NJRonbo Senior Member Joined: 5 Nov 2005 Posts: 51 Location: Central NJ Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Sat Nov 5, 2005, 10:22am Subject: The PERFECT coffee machine in the $100-$200 range? Possible?
I know there is no answer to this question.
You know why I know this? A reviewer on this forum recently had this to say about a coffee maker he was evaluating....
Search remains for affordable ($100 or less not $500) competent home coffee brewer with insulated carafe that puts out 200 deg water and brews within 5 minutes and does not splash grinds and is simple and easy to operate.
For me, and I imagine all of you, this is would be the holy grail of coffee makers.
After all, we all want a maker that brews piping hot coffee, does it quickly and effectively, and is easy to operate and clean.
In all my years as a coffee drinker, I have not found that machine. My present coffee maker, a Mr. Coffee deluxe model, can't deliver coffee above lukewarm temperature. If I try to make more than 4 cups it somehow mixes the grinds into my brew.
So, the question I pose to all of you (since I am looking)....
From your experience, what is the best rated coffee maker in the indicated price range that will perform as close to what may be considered the "holy grail" of coffee makers?
PeterG Senior Member Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 72 Location: Durham, North Carolina Expertise: Professional
Espresso: Faema E61 Grinder: Various Drip: Fetco Extractor Roaster: San Franciscan 1lb.
Posted Sat Nov 5, 2005, 11:39am Subject: Re: The PERFECT coffee machine in the $100-$200 range? Possible?
I know you said "coffee machine", and I don't want to be snarky, but...
In my mind, the perfect drip coffee machine is a good thermal carafe ($20-$50) a melitta or (better) flat-bottomed brew basket ($5-$20), a kettle (which I bet you already own), and a good grinder (maestro plus, bodum antigua, etc.)
Alternatively, french press or eva solo and thermal carafe.
All of these options are oodles cheaper and brew better coffee than any home machine available. Remember: the only thing an automatic machine does is pour the water for you, almost always worse than you would do it yourself. Only a few commercial machines have the temp stability, spray pattern, brew flexibility and basket capacity you want. And that would cost upwards of $1K.
Almost every coffee professional I know brews manually at home. In my view, every appliance is trying to imitate the "holy grail": manual pourover or french press.
My advice always is: save the money you would have spent on a brewing appliance and spend it on your grinder, or better coffee.
Posted Sat Nov 5, 2005, 12:06pm Subject: Re: The PERFECT coffee machine in the $100-$200 range? Possible?
PeterG Said:
Almost every coffee professional I know brews manually at home. In my view, every appliance is trying to imitate the "holy grail": manual pourover or french press.
I'm no professional, but at home I use a kettle and a Melitta cone pourover setting on a carafe or a FP. My money is invested in the grinder and the good coffee beans. At work I use a Melitta Clarity and an airpot (after the coffee has brewed I pour it into the airpot). The Clarity is discontinued.
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