eyedoc Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2004 Posts: 17 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: none Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Vac Pot: Bodum French Press Drip: Starbucks Aroma Grande
Posted Sun Feb 8, 2004, 2:51pm Subject: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
Hello....this is my first foray onto this forum. I'm an avid coffee drinker, but due to limited budgets, have never had anything more than a 15$ machine and generic Kroger's coffee. Now, out of school with an income, I'm ready to buy a nicer machine...
I have purchased a Solis Maestro Plus burr grinder, but my old coffee pot is about dead.
I've looked at the Capressos and also the Aroma Grande at my local Starbucks. Both seem nice and have pretty good reviews (both are thermal carafe models). A girl at Starbucks told me she gets close to a full pot in her Aroma Grande in less than 5 minutes. This seems farfetched; is a brew of 10 cups possible in that amount of time?
Also, never having owned anything but a drip machine, I hadn't considered a French Press or a Vacuum pot. Should I? I'm not extremely picky on my coffee (and have 3 kids under 4 years old, so ease of use and less hassle is a must as I'm constantly having to leave the kitchen to rescue someone), but I do want a quality cup if I'm going to shell out 150 bucks or so.
Any recommendations? I don't see the Aroma Grande discussed much; is it a good machine? Two people I know who have it really like it, but I've seen a few mediocre reviews online.
Foxbat Senior Member Joined: 28 Apr 2002 Posts: 68 Location: San Francisco, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Pasquini Livia Grinder: Macap M4, Solis Maestro Drip: Barista Aroma 8 cup Roaster: HWP, HotTop
Posted Mon Feb 9, 2004, 11:51am Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
Kevin,
I'm going through the same process right now. I've read a lot of mixed things about the Capressos; some people love them, some people hate them, and some people are in-between. I'm not certain quite what I'm going to do. A coffee maker with a thermal carafe is a must for me, so I'm likely to give one a try in the near future.
eyedoc Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2004 Posts: 17 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: none Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Vac Pot: Bodum French Press Drip: Starbucks Aroma Grande
Posted Mon Feb 9, 2004, 3:37pm Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
Thanks, Bruce.
I'm hoping to hear some opinions about the two machines. I, too, want a machine with a thermal carafe (I entertain friends a lot and need some coffee that will stay hot for an hour or two in the living room with us).
I may end up buying a Bodum vacuum pot, too, just for fun, as they are not very costly.
But, I've pretty much narrowed my drip maker selection down to two models: The Capresso MT500 and the Starbucks Aroma Grande. Both seem nice. The Grande goes on sale next week in Starbucks stores for $119, and the cheapest I've found the Capresso machine locally was around $155. So, if all seems about equal, I'll probably get the one from Starbucks.
I almost get he feeling that people stay away from the Grande just because it's from Starbucks. Granted, Starbucks may not have the best coffee. But if the machine is good...
Anyway, if you find any info, please post it here. I'd prefer to not have to return a machine, and start with the best one to begin with!
Posted Mon Feb 9, 2004, 8:22pm Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
Kevin,
I have the Capresso Coffee Tec and am happy with it so far. I have not had it long enough to experience many of the major quality issues that have come up, like leaking from the water resevoir after a year. I will say it brews HOT and the carafe is very high qaulity. It can be baught as a refurb with the same warranty as a new one directly from Capresso for $119 (+shipping). I got mine for $135 delivered from Afees the online military exchange. (Military family members)
If you do not have a French Press, you must get one. It is a great cup of coffee! I have baught a few presses at discount stores like Ross, Marshall, or TJ Max. They can be had for $12 to $16 from these places in an 8 cup(32 oz.). Get a French Press and follow the directions posted here on Coffeegeeks in the how to section. You will enjoy it.
Good luck on the Drip Machine decision. That is a tough one. Check out the Technovirm. If it appeals and the price does not scare, it should be in the running. I considered it, but the cheaper price clinched the Coffee Tec. I hope I don' regret it.
suzyt Senior Member Joined: 9 Feb 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Kennesaw, GA Expertise: I live coffee
Drip: Capresso, French Press Roaster: Back to Basics Stainless...
