coffee maker

[ACE]

We was given a tassimo coffee maker a couple of years ago. I like a nice expresso before I head for the Lottie in the morning. They are a one use plastic thing  but I have found a way of making them recyclable, a bit of a faff but I could not justify using it otherwise. I was after a hot water dispenser instead of boiling a kettle for tea and instant coffee, they are a bit expensive but I found a £5 gadget that turns the coffee maker into one. Saved myself £40 and it saves leccie as well.

[ACE]

[Obelixx]

A while ago OH told me he'd like a fancy coffee machine so he can have espresso and cappuccino but the model he liked uses nasty plastic pods or capsules so I said "no way".   We already have two filter coffee machiens on the go - one leaded for mornings and one decaf for 1pm onwards - so a third machine has to be exceedingly good, not too big and not use plastic pods.

He's gone off the idea.

[ACE]

 For some of them you can get  reusable pods.

[Obelixx]

Too much faff.  Let him drink filter!  He gets espresso whenever we go out for coffee or lunch.

[galina]

You can get refillable pods for this machine Ace, although it sounds you worked a method out yourself.   

[ACE]

Once a month I scrape some of the foil off and chuck the grounds on the garden, then a quick rub on an old breeze block leaves just recyclable plastic to put into the green bin. The thing is the americano grande is a lovely cup of coffee, A cup of that and a Gauloises is the perfect way to wake up and the coughing gives me all the exercise I need.

[Redalder]

We have always used a Bialetti percolator that sits on the hob and we grind our own beans. The coffee is always made from freshly ground beans, can be as strong as we want and no waste bits except the recyclable pack the beans are in. Grounds go in the compost bin under the sink.

[ACE]

I have all sorts of coffee makers and percolators, the best is the one from Whittards which gets used with my Blue mountain beans I get as a prezzy every year from Jamaica. Special occasion coffee. But to pop in a pod and press a button for a decent cup especially when they are on offer about 35p a cup can't be beaten. The frothy milky ones are dreadful and should be avoided. I have drunk nearly every combination of coffee from all over the world apart from Kopi luwak which I have never had the chance to taste or even afford. I suppose I am addicted but it don't seem to do me any harm. A bit of insomnia but even that has benefits. Only three sleeps to xmas.

[BarriedaleNick]

I have a bean to cup machine which means I can stagger into the kitchen and press a couple of buttons and get fresh ground coffee into a cup in a couple of minutes.
Then I can have another one!  It does all sorts of fancy dan coffees but I just hit the 2xespresso button.

[ACE]

Just looked them up to be nosey, whoo hoo guess what I am getting for crimbo.

[galina]

I have a bean to cup machine which means I can stagger into the kitchen and press a couple of buttons and get fresh ground coffee into a cup in a couple of minutes.
Then I can have another one!  It does all sorts of fancy dan coffees but I just hit the 2xespresso button.

You are describing my speed first thing in the morning to a "T" BarriedaleNick.  Without getting too commercial (but this is the shed where rules are less strict).  Is there an affordable bean to cup  machine?   

[Metanurb]

We have 2 of those ones that grind beans, one is very good the other is very bad. Both from the same manufacturer bought a while apart for around the same money. (£65 ish iirc)

The good one has a bean hopper and proper grinder which passes the grounds into a filter down a little chute, the bad one uses a food processor type blade within the filter and is a pita to clean plus you have to measure out the beans every time you use it.

[Beersmith]

Only three sleeps to xmas.

Good one!!  Have a like!!

[Paulh]

Once in a while my wife gets the ground coffee out of the fridge and the percolator out of the cupboard. Who needs more than that?

(Ducks incoming abuse).

[Beersmith]

In my humble opinion the very best and easiest way to a cup of good fresh ground coffee is an Aeropress.

(Hope this doesn't breach site advertising rules.)

Almost every home sooner or later acquires a coffee grinder. Well instead of leaving it at the back of the cupboard, leave it on the kitchen work top. Beans in, a few seconds grind, tap into the Aeropress, hot water in ( just below boiling point) and two minutes later superb fresh coffee.  Of course it isn't bean to cup but honestly it is faster than my Nespresso machine , far cheaper and tastes better too.

Of course much of the quality arises because there are quite a lot of specialist coffee shops about supplying superb beans from all around the world.  I'm currently getting my beans from a local roaster, but - shame on me - I'd rapidly find another source if the quality slipped. You aren't restricted to just pod suppliers.

[pumkinlover]

My bean grinder is used for pepper corms as every  "pepper grinder " i have purchased fails.
I agree with Paulh and Beersmith on this, simple and effective, takes less room and no electricity needed.

[Obelixx]

My wee coffee grinder is strictly reserved for spices!  It lives in a cupboard next to the cooker with other blenders and mixers I need to have handy.

Two filter machines sit on the counter - one for leaded coffee for mornings and one for decaf for the rest of the day.  We never drink tea. 

[Beersmith]

Isn't it odd how long it can take for ideas to gradually come to mind.  Took a couple of days to remember this.

One technique that I have been following is the rule that you should never make fresh coffee with boiling water.  Advice seems to vary between just below boiling to as low as just 80 degrees C.  The claim is that the taste is richer but less bitter. 

Is it true or just a conventional wisdom type thing? Personally I think it works to a degree.  Do others agree?

[woodypecks]

I don't have any of these wonderful machines that you are all having so much fun with........just a kettle and a jar of Nescafe granules !  :)   

[ACE]

jar of Nescafe granules !  :)   

Whoah, thread drift, we were talking about coffee