| Author | Content |
girlgroupgirl
Atlanta, GA
(Zone 8b)
October 19, 2005
07:14 PM Post #1825816
| Well, I just don't know who to ask about a decent coffee maker. We had an expensive one with a toggle switch, and in a year the toggle was broken. Our coffee makers get a good workout, lol.
So then we bought a cheaper one, a Phillips. Nothing but a headache. It leaks. It's always leaked and I can't find where on earth it leaks from. It gets stopped up, it overflows as the piece the water is supposed to flow through into the pot gets stuck...no more Phillips brand stuff. I'm frustrated!
No, Mr. Coffee's! I used to work for a man who had been an insurance adjustor. This was his suggestion as he said he had more insurance claims because of these coffee makers than any other reason for needing insurance!!
Please don't say switch to tea, lol. I drink that too!!
So what's a coffee lovin' gardener supposed to do?
Any suggestions?
girlgroupgirl |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
 October 19, 2005
07:22 PM Post #1825827
| I have an old Black & Decker I've had for about 15 years, and it works great - has a thermal carafe so the coffee doesn't get cold or nasty from sitting on a burner too long.
Last year, DH surprised me with a pretty expensive stainles steel Cuisinart model - complete with timer, grinder, yada, yada yada.
One day it didn't turn itself on at the right time. I came out and grumpily punched "on". While I was cleaning out the dishwasher and impatiently waiting for my java, I noticed steam...no, make that smoke coming from the back of my coffee maker. Plus a burning smell, followd by sparks. Yikes!
They offered to let me send it back for a replacement, but I haven't sent it back. Partly out of procrastination, and partly becuase I'm not sure I want another one. If it had started on its own at the right time that morning, it might have gone up in smoke before I woke up, and it could have set our house on fire. So I'm back to punching "on" in the morning on my trusty B&D...
edited because it dawned on me that my coffee maker/incendiary device was a Cuisanart and not a Krups - apologies to the good people of Krups ;o)
This message was edited Oct 20, 2005 5:50 PM |
dispatcher1
Seymour, IN
(Zone 5b)
October 19, 2005
08:33 PM Post #1825985
| We have a coffee pot on here about 16 to 18 hours a day and I got frustrated with the various brands deciding to die overnite and leaving me without coffe to fill my thermos for work. This is a disaster because you really don't want to around me , if I haven't had my usual two pots of coffee. We finally were given a Bunn and we will stick with them forever if possible. They operate differently than most and can be a pain here because we have very hard water, so I have to clean it out regularly but we really like it. It makes coffee quick like the restraurant kind but it is small scale for home use. Give them a try. I think they are well worth the money. JustMHO. Lou
This message was edited Oct 21, 2005 6:44 AM |
leaflady
Hughesville, MO
(Zone 5a)
October 19, 2005
10:33 PM Post #1826328
| Go to Gevalia.com, click on join on the top of the page. It will let you do it online if you have a credit card. Or they will send you an application thru the mail. $15 will get you a fabulous 12 cup pot with a clock, auto turn on and off, etc. plus 2 1/2# pkg. of coffee that you get to select. You don't have to continue to buy the coffee from them if you don't want to. Of course they hope that you will. |
LucyGoose
Schererville, IN
(Zone 5a)
October 20, 2005
03:49 PM Post #1827476
| Hi All!!
For years we just had the old standard Mr. Coffee...Last Christmas we got a Cuisinart with the grinder...We love it...Never had one with a timer before either, so now we are spoiled having coffee done when you get up! LOL...We have had no trouble with it, so far...Although, I knew someone who did...She said her grinder would not shut off...Ours is fine...
Good Luck looking!! |
Kelli
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA
(Zone 10a)
October 20, 2005
07:19 PM Post #1827848
| DH says get Braun.
