $250 and considered it a good deal.
links to the things mentioned
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G40VNO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAAJRH1/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZ24BH2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXGXW8O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY2EB10/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I can't say enough good things about this one.
I am an unashamed Sleepytime tea addict...it's a must every night before bed. Yes, it's a mix, but chamomile is the main note. I got one of these and one of these for his recent Happ-Tea Birthday with a bunch of quality loose leaf black teas. He decided he just likes his Red Rose English Breakfast tea bags, so I get to play around with the tea steeper. I quit caffeine, so I haven't tried those, but I've tried Tranquil Dreams so far which I really liked. I think I might get a just straight up chamomile and lavender blend next go around.
Long live tea!! :-D
Hario Skerton $31
Bonavita Variable Temp $50
American Weigh Scales LB3000 $25
Total: $106
You're not going to be able to get an electric burr grinder with your budget. The cheapest, generally acceptable, burr grinder is the Capresso Infinity and it's $100.
This Bonavita kettle is really hard to beat. Not only does it have 6 assorted temperature presets, but you can also manually set it at any temp up to 212°F in 1° increments. It also has a hold feature that will hold your temp for up to an hour before it auto-shuts off.
I was a bit upset that my first one crapped out after only 4-5 months, but it was an open box deal, so who knows what might have happened to it before I got it. They did send me out a replacement pretty quick, no questions asked, so I can't complain too much.
I feel ya on the whole process during the week thing. If you can't bring yourself to streamline the process here's a great, cheap single mug/cup machine
For under 100 you aren't going to find much the enthusiast crowd will accept for a machine, but that one I linked it's fantastic for a quick go in the morning.
pros:
Cons
I’d try using either: a mason jar mesh or a beer making hop sock first, then using a Chemex filter.
Me personally I preferred the mesh filter over the sock, but both did there job
Edit: the links above mainly serve as examples of what I’m talking about rather than the exact brand I recommend
I have this Hario Cold Brew maker. I've had it for about a year. It works great. I recently ordered this mason jar brewer made by County Line Kitchen to make a larger quantity.
There's this on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Brew-Coffee-Maker-Stainless/dp/B01ATJ6AJG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=D9P1IL4H30AP&keywords=mason+jar+cold+brew+coffee+maker&qid=1557491957&s=gateway&sprefix=mason+jar+cold+%2Caps%2C268&sr=8-3
Additionaly:
I know you say that you "only started cooking in the last few months", but make sure you use the freshest spices available. If you have a cabinet (or drawer) full of supermarket spices which are a couple years old - in those cheap plastic bottles - toss them out and get some GOOD ones. I am lucky enough to live near one of the Penzey's Spices stores, but check with people in your city to see what is available.
Whole is better than pre-ground as well since the oils and volatile flavor compounds evaporate away over time once a spice has been ground. Get a coffee grinder to use ONLY for your spices not necessarily this model but something similar. EDIT: Make sure to give it a cleaning with a clean cloth between grinding say...cumin and cinnamon.
Toast your spices gently in a skillet for a minute over low heat just before you grind them. The difference between fresh-toasted whole cumin that you just ground, and a jar which has been sitting in the cabinet for a year is the difference between day and...floor-sweepings!
TL;DR: Buy fresh/whole spices, from a reputable source, grind them yourself just after a light toasting.
coffee grinder.
here's the one i use http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-E160BY-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00006IUX5/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1411023135&sr=8-2&keywords=coffee+grinder
Simple enough. A french press and any ol' electric kettle from Amazon should do just fine. I'd get this french press. You can also get a Hario mini mill grinder if you're willing to hand grind your own coffee. Follow this guide to brew coffee in it. You can make 32oz of coffee in 4-5 minutes.
You need a grinder as well, the grinder is more important than your machine. The closest acceptable set-up for your budget IMO would be a Baratza Preciso and a Gaggia Classic (a fantastic machine once you get a Silvia steam wand which is not hard to install at all).
The Silvia is a great machine but it isn't worth almost twice what the Gaggia costs, unless you have lots of money laying around, in which case you should probably still get the Gaggia and just get a nicer grinder.
Just get this if you enjoy a no-fuss frothy milk/cream experience. Cheap and worth every penny. I've used it almost daily ever since getting it as a gift 5 years ago. It eats AA batteries, but that's what a Costco 40 pack is for. You can use it to mix up marinades and vinaigrettes as well.
Since everyone else has covered the basics and the detailed know how, I will suggest this.
Don't be discouraged if you try something you do not like.
Whole bean and anything not in a can is going to be far superior.
If you want to get serious, get yourself a decent grinder. I have This.
As for a coffee maker use This.
It is simply the best. I have a coffee pot for when I have company, but the Aeropress makes the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted! It is just like a french press and is simply exceptional.
If you visit a coffee shop and they do not roast their own coffee or bring in fresh roasted coffee from somewhere local, leave.
Get some t-sacs or similar and make your own, using "work tea" of your choice?
Are you okay with filling your own bags? It's less annoying than using/cleaning diffusers and you can fill with any tea or dried herbs/fruit you want [compostable]
https://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Filter-Disposable-Infuser-Capacity/dp/B001BLCIN4
I went on amazon.com looking for empty tea bags and what I found works wonders.
T-Sac Disposable Paper Filter Tea Bags, Size 1, 100 Count
http://amzn.com/B001BLCIN4
They hold 3 tea spoons of tea, good for on the go people, and all I do is fill, staple closed and put in my cup before I head out. So easy and the same great taste I want.
https://www.amazon.com/Kyocera-Advanced-Ceramic-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B003S9XF7K?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
I use this one. It's possible the bottom container will break as it is glass, but it fits on regular mouth mason jars as well. I have seen absolutely no signs of age on this guy.
Here is my ranking, in order of descending importance, of the variables involved in making a batch in a press:
So I started with the Yama, but thought it would be a fun project to try to make something from scratch. Had to turn to chem glassware, which is a little pricey but I think looks cool. I used a separatory funnel, Buchner funnel, and Florence flask.
Glassware ended up costing about $83, and I used the ring stand we had in the science lab at school.
I'm about to pull the trigger on a Bonavita BV1800 8-Cup Coffee Maker No timer but it's better to grind right before you brew. I guess you can get an appliance timer.
Bodum French Press and a Hario Buono kettle are probably enough to get you started. French press will be a bit more forgiving when it comes to brewing and you can probably keep your current grinder until you decide if you like it. Just make sure to try and keep the grind fairly coarse. Might take some playing around with. Cheers!
Amazon's deal of the day, Bodum Chambord 8 cup French Press Coffee Maker, 34 oz., Chrome
You could definitely go the keurig or mr. Coffee route, there should be some decent sales coming up on those soon.
Be aware that the keurig systems have caught some flack for the amount of waste that they produce. Each individual serving cup can't be recycled, and if you get one of the newest keurigs, they have a special chip in the cup that has to be used for the system to actually brew. So no more knock off K-cups.
My girlfriend also loves coffee and tea. In the past I have given her a french press to make coffee, which is going to be cheaper than a keurig and makes a much better tasting cup of coffee. It's much more hands on than just hitting a button too. This is the one I got her. http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Chambord-Coffee-Press-demitasse/dp/B00008XEWG. You can probably find a cheaper one if you do some digging online. This and a fresh bag of coffee would make a great gift. Extra points if you go whole bean coffee and get her a grinder too.
As for tea, if you are around a Teavana, this little guy is awesome. http://www.teavana.com/tea-products/tea-makers-infusers/p/teavana-red-perfectea-maker. You pour water and your tea into it, let it infuse, and then you put that on top of your mug and a pressure switch allows the tea to filter out the bottom without mess or tea fibers floating through. This is on sale right now and paired with a nice bag of loose tea would be a good route to go! Hope this is helpful! r/coffee and r/tea are great places to learn more!
Even a barebones setup that will be frustrating to use is something like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Semi-Automatic-Pannarello-Cappuccino/dp/B0001KOA4Q - Gaggia Classic ($400)
https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Sette-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B01G82WVZ0 - Sette 270 ($379)
Not exactly your $600 window, but not insanely far off.
While it's a decent first machine... the Gaggia Classic, IMO, is frustrating to use...but can make a good espresso shot here and there, but will, in general, not be able to make shots back to back or steam at the same time as making a shot (and honestly not even for a minute or so after very well) and the steam tip is not great...and the portafilter that comes with it is frustrating.
You can do some modifications to the Gaggia Classic to make it better - the ones that come to mind are the Silvia V1 steam wand, a bottomless pressureless portafilter, and a PID to reduce the temperature surfing. These all require more money, time, and skill on your part to mod your machine into something that is significantly better than the out of the box experience.
There's really no way around it that good espresso requires funding. Your local (good) coffee shop probably has a $1500-2750 grinder (or two) and a $9000-18000 espresso machine.... along with all the water filtration and miscellaneous hardware that goes with it.
My third batch of cold brew. 2:1 dil coffee:water. 450g of SF Bay French Roast with 3.78L Crystal Geyser.
Recently switched from the office coffees. Keurig to the self operating Gagia espresso machine using Cafe Umbria beans. I'm pretty pleased with what I can make at home.
Definitely - almost as much as normal brewed tea. You don't need an official whisk if you're not doing the ceremony: I use an electric Aerolatte frother - buzz it for 10 seconds and you're done.
You can have it cold too: mix the powder with first with just a small amount of cold water - enough to form a wet paste - and then pour in the rest of the cold water and stir/shake to combine. Instant iced green tea.
Depending on how much you go through (to make shipping worth it): Ippodo Tea has good prices of many different grades. Their bottom tier is a bit astringent, but the second-to-bottom is quite nice and affordable. That's what I normally drink.
Don't get me started on Teavana. ಠ_ಠ
Your poor friend! I'm glad he was able to recover!! I now work as a nurse, and I plan on shamelessly stealing your hilariously accurate observation of severe swelling. "Doctor, I believe this man has an edema grade of Homer Simpson."
Also, unless you really like the taste of Arizona Tea, you could make yourself gallons of the stuff on your own for a fraction of the price! All you need:
-Depending on the size of your pitcher, you want to use one MEASURING teaspoon per 8oz (1 cup) water. Example: 1/2 gallon pitcher = 8 cups = 8 teaspoons tea. It won't look like much, but you don't need a lot! Using too much loose tea is a common mistake, which doesn't improve the flavor a whole lot and just costs extra money!
-Put that tea into the empty paper teabag (don't fill more than half full, if it's more than that, use an additional bag) and fold the open end shut. Secure it with one or two staples.
-Throw your homemade tea bag into your pitcher, fill your pitcher with COLD water, add whatever sweetener you prefer (I like honey and a slice of lemon, yum!) and put it in the fridge overnight.
-In the morning, take the teabag out, along with anything else you put in (lemon slices, cinnamon sticks, some people get real crazy!) and BAM. Homemade iced tea! It will stay good in the fridge for up to a week and you just spent way less than buying it prepared while making it exactly how you want!
> I'm sure you're tired of noobs asking for help here, so thanks again :)
Not at all. I'm happy to see noobs asking, it means the community is growing.
>I'm sure at some point some of you were preparing tea just like me,
Yup, you bet your bottom dollar I was.
>what did you change since then?
Order in small amounts, it will help keep both the tea and your palate 'fresh'. Plus vendor offerings change with the seasons.
>How do you weigh your tea? One way would be to prepare 1l cans instead of a cup, then I could use a regular kitchen scale and would not have to fiddle with the digital spoon.
Personally? I don't, I eyeball it. In my itsy bitsy gaiwan I add enough dry tea leaves to cover the bottom.
For your purposes though I would recommend getting some storage tins and some very small plastic baggies. You can sit down and weigh out a bunch of individual servings and bag them and store them in your tin; when you're craving tea all you have to do is grab one of the baggies, drop it in and you're good to go.
>I could use a bigger tea infuser where the tea could unfold completely.
You absolutely positively have to be doing this no matter what. Give the leaves space to breathe, no matter the brewing method.
> I really want to step it up this year, and get something citrus-y and refreshing for the summer (any recommendations?) that's delicious cold.
Send a private message to Liquid Proust Teas on Etsy (I linked to him in my other comment), super friendly guy, great prices, even better tea and he can do custom blends for you. He has some really interesting blends, like the Fake Mead which has powdered honey in it. (Paging /u/LiquidProustTeas).
A cheap gooseneck kettle and a plastic Hario V60. You will need filters too.
If you want to spend a little more this set has it all.
Keep in mind that a scale is extremely helpful too. If you don’t want to spend the money on a grinder, which everyone is going to recommend, just get pre-ground, quality coffee. I recommend HappyMug online. Happy Mug makes great coffee and will grind it for you before shipping. They also have an awesome little timer for $5 that is helpful at first If you’re using your phone for recipes and stuff.
I have [this one,] (http://www.amazon.com/T-fal-Balanced-1750-Watt-Electric-Temperature/dp/B0086UJQN8/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1416434273&sr=1-2&keywords=electric+kettle) and I love it and it will turn cold water into hot water faster than you can say "OMG that was fast!"
It's also cute, if you're into that sort of thing.
Gas burners can have different levels of heat output. Get the model number of your stove and lookup the burner output in the specifications section of the owners manual.
The design of the pot base and how it's positioned over the gas burner can have a big impact on its efficiency and effectiveness to absorb and transfer the heat. A burner that's too small may not output enough heat to boil water quickly when the pot is also too big and ends up distributing the heat too well, causing a lot of the heat to be released invisibly through evaporation and air cooling of the side of the pot.
Imagine how a single candle flame might be enough heat to easily and quickly boil water in a small glass test tube, but it might only slightly warm up a large cast iron pan. The heat output is the same, but the heating effect on the liquid depends on how concentrated that heat can become.
The concentration and amount of heat are related but different things. If you want to quickly boil several gallons of water, you'll need a lot of heat and an efficient way of transferring it. You might find it worthwhile to buy an electric water kettle that's specifically designed to boil water quickly (and with auto shutoff). However, you should learn about the capacity of the electric circuits in your kitchen, as well as how those circuits are wired to the outlets. Most circuits in the USA are 120 volts with a 15 or 20 amp breaker. Most kitchen appliances are designed to stay within the current limits without tripping the breaker. They do this by limiting their power use to share the power in a circuit better, but at the sacrifice of not being faster or better by using the max amount of power they can.
Therefore, a lot of electric kettles use from 800 to 1,500 watts. If you look for a "quick boil" feature, these kettles use 1,750-1,800 watts. Some also have double-wall insulation, stainless-steel or glass, and other features that affect the speed of boiling, keeping it hot, and cleaning it.
I have a couple of these TFal electric kettles. They're close to the max power, the temp is adjustable, the kettle is cordless to the base (which has the cord), it has auto shutoff, and it's easy to clean with a bit of vinegar and a sponge, since the top opens up enough to reach inside to access the stainless steel heating element.
You can also get a good stovetop kettle, but you should match it to the burner sizes you have.
This was my starter kettle, the variable temp is not the best, nor is it accurate, but it works great to boil.
you even have money left over for an in-mug infuser.
I use the Nissan Tea Thermos to steep and store hot tea at work. I also added a good electric kettle and my favorite tea to make the work day fly.
These are more fun! I got my mom this one for Christmas last year. I'm not sure how well they work compared to standard infusers, but they are fun!
It's not much worse than this. Why you you want someones undercarriage steeping in your beverage?
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-7-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Electric/dp/B008YE3RNG/
Not gooseneck, but otherwise the same.
It's a great kettle, especially if you're doing pour-overs (I have one).
If you don't do pour-overs or aren't thinking about getting into pour-overs, though, I'd save money and go for a non-gooseneck one. [This one] (http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-7-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Electric/dp/B008YE3RNG/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1414513925&sr=8-4&keywords=bonavita) is basically the same thing, just without the gooseneck, at less than half the price.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-7-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Electric/dp/B008YE3RNG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418624608&sr=8-3&keywords=bonavita+electric+kettle
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.
We have the Bonavita 1.7L electric kettle
Variable temp kettles are a definite requirement for the tea enthusiast.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008YE3RNG?pc_redir=1412262025&robot_redir=1
Not quite preset temperatures, but control of the temperature. $29.99 with Amazon prime! Very easy to pour, well worth it, and I'm someone who switched to this from a Breville One Touch.
