Need Coffee 101 information

[ski_mom]

We are not a coffee drinking family. Lately, DD has started drinking it though and has asked for a coffee maker for Christmas.

I have absolutely no knowledge about making coffee or the different kind of makers. At work we have a nice coffee maker, but as far as I know, it just makes full pots of coffee. I've read about the Kurigs and wondered if that would be the way to go if we get one. She really only drinks the fancy coffees, so I don't know if that makes a difference in what she would want / need?

Anyway, I'm open to any information anyone can give me.

Thanks!

 

[minnie mum]

Since your DD seems to prefer the flavoured coffees at this point (blech, yuck, ptui ) then I'd probably go with a Keurig type of coffee maker. There are lots of brands of single cup coffee makers that take the K cups. It isn't necessary to go top of the line at this point. When she's ready to graduate to really good coffee, you might want to upgrade at that time.

 

[trip]

We just got a mini kuerig. We are not big coffee drinkers so this is great for us. It makes one cup at a time, so DH and I can each have our own flavor. it takes 2 minutes to brew a cup. We've had it for a month now and have had no problems. We bought some assorted packages of coffee/hot chocolate and have been noting our favorites for when we need to purchase more.

 

[crz4mm2]

I am the only person who drinks coffee in my household. I am not picky. I bought my 2nd keurig a month ago. I love it.
about 99 cents a day for a great cup of coffee.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We are not a coffee drinking family. Lately, DD has started drinking it though and has asked for a coffee maker for Christmas.

I have absolutely no knowledge about making coffee or the different kind of makers. At work we have a nice coffee maker, but as far as I know, it just makes full pots of coffee. I've read about the Kurigs and wondered if that would be the way to go if we get one. She really only drinks the fancy coffees, so I don't know if that makes a difference in what she would want / need?

Anyway, I'm open to any information anyone can give me.

Thanks!

Yes, get a Keurig.

I have the Platinum and I love that thing. It is more expensive than the others but it brews so many different sizes and has a nice reservoir for water. I use distilled water only because we have very hard water here.

I bite the bullet today and bought some tea for it. I always wanted to buy tea and well with company coming for Thanksgiving & cold weather here, it was my perfect excuse.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I really like the Keurig because it is easy to use, and to me it makes good coffee. Cashing in on a Kohls 30 percent off coupon brings the price down to reasonable.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I am the only one in the house that drinks coffee. I use a French press (also called a press pot). It is so simple and makes an excellent cup. One difference is you will have to use good-quality beans -- there is no paper filter so more of the oils from the beans are in your coffee. This makes a richer flavor, but if you use low-quality beans you will be able to taste it. All you need to make coffee in a press pot is the press pot, coarse-ground beans (I grind my own), and a tea kettle. I love not having another appliance on the counter. I have a small press for just me and a 4-cup press for company, or when I just want a lot of coffee!

Sent from me.

 

[Imzadi]

We are not a coffee drinking family. Lately, DD has started drinking it though and has asked for a coffee maker for Christmas.

I have absolutely no knowledge about making coffee or the different kind of makers. At work we have a nice coffee maker, but as far as I know, it just makes full pots of coffee. I've read about the Kurigs and wondered if that would be the way to go if we get one. She really only drinks the fancy coffees, so I don't know if that makes a difference in what she would want / need?

Anyway, I'm open to any information anyone can give me.

Thanks!

If she buys freshly ground, those Keurigs, won't be right. There are little empty, reusable K cup filters where she can add her own coffee into it, than buying those K cup capsules, but she may prefer a regular auto drip maker instead.

I love this coffeemaker. I will never switch to one of the capsules, as I like my coffee extra strong and can put ANY amount into the reusable, permanent filter basket, whereas you are limited to the size of those capsules. There is also less waste to the environment by not having thousands of plastic K cup capsule thrown into landfills. I don't understand how people justify that waste?

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-DCM18S-Personal-Coffeemaker/dp/B00005MF9C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385251067&sr=8-1

 

[trip]

Yes, get a Keurig.

I have the Platinum and I love that thing. It is more expensive than the others but it brews so many different sizes and has a nice reservoir for water. I use distilled water only because we have very hard water here.

