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[carpal]

I just got back from picking up a cheapie French press to replace my old one that bit the dust. While I grew up on French press coffee, and will pretty much always stand by it, the subject of other ways to brew coffee has intrigued me since I rediscovered Chemex coffee makers over the holiday. These things are great:

I definitely want to get my hands on one. I really dig the simplicity of the thing and its brewing process.

To the rest of you gaffers (especially the international crowd): how do you brew your coffee? Any other interesting methods out there that most of us have probably never tried?

 

[heavy liquid]

I grind my own coffee beans and brew it the regular way. How does a French Press work, by the way?

 

[Baconäger]

I say "I would like a cafe mocha" when I go to Starbucks.

 

[Tazznum1]

That is only good for 1 cup, then it gets cold fast.

 

[PotatoeMasher]

I like my french press and awful lot, but I prefer coffee out of a Bunn any day of the week... I bought my parents a Bunn NHB for Christmas... best. present. ever!

so... so far I have nothing much to add... in my dorm room I'm pretty much stuck with my french press travel mug--which always impresses yuppies!

(mine is stainless steel)

 

[Megafoo Chavez]

luke warm pot of maxwell house with a shot of baileys

 

[Tazznum1]

I grind my own beans and brew it or I use a coffee pod.

Depends.

 

[cubanb]

i use a regular coffee maker but I want to switch to french press after I was introduced to it the last couple summers. It makes really good coffee and only a cup at a time!

I still dig grinding the beans and using a coffee maker, but the french press coffee seems ... stronger

 

[Manics]

I grind my own coffee beans and brew it the regular way. How does a French Press work, by the way?

Me too. I found that switching to grinding beans really brings out the flavour alot more.

 

[gblues]

I grind my own coffee beans and brew it the regular way. How does a French Press work, by the way?

Pretty simple. You put the grounds in first, add hot water, stir and put the lid on. The lid has a plunger attached to a wire mesh filter. After about 3 minutes, you push the plunger down. The filter pushes all the grounds to the bottom, and then you pour your coffee.

Personally I just use a $20 coffee machine, although I generally buy beans and grind them myself.

Nathan

 

[PotatoeMasher]

I still dig grinding the beans and using a coffee maker, but the french press coffee seems ... stronger

it's like a whole new world

 

[Teknopathetic]

I really, really, REALLY, want an espresso maker. I usually just grind the beans and use the regular old coffee maker though. God, I'm such a Mocha bitch.

 

[heavy liquid]

Me too. I found that switching to grinding beans really brings out the flavour alot more.

Yeah, it really does do wonders for the taste. I just have a simple stand-alone grinder that zaps the beans to a powder. Love it.

Thanks for the description, Nathan. So does this method actually improve the taste?

 

[carpal]

That is only good for 1 cup, then it gets cold fast.

I would assume no faster than a glass French press container? I've always heard good things about them, but was a little wary since they use their own special paper filter which could be a pain to buy on a regular basis.

Grinding your own beans is a must.

 

[nitewulf]

regular coffee maker and a french press, i use both depending on mood and how much time i wanna spend on the process. french press is obviously simpler, and i use it if i'm just making a cup or two.
i also drink....*gasp* instant coffee.

 

[PotatoeMasher]

Personally I just use a $20 coffee machine, although I generally buy beans and grind them myself.

My problem with cheap coffee makers is two-fold.... They don't last (I'd rather pay triple and get better coffee and a hot warranty)... and they take too long to brew. After 10 minutes of brewing, it starts to just turn nasty... Not to mention, by that time the coffee isn't even hot anymore...

 

[carpal]

I also have one of these:

Got it for Christmas but haven't used it yet as I don't think I have the right kind of beans.

 

[Tarazet]

Fun to watch, and it doesn't burn the coffee, ever.

 

[thomaser]

This exact combination:

A Rancilio Rocky grinder and a Rancilio Silvia espressomachine. I also have the stand, which really helps for steaming since the steam-arm on the Silvia is pretty low. Expensive and time-consuming to learn, but perfect when you finally get good at it. Good beans are of course a must!

I secretly lust for this, though... a La Valentina:

It's twice the price of a new Silvia, though, so it'll have to wait a few years or so.

Oh, and when I don't feel for an espresso, I use a press-pot. Simple and brilliant

 

[SaitoH]

I use this:

Grinds and brews in one machine. Looks spiffy to boot. My only complaint is that it's hard to see the water level when you are brewing 4-6 cups of coffee. Maybe my kitchen is to dark, or I need a flashlight ... *shrugs*

^w^

 

[shantyman]

Damn, you have a Silvia? I am officially jealous.

This is what I have:

Great machine, and it only coast $200 4 years ago. It has been out of use for a bit, but for a while I was making some excellent mochas and Cappas on it.

 

[Musashi Wins!]

I switch back and forth from using a press to having ye good ole coffee machine set for the time I leave for work.

What I don't understand was the christmas mania for these personal, one cup coffee makers. Who the fuck drinks one cup of coffee?

 

[Ecrofirt]

I put the coffee grounds in a sock and drip hot water into it. WHen it's done, I drink.

Much easier than your expensive machines.

 

[Tazznum1]

I switch back and forth from using a press to having ye good ole coffee machine set for the time I leave for work.

What I don't understand was the christmas mania for these personal, one cup coffee makers. Who the fuck drinks one cup of coffee?

I do when I come home from work.

 

[Scrow]

I grind my own coffee beans and brew it the regular way.

this is what i use. grinder built in

Saeco Via Venezia Combi

after having this stuff for a while, I simply can't go back to instant coffee. tastes like muddy water.

