To my coffee brethren

[ENV]

My gf and I love good coffee. We use a drip brewer for ease but since it keeps the coffee in its reservoir (its like a soda dispensing machine/no carafe) warm it sometimes burns the coffee. My question to you guys is which is the best format to use for brewing coffee?

-French Press
-Different drip machine
-Chemex
-Percolator

We like nice non bitter full bodied coffee goodness.

Let me know what you guys think

 

[javajunkie]

that's kinda like asking what cigar is best, y'know? o)

i HAVE a french press, chemex (or other pourover method, truly three of them), and drip machine (a bunn, which is a work horse), but not a percolator. also, not included in your list, i have a bialetti (stovetop espresso-ish, italian or cuban style), and an aeropress. different preperations for different beans, flavors or textures, or moods. a good pour over can bring out the best in beans, however, and if you have quality beans and the time, that is the way to go.

BUT, before you abandon the old drip machine, just go out and get a decent carafe. i run my bunn drip maker EVERY day, but i haven't turned the burner on but like four or five times a year. transferring the joe immediately to an insulated vessel (maybe pre-warmed by hot water?), avoids that "hot dog water" taste you get when coffee burns on the burner.

 

[ENV]

Ok sounds good. I will likely pick up a french press and a Bialetti in order to have some options. I had some coffee made in a coffee house in pourover method that was excellent as well. I noticed that the girl did quite a few things to the coffee before actually pouring the whole cup through so I know I have some reading to do with that method.

that's kinda like asking what cigar is best, y'know? o)

i HAVE a french press, chemex (or other pourover method, truly three of them), and drip machine (a bunn, which is a work horse), but not a percolator. also, not included in your list, i have a bialetti (stovetop espresso-ish, italian or cuban style), and an aeropress. different preperations for different beans, flavors or textures, or moods. a good pour over can bring out the best in beans, however, and if you have quality beans and the time, that is the way to go.

BUT, before you abandon the old drip machine, just go out and get a decent carafe. i run my bunn drip maker EVERY day, but i haven't turned the burner on but like four or five times a year. transferring the joe immediately to an insulated vessel (maybe pre-warmed by hot water?), avoids that "hot dog water" taste you get when coffee burns on the burner.

 

[Skitalets]

Aeropress!

 

[NCost]

Ok sounds good. I will likely pick up a french press and a Bialetti in order to have some options.

this is a good idea.

As I mentioned in another thread, the Bialetti is a good choice, as is the french press. My wife uses the drip pot/carafe (thermal) and I drink that when I'm to lazy for one of the other methods. Really need to break out my espresso machine though, really craving it.

 

[ENV]

Ok sounds good. I will likely pick up a french press and a Bialetti in order to have some options.

this is a good idea.

As I mentioned in another thread, the Bialetti is a good choice, as is the french press. My wife uses the drip pot/carafe (thermal) and I drink that when I'm to lazy for one of the other methods. Really need to break out my espresso machine though, really craving it.

Espresso is one of my vices..

 

[BrittS88]

that's kinda like asking what cigar is best, y'know? o)

i HAVE a french press, chemex (or other pourover method, truly three of them), and drip machine (a bunn, which is a work horse), but not a percolator. also, not included in your list, i have a bialetti (stovetop espresso-ish, italian or cuban style), and an aeropress. different preperations for different beans, flavors or textures, or moods. a good pour over can bring out the best in beans, however, and if you have quality beans and the time, that is the way to go.

BUT, before you abandon the old drip machine, just go out and get a decent carafe. i run my bunn drip maker EVERY day, but i haven't turned the burner on but like four or five times a year. transferring the joe immediately to an insulated vessel (maybe pre-warmed by hot water?), avoids that "hot dog water" taste you get when coffee burns on the burner.

I have so much to learn. Just getting into this whole coffee thing. I love coffee. I just realized I was drinking shit coffee and loving it. Lmao. Time step my game up.

 

[dscl]

I have an Aeropress, French Press, and Drip method. The first two are my favorites. Along with quality beans also make sure you have a quality burr grinder. My next purchases will be a Chemex and Syphon Pot.

 

[NickThePyro]

I use my AeroPress for the primary reasons of being quick, easy, good, and a fast clean up. I know a lot of people love Chemex, but I like my coffee stronger. The AeroPress is not a true espresso, but the pressure used has a great presence in the outcome. But with all the being said, if I wasn't a broke 23 year old I would buy a true espresso machine in a heartbeat.

 

[dscl]

I use my AeroPress for the primary reasons of being quick, easy, good, and a fast clean up. I know a lot of people love Chemex, but I like my coffee stronger. The AeroPress is not a true espresso, but the pressure used has a great presence in the outcome. But with all the being said, if I wasn't a broke 23 year old I would buy a true espresso machine in a heartbeat.