There are a million (good content) owner reviews (in addition to questions and answers) on Amazon for the ROK unit. Your question is worded much more broadly, however: Many espresso machines can be modded to run on propane (to heat the boiler) as opposed to electricity. (The Astoria Gloria is one example where you can buy it from the factory in a propane configuration, or get a propane conversion kit to allow you to run it either way.) This can be very useful if you are running a mobile coffee cart and don't have AC electrical service available. In those cases you can use a 12V deep cycle battery and an inverter to run your electric grinder all day long. There are also RV refrigerators that can run on propane or 110V if you need cooling "off the grid".
The problem with recommending a machine is that you have to have an espresso capable grinder first for most machines. Fresh roasted whole beans > Grinder > Machine. I recommend the Flair because the deeper, narrower basket means you don't have to grind as fine as something with (or near) a standard 58mm portafilter, therefore you might be able to get away with something as inexpensive as a refurbished Encore (when they're in stock). If you have an espresso capable stepless manual grinder (Lido, Commandante, Aergrind, etc.) or stepless electric grinder (Refurbished Sette 270 and above) you could also go with a ROK or Robot manual machines, but personally I still think the Flair is better as it's easier to heat up. For a pump machine, there's really only one under $500 I'd recommend, that I know of, and that's the Gaggia Classic, due to the fact that it can do standard commercial shots as well as pressurized portafilter shots. If you're handy, you could also trawl your used marketplaces for a machine, I've seen people get amazing deals on r/espresso that just needed some cleaning or an inexpensive part.
You can have a real espresso with no electricity needed, I'm going to make a try to this one : https://www.amazon.com/ROK-Presso-Manual-Espresso-Maker/dp/B00AV1E0GI
College student here!
I personally use a French press in my room with a hot water kettle (I live in a dorm). For my grinder I use a Khaw-Fee HG1B Manual Coffee Grinder with a Blue Horse upgrade kit. As far as beans go, I recommend going around to local rosters and try one bag at a time; the only way to find out what you like is to try as much as you can.
When I have a little extra time I use my Rok Espresso press, which I have found to work great in the dorm. It's easy to use and clean, pulls a decent shot, and is nearly indestructible.
Grinder: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01A6CP1HI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517663256&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=khawfee+grinder&dpPl=1&dpID=41-m2sv1nxL&ref=plSrch
Blue Horse Upgrade Kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B012HDKKQ6/ref=ya_aw_oh_bia_dp?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Rok Espresso Press: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AV1E0GI/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1517663717&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=rok+espresso&dpPl=1&dpID=41J1GlEZmpL&ref=plSrch
(Sorry for like/lack of hyperlinks, I'm on mobile)
Id buy a Hario v60! Pretty portable and cheap. Produces good coffee, (ask wherever you get your beans to grind it at a 6-7.5 setting.)
For sheer price and ease of brew consistency, the plastic v60 comes in three forms: dripper only ($7-8), the V60 Decanter ($24), or the V60 Starter Kit ($20).
Depending on gift budget, you may also want to consider a gooseneck kettle if your boyfriend doesn't already have one.
I like coffee gear for aesthetics in addition to their function, though, so I have a couple of special Hario v60 drippers - a sky blue ceramic, and a Mandarin orange ceramic one. Obviously way more breakable than the plastic/metal ones, but I liked the looks of them way more.
Do you have any idea why the starter kit is cheaper than the dripper itself? Are they the same dripper?
Pair a Breville Infuser with a Breville Smart Grinder Pro. I've been using the Infuser for 3+ years myself and it's satisfied my needs entirely (for making both espresso and milk-based beverages). While I have no experience with the Smart Grinder Pro, I've heard good things about it, and its at a solid price point.
If you're looking at a Baratza grinder I'd recommend at minimum a Preciso because the burr set is far superior to that of the Encore (more consistent grinding), and its micro-adjustment ring allows for fine-tuning of the grind for better espresso. That being said, the Preciso is being replaced by the new Sette models in late summer, so you might be able to find a discounted Preciso soon-ish.
You need to have room in your budget for a grinder. That being said, that would put the Astra out of your preferred budget. But it does seem like an excellent machine for the price point (no experience here).
If you're wanting to do primarily milk drinks, and concerned about ease, the Brevillle Double Boiler is <$1,000 now. But that leaves no room for a decent grinder - the Breville Smart Grinder Pro is about all that would fit into your budget. A nice upgrade on grinder to a Baratza Sette 270 will set you back another $200.
If you need to save money, consider the Breville Infuser rather than the DB.
Lots of folk will encourage you to look at more commercial duty machines that have simpler maintenance, and in the long run they're correct. But if you only have what you have, that's a pretty good bang for your buck. The machine will probably not be as long-lasting as one of the E61 HX machines, but there's not many out there in your budget. There are a few, like the Lelit Mara but that one doesn't have a very long history like some of the more commonly-recommended machines (that are also more pricey).
If you need to use your own coffee, first you need to have a premium burr grinder, so that you will have the ability to produce nice creamy shots. To refill your Nespresso capsules, the grind size of the coffee is a super important factor to produce satisfactory results. The biggest change for third party refillable capsules is to maintain the pressure during the brewing. I will recommend you looking into those two products. Both of them will produce an exceptionally good shot if you control the coffee weight and the coffee grind size. Also, i provide you with a link for a good entry level grinder and capsule filling station. Hope that helps.
My-Cap oPack - 4 Capsules and 200 Non-Adhesive Foils for Nespresso OriginalLine Brewers (NOT for VertuoLine Brewers), Reusable, Refillable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8M941Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Wmn4Cb48E6BAF
Capsul'in MYCNCCB100 100 Piece Fillable Espresso Tea and Coffee Compatible Pod, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D36PQ9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Hon4Cb0MC0Y29
My-Cap Capsule Filler for Nespresso® OriginalLine Capsules (NOT for VertuoLine Capsules) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074JJF313/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rpn4CbFDCR492
Breville BCG820BSSXL The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4pn4Cb1Z0PZ8T
Must thank /u/nom_deguerre for the comments made in this [thread] (https://www.reddit.com/r/coldbrew/comments/5159wk/made_my_first_batch_and_its_sludgy/)
Been experimenting for several weeks using the ball jar and paper filter method and had amazing beginners luck. Really rich pleasant coffee, actually slightly sweet, no acid. So convinced I was on the right track I bought one of these 64oz Cold Brewer from Amazon. First batch NOPE! All the little subtle flavors were gone. None of the little interesting nuances that made it taste like a coffee shop were gone. The stainless steel sleeve that filters the grounds from the brew had to be the culprit as that is the only thing I did different. Made 2 more small batches to confirm and the Stainless Steel Filter batch was tasteless. So now I roughly follow their ratio of two cups coarsely ground beans and fill the large Ball Jar to the top. Tightly closed I shake it it a few times the first day, top it off as the coffee absorbs some of the water and then leave it in a shady corner for 16 to 24 hours. Filter it with paper filters into smaller Ball jars and cut with water, milk, or just ice for ice coffee. Makes enough coffee to last the two of us several days. This is the first recipe I used to make the little batches NYTimes but adjust everything till you find it to be to your liking.
tldnr: filtered water, coarse grind, no metal, paper filters.
Yes, but save your money: http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-E160BY-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00006IUX5/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1321896631&amp;sr=1-2
I fucking hate the tin it comes with. It always gets stuck because the design of the grinder itself is fundamentally flawed.
There's a small lip that traps weed in the grinder. If you give the grinder a smack against a hard surface when you're done using it, you'll find that a not insignificant amount of weed was trapped inside it.
So you place your grinder in the tin, the weed escapes and the tin gets humid, sticky and gummed down.
Which is extra annoying because if you're not at home, you often don't have your other grinder or a place to store this excess weed. So you either have to waste it (rip) or keep it in the tin which causes this.
Do yourself a favour and just buy a cheap coffee grinder and just store the ground weed in a pill bottle or something. Weed that's on the drier side is better to vape anyway so you shouldn't worry too much about using freshly ground stuff like you do when rolling a joint.
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!
Sukulaiskahvituksiin? Pressopannu. 8 kupin bodumi on aivan loistava vehje. Ja tulee himaan kannettuna amazonista aika halvalla (30.05e) https://www.amazon.de/Bodum-chambord-Kaffeebereiter-Tassen-schwarz/dp/B00008XEWG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1481666540&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=bodum+chambord
Myllyksi Wilfan WSCG-2. Hinnat jossain 80e luokilla.
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.
No problem! A lot of places like Teavana tend to take people for a ride for "meh" tea hardware, the gear I use for brewing at home is just these things:
That's all you really need to get started making damn good cups of tea! I don't go for anything fancy like PID controlled kettles or anything, if it tastes too bitter, take the water off the kettle earlier or let it sit after it shuts itself off for a few seconds, but most everything can handle boiling fine.
Get a French press or a moka pot if you want espresso. Both super easy and take minimal counter/cupboard space and they make coffee as good if not better than a machine.
Keurigs are BAD and anyone who says otherwise is a poor.
I have the Bodum 8 Cup French Press here
I bought a $500 espresso machine and it sits unused in a closet. What we're saying is that good home espresso machines are very expensive.
Now, if you want espresso like coffee, you might try a Vietnamese Coffee Maker.
You can try an aeropress, which I don't particularly care for, but makes small, strong coffees.
Now, I've heard good things about the mypressi, but haven't had a chance to try one. This is probably the cheapest decent espresso shot puller you can find.
For a true espresso machine, /r/coffee recommends the Baby Gaggia. I haven't tried this one, either.
I think the bog standard espreso machine falls between:
The Gaggia Classic $387 and the Rancilio Silvia $629
You already have a great grinder. you could save up a bit for a plumed semi-commercial E61 machine $1500-$2000+
Keurig is still a step up from your usual drip coffee sludge. The problem here is that the market of homebrewers is a lot smaller than coffee drinkers and the cost barrier is a lot higher. A starting out coffee drinker is probably willing to spend a hundred bucks to get a better cup of coffee, then maybe move on to something better later on. This thing requires an investment comparable to what you would for a high end all grain system and a keggerator. How many new brewers are going to be willing to do that when they might do two beers and then give up?
My take is that this thing would only be worth having if I built it myself. Then it's more in the vein of an automated HERMS system, which is something I could see doing some day.
WLL sells the older model Classic.
I'm not sure if all US models (i.e. from Amazon) are like this or not, but some of the Classic experts here should be able to enlighten you.
Depends on your budget. A few that I've seen /r/Coffee recommend are:
Saeco Aroma
Gaggia Classic
Crossland CC1
But keep in mind that the Grinder is more important than the machine. A solid coffee grinder that can offer a consistent find grind will cost you at least 300 bucks.
Also, you should look into tamping, understanding PIDs, and knowing about different portafilters and what they are capable of.
Espresso is the last thing I'm planning to touch because of the sheer effort and spectacularly high price requirements for a college student such as myself.
I have a Kuerig, I place the butter, mct, and some truvia in my cup and hit brew.
After, I use this item http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-Original-Electric-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK to blend in the cup, quick and easy and QUIET.
Would one of those milk frother things work? like this there are really cheap ones out there I was just too lazy to look. Like $5 cheap....
A Siphon brewer, one of many newly popular coffee brewing methods. I'm interested in trying it for tea as well.
Found it at Amazon for $72.50.
This one's about $67 on Amazon, assuming you're States-side. A bit pricy, especially if you compare to your regular drip-carafe coffee machines like Mr. Cawfee or Blank and Deckart, which are like, $25 each.
But value is subjective. I'm certainly saving for one myself (prices in India are even crazier)
Thank you that makes a huge difference being in daylight. I have a coffee syphon that uses methanol but inside you can see the flame well like in the first part of the video.
All of my kratom is sold STRICTLY not for human consumption but this is what I use to make my super potent Kava tea.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IKLQZK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
You can thank me later ;)
I either use my Tassimo and just run it without a coffee pod, OR, I whip out my Insta-Water-Heater-Thingy
Everyone around here is rabid for the zojirushi ones. I can't vouch for them personally, but I don't think I've ever heard a bad thing about the brand.
This one looks like it matches your criteria
I was literally going to reply "this is such an asian thing" and link him to one of these bad boys
I've used T-Sac "disposable tea infusers" and they work pretty well. I don't think I'd use them with a tightly-rolled oolong, because they're not as roomy as a metal infuser. But other than that, they're acceptable.
Regarding tea bags and their (possible lack of) quality, get yourself a box of t-sac filters and make your own tea bags: https://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Filter-Disposable-Infuser-Capacity/dp/B001BLCIN4
Just an example link, I'm sure you can get it much cheaper. Also, they're available in local tea stores worldwide. They come in three sizes so you can comfortably brew tea with larger leaves as well.
are you sure it wasn't just a low quality water bottle you tasted from?
I have 3 Klean Kanteens I use for all kinds of things and none of them leave a flavor behind because its just steel and no plastic lining that collects off flavors. Are you sure it wasnt a cheap lining? my first reccomendation would be a insulated klean kanteen. Its by far been my favorite and I've been through a lot of tea mugs.
If you're set on glass though I owned [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Lifefactory-Glass-Beverage-Bottle-Turquoise/dp/B004C3LVXQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1427182808&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=16oz+glass+water+bottle
) for a while before I moved to metal and it held up well and the coating was nice to protect my hands from hot drinks. I was always careful to prewarm it but I never had it crack when I was lazy a few times. It DID shatter when it went flying out of my backpack side pocket like 10ft onto a concrete hill...but if you're set on glass it would be my choice. I usually make my own teabags from cheesecloth or this stuff to steep on the go.
another cheap option is to get something like this
and buy a mason jar. That way when it shatters, you can just get another jar for very cheap.
edit: Also with the mason jar you can just use something like this
gives you a better quality brew to go and lets you control how long you brew a little easier and better than french press style mugs imo.
I'd suggest buying some t-sacs, at least to use up the tea you have without wasting it. You could also try lining your basket with a coffee filter (basically the same thing as pictured), or folded cheesecloth.
I'm in my 20s. I like the headphone idea. Someone suggested Sennheisers and I totally second that motion. I went with a more expensive model (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323964715&amp;sr=1-3) and I LOVE them. If he's into music and gaming, these are a godsend.
Not sure exactly your son's living situation, but I live on my own and I tend to err on the side of lazy. Because of this, I'm almost always running low on basic bathroom supplies. New toothbrushes, new razors, shampoo, soap, extra bath towels, those kinds of things. Heck, when I first moved out, I went without a shower mat for almost a year. And ceramic tiles are freaking cold.
As I hit my 20's I discovered coffee and all it's amazing wonder. If your son did too, he may like getting a legitimate coffee making kit. I'm talking a decent french press, a ceramic burr grinder, and a kettle (I just use a pot for now, so I don't have any specific suggestions yet). If you really wanna get fancy and you have the money, you could even get him an electric kettle so he has complete temperature control. And if you're ordering that stuff on amazon, I would get a bag of some well reviewed whole beans. I like the Kicking Horse roasting company, but that's just me.
I also wanted to take a moment and suggest basic kitchen supplies. Like the bathroom supplies, these things tend to go unstocked or simply ignored in my house. Things like a good frying pan or a nice sized pot for making pasta. A brita filter with a few extra cartridges. Extra dish soap. Extra sponges. Even kitchen towels for drying hands/dishes (I currently use an old shirt :/ ). I also would suggest things that make cheap food taste better. I'm talking a pepper mill, some garlic salt, onion salt, basic herbs, and a good hot sauce. My brother was always partial to Chulula, but I tend to just go with whatever Trader Joe's has.
Hope this helps!
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.
Getting really good espresso for $200 is near impossible to do, but you can pick up one of the lower end Gaggia machines for just over $200 (and they look quite nice IMO).
This only solves half of the problem though--you need a grinder too. The cheapest grinder that will get you a proper grind for espresso is probably a Kyocera hand grinder.
I started using a cheap coffee grinder (they’re good for grinding your own dried chilies, but I don’t like the grind quality for spices), then a mortar and pestle (too much work for some spices).
Then I switched to a ceramic burr coffee grinder and love it! It’s great for small and large batches, and gives a very consistent grind. I double grind difficult spices like coriander, cloves, and cardamom, but it works through cumin, allspice, black pepper, and fennel with little effort.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003S9XF7K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
You just need one of these now.
Do you mean something like this?
I can't answer your question but if you mean that sort of thing that's a really neat design and I'm gonna need one.
http://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-Maker-Straight-Black/dp/B004EBUZ1A
I don't think you can get a good espresso machine at that price.