We have a Black & Decker and it is fine except that there is a spring mechanism that keeps the upper thingy from dripping when you remove the coffee pot if you remove it before the entire brew cycle is done. The spring was so strong that it would move the pot ajar and the coffee would miss the hole in the coffee pot lid and drip all over. DH removed the spring and now it works o.k. We're patient enough to wait for the brew cycle to be over before we pour a cup of coffee. |
Edens_Gardener
Clay Center, KS
(Zone 5b)
October 20, 2005
07:45 PM Post #1827888
| Black & Decker, the space saver model with stainless thermal carafe. I used to refuse to look at anything that didn't use the #4 cone filters, but this is so handy, has the auto timer, no glass thermal carafe to break. Best of all it doesn't steam out of the top as much as most. (Had a Krups that left stains on my new kitchen cabinets from the excessive steam and heat.) |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
October 20, 2005
07:49 PM Post #1827899
| I see Edens_Gardener has a new coffee maker since the last time I was at her house ;o) |
Badseed
Lynchburg, OH
(Zone 6a)
October 20, 2005
08:00 PM Post #1827927
| ROTF It's the coffee police. :) Hehe Terry!
I also have a Black and Decker one. Mine is heavy duty black plastic with a stainless carafe and drip cup. It is the carafe type too that keeps it hot for hours. It does have a small snafu in the way it pours but other than that, I love it! It makes coffee fast too! It also has a timer and clock. |
LucyGoose
Schererville, IN
(Zone 5a)
October 20, 2005
08:30 PM Post #1827997
| I am going to have to look up the Black and Decker, just to see it...I know I looked and looked at lots of coffee makers when I was looking...LOL...
Oh, and I forgot to say that when I was looking I wanted the thermal pot, so that made a difference in what we got...I love it! Never had one, but what that...Cuisinart has that feature also that you can get a cup before it's done brewing...we don't really need that, though...I have the stainless steel one...We paid just $124 for it...Not the high price that the web site has...
Again, good luck! |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
October 20, 2005
09:28 PM Post #1828127
| Well, 'chele...she invites me over for holidays and other special occasions - in fact, we'll be heading that way for Thanksgiving, and I suspect we'll give her coffeemaker a run for its money while we're there.
Let's see, five coffee drinkers, (me, my DH and one DS, plus E_G and her DH) multipled by [insert large number here] cups per person per day...whew! Guess I better bring a wholesale-size bag of good coffee beans with me!
LucyGoose, I'm betting I had the same one as you - they've come down in price since DH bought mine. I had two quibbles with it - one was the way the steam rose back up into the coffee grinder chute, so it had to be scraped clean every few days; and of course, that little electrical incident...)
But I *do* miss waking up to the sound of the grinder going off, and the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee tickling my nose a few minutes later ;o) |
Breezymeadow
Culpeper, VA
(Zone 7a)
October 20, 2005
09:41 PM Post #1828149
| For full-pot coffee-makers/drinkers, I definitely second the Black & Decker Thermal Carafe models. I've had mine for over 10 years with no problems or lack of quality in coffee.
That said - I'm not a big-time coffee drinker, & my husband doesn't drink coffee at all. I have a cup or two in the morning & that's pretty much it. So this past Xmas my husband bought me one of those Senseo pod-coffee makers, & I haven't looked back. The Black & Decker is packed away in the basement - lol!!!
I LOVE this pod coffee maker. Rich, foamy, wonderful. Pricey if you drink a lot of coffee, but for someone like me, perfect. And now that they're coming into vogue, more & more coffee producers are putting out pods - several excellent independents, as well as Millstone, Folgers, Maxwell House, etc. In fact, oddly enough, the coffee pods I dislike the most are the ones put out by the machine manufacturer, Senseo - lol!! |
DanceyTx
Midway, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2005
07:39 AM Post #1828640
| Wow! After reading Terry's post about her smoking and sparking coffee pot I will from now on manually turn on my coffee every morning. I'm a patient person and scared to death of the thought of a fire. We live in a mobil home and take many precautions against fire.
About once a month I run a pot full of water and vinegar through my coffee pot to keep it working good. I have a B&D plain jane and it works real well.
Lin |
Badseed
Lynchburg, OH
(Zone 6a)
October 21, 2005
08:06 AM Post #1828673
| LOL Terry. Surely you didn't think I would pass up a chance to give you a bit of ribbing? :)
I bought my B&D at Target for about $45. It really is a nice set up. We don't set the timer very often.
I thought the pods of coffee were pretty expensive but Target had a deal for a bit if you bought the pod coffee you got the pot free. I kind of wish I would have gotten one every time I have a pot over flower or have to scrape up grounds or pick them out of my cup! LOL Pot malfunction? Nope! Kids make the coffee sometimes. Sigh |
girlgroupgirl
Atlanta, GA
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2005
06:16 PM Post #1829854
| I haven't had much luck with cuisinart lately. Two mini choppers were both broken after the 3rd or 4th time using...so I would avoid them too, Terry.
