Coffee Makers: What kind do you have (costs, build, pressure)

[otterhere]

When my old Mr. Coffee gave out, friends recommended the Kurig (sp?) for over $100, plus the pricey pods. Presumably because it's currently trendy. No thanks! Found a perfectly good single-cup coffeemaker with a permanent filter and insulated travel thermos for just $9.99 at Walmart (also have them at the dollar stores). Very happy after a year with it; so happy that I bought a second one as a backup! Goodwills are also full of unwanted secondhand Kurigs at great savings, if you must have that.

[djmilf]

Originally Posted by Scooby Snacks

I also want to try the French Press but I'm not sure how it works.

Originally Posted by randomparent

It's a glass pitcher into which you pour hot water plus the coffee and let steep. After a few minutes, you push a mesh plunger through the water to the bottom of the pitcher where it traps the grounds. The coffee can then be poured off.

Just wanted to add...with a french press, you need to use coffee that is coarsely ground, else you'll wind up with gritty coffee. Also, stir the coffee twice during steeping, once right away and a second time about a minute later; this helps the flavor by maximizing the surface area of the coffee grounds expose to the hot water.

[Ted Bear]

Originally Posted by Bones

... They work everyday for a couple years....then get a new one....

There's your answer.

Keurig. Delongi. Mr Coffee. No Name Manufacturer.

If you make coffee every day, they all work well for about two years and then the heating element burns out.

I have switched brands each time.....have a Cuisinart now...and none last more than a couple of years. Planned obsolescence?

Don't know.

But I have learned not buy a "high end" coffee maker at higher cost because it doesn't last any better than el cheapo.

[nynraleigh]

Keurig, it's overrated and not worth the $$$. I'd never buy another. I basically use it now to heat water for tea if I'm pressed for time and do not use the cooktop kettle.

I recently made the Campbell's soup that came out for the Keurig, so gross. The other pods, such as apple cider, hot chocolate, even coffee; although name brand, do not taste the same as when you make it in a non-Keurig machine or on the stove top. The "My K-Cup" works okay, but still not the same. I'm not sold on Keurig, just a fad in my opinion.

[Opt-Out]

Just a standard drip-type maker here. Our only requirements are that it be programmable, have an auto-off feature, and brew 10-12 cups.

[marino760]

I just bought a Mr. Coffee drip programmable for about $30 and I like it more than my $100 one from another brand which only lasted about 6 months.

[Rogarven]

Have a Cuisinart that I inherited from parents. Only gripe is the carafe has thin glass and breaks easily. I have seen the S-S ones at Williams- Sonoma but kind of high. It works well. As I only drink about 3 cups in the morning. Then switch to iced tea.
A few years ago, I almost pulled the trigger on the Rancilio Silvia but the cost and deciding I didn't want to have the learning curve that it would take. I had done a LOT of research. I had gotten hooked on cappuccino while traveling in Italy and wanted to replicate that. I decided it wasn't worth the money .
When we have been other places with the K-cups, I haven't been impressed. Maybe just for one cup and certainly better than instant coffee.

[NOLA2SGF]

Originally Posted by NOLA2SGF

You know, I like that idea. I haven't used one in decades, but I like the simplicity and easy care and I don't drink much coffee, either. I am going to seriously think about switching to a Melita cone.

Well, that didn't take long. I just ordered one from Amazon. Looking forward to trying one for the first time since the 1960's. Thanks for the idea, NoMoreSnowForMe.

[mistyriver]

Ours is a Techniworm Moccamaster. Best coffeemaker we've ever had and lasted a long time which is good because they are pricey.

[veggienut]

I took the Hamilton coffee maker back today. It doesn't fit under the cabinet and was on the edge of the counter-top too~! When I did use it, the grinds ended up in the bottom of the pot. No wonder the coffee tasted awful. Right now I have no coffee maker. Originally, I switched to a Keurig because when I make a full pot and it sits for any length of time the taste isn't good anymore. I have no idea what type to get. I'll look at what ya all posted but most look like they are too tall to fit under the cabinet. I use to drink a lot of coffee but weaned away from it (I guess) when I got the Keurig because there are some strong brews that all you need (or I need) is one good cup of a strong one. Anyways, thanks for y'all post. Apparently, this turned into a "hot topic"