Recommend me a coffee-making machine

[dsheinem]

Mine broke, and I think it is time to get a good one.

I want something that can brew a large mug's worth for one person (2-3 cups) just as well as it can brew 10 cups or so when i have some coffee drinking friends over (so those single serving machines are out). Something I can setup before going to bed so that it turns on automatically to brew in the morning at a set time is also an important feature.

I don't really think I need one with a grinder, as I have a stand alone machine for that.

So, I know some of you are java-heads. What would you recommend?

[Flake]

I use a French press - the coffee always comes out much richer that way. That'd take care of your small cup needs but for larger pots it wouldn't work.

[Opa Opa]

I've used a Mr. Coffee brand machine for quite a while now. I'm sure they make a machine with the features you're looking for.

[Hatta]

I use a French press - the coffee always comes out much richer that way. That'd take care of your small cup needs but for larger pots it wouldn't work.

I've probably mentioned this before, but watch out for cafestol in french press coffee. It's a component of coffee oil that can interfere with cholesterol metabolism and increase LDL levels. Paper filtering removes the cafestol.

Drip coffee makers are pretty simple machines. I think they all do the job pretty well.

[Luke]

So, I know some of you are java-heads. What would you recommend?

I agree about not needing a grinder attached to the machine, and would highly suggest azassenhaus grinder. We use a Cuisinart 10 cup that has a digital timer, and few other bells and whistles, and we've never had an issue with it or the decanter.

[fvgazi]

I use a French press - the coffee always comes out much richer that way. That'd take care of your small cup needs but for larger pots it wouldn't work.

I've probably mentioned this before, but watch out for cafestol in french press coffee. It's a component of coffee oil that can interfere with cholesterol metabolism and increase LDL levels. Paper filtering removes the cafestol.

Drip coffee makers are pretty simple machines. I think they all do the job pretty well.

Hmm... I've been considering a french press for a while. Is there a way around this such as filtering the coffee after using the french press....or does that completely defeat the point of using one?

[Luke]

does that completely defeat the point of using one?

Yes.

[CRTGAMER]

Its the coffee not the coffee pot
You can go the expresso with steamer rod and grinder for weekends when there is extra time to relax with the foamy milk. But not ideal when short on time during the week. I use the steam setup on weekends; for weekdays a regular inexpensive drip coffee maker and GOOD coffee preground. Seattles Best Dark, they now use numbers to signify how strong the coffee is. Number Five to chew on for me.

[fvgazi]

Its the coffee not the coffee pot
You can go the expresso with steamer rod and grinder for weekends when there is extra time to relax with the foamy milk. But not ideal when short on time during the week. I use the steam setup on weekends and just a regular inexpensive drip coffee maker and GOOD coffee preground. Seattles Best Dark, they now use numbers to signify how strong the coffee is. Number Five to chew on for me.

That's mostly true, however the first time I ever had a french press I couldn't believe it was disgusting Maxwell House.

I'm guessing using the french press in moderation would'nt effect cholesterol levels too greatly. I did not read that journal article yet .

[Hatta]

The paper tests people who drank a quart of french press coffee daily for 6 months. Serum LDL levels get raised by about 10% intially but return to baseline over the course of the 6 months. Enzymes that produce LDLs get raised by about 10% persistently, but return to baseline after cessation of french press coffee consumption. There's obviously some sort of homeostatic mechanism taking the increased LDLs out of circulation, it's not clear whether it's through normal metabolism or by deposition in the arteries though.

But yes, french press coffee is likely to be safe in small doses. A quart is 4 cups, which is a pretty significant amount. One or two cups a week is likely to have a negligible effect on cholesterol.