mkraft Senior Member Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 68 Location: U.S.A. Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bialetti Caffetiera stovetop... Grinder: KitchenAid Pro Line...
Posted Wed Jan 19, 2005, 1:24pm Subject: Looking for the least expensive coffee maker that makes great coffee
Are there any inexpensive coffee makers that make coffee that at least approximates good quality espresso?
I’ve used a stove-top (Bialetti) for a long time, but am tired of inconsistent results and having to stand over it to make sure the coffee doesn’t overbrew. (I also don’t see ‘stove tops’ as real ‘espresso’ makers since they lack a pump but that’s another topic.)
As much as I appreciate great espresso, I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine. I’ll settle for really good-tasting coffee, espresso or not. Do any of the under $50 (or at least under $100) makers – like the BRAUN ‘Aromaster’ KF400 & MELITTA ‘Take 2’ ME2TM that Consumer Reports top-rated – really make good strong coffee?
cbc Senior Member Joined: 2 Jan 2005 Posts: 33 Location: LeftCoast Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Saeco Idea,DeLonghi BAR42 Grinder: Solis Maestro Vac Pot: Bodum,Sunbeams Drip: Clarity,Presto,Melitta Roaster: 4 X Poppery Mk I
Posted Wed Jan 19, 2005, 2:51pm Subject: Re: Looking for the least expensive coffee maker that makes great coffee
You don't mention what capacity you are looking for, but I've used both the KitchenAid Ultra 4 cupper (discontinued, but available new on Ebay for under $40), and the Black & Decker Brew & Go single cup brewer, which also made good coffee. And of course the Presto 10-cup for $35 , available thru costco.com, as has been mentioned elsewhere. You really can't get a good espresso machine for under $100 anymore , I'm afraid. Or even for $150...
Posted Thu Jan 20, 2005, 5:07am Subject: Re: Looking for the least expensive coffee maker that makes great coffee
Take a look at the Krups Mokabrew. It's a great machine that makes excellent coffee. If you want strong coffee, it is capable of doing that with ease. Do a search on this machine on this site and you'll pull up some good info. WLL has a refurb of this machine for a nice discount right now.
Posted Thu Jan 20, 2005, 5:44am Subject: Re: Looking for the least expensive coffee maker that makes great coffee
Consider a Chemex or another manual pour over drip method or one where you can brew right into a thermos. Simple set up that is easy to clean, keeps the coffee hot and doesn't take very long at all! Make as little or as much as you want. If you can boil water you can brew great coffee (using freshly roasted beans of coarse!). What makes the coffee in a Chemex or manual pour over method better is that you can and should start with water off of boil (195F-205F) this allows for a better extraction. Too many drip machines do not brew hot enough and the cup suffers in quality!
That's the first time I've ever seen a product description for a drip coffee maker that even addresses the temperature issue. They usually just talk about # cups, timers, auto shut-off, etc. I may have to order one of these. Right now I'm using a Mr. Coffee with a thermal carafe, but the carafe doesn't keep the coffee warm enough. And even the first pour as it is brewing isn't too hot (though I've not measured it).
Posted Thu Jan 20, 2005, 6:09pm Subject: Re: Looking for the least expensive coffee maker that makes great coffee
bxntrk Said:
That's the first time I've ever seen a product description for a drip coffee maker that even addresses the temperature issue. They usually just talk about # cups, timers, auto shut-off, etc. I may have to order one of these. Right now I'm using a Mr. Coffee with a thermal carafe, but the carafe doesn't keep the coffee warm enough. And even the first pour as it is brewing isn't too hot (though I've not measured it).
I'll tell you what, it's the hottest coffee I've ever had as far as home brews go. It's even hotter than the uber expensive coffee service at my work and various other horrid coffee served at gas stations
Posted Thu Jan 20, 2005, 9:30pm Subject: Re: Looking for the least expensive coffee maker that makes great coffee
mkraft Said:
Are there any inexpensive coffee makers that make coffee that at least approximates good quality espresso?
I’ve used a stove-top (Bialetti) for a long time, but am tired of inconsistent results and having to stand over it to make sure the coffee doesn’t overbrew. (I also don’t see ‘stove tops’ as real ‘espresso’ makers since they lack a pump but that’s another topic.)
As much as I appreciate great espresso, I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a machine. I’ll settle for really good-tasting coffee, espresso or not. Do any of the under $50 (or at least under $100) makers – like the BRAUN ‘Aromaster’ KF400 & MELITTA ‘Take 2’ ME2TM that Consumer Reports top-rated – really make good strong coffee?
If you're used to moka pot brew, you may find paper-filtered drip coffee "insubstantial".
Try a presspot for strong flavorful coffee. Results should be more consistent than a moka pot, and you can do something else while it steeps. Cleanup is about the equivalent effort as for a moka pot. Presses are inexpensive and available in various sizes.
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