I looked at the B&D model today. I think that's what I'll get. However, there was some other "new" to me model that had a fantastic design...oh, that design think will suck me in...and fast, lol. It was $144 !!!!!! This is not a fancy drink maker people, but a regular coffee maker. Aye Aye Aye (best Ricky Riccardo impersonation with a smack to the forehead).
I can't do space saver stuff as we are gutting the kitchen in a few months (HURRAY!!!), and I'd hate to attach anything the the most disgustingly gross cabinets we have now. Our kitchen is horrendous.
The B&D's at Target were $29 today.
GGG |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
October 21, 2005
06:56 PM Post #1829953
| No, no, no - MY kitchen had the most disgustingly gross cabinets ;o)
They were made of the same cheap 70s paneling that adorned the walls, just below the brown chicken wallpaper. Which didn't really go with the avocado green appliances, but then what DOES go with brown chicken wallpaper? Ewwwww. Let's just say we didn't buy the house for its updated decor.
I never put anything in those cabinets - the few "real" plates, cups, skillets and utensils I brought for the renovation time stayed in another room, in a little microwave cart I brought along. By the time we moved in with all our real stuff (about six weeks after we closed), we had ripped out the cabinets and appliances, and replaced them with warmly-stained pecan or hickory wood (lighter than maple, finer grained than oak) cabinets and new white appliances.
Ironically I chose a green countertop...it's a sage-avocadoey color. Maybe I should have kept those appliances after all! |
girlgroupgirl
Atlanta, GA
(Zone 8b)
October 21, 2005
10:31 PM Post #1830449
| Well, your kitchen is extravegant if you actually have WALL PAPER. We have grease, lol. Peeling paint and grease. Strange walls which are 2 different depths held together by old board which is fake tiles in some places, pieces of lamenent in others... Before we moved in they "upgraded" the countertop to a used, found fake butchers block. My favorite part is that they set the cupboards in with no wall behind them, just back of cupboard into wall supports and set them out farther than the counter top reaches. So everything that spills on the counter falls into the drawers. The drawers are rotting, lol.
Then there's the broken dishwasher we don't use and can't use (vintage dishes can't go in the dishwasher!). The cupboards are on a riser (which is a good thing since I am very tall) but there is an opening between that and the cupboards that the mice and roaches used to crawl through. So while ridding of those (no, no more mice, rats or roaches, lol) I had to staple on fine hardware mesh. Oh, how elegant!
However in the spring it gets completely torn out down to the studs and replaced with my "dream" kitchen (kitchen of some people's nightmares, I'm sure) - a futuristic 50's and 60's kitchen just like out of those crazy do-it-yourself manuals of the day!!! AND IT WILL BE CLEAN :)
GGG
|
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
October 21, 2005
11:00 PM Post #1830495
| Chuckle. Okay - you get the prize for worst kitchen! That does sound worse, especially for someone who is as vertically-challenged as I ;o)
Good luck on the re-do - it sounds pretty cool, actually! |
IsThisHeaven
Fenton, MO
(Zone 5b)
October 24, 2005
01:05 AM Post #1834644
| After 2 Black and Deckers flunking out on me and leaking, I bought a Cuisinart and grinder.. and I love it! |
aggiesmom
Wewoka, OK
(Zone 7a)
October 24, 2005
02:17 PM Post #1835436
| I love the Bunn coffee makers because the water stays hot and coffee takes only a jiffy. However, they are taller than most models and therefore don't fit as well under cabinets. I used my Bunn for the best part of 6-8 years every day at least one pot before it gave up the ghost after our move this spring. I have replace with the freebie from Gevalia but don't like it near as well even if it does have the timer on it. After hearing Terry's horror story, I may not feel very free to use the timer anymore. Guess I'll wear this one out and go back to the Bunn.
|
morrowsmowers
Glassboro, NJ
(Zone 7a)
October 24, 2005
09:50 PM Post #1836537
| We have a Cuisinart. It's one model below the grinder one. Have never had a problem in over a year now. It has a water filter in it that you are supposed to change but we haven't, yet. You can set it for how hot you want the coffee to be kept in the pot. It beeps when it finishes brewing and will keep the coffee hot for a while and then beeps again saying it has turned itself off.
