Coffee Maker Recommendations

[GoingMyWay]

Our 7 year old Keurig coffee maker appears to have finally bit the dust.  Maybe 5 years ago it started experiencing problems - if I left it on too long it wouldn't brew.  Seemed like it was overheating or something, as a result I started turning off the Keurig immediately after I made a cup of coffee.  Yesterday a new problem arose.  The Keurig wasn't brewing a full cup of coffee any longer.  It appears that the machine is pumping "excess" water back into the tank instead of into the coffee cup.

Before buying the Keurig in 2011 I had a regular old fashioned drip coffee maker.  I actually kinda prefer the drip coffee to the Keurig.  It was nice just being able to brew 4 cups in the morning and then my second refill would be waiting for me instead of needing to brew anything else.  I think it was also cheaper.  I exclusively use The Original Donut Shop K-Cups in my Keurig and I find them to be a little bit strong.  I tried the Dunkin Donuts K-Cups, but didn't find they were that much better to justify the cost.  I don't really mind watered down coffee.  As you can probably tell, I am far from being a coffee snob.  I worked with some people before that were absolutely disgusted with the idea of using some sort of capsule that had coffee that had been ground ages ago and was now sealed inside.

I'm kind of now torn between buying another Keurig, a drip brewer, or something fancy like an automatic Chemix:https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/chemex-ottomatic-2-coffee-maker/.  We already have a Nespresso maker for making espresso drinks.  I suppose I could also look into getting their fancy VertuoLine coffee maker.

Any recommendations?

 

[Dogberryjr]

Technivorm Moccamaster. Or if your wallet isn't quite that deep, the Behmor 5393 Brazen Plus.

 

[GoingMyWay]

Thanks for those suggestions.  Was there a particular model of Technivorm Moccamaster?  I see several different models on Amazon.  Are you familiar with Chemix?  Is Moccamaster better than Chemix?

 

[Dogberryjr]

We currently use the KBGT 741, which is the large insulated steel carafe model. Prior to that, we had the smaller thermal carafe model. They're very good machines.

The only Chemex I'm familiar with is the classic pour-over, so it's kind of an apples to oranges comparison. It's no accident that the Chemex has been around as long as it has, and it has no shortage of fans. I just prefer to flick a switch and wander away for a couple minutes, then come back to a full pot of coffee.

 

[GoingMyWay]

Thanks for that model number.

Yeah I agree.  You can't beat the convenience of just turning a machine on and walking away.  A manual pour over model seems like way to much work.  That's actually how my parents made their coffee in the 90s - they weren't even coffee snobs.  I think it was just what they happened to buy.  They used a whistling tea kettle to boil the water to pour over coffee grounds that were sitting on top of a carafe.

 

[rljatl]

This website is a wealth of information.  I have the Technivorm Moccamaster KB741 and prefer it over the thermal carafe models.  There is no downside to the hotplate if you drink your coffee within about 90 minutes.  On the other hand, the unpolished stainless interior of the thermal carafe models does very slightly change the flavor and the coffee does not stay as hot.  Taste difference is probably only noticeable in a side by side test.

Seatle Coffee Gear

 

[Michael Kellough]

I’m on the anti-snob end of the spectrum. I use a little Cusinart 4 cup dripper but I hate weak coffee so I use Bustelo fine ground espresso and paper filters. It makes four small cups but if you were at my house you could just add some water to your cup.

 

[Koamolly]

I also have a Technivorm with the carafe.  I use an AreoPress for single cups.  Lots of good reviews and usually only $25 with one of Bed Bath and Beyond's 20% off coupons.

 

[southrider]

X3 on the Technivorm Moccamaster. We bought one from Seattle Coffee Gear 6 or 7 years ago. It's a fantastic machine. Don't remember the number, but got a fairly basic model with glass carafe. While researching - we didn't need the extra features of the others.

What we learned was that the secret to good coffee is a machine that gets HOT, and this one does.

We highly reccomend it.

 

[JSlovic]

Another Technivorm vote
We've got the thermal carafe model and preheating the carafe with boiling water keeps it hot for quite awhile

 

[kevinculle]

Hamilton Beach 49980A, makes a 12 cup pot or a 16 oz mug, only $60 at amazon.  The downside is it's only $60 at amazon so your friends may not be as impressed but they'll like the coffee just fine.

 

[Dane]

We’ve been using the Technivorm for a decade.  Thermal carafe is the way to go in my opinion.  The thing I really like about the Technivorm, aside from the great coffee, is that it’s built to be repairable.  I’ve never had anything crap on me with it, but I appreciate knowing that it’s servicable.  So tired of buying throw away Chinese crap...You can get them pretty cheap on EBay and Mercari.

 

[rljatl]

Get the glass carafe and then buy an aftermarket glass lined thermal carafe.  No metallic taste.  You get the best of both worlds.  That's what I did.