Does she like drip coffee? Because you can actually do pretty well for that much. The Bonavita is supposed to be really good.
1469, Because that is how much I got. :)
I'm getting a kitchenaide mixer with my tax money, and would love to add a coffee/spice grinder to my collection. :)
You need this coffee grinder for all those mornings after you party like a rock star.
At first I was like, "Nigga you high," but then I googled it. Fuck grinders, I'm getting one.
Best investment I ever made
Woah, I've heard of vitamixes before but thats great that they can last for years and years! Have you tried a coffee grinder? I'm sure you can find them cheap, maybe even at a goodwill or a garage sale. I've seen on the food network that they use them for spices as well as coffee and it makes the spices into almost a dust. However you may not be able to do much at a time.
this guy
Dump everything(dry) in there and it turns the shit to dust.
The first time ever I used pretty high quality stuff, but the other times it was just regular, nothing spectacular. I used a coffee grinder to bust it up. These things knock the crystals off the weed as well, so i brushed all those into the mix as well. You could make a decent tray of brownies with 14g of decent buds. You just have to eat a little more of it. I think if you ate the equivalent of 1g in a brownie then you would feel pretty high, so 14 grams would make 14 brownies. The high is really good, make sure you don't have anything to do for 8 hours or so.
This works much better IMO and it's a fraction of the price. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IUX5/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Cheap in price, not in quality. This shit grinds my abv to a powder in a few seconds and is super small for storage.
Boil water on the stove and switch to a French press. You'll never want go back to drip coffee.
I bought this one and it definitely costs more, but it's pretty big and I like it quite a bit
Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker, 1 Liter, 34 Ounce, Chrome https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008XEWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gxnXDbPSXZA0Y
I don't know if this would work in Brazil, but where I live I frequently see french presses in thrift shops. I think people get them as gifts and don't know how to use them or something. I've always had good luck with the basic bodum french press. Or if you want to get fancier, the bodum chambord is the same but looks a little nicer. I've had some no name ones too but there's really no difference in taste
Does it populate for specific products or comparable products? For instance, let's say I'm searching for a french press. Will I only be priced matched for this specific product, or will I be alerted for other deals?
I have a Bodum French Press. I don't think I know how to make coffee. It all seems to taste the same to me. Is there like water to coffee quantity measurement guide I can follow?
Double boiler. Nice.
I got this, which I guess is more than $200 like I thought (Christmas gift). Still, it looks cozy and brews well.
https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-Semi-Automatic-Pannarello-Cappuccino-Frothing/dp/B0001KOA4Q
Is this what you're referring to? Wouldnt I need a coffee grinder as well then?
I had a Gaggia Classic imported via US Amazon last year. I’ve been using it as is (no electrical converter) twice a day for over a year now. Love it! I upgraded the factory steam wand to the Rancilio Silvia by watching YouTube tutorials. Also, if you check my post history, I asked a similar question in r/coffee last year.
Here’s a link:
Gaggia 14101 Classic Semi-Automatic Espresso Maker. Pannarello Wand for Latte and Cappuccino Frothing. Brews for Both Single and Double Shots. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001KOA4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JN1sDb1AW1EJH
Budget the grinder first. Since you're OK with used, I recommend the Coffeegeek Buy/Sell/Trade forum. The Silvia is a very nice machine, but I think the price has gotten a little high. I've tasted and enjoyed the output of a Le'lit PL041, which is a very similar machine. I can't speak to its durability, though. I owned a Gaggia Classic for a long time and it was a great machine. It was modified with a PID controller for better temperature control.
I think either of those is a better deal than a Silvia and leaves more budget for a grinder, which is far more important than the machine. All the machines at this price point are a little finicky; a great grinder will make a much bigger difference than any of the differences between the individual machines.
I have been lurking around this sub for months researching my first espresso machine. The gist of what I found is:
https://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Semi-Automatic-Pannarello-Cappuccino/dp/B0001KOA4Q/
Welcome to the rabbit hole of espresso drinks :)
Edit for formatting and adding link to Gaggia Classic.
Seattle Coffee Gear are just an operation aimed at shifting lots of machines. I wouldn't necessarily trust their advice (or at least I wouldn't rely on it wholly given that their main aim is to get you to buy, not necessarily buy the right thing). The grinder is not really espresso suitable, and to suggest it "matches" the machine it is embedded in is slightly disingenuous of them.
$600 is not a bad budget for setting yourself up. Buying used would get you a very decent set up for that money (check my recent post history for a link to a long ramble on how to do that). But if you are buying new, I'd look seriously at my grinder first (its the most important bit of your set up) and aim for something like this as a grinder - the Lelit P53 is a really decent entry level espresso grinder and currently exceptionally priced http://www.1st-line.com/store/pc/Lelit-PL53-Fred-Espresso-Coffee-Grinder-doserless-stepless-12p1979.htm An alternative might be the Baratza Preciso, which sells as a refurb on the Baratza site for around $249 when they have stock in. Baratza have a reputation for excellent customer service, so you can buy refurb from them with a lot of confidence.
That would leave $350-370 for a machine, which would get you this http://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Classic-Espresso-Stainless/dp/B0001KOA4Q/ and leave you some spare change for some coffee beans. Or you could buy the original Classic model for a few $$ more which some coffee geeks seem to rate slightly more than the 2015 model - there are some here http://www.amazon.com/GAGGIA-CLASSIC-ESPRESSO-COFFEE-MACHINE/dp/B0000C72XS
The Classic is a...classic. Its a massively known and understood machine, with a huge user community able to advise and help on its quirks and foibles. Its capable of being hacked and modded to improve its performance, and even unpacked is a pretty decent bit of kit to start out and learn on.
Having said ALL of that, if what you want to do is to make caramel lattes, espresso quality and upgradeability may not be your primary concern, as milk and sugar mask espresso pretty well, which may mean that - in fact the Barista Express is indeed the best option out there for you :-)
To be honest you can't buy anything that makes real espresso for anywhere near that price. This is the cheapest machine I could recommend buying that is labeled as an espresso machine. I would look into an Aeropress, It makes a very strong espresso like coffee, as it uses some pressure. It's honestly your best option around that price. You can go the moka pot route which blabberingparrot mentioned; however, these are a little more difficult to use and require a stove. Another good option at the price point, but not espresso, is a Chemex, amazing way to make strong black coffee. French press as well.
Gaggia Classic might be what you're looking for. Baratza encore can work for espresso grinds, but if you can you may want to go for the higher up models in Baratza's line.
Try an aerolatte frother. I put the mct, butter, half and half and sweetener in my tall mug, heat it for long enough to melt the butter, then froth with the aerolatte frother. Then I brew my coffee into the mug. No muss no fuss.
https://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-Original-HandHeld-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK
I use one of those small battery powered milk frothers, works great..
http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-56AL3SAT-Milk-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK
A moka pot and a milk frother can fit the bill. It's not an automated machine, but if you can boil water on the stove, you have all the skills you really need.
I have something like this and this. They total about $50.
Edit: fixed link
I do exactly what you do, but when i put it in my blender bottle for the day I use this (before putting in the blender ball)
http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-56AL3SAT-Milk-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK
which helps immensely. I also found that adding a scoop of whey protein to the pitcher smooths it out and gives it a little teeny bit of sweetness and flavor, which I like. I also drink it with a straw, you can put it in the back of your throat and just drink it straight down instead of coating the inside of your mouth with grit
Not if you mix it with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-56AL3SAT-Milk-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1420906463&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=hand+held+mixer+battery
There are a couple of other options for getting some froth.
You could spend a lot less (about 10 dollars or less) and get a handheld frother like this. I've got one, and it does the job. I mean, it is not as good as well made froth, obviously, but it's super cheap and easy and works.
Another thing you can do is a tip I saw on /r/coffee I think and that is put milk (warm, preferably) in a french press then pump the french press. This is a hassle in terms of cleaning up but is a great alternative. I did it the other day and it made some pretty great froth, I was surprised. Again, it's not going to be the best froth and foam ever, but it was a surprisingly good fix!
for people on the go, or who don't have blenders at their workplace.
http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-56AL3SAT-Milk-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK/ref=sr_1_7?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1420576600&amp;sr=1-7&amp;keywords=milk+frother
If it helps, I love Unicorn Blood, and I grind my own using this grinder and I've never had an issue with taste.
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
Okay, so, quick and cheap. Done deal.
So, out of all the brew methods that are cheap and easy, well, the French press. I'm gonna assume you want dirt cheap and brand new.
Option 1: $8.99
French Press Coffee & Tea Maker with Heat Proof and Stainless Steel Filter, 11 Oz / 350ml https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JK15COE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_q7AXzb7AY716Z
Option 2: $13.99
Golden French Press (34 oz, 4 mugs) French Coffee Press With Double Filter And Stainless Steal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KN1VUZE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_V9AXzbJQVB16J
Now, you need a grinder, one that will give you the coarse grind you need for the French press.
Option 1: $13.30
KRUPS F203 Electric Spice and Coffee Grinder with Stainless Steel Blades, 3-Ounce, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004SPEU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4-AXzb9S5J6SB
It looks like the cheapest grinder I have ever seen, but, you wanted cheap, so, there you go. Few seconds pressed down and you'll get your coarse grind. That's the flaw as well, you can't set or dial in your grind, simply, grind a little bit more to get it finer.
Option 2: $19.99
Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Electric Coffee Grinder with Multi Settings, IDS77 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JbBXzb5P629BK
Still cheap, but, you can adjust the grind size.
Total cost: $22.30- $33.99, excluding shipping.
Also, they have other sellers who sell it cheaper, or, used, but, that's up to you if you want to take the risk.
I don't vouch for these grinders in any way, however, I feel once you go down this journey of brewing for yourself, you will become hooked as we all have. Have fun, explore, try different coffees. I know there's a journey for you in coffee. Welcome to the club. :)
So you're saying I might just save the money and get this instead?
Hario Technica 5-Cup Glass Syphon Coffee Maker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IKLQZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ThyvDbEKK0RWD
Hario Technica Syphon Coffee Maker
Reminds me of this coffee scene in Breaking Bad: http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/images/2013/1/23//201312315632779580_20.jpg
Siphon coffee set. Most entertaining way to make coffee out there. Get it with a little butane burner to make your life easier.
I got you, I'm saying 10 dollars anywhere is alot for a cup of coffee. If you're on this sub you probably have all the gear you need except the actual siphon: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Technica-5-Cup-Coffee-Syphon/dp/B000IKLQZK
67 bucks, have it anytime, each mug will cost $1.00 or less depending on what you spend on beans
Does he drink coffee?
Hario Technica 5-Cup Glass Syphon Coffee Maker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IKLQZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-BI3DbD9DBSB0
Addressing the "whole process thereof" portion: If you're willing to drop cash on a new appliance, they have [water boilers](http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-CV-DSC40-Hybrid-Boiler-Stainless/dp/B000MAFJRM "quick google brought up this one") that (as long as they're plugged) keep a store of boiling water.
I want to see a good hot water heater, like this only online-enabled. It should be able to provide information about how full it is and what its current temperature is, and its target temperature should be controllable via network. With proper integration, you could set it up to warm water for tea when any of the houseowners are on their way home, plus voice-activated water heating with a speaker notification when ready.
Lotta neat options here.
If the liquid is just water how about something like this water boiler and warmer?
I used baby shampoo in the beginning but as they got older, I switched to regular hand soap because it's cheaper...
Regarding the water temp, I see... well I don't know if it's practical for you, but I have a hybrid water boiler and warmer -- something like this which boils cold water and keeps it pretty much boiling hot as long as it's plugged in. I bought one and put it next to my bed when I was early in my pregnancy because I wanted to have hot water ready at a moment's notice (for tea!).
It has been so useful (especially when the hot water doesn't work! Just mix some of the cold tap and the hot water) and it's actually one of my favorite items I have in my home. Of course, it's an extra expense and an extra hassle when you can just use the wet wipes, but I think it's nice to always have different options.
You could get a Zojirushi water boiler
http://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-CV-DSC40-Hybrid-Boiler-Stainless/dp/B000MAFJRM
I've been heating my water just using a hot water boiler/warmer. Like one of these. But I think I'll pick up an adjustable electric kettle. Seems nice for the option of temperature.
The second half of season 4 of Walking Dead has been EPIC! I am loving it.
These would be useful!
http://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Filter-Disposable-Infuser-Capacity/dp/B001BLCIN4
I rather have control how long I steep the tea. Some people want a weaker or stronger cup. Many take aways that use loose leaf use these things and it is fine. http://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Disposable-Paper-Filter-Count/dp/B001BLCIN4
Personally, I dislike barely hot, stale tea that has been sitting in a pot for hours.
Of course, if you want to go balls out http://alphadominche.com/steampunk-models/steampunk-2-1/ but you'll need a big budget for it I'm guessing.
Just at tip - if you have a hair straightener, you can use that to heat seal these bags! Just fill the bag, fold over the top, then press it with the hot flat iron for a few seconds. It'll seal immediately and perfectly!
By the way, I'm talking about these types of bags: https://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Filter-Disposable-Infuser-Capacity/dp/B001BLCIN4/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1482895644&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=t-sac
I use these T-Sac Tea Filter Bags, Disposable Tea Infuser, Number 1-Size, 1-Cup Capacity, 100 Count https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BLCIN4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_D7Elyb3SG7J2W
I buy these. They are a little cheaper than the davidstea ones and they work just as well.
I'm not sure where you live, but if you have Wegmans grocery stores they have a really excellent and affordable (like almost Lipton affordable if you pick less expensive teas and double infuse them like I do) loose tea selection. They also have a variety of infusers and disposable tea bags (I would start out with something like this and upgrade to a reusable infuser like this if you decided that you're going to keep buying and making loose leaf tea). If you don't have a Wegmans, Google tea rooms in your area...some of them sell tea as well. If that still doesn't get you results, there are a ton of websites. Adagio is probably one of the more accessible ones for beginners...they sell an oolong called Fujian Rain, which is one of my favorite everyday teas. They also sell their teas in bags if you don't want to do the whole loose tea thing.
There are also reasonable quality bagged tea options...Numi comes to mind, I'm sure there are others I'm forgetting.
Also, don't listen to the snobs that are going to come into this thread to give you shit about ever having had Lipton.
I use these, I think it's just as good about as using a small strainer in a mug or pot, unless you're letting those leaves go totally loose before pouring through a strainer. Though I also don't keep my high quality loose tea at work, so there is that. To be honest, if you're that worried about bags cramping your style is it that much hassle to tap out a strainer & run under water for a hot second?
Technivorm Moccamaster
Do you go to cafes together? I would suggest that you figure out her preference between coffee and espresso and then put your money into one or the other. I love both espresso and coffee but I would much rather have a good coffee machine in my house than an good espresso machine. I like trying different specialty coffee roasters and different single origin coffees. Try Intelligentsia, Stumptown, George Howell's Terroir or the roaster I work for Mocha Joe's. We all purchase high-end green coffee and have very talented coffee roasters.
A "really good coffee maker" isn't really an espresso machine. Coffee and Espresso definitely taste different, are "brewed" with very different techniques and espresso is usually a blend of several beans. Its not a great analogy but I guess you could think of coffee as milk chocolate and espresso as dark chocolate. They both come from cocoa beans but they taste very different.
I know it sounds like you really want a plumbed in machine but I'd highly suggest rethinking that and taking a look at the Technivorm. Its the only non-commerical coffee machine I know of that meets SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) standards. Most plumbed in machines are considered commercial and you have to be pretty careful about your water set-up and flow rate. Also if you don't have a good water filtration system on it, you are likely to get scale buildup inside the machine. Repairs are very expensive (I am a repair guy). Some commercial machines are also 220v and you would have to get a dedicated outlet put in to power them.
As for espresso machines, the Rancilio Silvia is pretty popular among coffee geeks. They are pretty well built and affordable. They are also fairly easy to mod if your wife is into that sort of thing. Good luck with everything, I hope you found some of this useful!
I love that your first cup of coffee linked you strongly-enough to the coffee community that you're already saying "we". :-)
Welcome to the
cultclub!I became a coffee snob accidentally, since with each improvement I'd make to my coffee, I could no longer even stomach what I'd enjoyed before. So beware of that . . . That said, my advice would be:
1b. A blade grinder will have been be a waste of $15 when you finally replace it (and you will). Go for a Hario Slim for your first grinder, because even when you upgrade, you'll still use it for travel, work, etc.
