How do you brew coffee???

[vegasnative]

Ok, so after 10-years of instant coffee, DH and I decided to get a coffee maker. I followed directions carefully and we must be doing something wrong. Our coffee comes out pretty weak, most times it tastes like hot "slightly" flavored coffee. I have tried it on the regular setting and strong setting, strong setting is slightly better, but it is still not great. We have tried both Starbucks (not breakfast blend, but the other regular blend) brand and Millstone.

So, what could I be doing wrong? How do YOU brew your coffee and what brand do you use? Please help!

 

[Frantasmic]

For 12 cups of coffee, I add 6 well rounded tablespoons of coffee.

Try Community Coffee if they offer it in your area.

 

[ilovepcot]

Initially I was having the same problem....weak coffee, even though I was following directions to the letter. Finally decided to "tailor" my own directions. I chose the cup I'd drink from and measured how many ounces it held. Mine happens to be 12 oz. per cup. Multiplied those ounces by the number of cups I wanted to brew. I use 2 *heavily rounded* tablespoons of coffee for each cup. Comes out great!

Oh, I use most any brand from time to time but love Folger's Chocolate Truffle.

 

[Chuck S]

I use three standard coffee scoops per "12 cup" pot.

 

[mill4023]

Are you buying it pre-ground or buying whole bean and grinding it yourself.

Because if it's too weak, either
A) You aren't using enough coffee for the amount of water
or
B) The grind is too coarse.

About half the coffee we buy is Millstone and the fact that we often order quad espressos at Starbucks should tell you that we don't like weak coffee.

Don't worry about what the directions say. If it's weak, use more coffee.

 

[bicker]

Generally, if you aren't using enough grounds, then the coffee will be bitter, as the water leeches all the flavor plus a lot of bitterness out of the grounds. So I'd put my money on too coarse of a grind, or my bet is on the water not being hot enough.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I love my coffee nice and strong (and decaf, I'll admit), so I use 2 heaping tablespoons of a medium-fine ground coffee for every cup of water in the coffee maker. 8 cups water = 16 scoops of ground coffee. My old roommate's dad likes weak coffee, so he uses 2 level tablespoons of coffee for every 12 cups of water. Needless to say, when he used to visit us we'd make separate pots of coffee in the morning and we each thought the other's coffee was gross!

Just play with how much ground coffee you put in the basket each day until you hit on the level you like. I sometimes adjust the amount I use if I switch roasts or if I'm using a flavored creamer with it that day. I think it just comes down to figuring out what works best for you.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I use the coffee scoop that came with my brewer. I use one of those per cup (measured on the pot) and as mom taught me and extra scoop "for the pot" as she used to say (and still does). Great coffee every time.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Are you buying it pre-ground or buying whole bean and grinding it yourself.

Because if it's too weak, either
A) You aren't using enough coffee for the amount of water
or
B) The grind is too coarse.

About half the coffee we buy is Millstone and the fact that we often order quad espressos at Starbucks should tell you that we don't like weak coffee.

Don't worry about what the directions say. If it's weak, use more coffee.

I was wondering about that. I just bought a bag and didn't look at the setting on the grinder when I put it in. I noticed the coarse ground when it was too late to change it. And my coffee has been a lot lighter than I normally like it.

Thanks.

 

[Imzadi]

If you use your regular cup you will be drinking coffee out of & pour the water directly into the pot, you will notice the number of cups on the pot probably do not correspond with an "actual" cup of coffee. Those cup measurements are like for 5-6oz. "cup" measurements, not 8 oz.

I also use 2 *heavily rounded* tablespoons of coffee for each cup. I love strong coffee!

Also, you might just have a coffeemaker in which the thermostat just does not get hot enough to brew a decent cup of coffee. If ALL your different coffees you test, as well as different measurements still brew a weak pot, then it's the water temperature.

I am very picky about my coffeemakers now. The temp of the water is the first thing I check for when buying a new maker. Some companies really don't calibrate the temp correctly. If it's not right, back to the store it goes for a different brand maker. Right now, I have a Black & Decker. Previously, I had a Melita.

If you notice, Starbucks coffee shops regulate their water temps very precisely during brewing.

 

["Got Disney"]

I like a little strongetr coffee so if it says 6 TBSP per 6 cups than I add 8 TBSP and it comes out so I can taste it...

You can also use 2 coffee filters and it will brew slower before dripping into the pot

Than there is always 7-eleven coffee..they have really good coffee that is affordable

 

[vegasnative]

Thanks for the replies. I did turn the temperature up as high as it will go because when we first started using it I could pour a cup and guzzle it right away because it wasn't too hot. I have been buying the pre-ground coffee, but from what it sounds like I am just not putting enough in. I have been putting "level" tbsp's in, not "rounded" ones like many of you suggest. I also think I will try to pour a cup of water in my regular cup and pour that in and see how it measures out. Thanks everyone, I will try it again and let you know how it works.
PS~I knew someone would mention to go thru a drive-thru or to buy some, I have heard that 7-11 does make some good coffee!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How do I brew? I use lots of coffee, we like it STRONG.

Also I like 100% Columbian coffee, so I find that if it is not Columbian it tends to be a weak blend.

So I would add more coffee, alot more, since you say it is weak. Quadruple the amount you are using.

 

[arminnie]

from the Allegro Coffee (Whole Foods brand) web site:

How much coffee should I use to brew great tasting coffee at home?

Start with one heaping standard coffee measure (2 T) for each 6 oz. of water. Add fresh hot water to the brew if it’s too strong rather than using less coffee for best flavor. Better still, brew by weight: 2-2.5 ounces per quart of water.

 

[Pop Daddy]

give me coffee, or give me death

 

[Imzadi]

I also think I will try to pour a cup of water in my regular cup and pour that in and see how it measures out.

Oh, and once you do that, add an extra 1/4 cup water to the total amount as that gets absorbed into the coffee grounds while brewing. Otherwise you'll end up with a short cup.

 

[monkeyboy]

almost as inane as some other polls

 

[Imzadi]

almost as inane as some other polls

Well, you could start a thread about the best way to down a bottle of Absolut.

 

[MAKmom]

I use a French Press at home. At work I have a automatic drip pot. I use 1/2 cup of grinds for a full pot. It is perfect every time.

 

[bicker]

I think that's a big surprise for many people -- that it's two (2) tablespoons per six (6) ounces of water. I've seen some folks (near and dear to my heart) try to make coffee with two teaspoons per mug!