 

[aoi tsuki]

At home, it's always a press.

i've also got a vaccum pot that i picked up from a thrift store, but it's missing the top portion and it would just be cheaper to buy a new one. For the moment i'll just stick with my press since i drink coffee more when i'm out, and i usually drink espresso when i'm not at home.

i was tempted to pick up the Silvia (same as thomaser's), but i'll hold off until i can get someting i can grow with. That and a matching grinder. They don't come cheap though.

i can't drink drip (American) coffee anymore. It's so bland and lifeless, regardless of what coffee is used, how/when it was roasted, or ground. i've gotten a quite a few of my customers to switch to Americanos (espresso and water) at work, and they're much happier with them.

 

[Deku Tree]

I drink Illy Fine Grind:

I use it make espresso in one of these fine FrancisFrancis!
espresso machines (mine is yellow):

I got this machie for $150 (american) by agreeing to buy a 1 year supply of coffee from illy (The machine is normally $500 or more last time I checked).

For more check www.illyusa.com

 

[carpal]

What I don't understand was the christmas mania for these personal, one cup coffee makers. Who the fuck drinks one cup of coffee?

I didn't experience any of this mania you're talking about, but the one cup coffee maker idea isn't all that bad. Just look at the way most of us prepare tea.

 

[Tazznum1]

I used to use coffee singles a couple of years ago.

 

[aoi tsuki]

I didn't experience any of this mania you're talking about, but the one cup coffee maker idea isn't all that bad. Just look at the way most of us prepare tea.

One difference is that when most people drink hot tea, it's usually just a cup (~10oz). But when it comes to coffee, most people drink far more.

There has been a mania of sorts towards espresso-type machines, like the Phillips Senseo, and espresso machines made by companies like Black & Decker. With the simplicity of pods, i think the home specialty coffee market will take off again.

 

[Tazznum1]

I got the Melita onene machine. Only complaint is that I have to squish the folgers pod in there (other people don't know how to and have to buy specific pods from melita) and it is not as hot as I want.

So I heat the H&H in the microwave for 20 seconds and then everything is piping hot.

 

[aoi tsuki]

I got the Melita onene machine. Only complaint is that I have to squish the folgers pod in there (other people don't know how to and have to buy specific pods from melita) and it is not as hot as I want.

So I heat the H&H in the microwave for 20 seconds and then everything is piping hot.

www.podhead.com has a great selection of pods that fit the Melitta One:One, as well as other pod machins. i haven't tried their blends, but the get a lot of good reviews among pod users, and i'm sure their coffees offer a fuller flavor than Foldgers. If you wanna go cheap, www.1to1coffee.com has Melitta's pods, as does Amazon.

Out of curiousity, is yours the MES1 or MES2? i've read complaints on the MES1 not brewing coffee hot enough. i'd guess they upped the temperature for the MES2.

 

[Tazznum1]

The onene came with a large variety of pods to try out and they were ok, but not for me.

I don't know if I have series 1 or 2, but I got it about 4 months ago. Were they redesigned? The B&D ones have a fire hazard, if you check amazon. So please don't get that.

 

[Tazznum1]

Melitta MES2B One:One Single Serve Coffee Machine, Black



Got it off amazon, so it was the second version. Still not hot enough.

 

[shantyman]

I never answered the question. If non espresso I use a press, because it basically is a one cup maker and my wife does not drinki coffee.

Aoi, is the Illy really that great? I know the reputation but I have a hard time believing anything packed and shipped from Italy would be better/fresher than locally roasted beans. Plus it's not cheap.

 

[Diomedeskun]

I also have one of these:


Got it for Christmas but haven't used it yet as I don't think I have the right kind of beans.

My family has always used those. They're great if you have a little time. You can use them for just about any type of coffee.

An Italian I know taught me to make coffee with sugar mixed in with the grounds (he also gave us another coffee pot just like that one from Italy, where they make most of that style.

 

[rs7k]

This machine is my own personal god.

 

[Scrow]

This machine is my own personal god.

grinder not included? *thumbs down*

;P

 

[aoi tsuki]

I never answered the question. If non espresso I use a press, because it basically is a one cup maker and my wife does not drinki coffee.

Aoi, is the Illy really that great? I know the reputation but I have a hard time believing anything packed and shipped from Italy would be better/tresher than locally roasted beans. Plus it's not cheap.

Last time i had Illy was a couple of years ago. From what i can remember it really nutty, with a very mild bitterness, almost sweet. Regarding the canned stuff, you're right -- by time it reaches you it's probably been a month since it's been roasted, if not more. Obviously if you're locked into their espresso club, then you'll have to fulfill your agreement. But i'd definitely look into local roasters for espresso blends. If you live in a large enough city (or one with a large enough coffee market), you could check the phone book for coffee roasters. If they don't roast espresso, they might know someone who does.

A great site to www.intellegentsiacoffee.com. They roast their beans Sunday through Thursday, so even with standard shipping you'll have a roast that's at most a week old. The lack of an espresso machine means i have to use the one from work or at the smaller coffeehouse i "volunteer" at, but i haven't been disappointed with any of their blends. The Oromo blend is currently my favorite, though admittedly it's a bit heavy for straight shots, it's great with milk. Next up is the Black Cat blend, which has been getting rave reviews at sites like www.coffeegeek.com.

 

[Ozchin]

at home.

at the office.



and what I really want...

or

 

[Mama Smurf]

I boil the kettle. While this is going on, I put a teaspoon of coffee granuals in a mug, followed by a small splash of water. When the kettle is boiled, I pour the water into the mug until about a centimetre from the top, then I stir it.