Coffee Makers (French, vinegar, expensive, buy)

[SAnativegirl]

Help-These things don't last long. And we do clean with vinegar once in a while. I don't drink it much but husband has to have it daily. What brand have you been happy with-doesn't need to be large. Thanks

[Midorigreen]

Originally Posted by SAnativegirl

Help-These things don't last long. And we do clean with vinegar once in a while. I don't drink it much but husband has to have it daily. What brand have you been happy with-doesn't need to be large. Thanks

We love our Kitchenaid....but I have noticed that it drips a lot slower here and gets build-up much faster than when we lived in WA state. That said, it's still brewing everyday without fail!

I like that it brews so HOT and fast!!!!

[rd2007]

I had the Cuisinart grind and brew and it was great. I especially loved the thermal carafe. I replaced it with the Cuisinart that has the dispenser in it and no carafe and really like the setup, but miss the thermal keeping the coffee hot for hours without a burner plate.
they seriously need to morph them together

[Primo]

Originally Posted by SAnativegirl

Help-These things don't last long. And we do clean with vinegar once in a while. I don't drink it much but husband has to have it daily. What brand have you been happy with-doesn't need to be large. Thanks

Try using bottle/distilled water instead of tap.

[fierce_flawless]

Personally, after having been through SEVERAL nice machines due to mineral buildup and despite regular vinegar cleaning or cleaning with special "coffee maker cleaners", I wouldn't buy an expensive one without using bottled or filtered water. There are some with built in filtration systems... maybe that's a better option?

Of course the odd thing is that I have a second-hand espresso machine that I've had for 2 years now, and really am neglectful about cleaning the "insides".. it gets daily heavy use and is chugging along fine!

[Chaka]

This is what we have and LOVE (but it's a cool orange color)

https://secure.nespresso.com/precom/sima/fiche__C100%2B_%28NESPRESSO_Essenza_C100_%2B_AEROC CINO%29__N_PACK_C100_1_us_en.html (broken link)

For making American coffee, which we don't do very often, I also have a French Press. Espresso Zone - Bodum Chambord French Coffee Press (http://www.espressozone.com/9182.html - broken link)

Oh, and we only ever use bottled water for coffee. Besides the mineral deposits, tap water affects the taste.

Now I wish I was home for a good cup of coffee

[KY Filly]

I just replaced my coffee maker AND grinder about 10 days ago. Not because of wear and tear since I moved here three months ago - both my coffee maker and grinder were already on their last legs when I left Kentucky. Anyway I shopped at Overstock.com (one of my favorites), I like shopping there cause I can read the reviews of what others have said etc. I ended up getting Cuisinart brand both in the maker and the grinder. I LOVE both of them. I had a Bunn coffee maker before and had used only Bunn for about 12 years, but decided to go with something different. The Bunn makers are pretty big and take up lots of room on the counter. The Cuisinart not only makes great coffee it looks good too! I've never had a maker before where I could set the timer and this one has that feature (among many others), I go ahead and get mine ready the night before and now I wake up to the smell of coffee and it's ready for me!

I did buy the refurbished maker - it's about 40% cheaper on Overstock than the new ones. It looked brand new and works perfect. It shipped quick and I had it about 3 days after I ordered it online. I'm definitely a fan though, of buying a quality coffee maker - I think they last longer and brew a better cup of coffee. I think those Mr. Coffee/cheapo type of makers don't last as long. JMHO.

[SAnativegirl]

Thanks for all your comments. When we went to beach recently for a week, we usedbottled water for coffee. I didn't even think of doing it at home. We had a Cuisinart a couple machines ago, maybe I'll get another. Or check overstock site-thanks again.

[winolisa]

I agree that bottled or filtered water is the key. We have been filling the reservoir with water from our Brita pitcher and have had no problems with lime build up. However, it will not help if your husband has a sloppy hand with the water and ends up shorting the machine (although he adamantly denies this).

[scuba steve]

My cheapo Sunbeam and 1970s Regal percolator seem to be doing ok. But I have a water softener.