Same except I'm 35 and still broke (damn kids)

 

[MDSPHOTO]

We have a drip coffee maker, a french press, a fully automatic espresso machine and a semi-auto espresso machine. While I love french press and espresso best I would have to say I use the drip machine more than the others combined out of habit and convenience.

 

[sofc]

French Press (well, 3)
Aeropress
semi automatic espresso
Bialetti (2 or 3)
Pour over
Nespresso

Like them all for different occasions. Semi-auto Saeco mostly for the last 3/4 years. Nespresso last few weeks or so. No drip machine and my wife mostly drinks instant. I really think it is a matter of personal preference.

 

[ENV]

Looking at Bialettis. They are priced pretty well. Might pick one up on Amazon.

 

[GoingPostal]

that's kinda like asking what cigar is best, y'know? o)BUT, before you abandon the old drip machine, just go out and get a decent carafe

+1,
We used to use one of those type of machines and yeah the last of the coffee always had a burnt taste so Just go out and get a traditional style drip brewer with carafe. As for what brew method is best comes down to personal preference, i'd compare it to smoking same cigar different vitola same base flavor but each one gives you different nuances in flavor. IMHO the quality of the coffee is more important that the brew method for getting a good cup of coffee. I'm no coffee expert just play one on the internet but I've found that a French press is the best way to get coffee just the way you like it. more time consuming that drip but well worth it.

 

[thejavaman]

A Chemex paired with a Coava Kone will make about the best pourover cup of coffee possible:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-brewers/chemex-drip-brewers/chemex-cm-8gh-glass-handle-8-cup-40-oz.html

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-brewers/chemex-drip-brewers/kone-stainless-steel-conical-filter-3157.html

If you don't want to spend much, a simple Melitta plastic pourover paired with a decent hot water kettle is just fine too (I use this pairing twice a day at work):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0014CVEH6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5/189-5992002-2353815?qid=1389295472&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003YJB3DW/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1389295562&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Of course if you want the epitome of the coffee experience, a semi-automatic espresso machine paired with an espresso dedicated grinder is a whole other conversation: :eyebrow:

http://www.wholelattelove.com/Breville/breville_bes900xl_dual_boiler.cfm

http://www.wholelattelove.com/Mazzer/mini.cfm

Also, it goes without saying, but using the highest quality, fresh roasted coffee (preferably with a "roasted on" date) is absolutely the most critical piece to the puzzle too:

http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/products/coffee

http://buy.stumptowncoffee.com/all-coffees.html

http://counterculturecoffee.com/store/coffee

 

[sofc]

A Chemex paired with a Coava Kone will make about the best pourover cup of coffee possible:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-brewers/chemex-drip-brewers/chemex-cm-8gh-glass-handle-8-cup-40-oz.html

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmarias/coffee-brewers/chemex-drip-brewers/kone-stainless-steel-conical-filter-3157.html

If you don't want to spend much, a simple Melitta plastic pourover paired with a decent hot water kettle is just fine too (I use this pairing twice a day at work):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0014CVEH6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5/189-5992002-2353815?qid=1389295472&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003YJB3DW/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1389295562&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

Of course if you want the epitome of the coffee experience, a semi-automatic espresso machine paired with an espresso dedicated grinder is a whole other conversation.

http://www.wholelattelove.com/Breville/breville_bes900xl_dual_boiler.cfm

http://www.wholelattelove.com/Mazzer/mini.cfm

Also, it goes without saying, but using the highest quality, fresh roasted coffee (preferably with a "roasted on" date) is absolutely the most critical piece to the puzzle too.

You're so fancy

 

[thejavaman]

You're so fancy

I wasn't even done editing too... :waving:

 

[ENV]

Wow javaman! Thanks for the info. Ill def keep those links bookmarked.

 

[AlohaStyle]

If you don't want to spend much, a simple Melitta plastic pourover paired with a decent hot water kettle is just fine too (I use this pairing twice a day at work):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0014CVEH6/ref=mp_s_a_1_5/189-5992002-2353815?qid=1389295472&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003YJB3DW/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1389295562&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

For the ease/quickness of cleaning, that is what I do on a normal basis. Unfortunately been using it more lately now that my espresso machine is on the fritz!?!

 

[Cigary43]

Another vote for the FP after drinking coffee for 50 years. When I first learned of using a FP it was like finding gold because I like buying beans and trying new flavors from all over the world.
Fresh ground beans for me is the way to go...your coffee is so much better...fresh...use filtered water and a very coarse ground and then start finding the best ratio of water and ground beans and once you find it...heaven. I have about 4 FP makers of varying sizes...I tend to drink a lot of coffee in the morning so I have a 32 ounce FP maker and am used to making it every day. I also have a FP I use when I travel with a manual grinder that works great. One thing I hate is when I travel I want my coffee the way I like it...not how others make it esp. on cruise ships and such. I bring my own beans, grinder, FP and there is always a supply of 1/2 and 1/2 and I also bring my own frother.