My recommended starter kit:
For under $40 shipped, you'll have a setup with minimal sunk cost if you decide manual coffee isn't for you, will make coffee every bit as good (imho) as more beautiful systems, and won't be obsolete if and when you upgrade (since it'll still give you wonderful coffee at work or on the road).
PS. See my essay on my descent into coffee-snobbery I contributed to an online writing community I used to participate in regularly.
PPS. If you meet the Coffee Buddha in the cafe, kill him.
My Moka Master is the only thing I can recommend because it's all I've used, when brewing pot coffee, for the past 6 years. For $300, the machine is a tank and hasn't had a hiccup once, also allows you to control the speed of the drip. At the time of purchase it was the only machine I could find that heated water to proper brewing temperature.
Moccamaster KBT 10-Cup Coffee Brewer with Thermal Carafe, Polished Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002S4DI2S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_zATpzb00GT80E
If you want the best bang for your buck I wouldn't drop more than 20-30. Go with a simple V60 pour over, French press, or stovetop espresso maker. They're all cheap and and give you a good cup of coffee consistently, given you brew each method properly
Method of brew is important and all, but grinder and uniform grounds is as crucial, if not more so, and this is where I would put my money. 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 know what ground size is necessary for each method. Coarse for French press, fine for espresso etc.
Capresso 560.01 Infinity Burr Grinder, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AR7SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZITpzbHK420TD
Hmu if you got questions, I'm always down to talk coffee.
I'd go for the MoccaMaster its perfect for an office.
but that would make you settle for a poorer grinder than a Baratza Encore. If you could at least spring for a Bodum grinder you would have a nice office set up.
If you're actively shopping for one the Technivorm Mocchamaster is one of the best drip makers on the market:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002S4DI2S
I've got one and it's as good as pour over while being a little more convenient, but I do end up using a french press more frequently.
hmm.. i already bought the 40oz. Technivorm Moccamaster KBT. It's for my wife and I. So. I don't think the Cup One would be efficient in the morning. I bought this one how can i tell if it has a manual lever?
I have this one. The people at Rostov's recommended it to me and I have been happy with it. They sell it in store.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003S9XF7K/ref=asc_df_B003S9XF7K4751902/?tag=hyprod-20&amp;creative=394997&amp;creativeASIN=B003S9XF7K&amp;linkCode=df0&amp;hvadid=167147331067&amp;hvpos=1o1&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=428553397195495696&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=&amp;hvdev=m&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9008460&amp;hvtargid=pla-79021429526
I don't think there's an electric one on the market that really qualifies as BI4L. Even the manual ones eventually wear out, though I have a repro of an antique manual mill that's still going strong, (probably because I usually use an electric one). Kyocera makes a ceramic one that looks kind of interesting, but with a glass catch pot I don't know how durable it would be. (Though if you broke it, presumably you could just use a mason jar.) Personally, I'm still using a 12 yr old $20 Krups even though it's definitely not BI4L worthy, and not even noteworthy at all except that it was cheap. A ceramic burr model would be vastly preferable.
BTW, FWIW, a local coffee bean roaster likes to tell his customers to forego the expensive coffee maker, get a French Press instead and spend more money on a really good grinder. (I didn't listen.) But, I'll ask him when I see him what he'd recommend as a BI4L grinder.
If you get a hand grinder, I suggest taking it apart to see what's going on under the hood. I was most disappointed when I found that my grinder had no bearing and that the threaded part of the burr stud was busy cutting granules of plastic from the housing to deposit into my coffee. This isn't to hard to fix with a mod, but it is a poor design choice.
How about this one?
So I'm gonna borrow your post if you don't mind (since it's the same subject, and could benefit you).
Seems like the majority of votes here (maybe all) say Hario for the burr. I also found this one with higher ratings (and sold by Amazon). Anyone knows if it's any good?
Hmm... I think it'll be tough to find something. I have a hand-powered ceramic grinder, but even the noise of the beans crunching might be a bit much for an office.
I think he/she needs to either grind ahead of time or find a nice, isolated place to grind away from working colleagues.
Ok. So I found this. Maybe I should save up for an electric grinder for now, but I can get a Kyocera Ceramic coffee hand grinder. Thoughts?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003S9XF7K/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
I'm thinking this might work for a while in place of a more expensive electric grinder. As long as this one will give me a good, clean cup of coffee.
Don't forget the completely different and not at all the same thing kyocera.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003S9XF7K/ref=redir_mdp_mobile
I have the Kyocera grinder and SterlingPro french press. I've been doing the "leave a few sips" method but I thought I was doing something wrong with the grind or something. Thanks for the help.
Absolute best investment I've ever made:
https://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-Maker-Straight-Black/dp/B004EBUZ1A
I’m looking at a Yama, I’ve never seen a shop that doesn’t use this one. But I was also thinking of making my own by scavenging pieces
https://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-YAMCDM8SBK-Coffee-Technology/dp/B004EBUZ1A
Amazon:
Yama Northwest Glass 32-Ounce Cold Brew Drip Coffee and Tea Maker, Black, $268.00, 3 reviews 4.7 out of 5.0
Cold Drip Coffee and Tea Maker, 8-Cup, $240.57, 4 reviews 5.0 out of 5.0
An engineer would probably prefer a vacuum siphon coffee maker or a cold drip brewer. I wish I had a friend in college with one of those setups. Hell, I wish I had a friend now with one of those!
I used to use this as a cheap version:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1Pc-Dutch-Coffee-Cold-Drip-Water-Drip-Coffee-Maker-Serve-For-8cups-NEW-/302090363056?hash=item4655fd20b0:g:tOcAAOSwCGVX7OBr
I want to get this
https://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-Maker-Straight-Black/dp/B004EBUZ1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1479942016&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=yama
Otherwise you could get a Toddy:
https://toddycafe.com/toddy-cold-brew-system
Been using the Yama one for over 5 years now. Great cold brew plus a great conversation piece.
I don't really understand the method you're using to make cold brew but most of these concentrates are made with a cold brew slow dripper (like a Toddy or a Yama tower) to get an extremely high concentration of coffee in the water. That's how they're able to use a 1:1 dilution ratio.
Not 100% sure this belongs here - sorry in advance if it doesn't.
The SCAA-certified Bonavita BV1800 is currently $95.43 on Amazon. I've seen the 5-cup model hit that price range, but AFAIK it's as low as it ever got for the 8-cup variant.
This is the one I have. https://www.amazon.ca/Bonavita-BV1800-8-Cup-Coffee-Carafe/dp/B005YQZT92/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1488238735&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=bonavita
I've been using it for nearly three years and it's been great.
Here's a summary of the good automatic drip machines.
If you can lower the "easy" threshold just a bit and give up the programmable timer feature, you can get very good coffee for under $250. Pick up a $70-$90 burr grinder and the well-reviewed (from the first link) Bonavita machine for $130.
Cool, so now we have a better idea what we're working with. I can run through some options/limitations and you can take it from there.
Based on the way you've described her tastes, I think she'd probably do ok with 15-bar pump espresso maker, but avoid 'steam' espresso makers at all costs. In the first instance you're making something that doesn't have all the glory of a truly great espresso, in the second case you're making something that shouldn't really be called espresso at all.
Anyway, I hope this is somewhat helpful.
Interesting. How would you compare it to http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1800-8-Cup-Coffee-Carafe/dp/B005YQZT92
I didn't want to do chemex or French press. Did a lot of research on /r/coffee and found the Bonavita to be the only "drip" that equally disperses water like a shower head and heats up to the correct temperature.
I think there really is limited options here.
The T-Fal kettles are great. I have the larger one, but I'll recommend the smaller one to you. You won't find a 1750 W heating element in many kettles, it's pretty powerful!
Looks like you're shopping a bit higher end but I wanted to list this one for budget shoppers: amazon link
I got one as a "spare" kettle at work and it heats like a champ. Fast and does have variable temperature, though you need to do some experimentation to figure out exactly what "low" and "high" mean for your particular unit. I tend to leave mine in the middle for my black teas and low for green.
This electric kettle was $22 when i got it, but it's served me very well for over 2 years now. And it even survived my coworkers using it as a fucking teapot
=^ ]
multiple times.
https://www.amazon.com/T-fal-Balanced-1750-Watt-Electric-Temperature/dp/B0086UJQN8/ref=sr_1_7?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1467010643&amp;sr=1-7&amp;keywords=electric+kettle+adjustable
$27
And this is my suggestion for a teapot for 2 reasons
https://www.amazon.com/FORLIFE-Ceramic-Teapot-Infuser-16-Ounce/dp/B00HFGSPWM/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1467010804&amp;sr=8-18&amp;keywords=forlife+teapot
It's cheap and safe. For borosilicate glass i dont have time to temper shit .-.
And the second being you can Take out the strainer to use in cups and it is very good quality. Or you can do that WITH the black part and lid to keep the cup sealed and warm while you steep it in a cup. I like to have the option to do both and honestly, yea all teapots are pricy. But you'll pay $13 for a single cup brewer set anyway and this is one of the cheaper teapots available that isn't going to break.
Same thing, 2 years, still perfect.
A gooseneck for a college aeropress? Seriously?
this should do just fine for now; it makes hot water, and it works. I use a similar one for myself in my dorm room. That being said, it's quite cheap, and if you can swing the extra money for variable temp, go for it. If you can spend more than that, I would recommend upgrading your grinder next, then maybe you could think about a gooseneck (though I really don't see the point unless you decide to get into pour over.)
Edit: Also, when it comes to money, remember that these are all one time investments, but you will also be consistently spending a decent amount of money on beans, and that should be factored into your budget.
Hmm I see. It looks nice.. But would it be any better than this, or this? I agree, the variable direct temp control is nice, but in terms of cost.. I dunno.
Here is a really cute owl mug! I may have to get this one for myself!
Here is a different owl one!
A beautiful cast iron one
Bonus adorable tea infuser!
Tea is always a good idea! There's a local teahouse down the street from where I live, and I have yet to find a combination there I don't love. When it's cold outside, I get a combination of lavender Earl Grey and Earl Grey cream with a hint of honey as a sweetener. Sometimes I'll make it like a "tea latte" and ask for hot almond milk. I almost wish it was cold enough for me to get some now!
I have one. It's called the Mr Tea.
https://www.amazon.com/Fred-Friends-MR-Silicone-Infuser/dp/B008XCZ25K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1492752125&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=mr+tea
I use my Mr. Tea Infuser
(28g) along with my GSI Infinity Mug (104g) and whatever normal stove I bring with me to heat the water. Works great for me. I also use a squirrel infuser from time to time when I'm feeling super naturey.
I also like the little dude who hangs out at the side of your cup, like so! Who knew tea strainers could be so cute??
Thanks! Here you are.
I got it on Amazon and it's currently on sale It s a great infuser but Isn't the best when it comes to fine/tiny flaked tea.
pretend you do!
http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Friends-MISTER-Silicone-Infuser/dp/B008XCZ25K/ref=pd_rhf_eebr_s_cp_4_HM13?ie=UTF8&amp;refRID=1F6SD7Z0CSG12ME2RQZP
Congrats on the house! How exciting :)
I want this. I didn't think I could love tea more than I already do. Home Sweet Home.
I have the BonaVita 1.7L Variable Temperature Kettle and it doesn't beep at all, it reaches temp and then stops, the current temperature is displayed and you can also hold it at that temperature with a button press. It doesn't make a classic kettle whistle, but it does have audible water boiling noises, which I think all electric kettle have.
I am currently a college student, and in my little tea corner I use this Bonavita electric kettle.
I don't have a tea tumbler though...
You should get me one too! :D
If you can spring $80+ for one, I highly recommend the Bonavita Variable Temp Gooseneck kettle. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_8cjEub0ZA0Y9R
The timer feature is perfect for what I use it for. When the kettle isn't on the base, you can press the plus button and a count up timer will start.
If you don't need the gooseneck, this is the same one without it, for much cheaper. Bonavita 1.7-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YE3RNG/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_zfjEub0XGWA48
Edit: I just realized you wanted a programmable timer to start the kettle in the morning. I don't think either of these can do that. Sorry!
another precisely-controlled bonavita kettle if you don't need a super precise pour (only $35):
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-7-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Electric/dp/B008YE3RNG/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418167108&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=bonavita+variable+temperature+kettle
Walmart link: http://www.walmart.com/msharbor/ip/Bonavita-1-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Digital-Electric-Gooseneck-Kettle/39801200?&amp;veh=mweb (hopefully this won't get deleted for you)
I have the 1.7 liter, non-gooseneck Bonavita kettle and really like it. The 1 liter kettle wouldn't work too great for me since I use a liter cup for my tea and drink at least 2 cups in a row. This kettle easily holds 2 liters and then some.
I don't know if the gooseneck does anything special, but if you are like me and make more than 16 ounces of tea at a time, I would recommend the larger kettle.
Hell, both kettles have a 60 minute "keep warm" timer, so having extra water in it isn't a problem even if you take your time with the first cup.
Walmart has it for $69 like the smaller one, but Amazon has it for $50.
Thanks! So it would be this then right?
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-7-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Electric/dp/B008YE3RNG
There's [this fella] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008YE3RNG?cache=9c6ff808f45840133b58a31f84e937d9&amp;pi=SY200_QL40&amp;qid=1412477403&amp;sr=8-2#ref=mp_s_a_1_2) for $35. The variable temp thing is super handy. You can set the temp to whatever you want and then have the option to hold it there for up to an hour. Though if you plan on getting into pour over the gooseneck version is borderline mandatory, and unfortunately significantly more expensive.
This was my starter tea pot http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F3DCPPM/
and my second kettle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008YE3RNG/
They are both great and I use them multiple times every day
I have the non gooseneck version of that kettle, it's 50 dollars. I don't think the gooseneck would be very important, except maybe for precision pouring like pour over coffee. I like it a lot and have had it for over a year. My only complaint is that it slows down a lot when it gets near your set temperature, so it could take longer than others to boil water.
Like this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV1E0GI
or this?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004S9G8
I'd recommend a used Gaggia Classic.
Or, since it's at the office and you probably aren't looking for expensive quality, the ROK might work for what you are looking for.
I can't speak to the quality but the Rok Presso is basically a cheaper hand pump machine. Although it lacks the heat source and a steam wand supposedly it can pull an actual shot.
Manual lever espresso machines have been around for a very long time.
Some newer iterations you add the water manually (1), (2).
There are a plethora (3) of machines that have the boiler and sometimes a steam-wand built in. There are even new 5-figure versions still being introduced (4).
However, if you want to make your own, that would be an exciting challenge. I have seen a few cross-sections of machines that should get your brain off to the races (5), (6).
I buy maxwell house for $7 for 2 pounds.
Hamilton Beach has a better version of Kuerig with no cups just a scoop for only $35. There are also alternative with & without kcup support.
You put the coffee in the scoop and press go and it does a cup at a time.
https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-49981A-Single-Coffee/dp/B00EI7DPS0/ref=dp_ob_title_kitchen
In the US the plastic carafe kit is $19.50 on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Hario-VCSD-02B-EX-Coffee-Starter-White/dp/B00JJIOJ7E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1510366724&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=v60+kit
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
like /u/cchiker said, it depends on what kind of coffee you want to make. I prefer pour overs and take mine black, so here is my "budget" coffee gear list:
Hand burr grinder $60 - https://www.amazon.ca/Hario-Mini-Mill-Slim-Plus/dp/B01GPMH590/
Hario v60 dripper starter set $30 - https://www.amazon.ca/Hario-V60-Coffee-Starter-Clear/dp/B00JJIOJ7E/
Gooseneck kettle $50 - https://www.amazon.ca/Hario-VKB-100HSV-V60-Coffee-Kettle/dp/B008L3R8BM
1lb of locally roasted single origin beans $20
What equipment do you currently have and how much are you willing to spend?
I decent entry level setup for pour overs would be:
This is in the order I'd suggest purchasing them as well. You'll get the best initial quality increase from fresh beans, the grinder will ensure you're getting well ground (i.e. more consistent sized granules) coffee, and the kettle is more of a nice-to-have but it's a great piece of kit.
The Breville smart grinder pro is the deal of the day on amazon canada for 180$ CAD, which is equivalent to 141$ USD. Is this as good a deal as it seems?
Also, do we know anything about the durability of the smart grinder pro? Thanks!
