Help me drink something better than Keurig coffee...
- Thread starter Wasz
- Start date
dscl
BoM October '14
Okay so entering into the world of 'a better cup' you have a few options for your brew methods. Based on the volume you wish to make you have three options
From there I would NOT spend the money on a Burr Grinder yet unless you have money to burn (in that case look at what I linked). Instead find a local shop where you can buy nice fresh roasts (this is key) and have them grind for you based on your brew method. Once you get hooked though pull out the wallet because fresh grinding and experimenting with grind size is very important.
I would recommend this variable temperature gooseneck kettle though. Water temperature has a huge impact on the finish product as you experiment with different methods. Also being able to precisely control the flow of water is important (thus the gooseneck part).
Lastly and equally important for consistency is a scale. Getting the right water->coffee ratio doesn't happen by magic. This is a great budget scale.
Like you said many of us here are HUGE coffee heads. If you have any questions or need other recommendations just ask!
- Aeropress ($27) - Produces a very pure & clean cup of coffee and the sweetness of the roast comes forward
- French Press ($18) - Makes a cup with the most 'body' and oils still present. The brew can contain some grit though.
- Pour over [Kalita Wave] ($22) - Middle of the road; the tinkerers dream. Not as sweet/clean as Aeropress, but no grit with the FrenchPress. I recommend most people start here.
From there I would NOT spend the money on a Burr Grinder yet unless you have money to burn (in that case look at what I linked). Instead find a local shop where you can buy nice fresh roasts (this is key) and have them grind for you based on your brew method. Once you get hooked though pull out the wallet because fresh grinding and experimenting with grind size is very important.
I would recommend this variable temperature gooseneck kettle though. Water temperature has a huge impact on the finish product as you experiment with different methods. Also being able to precisely control the flow of water is important (thus the gooseneck part).
Lastly and equally important for consistency is a scale. Getting the right water->coffee ratio doesn't happen by magic. This is a great budget scale.
Like you said many of us here are HUGE coffee heads. If you have any questions or need other recommendations just ask!
Last edited:
ChuckMejia
The General
Don't get too complicated with scales... Just get a kettle for cheap with Amazon prime a simple pour over for no more than 20 and a starter coffee grinder for 30 and 1000 filters for like $5
Man I thought I stepped up my coffee game when I bought my Keurig. Ignorance is bliss is suppose.
dscl
BoM October '14
Agree mostly, and linked budget friendly items, except with your thoughts on a grinder. In my book get a local shop to grind coffee until you're ready to spend the money on a quality starter grinder.
ChuckMejia
The General
If you enjoy it bro then you're good
dscl
BoM October '14
Agreed. If you like it that's all that matters!
The only part I disagree with is the grinder. I think the grinder is important, I just don't feel that buying coffee pre-ground is the way to go, it doesn't maintain freshness like whole beans. You can get a Baratza burr grinder for about $130, but it really depends on what your budget is. But like most everything else, coffee is very subjective. It's really about what works for you.
dscl
BoM October '14
To clarify I was referring to buy freshly roasted whole bean coffee from a shop and have them grind 2-3 days worth at a time. Since there is other initial investment this is a good stop gap until one is ready to drop $130 or so on a grinder.
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dscl
BoM October '14
Actually for further clarification fresh roasted/ground coffee is probably the most important thing to the game.
If you already had a nice drip pot I would recommend buying a grinder before anything else.
Since you're looking at investing in new setups all around though my prior suggesting of having coffee ground (2-3 days worth at a time) is meant as a stop gap until you're ready to spend more.
Like with cigars it never ends lol ;-)
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If you already had a nice drip pot I would recommend buying a grinder before anything else.
Since you're looking at investing in new setups all around though my prior suggesting of having coffee ground (2-3 days worth at a time) is meant as a stop gap until you're ready to spend more.
Like with cigars it never ends lol ;-)
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This!
not to hijack your thread wasz but I gotta few question for the coffee heads here.
keurig seems to get a bad rap but is it the brewing process from the machine you guys don't like or the quality of the brew from the K cups sold? I use the reusable cup now and just add my own pre ground cheap shit to it now and its not terrible.
I got an espresso machine coming in the mail tomorrow and me and the wife are ordering a burr grinder in the near future. The grinder we were looking at had a bunch of different settings, that'll grind from espresso up to drip. We were thinking of getting rid of the Keurig and buying a regular drip machine for when we need something quick in the morning but were also tossing around the idea of keeping it, buying whole bean and grinding it for the reusable k cup.
keurig seems to get a bad rap but is it the brewing process from the machine you guys don't like or the quality of the brew from the K cups sold? I use the reusable cup now and just add my own pre ground cheap shit to it now and its not terrible.
I got an espresso machine coming in the mail tomorrow and me and the wife are ordering a burr grinder in the near future. The grinder we were looking at had a bunch of different settings, that'll grind from espresso up to drip. We were thinking of getting rid of the Keurig and buying a regular drip machine for when we need something quick in the morning but were also tossing around the idea of keeping it, buying whole bean and grinding it for the reusable k cup.
dscl
BoM October '14
A better response coming when I'm in front of a computer instead of my phone.
The quick answer is, in regards to the Keurig, both the quality of the beans (which can be fixed as you mentioned) and the brew process don't do it for me.
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The biggest problems with the K-cups are temperature and short brew times. Even in my "real machine" I stop the drip and mix water to grounds (wetting) for a bit before letting it go into the pot. If your using the pre made k-cups you have even more problems such as old(er) beans and grounds to water ratios depending on size of brew.
Does anyone have any thoughts on a manual grinder? I saw one that'll fit inside the aeropress. Seems like that'd make a great setup to take camping.
dscl
BoM October '14
I have a Hario hand grinder I take with me, along with an aeropress, when I travel.
The grinder is great and works very well, but it's a chore. The novelty of grinding large amounts of coffee wears off quickly. For smaller batches, like the aeropress, it's great though.
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I thought of something else... any thoughts on a specific milk frother/steamer/warmer? My wife likes a lot of milk in her coffee so we always end up sticking here's in the microwave. Would love to be able to give her heated milk.
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
The Nespresso frother is fantastic! Even froth eggnog in it 
. If you just want warm milk cream just keep the wire froth thing out.
http://www.wayfair.com/Nespresso-Aeroccino-Plus-0.14-Qt.-Milk-Frother-3192-US-L965-K~NES1040.html?refid=GX71596706070-NES1040&device=m&ptid=137854647164&gclid=CNfixM70g8oCFcKGaQodfrIIug
. If you just want warm milk cream just keep the wire froth thing out.http://www.wayfair.com/Nespresso-Aeroccino-Plus-0.14-Qt.-Milk-Frother-3192-US-L965-K~NES1040.html?refid=GX71596706070-NES1040&device=m&ptid=137854647164&gclid=CNfixM70g8oCFcKGaQodfrIIug