I've had the same coffee pot for seven years. I'm too lazy to find a picture of it online, but it's a classic Krups 12-cup machine with a glass carafe. It's fine, but I think it's time for an upgrade. Here's what I'm considering:
The advantage of a regular coffee maker is that I'm not tied to some "pod" system as I would be with the single-cup machines. But the great thing about the single-cup machines is that you can have a delicious cup of fresh, hot coffee anytime you want! No stale "bottom of the pot" coffee anymore!
If I go with the single-cup option, I lean towards the Keurig as it seems to have a bigger market share and thus have more "pods" available.
Thoughts? Advice?
EDITED: What about Tassimo?
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37 comments:
My single cut is a black & decker that brews into a travel mug {or whatever mug you put under there}. I don't know if you are a high-level snazzy coffee drinker - but if you aren't the B&D makes coffee flavored coffee.
I was in your same boat about 18 months ago - I wasn't sure if the single cup maker was the right fit so I didn't want to buy the expensive version right off the bat only to revert back to a whole big pot. So I tried this little guy from Target
http://www.target.com/Personal-Mini-Coffeemaker/dp/B000YDR1T6/qid=1205764710/ref=br_1_8/602-7139183-3195052?ie=UTF8&node=13385421&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=13385421&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2
It was about 20% the cost as the Senseo maker and it uses the Senseo coffee pods. I love it. And I always figured that I'd shell out the money for the real Senseo maker but this one keeps on working without any issue so I can't see making that big ticket purchase until this one stops working. I have tried the krups coffee too and I think the Senseo is a better cup of coffee - and there are more flavour options. Target Archer Farms pods also work in this model.
We got a Senseo thru an online promotion... 20.00 for the Senseo, coffee... and a bunch of other things I can't remember off the top of my head. It makes the best coffee ever. My Hubby is not a coffee fan, so we got it mainly so I could make one cup for me... except the coffee is so good he actually uses it more than I do. You can also set up an autoship of coffee on the senseo website. We usually just by French Vanilla, but they have a pretty good selection online. I love it.
The best coffee is made in a french press. It's not a fancy, expensive machine. For a long time they were difficult to find in the states, but now you can buy one at Starbucks or any home goods store, even target. It's a simple glass "pitcher" looking pot with a lid with a press attached. You can buy them in several different sizes, including about a 12oz (perfect for one). You grind your favorite coffee, put the appropriate amount of fresh grounds in the bottom of the pot (you will figure out how much you like best. Pour boiling water in directly on top of the grounds. Put the lid on with the "plunger" up. Wait three minutes and push the handle down to seperate the coffee from the water. Pour and enjoy. No, it doesn't turn on and be ready at 7am. But it's good coffee, worth the wait. It makes really smooth coffee because the oil from the coffee beans stays in the coffee, it's not "filtered" out. Once you try it you won't go back to a regular coffee maker, even when you have company. Enjoy!
-Em (former chef)
We had one of those thermal ones with a timer and have switched back to the old coffee maker. I think for the coffee to stay hot for more than an hour, you'd have to pre-rise with hot water and that sort of defeats the timer opion. In addition ours had a grinder and was a pain to clean (even when not grinding and contrary to what the box said). I have friends that have a single cup-pod-thingy and love it. I would consider that you should recycle the pods and also I don't know how much more expensive than beans it is over time.
Here's a link to the promotion someone mentioned:
https://www.sharesenseo.com/q6/1.jsp;jsessionid=5681B9F05918C2BD95138D9B7C568102
~ Franziska
I have a Keurig and I love it. Its great for me because I dont always drink the same amount of coffee each day. Sometimes its one cup, sometimes three. Sometimes one cup of caf then one cup of decaf. So no guessing how much to make the night before. And its so quick its easy to have a cup of decaf instead of something more fattening.
I order the k-cups online so being tied to the technology is not an issue.
The downside is that there is more waste. You have to throw away a plastic cup for each cup you drink . I used to compost the used coffee grounds + filter. So it definite induces some environmental guilt. But I live with it, because it make my day that small bit simpler.
We had a Melitta one cup coffee maker and we hated it. It never seemed to make a full cup of coffee and their cofee pods, which were supplied with, were lousy. We thought it would be great for us since we don't drink a lot of coffee, but we wended up trhowing it away. Now we have a Mr. Cofee four cup, and as long as you use good coffee, it's fine.
For me it's not the coffee maker it's the coffee. I fell in love with coffee at the Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans. Ever since I have ordered it on line. It is the strongest coffee in the world. One cup will set you up all day. I will not drink any other.
www.cafedumonde.com/main.html
Being a coffee hound, I cannot see myself ever considering a single-cup machine... but I did here good things about Senseo.