Kitchen is amazing. Though I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you asked about the coffee. That grinder is probably going to under-perform for what is required of a bottomless portafilter. It likely doesn't go fine enough and even if it does, it doesn't have enough fine options to tune your grind to exactly where you need it. Espresso is largely trial and error until you can get it right and if your grinder has 1-2 options for fine grinding, that's not great. You have one of the best grinders you can get for that tier, but I'm not sure it will cut it for espresso. You're going to need to go over $200 in most cases for a true espresso grinder. This guy is probably the best bang for your buck and will last forever. Any more expensive and you won't notice the differences with the machine that you have. Rancillo makes some killers one but they push $400. I would encourage you to try out your grinder with your new portafilter, but instincts tell me you aren't going to be able to replicate what you can get at a coffee shop. It will either be too inconsistent of a grind or won't go fine enough. I could be wrong though. /r/coffee is full of (usually) nice people if you are interested.
I got the Breville Infuser and Smart Grinder Pro from Amazon a couple of weeks ago. I love them. By no means am I an expert, but I enjoy the shots I pull just as much as from coffee shops using La Marzoccos. Yes the beans, barista, and placebo all play into that, but it still pulls a great shot and is pretty affordable. You could even go cheaper and get the Duo Temp Pro which could functionally be the same as the Infuser and is $100 cheaper so you could spend it on cups, knockbox, distributor but the infuser would still put you under budget. I went with the infuser because you can adjust the temperature and you can pull manually or preset volume, which allows you to eliminate that variable for a consistent shot and you can see how your tamp/grind are as the program pulls 60mL (2oz) no matter what and so you can gauge what you need to do to dial that volume in for the proper extraction time. Downside is that if you want a naked portafilter then you gotta DIY or buy one from Aus for like $150, but I don’t think it’s a huge deal and if you do then maybe that’s where your extra budget could go. The pressure gauge is also nice although it won’t really tell you what you don’t already know from extraction time.
I can’t say this is the best machine for the price (although Seattle Coffee Gear did so take that as you will) but I can highly recommend it. I would get it over the Barista Express as the extra $50 for a dedicated grinder is totally worth it as it is more versatile and I’ve heard it’s a better grinder than the built in one. I also recommend it over the Gaggia. Although it does not have the modabilitiy of the Classic, it has most of the features that people mod the Gaggia for already, plus it uses a traditional steam arm instead of a panarello like the Gaggia, and has stainless steel lined thermocoil instead of aluminum thermoblock.
Overall would definitely recommend going separate grinder and machine no matter what.
I know you said $180, but I'd suggest streching to $220 and getting the Smartgrinder Pro. It's not a world beater but should be solid with the Classic. Just be careful with ultra-light roasts, it jams up on occasion.
http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1458603381&amp;sr=1-2-spell&amp;keywords=smartgrinder
IMHO, if you are willing to get a gaggia classic and want to learn the "nuances of espresso" you must be willing to pay more than $180 for a grinder (unless you get a thrift store, garage sale, craigslist steal).
I really can't think of a single machine for both. I'm not sure of your budget, but a more affordable semi-automatic setup would be the new KitchenAid pour-over machine, Breville Barista Express, and Smart Grinder Pro. You can get all three for around $800 (with 20% BBB coupons for example) and have great espresso and coffee using your own freshly-ground beans.
I've had this one for a few years and love it.
https://www.amazon.com/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1505330923&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=breville+grinder
Bro if you can spend 1500CAN rancilio isnt worth it.. its great build but alot of wait between each action..
here is a few options i gathered for you.. browsed alot to get best rates and sale prices for you.. all prices in CAD
Espresso
i have selected afew grinders for you, u can adjust your budget accordingly and what suits you..
Grinders:
P.S if you can spend upto 2500CAD than u can get really awesome setup.. Rocket Appartamento $1900 with Baratza Sette 270 $530
I have the Smart Grinder Pro as a separate unit, I love it, grinds so perfectly
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXGXW8O/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
&#x200B;
Everyone who uses Amazon also needs to use camelcamelcamel. It shows prices for products going back several years, so you know if you're actually getting a deal or not.
Example: https://ca.camelcamelcamel.com/Breville-BREBCG820BSSXL-Smart-Grinder-Pro/product/B00OXGXW8O?locale=CA
That sounds about right. It makes concentrate that you need to mix with either water or milk.
I do 2 cups concentrate, 1 cup milk, 1.5 cups ice and shake.
I use this:
https://www.amazon.com/Quart-Coffee-Brewer-Infuser-Stainless/dp/B01ATJ6AJG/
I have this. And an extra jar so I never run out.
I like this model I got off Amazon a lot too:
Cold Brew Coffee Maker - 2 Quart - Make Amazing Cold Brew Coffee and Tea with This Durable Mason Jar with Stainless Steel Filter and Stainless Steel Lid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ATJ6AJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pI4QBbEYT38HX
I try not to use plastic anything so suited my preferences a little better and cleans up super well.
It could be a reactions. Air tight would be your best bet. I have this.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ATJ6AJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aXsNBbJMNJ1D8
What I would suggests, brew at room temp, and noted for 20 hours from when you made it, then take out filter, and it's good for 4 days refrigerated. After that, pour it out.
Dont put anything within 20 hours. Put cinnamon and orange after you're done steeping for 20 hours. See if that works.
https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Brew-Coffee-Maker-Stainless/dp/B01ATJ6AJG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1522246551&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=cold+brew
There are definitely cheaper listings with just the mason jar insert filter, but this thing is a game changer for cold brew. So much easier to maintain than a french press
I put around 3 oz of coarsely ground coffee in this contraption and let it brew in the fridge for 24 hours. I don't remember exactly how many ounces of coffee I get out, but it's a good strength for me after a day of steeping and it's fine either cold or microwaved to 140 degrees (I've calibrated the microwave times so I don't overheat it).
I just use Costco medium roast coffee (Jose's brand?), as I've found that I can't get any nuanced or complex flavor profile out of hot cold brew, to say nothing of iced cold brew made this way.
Regarding cold brew, I picked up this a few months back and it's quite nice.
I've heard the Technivorms are among the best, but also some of the most expensive. I've got a Bonavita on the way (birthday gift next weekend!) which is sort of the cheaper version of the technivorm. I asked this exact question on Metafilter a few months ago, here is that thread. In it someone linked to a video breakdown of drip coffeepots from America's Test Kitchen, and one of the most important factors they brought up was a 1400W power supply to heat the water to the correct temperature. Basically, most home pots don't get the water hot enough, nor do they maintain the temperature with any kind of steadiness, which results in crummy coffee. The one that DOES that, was the Technivorm (or, like I said, the cheaper Bonavita), both of them have 1400W heating elements to get the water at the right temp. I'll let you know how the Bonavita works out for me.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005YQZT92?pc_redir=1408028574&amp;robot_redir=1
Check that out.
I doubt I would have agreed with this comment so much a year ago. But, then I bought the Bonavita (basically this with a glass carafe). And, I use the scoop from my Aeropress - 1 scoop of finely ground coffee for each cup I'm making.
I finally have strong coffee at home that is easy to make.
It's made all the difference!
The bonavita 1800 is close to that price range. Or in it, maybe, I don't know what the exchange rate is right now
I've had this model for years: https://www.amazon.com/T-fal-Balanced-1750-Watt-Electric-Temperature/dp/B0086UJQN8/ It is made largely of plastic, but we like it in our house so much that when my roommate broke it (knocked it off the counter, it landed weird and the side cracked) she bought the same one as a replacement. If the current one breaks and it's still for sale, I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. It's currently $31 and has 3 temp settings - white, green and black. I haven't tested how accurate the different temps are since green tea brewed at the green setting tastes good and black tea brewed at the black tea setting tastes good!
I read a while ago that kettles aren't as commonplace in the US as they are in the UK, for that reason I am demanding you get one
I used a 1L T-Fal electric kettle. It's very cheap, pretty small, and it's made of food grade plastic. It was still working after about a year of use, when I upgraded to a better kettle. https://www.amazon.com/T-fal-Balanced-1750-Watt-Electric-Temperature/dp/B0086UJQN8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1468020408&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=tfal+kettle
I use this and it works great for me. I only drink black and green, but there are three settings, the middle being for oloong or white. Works great so far. Bonus it is quite small for a non-traditional brewing spot like an office or a personal room.
Many Aeropress recipes use water temps well below boiling, maybe this t-fal variable temp would be better.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0086UJQN8/ref=psdch_289753_t1_B0086UJQN8
WOW, you guys rock with this mass of suggestions and tips!
I think I've come to a conclusion on my Kuerig-crushing morning joe solution.
Aeropress, Hario Skim grinder, and a T-Fal kettle.
Went with the T-Fal because it just looks to be a better made device than the other one for minimal cost increase, not as a matter of difference in my coffee product.
http://www.amazon.com/T-fal-Balanced-1750-Watt-Electric-Temperature/dp/B0086UJQN8/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1415310283&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=Electric+kettle
Thanks again folks, keep calm and coffee on.
For Christmas though, I just received this electric kettle. It's a nuisance in a one bedroom apartment to have extra appliances taking up kitchen space, but it does work a little faster than boiling on the stove. And you have a temperature gauge, basically far left for white tea, middle for green, and far right for black.
I just bought this one by T-Fal. It's 1300w and can bring cold tap water to a full boil in about 2 minutes. I absolutely love it. It's a heavyweight plastic. You can get it on Amazon or if you have a Sears nearby, buy it at the kiosk in-store and they match Amazon's price and ship it to your house free.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0086UJQN8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1406664901&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=SL75
From what I read they said to lower the heat of the water if you're getting sour flavors. Here's the kettle I'm using.
I've owned and used this variable temp electric kettle for about three years at work, and six months ago bought another one for home. No problems whatsoever with it!
LOOK AT HOW FRIENDLY HE IS
FRIENDLYYYYYYYYYYY
LIKE A UNICORN
Hey guys. I just recently discovered this thread and thought I'd post my question instead of starting a new thread.
I recently ordered this and this. I am looking to wean myself off of coffee and have always enjoyed tea. I mostly drink green tea hence the amazon order. Does anyone have any recommendations on other/better brands?
I'm also looking to get either this addition to my Contigo mugs or just another mug for tea.
Pretty cool for under $10
I use this little guy right here: http://www.amazon.com/Fred-Friends-Mister-Tea-Infuser/dp/B008XCZ25K/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_z
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008XCZ25K/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1397787414&amp;sr=8-4&amp;pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70
I want to get the Bonavita 1.7L kettle once I scrape a few pennies from under the couch. I hear a lot of great things about it. It's list price is $79.99 but it can be found for $44.99 on Amazon.
Just a guess, but but Bonavita brand electric kettles are well liked in this sub. Especially the Gooseneck var. temp. is popular.
I'm personally thinking about getting one.
EDIT: I see that heir non-goose neck ("mongoose"?) kettle is now half off on Amazon.
You could also buy the non-gooseneck electric kettle and a stovetop gooseneck kettle for cheaper
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-7-Liter-Variable-Temperature-Electric/dp/B008YE3RNG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1408858182&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=bonavita+electric+kettle
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV3825ST-1-Liter-Stovetop-Kettle/dp/B005YR0IBU/ref=pd_sbs_k_10?ie=UTF8&amp;refRID=1PN1SM6HD90A92STTF8V
Hey thanks for the reply. Is the pouring experience the only main difference between the gooseneck and spout models? I just noticed the ratings on amazon are quite different from one model to the other. Also do you know the difference between the two gooseneck models, other than the color? The silver/black model looks nicer IMO, but it's not available. Did you have any issues with the plastic melting on either of the ones you owned?
Bonavita BV382510V Electric Kettle, Gooseneck Variable Temperature, 1.0L https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_y7U6ybCQ9G25Z
Bonavita 1.7-Liter Variable Temperature Digital Electric Kettle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YE3RNG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rjX6yb1QDDGVJ
I use a BonaVita 1L variable temp. gooseneck but that's a bit out of your price range. If you're only brewing tea then this one will work just fine. If you do pour over coffee then you may want to save up a bit more and get the gooseneck.
I absolutely love mine. Well built, easy to use, and very well reviewed.
So my scale should be OK, or should I take a small moment to look outside of the one place I shopped to find a better scale?
Also, on the Bonavita variable temp:
This is the one I purchased: http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-40996-Programmable-1-7-Liter/dp/B0083I7THI
So you are saying the small-sized neck of the Bonavita variable temp (assuming you mean the gooseneck [ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0F40 ] and not the regular [ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008YE3RNG ]) is preferable due to the controlled manner of the stream? I guess I want to be sure about changing my choice due to the over 100% difference in price, is all.
Thank you!
Bonavita variable temp electric kettle.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008YE3RNG?pc_redir=1406286178&amp;robot_redir=1
Props for not immediately supporting drinking all the coffee. It's tasty, but sleep is too.
Also, I would recommend a chemex and an electric kettle.
$35, variable temp, great kettle.
http://amzn.com/B008YE3RNG
I have used several hand operated espresso devices and none of them have been worth the time you invest in both brewing coffee with it, or the clean up afterward. To get anything of quality you really need to spend a bit of cash, even if the device you are using is completely manual. I haven't used it yet, but when I get the funds I plan on purchasing the Rok espresso maker.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV1E0GI
For your grinder, I recommend getting a hand grinder if you don't want to spend $100+ on an adjustable coffee grinder. I have been using something like what I linked below, which can go fine enough of a grind to even do turkish coffee.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D44AX1O
Honestly, I'd skip it unless you need something really light/portable. I much prefer a French press, and I have both.
I use the aero rarely, really only when I want a small cup.
I got this for my birthday, I love it for espresso.
http://www.amazon.com/ROK-Presso-Manual-Espresso-Maker/dp/B00AV1E0GI
http://www.amazon.com/GSI-Outdoors-JavaMill/dp/B00KZ88O6Y
Just heat, not boil, the water.
> Comes with 10-year warranty certificate
> No Electricity Needed to Brew
Sales page
Le design est pas degueu par contre faudra investir dans un moulin aussi
I'd buy a single serve coffee maker and maybe a good coffee mug
So what you're saying is, something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-49981A-Single-Coffee/dp/B00EI7DPS0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1405025223&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=hamilton+beach+the+scoop
will still make worse coffee w/ the same beans than the AP?
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-49981A-Single-Coffee/dp/B00EI7DPS0
Single serving. I bought mine 2 years ago, use it every day, and it still works fine.
You need to accurately track your purchases. Mine.com is a pretty handy tool, will automatically categorize your spending so you can see where its actually going.
If you're eating out for every meal, you're likely spending $40+ a day on food. Thats around $1200 a month.
Some suggestions:
Do you buy a coffee every morning? If so, get a $40 coffee maker like This One and make it at home to take to work.
You mention not being able to go to the grocery store often. Is it possible to get groceries delivered through pea pod or some other service? This will likely save you significantly on lunch and dinners instead of ordering out all the time.
Is your cell phone still under contract? Take a look at switching to a prepaid service such as Net10, Straight Talk or Google fi. Plans can be had for $50 or less in some cases. Even if you are under contract, look at the early termination fee, depending how far along in the contract you are it may be worth to to pay the fee to be able to cut your bill in half.
What home security system do you have? Is it under contract? You could look to switch the monitoring to another company like Alarm relay.com
I recently installed a Honeywell wireless security system and self monitor for $10 per month. Full monitoring can be had for $15.
You mention buying new light bulbs from amazon. Try calling your electric company and see if they offer an Energy audit. In my area, you can get an audit every few years. During the audit they will replace your bulbs with LED's for free. They will also look at ways you may be able to save energy further (blown in insulation, air sealing, etc) which may help even more. Any suggestion they make are done at a deep discount, and can be financed on your electric bill. I had my crawl space sealed for $700 when it would have cost me $3k. It also saved a good deal on my heating bill.
Not sure what you have for a bank, but consider opening a high interest savings account at Ally.com and transferring a percentage of your money there. So its out of sight, out of mind. If you "see" less money in your main account, you may spend less.
That's why I ditched Keurig's stupid shit and got the Hamilton Beach single serve machine. Keurigs break after a year anyway. I've had this bad boy for well over a year and it's going strong.
Hamilton Beach 49981A Single Serve Scoop Coffee Maker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EI7DPS0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_hE.wub1REC4F7
Also a better price than a keurig
I think he means like this.
There are hundreds of single-cup coffee makers out there. I've been using a Hamilton Beach one for years without any complaints or waste.
