mbryda Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Location: S.Central PA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Mar 9, 2006, 6:37pm Subject: Reccomend a machine
I'm looking at replacing my 2.5 year old Cuisinart Grind and Brew. Not because there's anything really wrong with it (even the cleaning is no big deal to me - rinse and let air dry), but because I've started roasting my own and think I'm missing "Something".
I'm planning on picking up a cheap burr grinder (again, Cuisinart from Costco or the cheap Melitta one) as I only do drip.
I've been thinking either: Presto Scandanavian (concerned about QC and plastic qualities) Bunn (I use the timer now and love the short brew time) Cuisinart BrewCentral (gets good reviews and can get for $59 @ Costco)
I use a Carafe, so having one in the coffeemaker is not a consideration.
Trying to keep the coffeemaker under $100, so the Technivorm, while a great machine is a tad out of the price range.
Of those 3, which would be the best pick? I really like the Presto, but the plastic smell/taste lottery has me a little turned off.
BrownWater Senior Member Joined: 1 Mar 2006 Posts: 230 Location: Ithaca, NY Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: La Pavoni Pro Grinder: Super Jolly Drip: Cuisinart Roaster: fluid air
Posted Thu Mar 9, 2006, 7:33pm Subject: Re: Reccomend a machine
I did a ton of research before I picked the Capresso Elegance Therm. It's a thermal carafe, which I think you said you don't need, but the machine is only $100 and makes great coffee. I was worried about grinds getting through the gold tone filter that the machine comes with, but it's been great. Originally I was going to upgrade to a swiss gold filter (tighter mess) but found there is no need. There's very little sediment if any. The brew temp is great. If you use a good medium grind and make at least 6 - 8 cups it comes out great every time. The drip goes straight into the thermal, very close and loses little heat. Once it's done brewing you can pull the carafe out and turn the lid to close it all the way. It stays hot for hours. I love it and noticed the difference in taste instantly over my last 2 machines (cuisinart, mr. coffee).
Bunn machines are great too, but you've got to get that carafe off that hotplate within 10 minutes of brewing or it'll start to turn on you.
Posted Thu Mar 9, 2006, 7:48pm Subject: Re: Reccomend a machine
I would vote for the Presto Scan. I got the Cuisinart from Costco and returned it. I thought that it was quite inconvenient in many ways. Most importantly, it was very difficult to figure out how much water was in it without peering down the reservoir. I thought the coffee it made was good but not as good as the Presto. The Presto is cheaper, easier to use (maybe more attractive) and makes better coffee. Of course, with Costco if you don't like it, you can always return it. I really have no qualms with the quality of manufacture. Maybe it will only last five or ten years, buy I could buy three or four of them for the price of the Technivorm and I doubt that the Technivorm makes significantly better coffee. After all, all we are talking about is getting the water hot and letting it drip. It is amazing that it seems so hard to do. I don't know much about the Bunn as I decided that I did not want to keep my coffee maker on all day. Good luck.
Posted Fri Mar 10, 2006, 7:25am Subject: Re: Reccomend a machine
At the price range you're talking about, I'd go for the Presto. I have two and have always been quite satisfied with the quality of the brew. I would also take the money saved on the brewer and put it towards a better grinder. The Infinity, for $89 at most on-line stores, will give you a better grind than the cheaper machines you mentioned and is one of the best sub $100 grinders.
I have upgraded my grinder several times over the years, and I always taste an improvement in my coffee when I do. I have recently switched to the Virtuoso grinder and could taste the difference in my cup after having used the Infinity for the last couple of years. Consistency of grind and lack of dust are better with a higher quality grinder, and you will notice the results in your coffee.
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