I bite the bullet today and bought some tea for it. I always wanted to buy tea and well with company coming for Thanksgiving & cold weather here, it was my perfect excuse.

Your Platinum Keurig may be different but my Mini Plus Brewer Keurig say not to use distilled water only bottled water or water from a filtration system. One thing I like about the mini is that is that it doesn't store water in the reservoir so you are always using fresh water.

 

[KathyTX]

Big Keurig fan here. Our Platinum gets a workout! And there's virtually no cleanup ever-no filter with used grounds to clean, no pot to wash. Just toss the used KCup when you put the next one in!

I usually go with a regular coffee blend, but some of the flavors are lovely. I'm having a latte made with Gloria Jean's Hazelnut right now.

The small model sounds ideal in a situation like yours where there's only going to be an occasional cup made.

When you say she likes "fancy" coffees, do you mean cappuccinos and lattes? If so, an inexpensive frother to foam the milk or cream for those would also be nice. You can get one for around $20. I love mine. I just put my milk or half and half in my coffee mug, zap in the microwave to warm it, froth it a bit, then let the Keurig brew the coffee right into the mug.

Here's mine-Aerolatte.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Your Platinum Keurig may be different but my Mini Plus Brewer Keurig say not to use distilled water only bottled water or water from a filtration system. One thing I like about the mini is that is that it doesn't store water in the reservoir so you are always using fresh water.

Really? I never checked that.

Logically that makes no sense since distilled water would be far better for the machine since it is filtered even more than spring water or bottled water.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Really? I never checked that. Logically that makes no sense since distilled water would be far better for the machine since it is filtered even more than spring water or bottled water.

Yeah that doesn't make sense.

The reason you're supposed to use to bottled water is because of mineral deposits right?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yeah that doesn't make sense.

The reason you're supposed to use to bottled water is because of mineral deposits right?

Yes. Which is why I use distilled water since I got the machine 2yrs ago.

I have ZERO issues with minerals. No build up of any kind whatsoever.

 

[Albort]

Anyone use the french style way to make coffee? its super small... great for single person... you can also control the strength...

K-cups are just too expensive... :| Coffee pots, well, u make more than u usually do and both units are bulky!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Anyone use the french style way to make coffee? its super small... great for single person... you can also control the strength...

K-cups are just too expensive... :| Coffee pots, well, u make more than u usually do and both units are bulky!

I had one back in the day.

Honestly, if I was going with fancy brewing methods, I would just do the "pour over" instead of the french press, if you guys want to get down to the nitty gritty here.

http://prima-coffee.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-pour-over-coffee-brewing

 

[Albort]

I had one back in the day.

Honestly, if I was going with fancy brewing methods, I would just do the "pour over" instead of the french press, if you guys want to get down to the nitty gritty here.

http://prima-coffee.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-pour-over-coffee-brewing

oops, not french... Italian style of brewing...

Heres mine, took one next to a soda can to show the size of it...

 

[Pakey]

Anyone use the french style way to make coffee? its super small... great for single person... you can also control the strength... K-cups are just too expensive... :| Coffee pots, well, u make more than u usually do and both units are bulky!

French press user here-I hate flavored coffees and the press is a better way to get good quality coffee at your desired strength. I have the beans ground course.

I used a glass one for years but got a stainless press (Espro brand) when I moved a few months ago and love it.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

oops, not french... Italian style of brewing...

Heres mine, took one next to a soda can to show the size of it...

Ah, that is a moka pot, also called "el greco" in Hispanic culture. My mom uses one, I prefer the press pot (which I don't find "fancy" at all, it is incredibly simple and low-maintenance).

Sent from me.

 

[robinb]

By 'fancy' coffee do you mean flavored or expensive/strong? If she likes expensive or strong coffee the keurig is a bad idea. It makes very weak coffee. If she likes flavored coffee the. It will be fine.

 

[bookgirl]

I'd buy her a mini kuerig. You can get cafe mocha and vanilla latte cups or just plain and then fill her stocking with those flavored creamer cups.

I have the mini and it's a great beginners model. I plan to upgrade mine to a big one (I use one at work) I'm not a fan of fancy coffee per say but the versatility of this system (hot drinks, cold drinks, coffee hot chocolate, tea, etc) is really nice.