I'm partial to Krups when it comes to coffee-makers...
I'm also all about the French Press -- the extra cost of the press is made up in no time by the fact that you use less coffee than in a drip. Easy to clean, too -- just dump and rinse out.
Lots of great input--thanks! Keep it coming!
Re: French presses, I have tried a French press many times before, and I have never been able to make coffee that I like with it. I have varied the grind of the beans, the amount of coffee, etc. and it just doesn't work for me, so for now, that option is out.
-snick
I don't care for flavored coffee, so it wouldn't occur to me to get the single cup version, since the draw for that seems to be that you can mix it up. "Now Hazelnut! Next time, Vanilla Bean Banana Delight!"
But I would like a thermal pot, because if I have the leisure to lounge around the house with coffee, instead of hauling ass out the door with kid in tow, it would be nice if the coffee was still hot and not burned & nasty and/or cold.
ENJOY, whatever you choose! :)
we have the keurig at work and love it.
I am not a coffee drinker, but my husband is. We have this coffee maker, http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-600BC-Grind-Brushed-Chrome/dp/B00006F2MI
He loves it. My mom loved it so much when she came to visit because the coffee was actually hot, that she bought one for herself and my dad. It is a grind and brew, but you can use already ground if you want.
I got a Senseo from one of those promotions. I think the coffee is great (not the pods it comes with -- those are awful), but I know some people don't like them. I use Target Archer Farms brand or the other Senseo flavors. I need to find an online shop where I can buy in bulk.
I got a refillable pod (look up Eco Pod on amazon) but it hasn't been working well for me. Maybe I need finer grounds.
For ease though, you really can't beat the single cup system.
Almost all of my coffee is made by Starbucks. Yes, I really am that lazy. But I do have a french press that I use when I have guests and it's excellent.
I love my Keurig.
And they make plastic refillable k-cups that you can put your own ground coffee in.
hey dude..
your kids were hysterical this morning. riley walked over to me and patted my hair and said "cut".. the only man i know to recognize a hair cut! maddie closed the door for me on my way out.. very polite kids you have!
we had a krups pod machine that you're more than welcome to try out for a bit if you want to see if it clicks with you. i'm not a huge coffee drinker, but shiela is and we just upgraded to a pretty run of the mill 12 cup thermal unit and shiela loves it.. she sets the timer to start the brew so it's ready in the morning.. has a cup at home.. fills her thermos and then puts the entire pot in the fridge for either leftovers the next day or iced coffee at night.
the pods were convenient and a neet gadget, but they were irritating and the pods were much more expensive and you had less to choose from. this way we can get our harry and david coffee and all is right with the world.
j
Senseo is great!
I might not have bought it if D didn't work for a subsidiary of the "evil" mother company, and we got our machine 1/2 off, but we LOVE our Nespresso "capsule" one cup machine. http://www.nespresso.com They aren't big on flavored coffees, if that's your thing, although they usually come out with a few special editions every year. Their specialties are exotic blends from around the world, and espressos, marketed to "connoisseurs." You buy the machine, either online or places like Williams-Sonoma, and then order the capsules delivered to your home. Maybe W-S sells them, too? The machines start at about $179 for a manual and go WAY up to the Miehle built-in machines. The capsules are about $.49 each. We buy a three month supply at a time. I'm not kidding, its seriouly good and got me through those early days with the twins. Don't be detracted by the porn music on their website...
We have this one too (http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DGB-600BC-Grind-Brushed-Chrome/dp/B00006F2MI) and I love it, though Morgan yells at me cause I never clean it. So what? It still works and it stays warm. And you can get it cheaper than this elsewhere.
This one's kinda cool, too: http://www.cuisinart.com/catalog/product.php?product_id=376&item_id=472&cat_id=3
But I bet that's even more cleanup.
Salud!
Love my Keurig single cup maker. It is great and the selection of different flavors and brands of coffee is much better than any of the other makers out there. They even have little hot chocolate pods and tea. I love that when I have friends over I can give the option of decaf, regular or flavored. Most of the time it's just me drinking 1 or 2 cups in the morning, so no sense making an entire pot.
Plus, the coffee is fresh no matter when you want it.
I have the Hamilton Beach "Stay or Go" coffee maker with the thermal pot. It also comes with two thermal to-go cups that it can brew directly into (either into one or both). I almost never make a full pot--instead just pouring in a cup or two of water and a few scoops of regular coffee. I got this after using the same one at work for a few years. I figured if it held up to endless coffee making there, it would do just fine at my little house.