Or an in between. I bought this single-serve coffee maker instead of a Keurig because I don't like weak, expensive coffee. This one cranks out a full sized travel mug in about 4 minutes of whatever ground coffee I like, and it's strong and hot, with easy cleanup. It's clearly not as pop-and-go as a Keurig, but the advantages well outweigh the small convenience factor.
This is the one I'm currently using. It's not perfect, but good for a single cup.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EI7DPS0
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EI7DPS0?cache=40bdccd9b0b77d822c2e2c633b87cda1&amp;pi=SY200_QL40&amp;qid=1414467623&amp;sr=8-2#productDescription_secondary_view_pageState_1414467674995 Fuck keurig 2.0 . These are just as easy
/r/coffee
Pourovers are pretty easy/cheap if you're not too nit picky. Boil some water, let it cool down a bit, and just spend like three minutes pouring it over some grounds in a filter.
It's better if you weigh the water and coffee (more reliable to make what you like). It's better if you measure the water temp (same).
I've had a lot of coffee gear but you're well on your way if you just get https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Pour-Coffee-Starter-Clear/dp/B00JJIOJ7E, a coffee burr (so you can set the grind size), and use fresh beans (roasted recently) you then grind before use.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Well, I am really curious about the aeropress myself. So I'd love to hear what you think of it.
The Hario V60 is a pourover, so I thought it'd be a nice change of what you're used to, experiment a little bit.. I would still reccomend it actually, it's a nice cheap addition to your collection.
Here's the v60: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-V60-Starter-Dripper-Filters/dp/B00JJIOJ7E/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_79_t_1/136-0271202-3333230?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N44XM2YWDT3MBH06HCY1
Personally here are 3 easy things you can do cheap to get into "specialty coffee"
I feel like this a great option if you go the pour over route. You get 50% of what you’ll need.
You’re just missing the grinder, Kettle and scale.
Hario V60 Pour Over Coffee Starter Kit, Size 02, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JJIOJ7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VvD2Bb2SWXYR9
This is the dripper they're using. Don't know where to find the stand.
edit: found the stand
I'm trying to put together a cost-effective beginner kit for a friend in the US who is trying to get their feet wet with making coffee at home and wanted second opinions on my choices.
Shopping - Done on Amazon where possible for free prime shipping + using prime credit.
So far I've found a V60 starter Kit for $20 which seems to cover the basics for a pour over.
In terms of grinder I was thinking of defaulting to the Hario hand grinders for ~$40 but I have seen people recommend the Porlax which is currently ~$15-20 more off Amazon.
A bit of searching around reveals some being happy with Hario while others voice displeasure with the consistency. Porlax seems to have more praise but I've also come across comments mentioning the metal of the hand bar being soft and easy to wear out. Is this a batch specific thing or are the two pretty much equal today?
Thanks!
I got this hario v60 kit from amazon a while back after I broke my ceramic one, and I've been happy with it. The lid even has a filter so that you can brew loose leaf tea in it too!
Yea, a V60 Hario dripper. I just use the plastic 1-cup version cause I only use it for myself. A gooseneck kettle is handy, but I don't use a one and still make a great brew.
It will look something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00JJIOJ7E/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1501188587&amp;sr=8-5&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=v60+hario&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41UxEj4wZYL&amp;ref=plSrch
Breville BCG820BSSXL The Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Bean Grinder, Brushed Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3cWpDb66AW76E
Metal basket in my drip machine
Right at the $200 mark I really love my Breville Smart Grinder Pro.
Check the smart grinder pro. Breville doesn't get a lot of love on this sub, primarily due to reliability concerns. I can't speak to that specifically, I've only had mine for 6 months. But it's one of the few grinders (so I've read) that works reasonably well across a wide range of grind sizes.
It's definitely more consistent at the finer settings, but I use mine for espresso, v60, and auto drip. I used to use it for FP, but I don't use my FP much anymore. Since I got my feld2 I mostly use it for espresso and large autodrip quantities.
A lot of people will suggest a separate grinder for coffee vs espresso to keep each dialed in without going back and forth. I haven't found that to be necessary with this grinder, it's stepped so you can return to each setting. For espresso, the step size is adequate, but certainly could benefit from a finer resolution. One tip if you go down this route is you set the upper bur to 10 (default is 6). This will give you more range on the coarse end and still allow espresso grinds.
Here is a thread a posted a while back that shows some grind comparisons between SGP and feld2.
Overall I'm happy with the SGP as my first real grinder. If and when it fails (or i succumb to upgradeitis), I may look at baratza (vario) or others.
I bought the Infuser espresso machine and the breville grinder http://www.amazon.com/Breville-BCG820BSSXL-Grinder-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B00OXGXW8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1457080106&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=breville+grinder
Total of about 600 or so after a coupon I used at Seattle Coffee Gear (local here)
Have had it for about a month now, and no complaints. I had a delonghi EC155 for a year and the grinder + infuser feels like an actual espresso setup. I figure I'll end up spending a good 1-1.5k after I outgrow this setup in a few years but it's a nice stepping stone.
I saw another user bought this, which seems nice and not out of my price range. Do you have a rec?
The Bay or Best Buy has Breville. May have to buy online. We got ours at HomeOutfitters, which is The Bay. I wouldn't bother with other brands.
Try to find this model, but at a better price.
https://www.amazon.ca/Breville-BREBCG820BSSXL-Smart-Grinder-Pro/dp/B00OXGXW8O?source=googleshopping&amp;locale=en-CA&amp;tag=googcana-20&amp;ref=pd_sl_8rzkd708me_e
Do you know which is the main difference between the Breville Smart Grinder and the Breville Smart Pro
I know you already have a good amount of responses, but I thought I'd chime in as well. I've been using this. I pour my grounds in the center, fill with water, leave in the fridge for 24 hours, and boom, coffee for the week!
See, now you got me looking into things - I might get this one, it has good reviews, and I'd love to make this process simpler...
cold brew maker
Consider that one as if you break the jar, you can easily replace it instead of something proprietary. I have a friend who uses it and loves it.
I prefer something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Cold-Brew-Coffee-Maker-Stainless/dp/B01ATJ6AJG/ref=sr_1_6?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1497282228&amp;sr=1-6&amp;keywords=cold+brew
My all time favorite is cold brew - just throw grinds and water into the fridge the night before, and in the morning it’s the best thing ever. But I hate cleaning up my brew jar afterwards, so I rarely make it. I use Keurig instead - only one cup to wash after, and honestly I will reuse the same cup for an entire week without washing it.
Try cold brew, I think you might love it. (Best during summer months, obviously). I got my cold brew jar on Amazon.
Edit: this one
I've done a few home setups using mesh strainers and cheese cloth and nut milk bags (heh heh heh). Tired of the tedium I started looking and once I saw this I knew I found my solution.
Cold Brew Coffee Maker - 2 Quart https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ATJ6AJG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_auSBzbT17721T
I bought more Mason jars at Walmart (since their not proprietary for the strainer) and I'll cold brew a batch of coffee, pull the strainer and do a batch of cold brew tea.
Running the consentrate through a paper filer is a must to get rid of the fine sediment. I use a pour over Brewer actually as my final filter run, works perfect as a quick strainer and the cone filters.
This is what I use to brew: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01ATJ6AJG/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1509513457&amp;sr=8-7&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&amp;keywords=cold+brew+coffee+maker&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41RG1pkoHqL&amp;ref=plSrch
I use 1.5 cups of grounds and fill the rest with water. A lot of cold brew receipes call for way to many grounds in my opinion.
I didn't care for the Toddy because of the special filters and plugs you have to keep around. Really they all serve the same function, you just need a process to get rid of those fine particles.
I look for a medium roast with a medium grind, I also buy pre ground. I never noticed a huge difference in whole beans versus pre ground, plus it's one less step. I also brew for 24-36 hours. I found going to 36 hours gave my cold coffee a little extra kick and flavor.
I use this mason jar and these bag filters. I fill up the filter bags full with fresh coarse-ground coffee, tie it, plop it in the jar, and let it sit 12-16 hours. It has turned out well with the few beans I've tried, yields a concentrate that I dilute 1:1 with water.
I used to use the steel mesh filter that came with that mason jar, but it lets through fine particulates from the grounds. You can probably get the jar for less, but you could probably use that and just pour through a filter without using the bags.
So... mess around with what you got, if it's too strong, water it down. Doesn't have to be a perfect science as long as it tastes good!
It's what we used before switching to "cold" brewing. We still have it, and use it when we forget to brew the night before. You can get a reusable filter for it.
This is what we use now.
Op_ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00006IUX5/ref=twister_B00GVJUWAC much cheaper than any spice grinder and works twice as well.
This coffee grinder is $13 :)
Lucky 13
To extract the most cannabinoids you will also want the most surface area possible so the finer the weed is ground the better. If you break it up in a normal grinder that'll be just fine. I like to use a coffee bean grinder, but i've heard food processors can also work.
Here's an example coffee grinder, no need for anything fancy:
http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-E160B-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00006IUX5/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1314115218&amp;sr=8-3
I have noticed that if I get whole coffee beans and grind them right before I make the coffee it's so much better. I still use a regular coffee machine and not a french press yet, but I find just grinding the beans at home makes a huge difference! I use this grinder: http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-E160B-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00006IUX5/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1310501169&amp;sr=8-3 which only grinds about 2-3 tbsp of coffee at a time (2-3 cups worth) but it's really simple and quiet.
oh wow ok, because I actually just bought a 50 dollar 3.0" sharpstone grinder but freakin somehow dropped it which I never do and it basically dented and when I bent it back it's threading won't align. I wanted a better way anyhow and because of you I shall buy a coffee grinder. or maybe this one or this one lol I can't wait. Thank you for the help =)
is [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Proctor-Silex-E160BY-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B00006IUX5/ref=lp_289750_1_3?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418827858&amp;sr=1-3) a good grinder and [this] (http://www.amazon.com/French-Press-Coffee-Maker-size/dp/B0084ORV60/ref=sr_1_13?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1418827942&amp;sr=1-13&amp;keywords=french+press) a good beginner kit all together?
Go Ben!
fresh coffee is a necessity
This is exactly what I came to this thead for. I got this cheap grinder for $8, but with a little practice it has never let me down.
I also have one of these with a mason attachment for freshness. Even ground aromatics can stay fresh for up to a year.
I was referring to this style grinder. Which is only really good for percolators or grinding pepper for cooking.
I bought this one: https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Chambord-French-Coffee-Chrome/dp/B00008XEWG/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1475201978&amp;sr=8-15&amp;keywords=french+press
But, it was much less expensive when I bought it. At the end of the day, most of them are just a carafe with some sort of movable filter/press. The cheap ones probably work just as well.
This and this for starters?
Link to French Press on Amazon
I'm glad this one's here, it helps me feel less like everyone is insane.
How to have the best heart attack:
1.) Start using a french press.
2.) Screw the process, just carry it to you desk and drink the whole thing right out of it.
https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-CHAMBORD-Stainless-Heat-Resistant-Borosilicate/dp/B00008XEWG
For just $32.20 you can get him a shiny stainless steel Bodum Chambord 8 Cup French Press on Amazon.
Well this is gonna get kinda long and will only scratch the surface but I'll break down the pros and cons of some of the most popular entry-level gear in as un-confusing of a way as I can. First up, let's look at grinders.
First off, you want a burr grinder, particularly a conical burr grinder because those blender-y blade grinders they sell at wal-mart for $5 don't get any kind of a consistent grind. Varying sizes in a grind means varying levels of extraction in the cup and that means off flavors. Because burr grinders are more expensive, hand crank conical burr grinders are commonly recommended to beginners because of their lower price point compared to similar quality electrics. They're cheap and work well but do have some drawbacks beyond the extra effort involved in grinding. First, most of them don't have actual grind settings and you adjust the grind size by twisting a wheel until it looks as fine/coarse as you want it to. If you use different brew methods and switch grind size a lot, this can be a bit of a pain. Second, most hand grinders aren't ideal for french press because of the way the burrs are stabilized; they'll give fantastic fine/medium grinds but the coarse grind is a tad inconsistent. That said, I use a hand grinder for french press all the time and am relatively happy with the results. A few common ones are:
The Hario Skerton. I personally have one and love it. As I said, not perfect for french press but it's a durable daily driver that never lets me down and can do an espresso grind damn near as well as a $300 baratza
The hario mini is essentially the same grinder in a different, smaller package. Perfect for travel
The porlex JP-30 is a tad more expensive but has grind settings that, while unmarked, do "click" into place making adjusting grind coarseness a bit easier
If you wanted to go the electric route, I've seen refurbished Baratza encore grinders for around $100. This will give you a mediocre espresso grind but a perfect and much easier drip and french press grind
Next up: preparation methods
French presses use a metal mesh filter, which gives you all of the oils in the cup and lets a tiny bit of really fine coffee solids through, which gives the cup a rich, full-bodied, velvety character They're also very easy to use as there's pretty much one accepted way to brew in them. And here's Philly's own Todd Carmichael demonstrating it. As far as which one to buy, they're all pretty much the same: a glass tube with a stick in it and some mesh on the end of the stick. I like my sterlingpro a lot but the bodum chambord is hugely popular and looks just as nice. Even a cheapo will do the job just as well, though, even if it doesn't look as nice.
pourovers do essentially the same thing as a drip coffee machine just with a lot more input from you, which is good because all but the most ludicrously expensive drip machines are very inconsistent and don't work as well as just doing it your own damn self. With a pourover, you're going to use a kettle or measuring cup with a spout to pour the water over the grounds in a set amount of time (3-4 minutes depending on the grind size) and usually in a very specific manner. Because these use a paper filter, there are no oils or insoluble solids in the cup so the coffee is clearer, tastes cleaner and usually a bit brighter than french press coffee. Popular models include the Hario v60 which is one of the more finicky models. If you decide on one of these, be sure to use a gooseneck kettle like Mr. Carmichael was using in the french press video above. Slightly more forgiving are the kalita wave and the melitta both of which would work fine with a normal kettle so long as it has some type of pour spout. If you want something with very thick filters, so as to produce a very clear cup, and also looks very nice, the chemex is a beautiful thing that produces great coffee, has a built-in carafe, and can make more than one cup at a time. Really more of a replacement for a large-volume drip machine than most pourovers.
The Aeropress is an absurdly popular, extremely versatile, and very well priced coffee brewer which is essentially a huge syringe with a paper filter instead of a needle. There's a thousand recipes online with different ways to use it, all of which produce a different cup.
Also worth noting is that you may want a kettle with temperature control, coffee should be brewed at 195-205F, so knowing what temp your water is helps reduce a lot of the headaches of cooling off boiled water for a vague amount of time. This bonavita is a little on the pricey side but has temp control and a gooseneck, which is always useful
I'm currently a fan of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's French Roast. I picked up a small bag at the grocery store, enjoyed it, then stumbled across the much larger bag at Costco.
It seems to be a hit with others, as well, as it's the only coffee I've made for people that they asked about what it was.
I've made it in both drip and french press. I'm still getting the hang of my french press, so the drip is more consistent, but both are good.
When it comes to this type of machine there is good, cheap and convenient. You can only pick two of those adjectives.
Keurigs definitely fall into the category of cheap and convenient. I don't mean to sound derogatory or mean, but there's no respect for them here at all.
That said, it does sound like something is off with your machine. Looking at the review, on switching on you should hear a pump activate; the heating light should come on; the water should heat prior to the selection buttons turning blue. There seems to be no control for the water temperature, if it's not heating, then you have a fault.
There is a keurig sub on here that might give you some more advice.
Edit to add: if you really want to treat your mother, get her one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/ref=sr_1_20?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1425737494&amp;sr=1-20&amp;keywords=coffee+grinder
and one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Chambord-French-Coffee-Chrome/dp/B00008XEWG/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1425737583&amp;sr=1-5&amp;keywords=french+press
I think the two most important questions are: what are some coffees that you've had and like? What sort of work are you willing to put into it?
My personal recommendation would be to get a Baratza Encore grinder, a digital scale, a gooseneck kettle of some sort, a Chemex, and a French Press. All that should easily fit within your budget. And of all the accessories I have, on 90% of the days I don't use anything other than those. Well, and some coffee beans.
But that will take some work -- measuring, grinding, pouring, waiting, more pouring. It will make much better coffee than any automated machine, but maybe you don't care that much and it sounds like too much work. In that case, the Technivorm Moccamaster and Bonvavita 1900 TS are good options for automatic drip machines.