Posted Tue Feb 10, 2004, 6:29am Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
I have an older model Capresso and have been extremely happy with my results. It brews quickly and the coffee stays nice and hot. I have a white one and hate that it is hard to keep looking clean. I plan to replace it with another Capresso soon. I am going to buy a french press to use for my afternoon slump time coffee pick-me -up. Right now I use a small Itallian espresso stove top pot. The simpler the better. That's one reason I roast with the popstir outside... I don't even use a thermometer, just all of my senses at once. The experience and pleasure derived from the very act of making it gets me smiling before I've tasted the first sip.
PaulaB Senior Member Joined: 21 Jan 2004 Posts: 21 Location: Virginia Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Saeco Vienna Deluxe Grinder: Solis Maestro Vac Pot: Nope French Press-Bonjour... Drip: Capresso MT500 Roaster: Zach&Dani's
Posted Tue Feb 10, 2004, 6:51am Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
Hello, I just bought the Capreso MT500 and am very, very happy with the results that I get from the machine. The coffee is pipping hot and stays that way in the carafe. I am not familiar with the Starbucks machine so will not comment. The Capresso is easy to use and set up and it will start brewing really good coffee right away. Of course the depends on the freshness of the beans that you run through it. I have not experienced and of the problems people state the pop up after a year since I just received the machine about 3 weeks ago. So far so good! I bought it a Aarabee Coffee for $149. Good luck in your search.
cremaboy Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 119 Location: So. California Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Solis SL70 Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Vac Pot: None Drip: Kitchenaid Pro 12 Roaster: Peerless Coffee
Posted Wed Feb 25, 2004, 1:02pm Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
I'm not extremely picky on my coffee (and have 3 kids under 4 years old, so ease of use and less hassle is a must as I'm constantly having to leave the kitchen to rescue someone), but I do want a quality cup if I'm going to shell out 150 bucks or so.
You're half way home with a good grinder. You'll see a big improvement in any maker with good beans properly ground.
Most of the upscale drip coffee makers are just the cheaper models with bells and whistles (timers, led's, thin stainless steel panels, etc.)
Cheaper models use one heating element. Generally, the water is passed thru the heating plate and then over the coffee. You can't get the best taste if brewing and keeping warm are the same temp. A unit with two heating elements gives better taste even after an hour on the hot plate. I have a Kitchenaid Pro12 which has two elements but also those bells and whistles. Unfortunately, Kitchenaid decided to discontinued it rather than fix the problems. They have this new Pro Line model but it's $300! (and it's ugly).
Kenwood Senior Member Joined: 20 Feb 2004 Posts: 84 Location: Phoenix Expertise: Pro Barista
Espresso: Barista Digital Italia Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Vac Pot: French Press Drip: Cuisinart "Coffee on Demand"
Posted Wed Feb 25, 2004, 1:22pm Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
I just purchased the Starbucks Barista Aroma during their current Brewing sale (till March 15). I had a Braun FlavorSelect before it died. The reason I didn't go with the Aroma Grande is its only available in steel and we have a white themed kitchen. The Aroma was availalbe in white, plus I'm the only one that drinks coffee in the house. I also didn't like tha t the grande is a flat basket (aroma is cone). The Aroma is $79, while the Grande is $119, so they are in your budget. I know their is a anti-starbucks group here, but I like em. I think it takes 8 minutes for the Aroma 8 cups
I agree on getting a GOOD grinder, as it will make a world of difference
eyedoc Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2004 Posts: 17 Location: USA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: none Grinder: Solis Maestro Plus Vac Pot: Bodum French Press Drip: Starbucks Aroma Grande
Posted Thu Feb 26, 2004, 8:38pm Subject: Re: need advice before I buy a new drip machine
Ken and all,
Thanks again for the advice. I finally went with the Starbucks Aroma Grande. Ken, I considered the Aroma model, but chose the larger because I frequently entertain larger groups of coffee lovers, and I also can take a full 12 cup carafe to my clinic and share it with my staff. They love it! :-)
I agree with you; the grinder is half the battle. I've already got much better coffee, even in my older drip machine, with my Solis Maestro Plus.
I'm very happy with my Aroma Grande. It brews in the 195-205 range, and the coffee stays hot enough for my liking until around 2-3 in the afternoon (I brew it at 8:45 A.M.). I get just the right amount of colloids/sediment in the cup with the included metal basket. I can brew 10 cups in about 8.5 to 9 minutes; wish it were a bit faster, but that's pretty good for 10 cups for a drip, from what I have heard.
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