Glass Lined Carafe

 

[GoingMyWay]

WOW.  Thanks for all the replies.  I must say I am very surprised how many people all have a Technivorm!

Followup question: what kind of coffee is everyone using in the Technivorm?  I really don't want to have to buy a coffee grinder to grind the beans every morning.  I know that will yield the optimum flavor and taste and all that, but it's not that big of a deal for me.

When we had the drip brewer I just used the big can of ground colombian coffee from Costco.  That was good enough for me.  Would it be sort of foolish to buy such a high end coffee maker if I was going to use pre-ground beans?

 

[Oldwood]

I have had a Bonavita for over a year and I am very happy with it. I agree about getting the one with the glass carafe and buying a glass lined thermal carafe for storage. When I bought mine they only made 8 cup versions I don't know if that is still the case. It makes a pot in about 5 minutes so if I need more I just make another pot after pouring into the thermal carafe.

Mine is the plain version with no programing does not connect to my phone [big grin]

 

[Lou in DE]

We have the Technivorm Grand (60oz) and drink all of it every morning (nice being retired). Whole beans ground with a Capresso burr grinder plus Peets Major Dickason blend - weigh the beans - we like 10g for every 6 oz filtered water (so 100g per pot) - the Technivorm maintains the perfect temperature - the best coffee you will ever have.

 

[bertv]

Technivorm is a Dutch make. As a matter of fact at a time almost every household in the Netherlands must have had one, because it was attainable for even families with low income (like my parents’) through a savings program of the biggest coffee brand, Douwe Egberts.
One had to save up ‘points’ — cut out coupons from their packaging — and with several thousand points you could ‘buy’ a coffee maker in one of the special shops DE had around the country (I think a significant discount was involved). Going to one of these shops was a special treat for the Dutch housewives in the sixties and seventies.
I remember that coffee maker had place of honour in the kitchen (and no, I never had any, because I only got into coffee later on in life).

 

[GoingMyWay]

Mine is the plain version with no programing does not connect to my phone [big grin]

I'd prefer a simple model with basically just an on/off switch.  I don't need anything that can be programmed or turned on remotely via Bluetooth or Wifi.

We have the Technivorm Grand (60oz) and drink all of it every morning (nice being retired). Whole beans ground with a Capresso burr grinder plus Peets Major Dickason blend - weigh the beans - we like 10g for every 6 oz filtered water (so 100g per pot) - the Technivorm maintains the perfect temperature - the best coffee you will ever have.

Dang - you drink 60oz of coffee everyday??  I usually drink 2 cups of coffee a day - I think that's about 20 oz.  I used to drink 3 cups, but I cut back.  Is that 10g of ground coffee or do you weigh before grinding?  Actually, when I think about it 10g of ground vs whole beans should be approximately the same thing right?  Does that ratio result in a strong cup of coffee?

Technivorm is a Dutch make. As a matter of fact at a time almost every household in the Netherlands must have had one, because it was attainable for even families with low income (like my parents’) through a savings program of the biggest coffee brand, Douwe Egberts.
One had to save up ‘points’ — cut out coupons from their packaging — and with several thousand points you could ‘buy’ a coffee maker in one of the special shops DE had around the country (I think a significant discount was involved). Going to one of these shops was a special treat for the Dutch housewives in the sixties and seventies.
I remember that coffee maker had place of honour in the kitchen (and no, I never had any, because I only got into coffee later on in life).

Thanks for sharing that little bit of history.  When I hear "Moccamaster" I think of hot chocolate for some reason.

 

[Dane]

WOW.  Thanks for all the replies.  I must say I am very surprised how many people all have a Technivorm!

Followup question: what kind of coffee is everyone using in the Technivorm?  I really don't want to have to buy a coffee grinder to grind the beans every morning.  I know that will yield the optimum flavor and taste and all that, but it's not that big of a deal for me.

When we had the drip brewer I just used the big can of ground colombian coffee from Costco.  That was good enough for me.  Would it be sort of foolish to buy such a high end coffee maker if I was going to use pre-ground beans?

I think if you are happy with preground- stick with it.  Something like a Technivorm will definitely improve the quality by virtue of having consistent water temperature, but it’s not going to work any miracles.  Getting really good coffee is really a combination of bean type, grind, freshness and water temperature.  I’d still recommend the Technivorm for the durability and simplicity of the thing.  And if you ever do decide to dabble in brewing a higher end cup, then you’re all set.  Oh- one other super advantage of the Technivorm- it’s fast.  Easily twice as fast to brew a pot as the budget models.  I’m always shocked when I go to a rental house or am visiting someone how long it takes the coffee to brew, it’s like torture.

 

[Bohdan]

Getting really good coffee is really a combination of bean type, grind, freshness and water temperature.

And the water quality probably has an even greater effect on the taste as the disolved minerals react with the coffee granules to extract specific flavours.

This article may give you more details of the science involved.

This one tells you how to brew your own water.