EDTIT: Sorry, I missed "automatic" in the text. I still don't think that will give you the best coffee, but if you're set on it, ignore everything I said except the Technivorm and Bonavita.
Even though I am a pretentious asshole, I'll try not to be one. If you're on a tight budget I would suggest a hand blender like the kyocera http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003S9XF7K?pc_redir=1407223857&amp;robot_redir=1 (I'm on alien blue or else I'd link that shit to words) and if you want to try a press pot, bodum makes great cheap ones http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00008XEWG?pc_redir=1407268458&amp;robot_redir=1. Hope that helps :D
Hey so I'm new and have been lurking around for a few days. I've been looking for something to get for my dad's birthday and after reading the wikis and guides, can someone please tell me if this would be considered a good set?
Links: Beans
French Press
Grinder
Any help would be really great.
edit: I'm also thinking of just getting an aeropress instead of the cafetiere, would that be a good idea?
> if you want something close to an espresso with crema.
It's not going to make you an espresso, but it'll be darn close for pretty much the cheapest price. I do plan on getting something like a Gaggia Classic some time in the near future. But for starters, the Brikka is definitely better than the traditional drip coffee.
i have found just today this one: http://www.amazon.com/Gaggia-14101-Classic-Espresso-Stainless/dp/B0001KOA4Q/
on paper it looks good and is quite cheap at 230 euros
For a fancy latte, I calculated I save an average of $752/year within the first two years: $577 in the first year and $927 in the second year (because the coffee machine would be part of the costs in the first year but not the second).
We own a Gaggia Classic which we got on sale for $350. We buy a bag of espresso from Wegmans for each week ($7), a gallon of milk ($3) and vanilla syrup (1/4 bottle = $2). So that comes out to $974 for the machine and supplies each week for the first year. After the machine is bought, it's only $624 for a year of supplies.
A tall vanilla latte from Starbucks is about $4.25. To have one every day (like I do my homemade latte) for a year, it's $1,551.25 dollars.
First year = $1551.25 - $974 = $577.25 savings
Second year = $1551.25 - $624 = $927.25 = savings
Two year average = $752.25/year
A espresso machine.
I do love kitchen tools, but I'm currently spending money on nothing that I can't absolutely live without now that I graduated and have to start paying off student loans. I currently have a french press and a moka pot for my coffee needs, but I can't froth milk or pull a strong shot for cappuccino and espresso.
I've survived so far without one, although now that I am going to start working pretty much around the clock, I'm not sure if making proper coffee is going to happen very often.
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
https://www.amazon.ca/Gaggia-14101-Classic-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B0001KOA4Q
The one on CL for $600 was only 3 months old. With tax, a new one will be $720.
The general consensus here seems to be to aim for a Gaggia machine as the absolute minimum. Preferably a Gaggia Classic (~$388).
I've heard people recommend the lower priced Gaggia New Baby (~$300) to try out espresso and to help decide whether "to get a real espresso machine".
A step up from that, the recommendation seems to be the Crossland CC1, but that's in the $600+ range.
To save some money, you might do better finding a used machine or see if they're on sale at different sites.
If you want to go cheaper than that, people have recommended the MyPressi ($170), but I have not seen that in stock anywhere recently. There's some buzz regarding the MiniPresso (Preorder at $39), but that won't be out until 2015. So there won't be any reviews regarding it for a while.
As for grinder, if you're looking for cheap, you might have to make do with a hand grinder, either Hario Skerton (~$35) or Mini (~$26) or Porlex (~$43). The cheapest acceptable electric grinder seems to be the Baratza Preciso at $300.
This is the information I've gathered anyway. I don't have any personal experience with an espresso machine, but I hope this helps. If you decide to go with something, post your experience and help some people out.
Personally, I'm thinking of saving up for the CC1 and Vario (~$1000) combo...
Cool! Burr grinder is just as important as the machine in terms of espresso making. If you are going for small form and good value, check out the Saeco Aroma and the Gaggia Classic. I recently went through the entry level machine research phase and the overwhelming consensus was that these are the two best value entry-level machines. I ended up going with the Gaggia Classic (I found it used for $270 shipped) and am super happy with it. It doesn't take up a ton of counter space. It seems that the Saeco Aroma is significantly more compact though, if you look at the dimensions.
Good luck and congrats on the wedding!
Idk, this looks more like a kcup dispenser https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001KOA4Q/ref=psdc_14163731_t1_B00004S9G8
This says “i make espresso” https://m.bedbathandbeyond.com/m/product/breville-reg-infuser-espresso-machine/3244992
I don't know where you live, but in the US the "good" version is still on the market. As others have said, apparently Whole Latte Love sells it and so does Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001KOA4Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).
I literally just got mine from Amazon 3 days ago and it is the RI9303 (model 14101). It has the aluminum boiler, 3-way solenoid, and over pressure valve (I opened it up to be sure). The "bad" version is the RI9403... which from everything I have read, is only sold in Europe.
As a comparison, here is the RI9403 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaggia-New-Classic-Brushed-Chrome/dp/B00SBLMICS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421526213&sr=8-1&keywords=RI9403). Notice on the RI9403 the different control buttons, the plastic portafilter spouts, and the lack of the solenoid drain tube on the left side that you can clearly see on the US version (RI9303).
Do you know if there has been a change in the build quality of the Gaggia 14101 Classic? I was planning on getting it but I'll have to reevaluate my options if it turns out the quality is not what it used to be.
We make espresso with a stainless stovetop percolator similar to this
Our aerolatte frother recently died, we liked it until we replaced it with this which makes an incredible microfoam
If you like lattes, this milk frother might be a good buy.
http://www.amazon.com/HIC-Brands-That-Cook-005/dp/B0002KZUNK/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1325202670&amp;sr=1-2
It's compact and works well. I loved mine until my cat decided to play with it and knocked it off the counter to it's death.
Gotta get an aerolatte - that thing will blend anything into water.
Areolatte
Holy shit you're right! Ikea Milk Frother is two fiddy!
I bought the Aerolatte for $20, which looks exactly the same as the Ikea one.
I guess it’s called a “handheld milk frothed” like this: https://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-Original-HandHeld-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK
I had a glass frother but it was too messy and a pain to keep clean. I now use this every day and it seems to work just fine. The biggest reason I like it is it's portable - throw in bag and go.
Hands down easiest clean up... I use it every morning... The aero latte.
https://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-Original-HandHeld-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK
I'm using this for a while now, it's good, but I'm not sure if it's going to serve you as an egg mixer.
http://www.amazon.com/Aerolatte-56AL3SAT-Milk-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK/ref=sr_1_4?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1414495258&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=milk+frother
So, I was reading this thread and I had a thought (while drinking).
Last night, I whipped up a batch of Nude's Ooples and Boonoonoos in the microwave. 30 mL in a 100 mL flask, nuked for 5 seconds brought it to "not cold." So, I swirled it a bit, then did another 5 seconds and it was "slightly warm" (above body temp, but easily held in my hand).
Then, I took my mixing wand of awesome (one of these with the spring part cut off) and aerated the juice for 10-15 minutes (batteries wore out, unfortunately). Then I let it cool and sit for an hour, swirling occasionally and did a test vape. The perfume taste was almost completely gone, so I bottled it and started vaping.
I don't know whether the heat or the power aeration was more critical, but get one of those aerators. Hell, make one out of a coat hanger.
I think it's this one:
Name: "Self Stirring Coffee Mug"
$10
Amazon Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Stirring-Coffee-Stainless-Automatic-Spinning/dp/B01J44MGOA
I've had these before, they're good for simple liquids like milk or coffee, but bad with anything thicker as the stirring mechanism is very small and the motor is relatively weak.
For really good stirring I use this now:
https://www.amazon.com/aerolatte-Original-HandHeld-Frother-Satin/dp/B0002KZUNK
$20 and it's damn powerful. I use it every day and it's lasted two years now.
I picked up an Aerolatte Milk Frother several moons ago, and it does a great job. Put some milk in a glass, nuke it for a minute, then whip it -- whip it good. It creates a very smooth froth that's great on coffee and tea. Use heavy creamer instead of milk, and you've got a great pie topper.
Moka Pot
[Hario Grinder] (http://www.amazon.com/Hario-MSS-1B-Mini-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1368467219&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=hario+grinder)
Milk Frother
It won't be perfect, but at 100 bucks that's the best you are going to do. If you are looking for a machine, expect to spend ~250 bucks to get good shots, more than that if you want to do it easily.
I'm waiting with baited breath to see if http://zpmespresso.myshopify.com/ is going to change the whole home espresso game, but for now I'm rocking the Moka Pot and it honestly works pretty well for me.
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Electric-Settings-IDS77/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1484249370&amp;sr=1-6&amp;keywords=coffee+grinder
This is the one I use
For less messy amazon links you can extract the part after "/dp/" in
https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Electric-Settings-IDS77/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_6?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1484249370&amp;sr=1-6&amp;keywords=coffee+grinder
and make it:
https://amzn.com/B000BRLXUI
Or via smile link:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI
BEEP BOP
Plz send any recommendations via PM
I've had this Mr. Coffee for 4 years or so and has worked perfectly without any issues.
Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Electric Coffee Grinder with Multi Settings, IDS77-RB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sactDbYM9XH1D
It's a cheap Mr. Coffee electric grinder that has various grind times based on what type of grind and how many cups.
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1394897538&amp;sr=8-11&amp;keywords=coffee+grinder
Is the model I believe
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_2?s=kitchen&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1459185754&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=mr+coffee+blade+grinder
Got it at WalMart for 10 dollars
I just got a french press as a gift. I decided I want to give grinding my own beans a try. When we moved into my house the old owners left behind [this cheap blade grinder] (https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-Electric-Settings-IDS77/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1498241629&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=mr.+coffee+grinder). I used it this morning and was not impressed. I'm not looking to spend a lot on a burr grinder.
My question is: For someone who is only going to be doing a coarse grind for a french press will this Mr. Coffee Burr Grinder be good enough? I know a lot of the aficionados will shoot it down (I've done enough googling and reddit searching to know that). However, I'm just a guy with a french press that wants a nice cup of coffee. A lot of the reviews I read focus on its struggles with a fine grind, but I don't need that right now. I just want something that will grind better than a blade and will help make a good cup of coffee (better than pre-ground in a drip for example). I know there are cheap mechanical options, but my problem with those is most only seem to hold one or two cups at a time. I'd rather be able to grind the full 4 cups my press can make at once.
EDIT: Or if someone has tips on to make better use of the blade grinder until I can save up for one of the ~$100 grinders people recommend.
I believe this is the only local roaster, and they're super expensive: https://nmpinoncoffee.com/
Do either of these grinders seem okay? http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/
http://www.amazon.com/Bru-Joy-Stainless-Aeropress-Compatible/dp/B012Q9RJN8/
Thanks for the advice!
I use this with good results
Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Electric Coffee Grinder with Multi Settings, IDS77-RB https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VZjvCb7T50DG0
This is the grinder I was using. A lot of left over ground coffee on the walls and top piece as well. I would rinse it after every use because I thought leaving it on there might be bad for future cups. Not exactly sure what you mean by chafing, sorry.
I haven't actually checked how most coffee machines do it but I am assuming some kind of dripping system? When you mention clever or bonavita are you taking in consideration coffee machines or only manual methods? Just to be clear, you are saying that there are no extra performance/health benefits from doing it manually compared to letting a machine using Kcups do it for you?
Thank you very much for the reply and help, I really appreciate it!
I would prefer to steer away from drip machines (as they don't seem to have longevity)... I have this coffee grinder
The smaller pours definitely sounds like the problem. It was the first time trying smaller pours and the difference was noticeable. I'm glad saying "dry" was enough! I took my first drink and felt like I had just trudged through the desert.
I put handground, but I am really using a cheap Mr. Coffee grinder I was gifted so that might not be accurate. But this time I was using a "medium" grind.
What's your price range? When you say "brew decent coffee at school" I'm imagining you brewing regular drip coffee and not espresso. I'm also imagining that you're either going to be in a dorm room or you work in some department at school which means that an expensive one is not an option (what with theft and abuse etc.).
That being said, a burr grinder in that price range will work no better than a decent whirly blade. Trust me, I've tried a few of the low cost ones and they either break after 30 days (black and decker) or are difficult to clean which results in the coffee being irregularly ground anyway.
For work, I went to Target (a big box store) and bought one of these. It's cheap enough and does the job well. It has to be the most well intentioned whirly blade out there -- it times the grinding so the base won't heat up to evaporate the coffee oils and the hopper pops off so you don't have to make a mess pouring the coffee into the filter basket.
It also has these little scraper thingies that you move back and forth that will scrape the bottom of the hopper bowl so you won't have coffee stink finger from running your finger over the bottom to get the stuck on bits (it's also more hygienic that way).
If you have your heart stuck on a really good burr grinder (and it just has to be a burr grinder) less than $300 USD then go on ebay and buy a used Zassenhaus hand cranked grinder. That will work far better than any electric burr grinder under the $200 mark.
I love coffee, but I don't have a lot of accessories. I got a French Press and a grinder for my wedding, but unfortunately we broke the grinder. I'm planning to buy this one some day.
My work has a Keurig machine, so I am always in search of k-cups. There are seasonal pumpkin ones that I would quite possibly kill a man for.
I'd love to try an Aeropress! What are your thoughts?
I recently purchased the Hario 5 cup siphon and use it on my gas stove top all the time. I was going to purchase a portable butane burner but figured I would give the stove top a try before hand. Someone had posted a review on amazon about using a gas stove and it working for him. I was worried about the base over heating but that has not been an issue at all. I simply use one of the smaller burners on the stove top, if you have that option, and use a medium/low heat turning it to low after the top chamber fills. Hope this helps!
I have an electric blade grinder. It's fine. For a french press, I use a medium grind so as not to extract too many tannins while brewing. For a drip I would use a fine grind as the water spends much less time in contact with the coffee.
Bonus: this is on my amazon wishlist. One day I will own this mad scientist's contraption. http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Technica-5-Cup-Coffee-Syphon/dp/B000IKLQZK?ie=UTF8&amp;colid=1N4896UWL84D5&amp;coliid=I2JZ3W1BDHU9TK&amp;ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl
Here you go
As far as I can tell, that was simply a siphon coffee brewer made out of lab glassware. Still, I want it in my dining room!
It's like-a this: http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Technica-5-Cup-Coffee-Syphon/dp/B000IKLQZK
hmmm.... he COULD upgrade his grinder, a baratza virtuoso is a step up from his capresso infinity (that's what i think that is), especially when it comes to espresso making.
there are things like custom tamps that you can get and get their name on it? I'm not familiar with the breville machine so not sure if the tamps you get actually work on the breville one, sometimes they are smaller.
other cool things include a siphon coffee machine, you would want to get a butane burner for it, i'm not from america so I don't really know what people recommend of amazon lol but i'll link something for reference:
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Technica-5-Cup-Syphon-Coffee/dp/B000IKLQZK/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=siphon+coffee+hario&qid=1569350492&s=gateway&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Tabletop-Outdoor-Butane-Burner/dp/B07WFDPMNJ/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=siphon+coffee+butane+burner&qid=1569350580&s=gateway&sr=8-15
or a kyoto style drip tower, which is for making iced drip coffee which is great and this is also somethign I would NEVER get myself (price and all) but would be awesome to have but be aware of the practicality of size and where to put it lol, note: it takes 5-6 hours to drip a few cups haha:
https://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-YAMCDM8SBK-Coffee-Technology/dp/B004EBUZ1A/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=kyoto+drip+tower&qid=1569350410&s=gateway&sr=8-15
https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Coffee-Water-Dripper-780ml/dp/B001807LZS/ref=sr_1_10?keywords=drip+tower&qid=1569350457&s=gateway&sr=8-10
btw, you are a great friend.
You should look into getting a vacuum pot then! It's fairly similar
I have an insulated french press I use for a crowd (or if I want to have multiple cups).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cafetiere-TopElek-Stainless-Measuring-Screens/dp/B01LWSU8X7/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499878617&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;keywords=french+press&amp;psc=1
I also have a coffee syphon I use if I want to feel like I'm makin' crack. I clearly have a problem and need to repent, post haste.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hario-TCA-5-Coffee-Syphon-Technia/dp/B000IKLQZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1499878685&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=coffee+syphon+hario
Welcome to caffeine addiction.