Here's the link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Stay-Coffeemaker-45235G/dp/B000MN7W0Q/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1205780901&sr=1-5
My mom has a Keurig and loves it (we have it at work, it's quite nice). For Christmas I got her this so she's not tied to using the pods.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=14048278
If you are going to get the Keurig, you can also buy a reusable cup and put your own coffee or tea in it, less waste. Seems to me the one cup at a time method is more expensive, but what do I know, I am Diet C*ke girl who works at a kitchen store!
A friend of mine has the Tassimo-I had never been tempted by a pod system, as the idea of being tied to buying only their pods seemed like a total pain in the ass. However, it makes really fabulous coffee. Best part? Her 3 year old gets up and makes Mommy a latte every morning!!!! Kids definitely do pay off eventually :)
I have a Black & Decker single cup machine that uses pods, or you can put the little adapter in and it uses regular coffee for those times I can't afford pods...LOL
I love it.
I love my Senseo coffey maker. My husband and I don't drink a whole lot of coffee, and we love to drink the good stuff. My favorite is the French Vanilla, but I've gotten some of the Kenyan pods recently. My in-laws's have priced it to about $0.30 a cup, which is fine for us, but we don't drink coffee daily
I love my Senseo coffey maker. My husband and I don't drink a whole lot of coffee, and we love to drink the good stuff. My favorite is the French Vanilla, but I've gotten some of the Kenyan pods recently. My in-laws's have priced it to about $0.30 a cup, which is fine for us, but we don't drink coffee daily
The best coffee I have ever tasted is made by the Aeropress. It takes one minute to use, fifteen seconds to clean, and a pack of filters lasts a year.
http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm
I have a Hamilton Beach Coffee Pot that I LOVE. It brews into either 1 or 2 thermal 'to go' cups, or a thermal carafe. I generally make 2 cups of coffee in the morning. My afternoon cup is still warm in the afternoon because the pot is soo awesome.. (Swish hot water in the pot just before brewing for extra long heat retention) It also has a timer, so you can set it to start at a certain time.
I know, not the fanciest of brands, but I love my coffee pot.
http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Coffee-Thermal-Carafe/dp/B0000W4N0G
I have a fancy Capresso machine with a thermal carafe. I find that it's fine if I want to make a whole pot (i.e., if friends come over), but for just one cup, it doesn't stay hot enough. For the hottest and best single cup, I have a simple Melitta plastic cone filter -- I heat the water in a teakettle and drip the coffee right into my cup (usually a stainless steel travel mug, to keep it hot. I guess I like really hot coffee). Anyway, it's cheap, low-tech, and makes the best coffee EVER. And you can get fresh-roasted coffee rather than those pods. Maybe not as satisfying as buying something special, though... I certainly understand the psychological power of a nice toy!
We have the Keurig one as well, good coffee, order online so delivery is easy never have to go out to get it, the refillable one I haven't used, but think now I'll try, like that they have a tea selection in k-cups as well, good flavor. I'd say the only complaint I have, and it's lame, is that it makes a smaller size cup so I usually make 2 for my one big favorite mug:)
Good luck in your search!
I have the Keurig and sooo love it. You can use one of those 20% off coupons and get it at bed bath beyond. I also order the coffe online - coffeecow.com
Easy cleaning, fresh great coffee! :)
If you're more into cappucino than regular coffee look into the Mukka Cappucino maker. I LOVE mine. It makes a single cup of cappucino that is easy, hot, and to die for. It works on the stove and is small and easily stored. I used mine every day except when I was waiting for a replacement part (original eaten by garbage disposal). I set up the water/coffee the night before and poured milk in in the morning. So long as you have 5 minutes in the kitchen it's good.
Here's a link to one at Willims Sonoma. I've also seen it at Crate & Barrell.
http://snipurl.com/mukka [www_williams-sonoma_com]
You would still want to hold on to your old pot as this only makes cappucino and only makes one (about 12 ounce) cup at a time. Easiest cappucino on earth.
Cair
Hi my in laws have a coffee maker that you can make indvidual coffees or a pot... i think its a delonghi??
We have a senseo at work, and it is great for quick consistant coffee. Pods are cheaper online typically even with shipping. It does make more noise than a regular coffee maker...
I do love my braun thermal pot at home. It keeps it warm enough for me and no burnt coffee!
And I also had a melita that makes one or two cups into to go travel mugs that was cheap and good. Much like Cobblestone above said...
I think that both are good options for you.
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