I think next on my list is one of these syphon brewers. I tried it at a coffee shop and it's a lot like a French press but better filtered.
I have been curios about this machine https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Technica-5-Cup-Coffee-Syphon/dp/B000IKLQZK. Have you ever used one of these?
I wonder if it really works when it comes to integrate the scent of the coffee inside the cup.
Hario Technica 5-Cup Glass Syphon Coffee Maker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IKLQZK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IEx1DbVGF521B
$30 is a great deal
I've had coffee from a variant of this called the siphon:
http://www.amazon.com/Hario-Technica-5-Cup-Coffee-Syphon/dp/B000IKLQZK
For me it makes the best cup of coffee among all the different brewing methods. I get a cup from the shop from time to time but don't make it at home. There's no way I could pull this off in the morning.
This is the order page for the syphon, but none of the suggested items link to the burner which looks much more awesome than the alcohol burner that it comes with.
Link: http://amzn.com/B000IKLQZK
> Honestly, from my experience in asia, most people would just buy bottled green tea which should be available in your local asian grocery store (assuming you have one).
I don't know, I'd say that most Asian households (or at least Japanese ones) tend to have a water boiler (like this one) and stock tea. Quite common to serve guests tea too.
Kettles? You westerners are such amateurs when it comes to tea. Behold the standard fixture in every Asian household!
Fuck Keurig. Their machines are noisy as fuck, slow, have horrible interfaces[1], flake out after about a year of daily use, and their whole system generates waste.
Get yourself a Swissgold KF300 or Frieling (Wikipedia says the former manufactures for the latter) filter and enjoy endless cups of environmentally-friendly, waste-free coffee. Bonus: it's completely portable! I've taken mine around the world on extended trips.
[1] when you turn the piece of shit on, it has to sit there and boil up some water. Meantime, you try to punch in what you want so you can walk away and it'll start brewing when it's ready. Not so fast, hot-shot. It has to finish boiling the water, then you have to close (or open and close) the cup vagina, then you can hit the fucking 'go' button. They'll say "oh, just leave it on all the time, or have it turn on before you get up!" Yeah, great, you fuckfaces, until someone else uses it and responsibly turns it off.
Edit: oh, and if you're lamenting the annoyance of boiling water, go fancy and get a water boiler or go cheap and get an electric kettle (I've had one for about 15 years that probably cost $5).
Thanks for the links! I was curious if you'd think a water boiler would be okay for pourovers? I already own a water boiler like this,and I wouldn't have money to get both the kettle and Kalita just yet. I know you said I could "technically get by", but what would be the downsides?
That seems like an awful amount of work for something like that. Especially since these things exist or water kettles in general. Why not just do a manual brewing method like the clever?
you could get one of these... and a french press? You can also use it with ramen noodles or tea... or anything that requires hot water immediately. It should be easier to use when you're hung over. My coworker has the keurig one, and it broke in two years.
http://www.cockedkratom.com/shop - he also has a 20% off code right now "nacu"
Also, for the tea filters, these are the ones I use - https://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Filter-Disposable-Infuser-Capacity/dp/B001BLCIN4 - cheap & cheerful for loose teas.
Just get these. There were cheaper ones that are like 2 bucks for a bajillion, but they don't seem to be on amazon anymore. Anyway, you get the gist. I'm sure you can find something in London.
http://infuseteabarny.com/ - A tea shop local enough, with great selection!
http://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Disposable-Paper-Filter-Count/dp/B001BLCIN4/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1412620110&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=tea+bags+for+loose+tea - Tea Bags for loose tea!
https://www.amazon.com/T-Sac-Filter-Disposable-Infuser-Capacity/dp/B001BLCIN4
something like that is generally what I would think of. Although it would probably be easier just to go with a basket strainer if that works.
Looks awesome!
put your weeds in this for even less clean up :D
Just make sure that it's super fine material, but not too fine to let the leaves out. Also make sure it isn't treated with anything. We can't use regular paper towels because of the chemicals that they are covered in- gotta make sure the same goes for your fabric. Good luck!
If you want it to be reusable, you can model them off of the paper ones for single use.
This one is nice because it's cheap. These are nice because cleanup is a lot easier. Cleaning out infusers can be a pain.
The thing is, french press makes a totally different cup than say, a drip machine. It will have much more body from the oils in the beans and also it will inevitably have some grit. The best way to avoid grit is to invest in a really good grinder that is consistent. Or you can just let it settle to the bottom of the cup and not drink that portion.
So really to make the best french press possible you need to invest a lot of money. Fresh press is great but I wouldn't call it the gold standard, it is just one of the many ways to make coffee. Drip machines can make great coffee if you spend a lot of money, like a Technivorm.
If you are satisfied with the coffee you make in a french press without investing in an expensive grinder, go for it. In my opinion, the Aeropress makes a damn decent cup of coffee without the expensive grinder - it is much more forgiving when it comes to grind inconsistency.
For drip coffee, I'm told this is the bees knees: http://www.amazon.com/Technivorm-Moccamaster-Coffee-Brewer-Thermo/dp/B002S4DI2S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1318801619&amp;sr=8-1
Something about the temperature it gets to, the spray of water, etc.
But I'm not spending the $300 needed to make that good coffee at work.
Unless they have expressed a desire to do something different, I don't really think so. They're probably just fine with what they have.
If you're dead set on getting them a nicer brewer, then that probably wouldn't be a bad idea - but it sounds like they like their coffee the way it is?
Getting them a [technivorm moccamaster] (https://www.amazon.com/Moccamaster-10-Cup-Coffee-Thermal-Polished/dp/B002S4DI2S) would be a saintly thing ; but are you sure you don't just want one for yourself?
I recently purchased the Technivorm Moccamaster and Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder as replacements for my worn-out Cuisinart grinder and Brew Central coffee maker. So far, I am very pleased with the improvements in taste and quality of coffee I’ve brewed.
Technivorm Moccamaster KBT 79112 Coffee Brewer, 40 oz, Polished Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002S4DI2S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wfa9BbNMGHNFG
Baratza Sette 30 Conical Burr Grinder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075G11F9N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_uga9BbFVB7F7T
The National Coffee Association says:
>Your brewer should maintain a water temperature between 195 - 205 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal extraction. Colder water will result in flat, underextracted coffee while water that is too hot will also cause a loss of quality in the taste of the coffee.
Further,
>If it will be a few minutes before it will be served, the temperature should be maintained at 180 - 185 degrees Fahrenheit.
Just because most home brewers don't have the capability to do this doesn't mean it's correct. The Technivorm Moccamaster and Bonavita BV1800 both have capabilities to brew at optimum temperature, as well as two other home models which are certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of America.
I think I'll trust their judgment and advice over Cracked.
Buy this grinder, btw, if you want:
http://www.amazon.com/Kyocera-CM-50-CF-Ceramic-Grinder/dp/B003S9XF7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1318611034&amp;sr=1-1
It's fantastic.
I went with this Kyocera Grinder. It's been pretty good in my experience, although I've only had it for a few months so I don't know how durable it would be. I use it mainly for fine grinds, though it definitely can take a while. It's also been fairly good for coarse grinds, although it can be somewhat inconsistent. But orphan espresso sells a do-it-yourself add-on kit to increase stability if you're willing to go that far.
Huh weird, even that description looks sketchy. The Kyocera looks identical though
http://www.amazon.com/Kyocera-CM-50-CF-Ceramic-Grinder/dp/B003S9XF7K/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1394091154&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=kyocera+grinder
If you're going to go cheap for the grinder, make sure it is of quality construction. I went with a manual one.
100 dollars buys you a decent motorized burr grinder, 50 dollars buys you a very good manual burr grinder.
Adjustments are slower than on the machines, grinding is a bit more intense... but hell, I use this for espresso and it takes just about the same amount time for the machine to warm up that it takes for me to grind up some beans.
http://www.amazon.com/Kyocera-CM-50-CF-Ceramic-Grinder/dp/B003S9XF7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1332510467&amp;sr=8-2
I have been using a ceramic Kyocera burr grinder happily for 10+ years. There are a lot of lookalike knockoffs on Amazon I doubt live up to the genuine artifact.
https://www.amazon.com/Kyocera-Advanced-Ceramic-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B003S9XF7K/
All of these hand grinder seem great and you definitely want something that is adjustable. I have heard great things about the hario, but for a little more, you can get this one, comes with a glass mason jar to grind into and store into. [I personally have the kyocera] (http://www.amazon.com/kitchen-dining/dp/B003S9XF7K)
look I am not a coffee connoisseur, but for what I've heard unless you can taste the difference any coffee grinder could do the job for a french press, for an expresso you need a more finer grind, now if you're using expensive beans maybe I wouldn't use a cheap grinder. but maybe you could tell me if there is a big difference between these to the Baratza?
Manual
Bodum
Found an Amazon review of the Hario Skerton suggesting a mod for French Press:
> I bought this for my husband, a coffee connoisseur. Buying a good quality electric burr grinder was well outside what I could afford, but he loves this one. Here's the key though, if you, like my husband, use a French press regularly: get the lower bearing modification from OrphanEspresso.com. On the coarse setting needed for a press, the Skerton, without the modification, will give you an inconsistent grind. Adding the lower bearing modification gives you an incredibly consistent very coarse grind. My husband says he's never been able to get a better coarse grind with any other grinder. And, even with the additional cost of buying the modification, this is still a very affordable option to please any connoisseur. One potential issue though is that, once you put in the modification, unless you remove it (which would be heart-breaking since it's a pain to install), you won't be able to get a super fine grind like you would need for espresso.
>
> Tip: The Skerton is pretty much exactly the same as the Kyocera CM-50 (only perceivable difference: one has slightly more opaque plastic). The price of each varies occasionally, so, if you want this grinder, check them both out to find the cheaper one (here's the Kyocera CM-50: http://www.amazon.com/Kyocera-CM-50-CF-Ceramic-Grinder/dp/B003S9XF7K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1357940693&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=kyocera+coffee+mill).
>
> Check out these videos about the Hario Skerton, Kyocera CM-50, and the lower bearing modification for both:
> [...]
> [...]
>
> If you decide to buy the modification, a 10mm combination wrench works for installing it (they don't say in the video). It can be hard to install and Orphan Espresso's website is hard to navigate, but it's all worth it.
The blade you have will be easier to use, but you should find you get better coffee using the burr grinder. I started out with this guy because they had it at Kitchen Kapers, and I needed something quiet (manual-only) and burr.
I wouldn't recommend that one. The Kyocera doesn't have a lid, so you have to be careful to keep it upright and not grind too fast or beans fly out. Looks like the Hario version of the one I bought has a lid so it would do better, but I see the one you linked as many people's preference, so I'm sure that'll be great.
I stopped using my hand grinder because I'm lazy, and I just ordered my coffee ground for the last couple years, but then last month I bought an Baratza Encore and have been quite happy with that so far and think that will keep me satisfied for as long as it lives.
If you're like me and having to hand grind your coffee results in you not making coffee when you would have otherwise, then just buy it pre-ground and save up for a nicer electric burr grinder.
The aesthetics look really awesome. I've seen many dutch coffee devices being used in South Korea. Like this one from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-Maker-Straight-Black/dp/B004EBUZ1A/ref=pd_sim_79_6?ie=UTF8&amp;dpID=41tRrVDoWJL&amp;dpSrc=sims&amp;preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&amp;psc=1&amp;refRID=D620MKJ5734WVNBTRF3Q
Most of them are big (which may be good for displays in coffee shops), and like you said, the openings allow dust and air to enter. I think that's why these dutch coffee tasted so acidic from being oxidized. Have you guys tested if your coffee is less acidic than regular dutch coffee since there's less oxidation?
As a Korean, I think one of the biggest up-sell is that it prevents "dust" from entering. Korea is currently suffering "micro dust" problem and they are obsessed with preventing dust in any possible way. The fact that this prevents dust and purifies water, it could be a huge up-sell there.
In the future, do you guys plan on making larger version for commercial use? Like at coffee shops? Will you guys ever export to Korea?
EDIT: Haha, I just realized this was being made in Korea after reading Amazon product page.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=71&amp;v=4czF1u4tixo
Does he like cold brew?
https://www.amazon.com/Yama-Glass-Maker-Straight-Black/dp/B004EBUZ1A
Perhaps a really cool science-lab-looking iced-tea maker like this one? Northwest Glass makes a much larger version (about 3-4 feet tall) that is very impressive in person and would be suitable for a tea cafe.
That cold brew science-looking experiment is the Yama and it's for sale on Amazon, as well as other outlets when you know the name. But amazon is easiest for me to link as I already looked it up. My local coffee shop uses ice water in the reservoir.
25 cup model for $479
6-8 cup model for $269
Something like this
It's capable of making concentrate that you can cut with milk/water or just straight drinking strength coffee.
You could make a batch before opening and brew more as the day progresses based on the expected number of customers. It's really mesmerising to watch!
Remember that cold drip tower that was on Kickstarter a few years back and looked cool, but ended up being $600 retail? It was posted on this subreddit a few times. That one just used regular old standard lab glassware. The one in the picture is ~$300 and has custom glassware.
tl;dr you can build a decent cold drip tower for ~$75-100 using lab equipment.
Amazon, my friend:
http://www.amazon.com/Yama-Northwest-Glass-32-Ounce-Coffee/dp/B004EBUZ1A
I've had my eye on one for some time. Can't quite justify it, though..
Just get a beaker and have a glass worker add them if you cant find them else where. Or there is always a way to buy a pre-made system: http://www.amazon.com/Yama-Northwest-Glass-32-Ounce-Coffee/dp/B004EBUZ1A .
so does anyone have one of these or have any insight? considering pulling the trigger at $129.
edit: glass carafe version is only $149 on amazon so this isn't an insane deal
They also make a glass carafe version of that, but it looks like in this video they're only considering the insulated ones. I prefer a glass carafe with heater because I despise coffee that's less than hot and I sometimes drink it over a long period of time.
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1800-8-Cup-Coffee-Carafe/dp/B005YQZT92
yeah, but as a certifiable coffee snob I feel obligated to point out that the most common kind of coffee maker is not very good at its job in the price range most people expect to pay. Here's mine.
Coffee is awesome. I need more.
This one has been long in my order list, read every review and so many YouTube videos about it. Looks to be a fairly good espresso machine. With a frother as well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0001KOA4Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1474816260&amp;sr=8-1&amp;pi=SY200_QL40&amp;keywords=gaggia+classic+espresso+machine&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41GEJM8TPSL&amp;ref=plSrch
My machine at home fills up 1.5 oz jiggers. I suppose Starbucks uses the 1 oz settings.
You didn't include the volume of syrup.
After steaming, milk expansion is close to double or triple. It's not just aeration. Steam is incorporated with the milk, comprising a substantial amount of its volume.
Aerating is different than steaming. These crappy wands aerate. Steaming milk incorporates steam into the milk.
My math may be off not as much as you say. I suspect it's between our answers.
I believe Sweet Maria's was one of the first, if not the first to start selling these in the US.
But even Amazon sells them now.
Get the Bonavita Coffee Maker - http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005YQZT92?pc_redir=1408028574&amp;robot_redir=1
For anyone looking for a cheap variable temperature kettle, I have this one and it's been great for the past couples of use everyday.
I set the little dial to about 1/4 of the way to get the temperature between 195-200. The only issue is you have to fill it up to the liter mark, if you put in less it'll boil and more will not get high enough.
It's real - I got one as a Christmas gift last year. Amazon
Why? Are the hand presses like a ROK not espresso? What is the procedural differences between something like that and putting the same amount of pressure on an aeropress? If I can make a puck of the same grind of coffee and apply the same amount of pressure to it, why isn't that espresso? Is it the paper filter? Is there some mechanism of a real espresso maker that I'm not aware of? I honestly don't understand the difference.
If you look at places like Kijiji you might find some used Breville machine...
Unless you are looking at manual espresso maker like Rok:
https://www.amazon.com/ROK-Presso-Manual-Espresso-Maker/dp/B00AV1E0GI
https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-49980A-Programmable-Stainless/dp/B00EI7DPS0/ref=sxin_3_ac_m_pm
What you think about this?
The regular is in stock @ $60: Bonavita Pouring Kettle
edit: sorry. I'm dumb. fixed.
side note: the 1.7L non-pouring Variable Temp is on sale @ $35. 58% off. I have it and like it. I haven't had any of the issues that the bad reviews mention. Plus, bonavita's support is typically pretty good.