Ken & Sue in Glassboro, NJ |
Nan
SW, WI
(Zone 4b)
October 25, 2005
02:39 PM Post #1837998
| I'm with aggiesmom...we use a Bunn and will *never* go back to anything else!
Coffee's ready in just a minute or two...gotta love that...nothing worse than that wait in the AM!
They cost a bit more than the norm...but they're very good quality and well worth it.
We've had our current one for 7 years. |
gldandrews
Andrews, NC
(Zone 6a)
October 25, 2005
07:49 PM Post #1838559
| Bunn's are the Best won't use anything else i't a great cup of coffee FAST. |
LucyGoose
Schererville, IN
(Zone 5a)
October 26, 2005
12:48 AM Post #1839237
| Boy everyone loves different ones...LOL..I know what you mean about the condensation, Terry...I just rinse that alonge with the basket holder, and let them both dry in the dish drainer...It used to kinda bother me, but now I am used to it...I will always have a timer after having this one...It's the last thing I do before going to bed, is set the coffee...And we love that thermas pot! |
Terry
Murfreesboro, TN
(Zone 7a)
October 26, 2005
08:56 AM Post #1839480
| At the risk of sounding like the coffee police again (*grin*)...I've enjoyed many cups of coffee, courtesy of aggiesmom's Bunn - sorry to hear it didn't make the move!
I thought the timer was heavenly - fresh-ground and just-perked coffee greets you when you wake up. But after my Cuisinart went poof, I don't know that I'll ever feel comfortable using a timer model. |
Breezymeadow
Culpeper, VA
(Zone 7a)
October 26, 2005
09:06 AM Post #1839488
| The reason I liked my thermal carafe & now LOVE my Senseo machine is because I'm one those people who can only drink coffee SUPER fresh.
It used to drive my parents nuts that I wouldn't drink coffee that had been sitting in a pot on the coffeemaker burner for more than 10 minutes tops. Once it gets that certain smell/taste, I just can't stomach it.
The thermal carafe cut down on that tremendously, but this fresh-one-cup-at-a-time is even better. |
aggiesmom
Wewoka, OK
(Zone 7a)
October 28, 2005
07:24 AM Post #1843346
| Thanks for the kudos, Terry! I must admit my new "freebie" makes coffee nearly as good as the Bunn - mostly because it uses the cone filter is my thought. However, it takes longer to brew so if I don't use the timer feature (either forget or a little uncomfortable after hearing of your experience with a timed one) I just have to wait a few minutes longer for that FIRST CUP!!!!
|
IO1
Waaaay down south, GA
(Zone 8b)
October 28, 2005
09:43 PM Post #1844817
| In my opinion ... BUN's the best. I'm a big coffee drinker and have tried a lot of different pots. Wouldn't use anything but a BUN! ... Elaine |
yardbird
Maben, MS
(Zone 7b)
October 28, 2005
10:18 PM Post #1844864
| We think Bunn is the best coffee maker, it sure gets a work out here. |
IO1
Waaaay down south, GA
(Zone 8b)
October 28, 2005
10:20 PM Post #1844867
| *smile* |
knotimpaired
Vieques, PR
(Zone 11)
October 29, 2005
08:28 AM Post #1845288
| Lee and I haev a Cuisinart Grind and Brew and love it.
We put the beans in the night before and at 5 a.m. it grinds the beans and we are good to go for the morning.
If you are a coffee lover, there is nothing better than fresh beans.
K |
ruby42
Cape May Court House, NJ
(Zone 7a)
October 29, 2005
09:10 AM Post #1845324
| I have to add my 2 cent's on this one! I ONLY use a FARBERWARE perk coffee pot!!!
sue |
Kelli
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA
(Zone 10a)
November 16, 2005
01:37 PM Post #1878953
| After barely a year of service (about three pots a week, sometimes four), the Black & Decker gave up the ghost. The on/off button wouldn't work anymore. |
Woofens
Dillonvale, OH
(Zone 6a)
November 16, 2005
04:17 PM Post #1879223
| Well, I guess I'm the crazy one here, I spend $10.00 at Dollar General once every couple of years, and do the vinegar thing once a month. I bought a plug in timer like for turning on and off lights when you are on vacation, it cost almost as much as the coffee pot LOL but that is what I have been using for years now.
my best coffee pot was one that my in laws bought me as a wedding present, it lasted 5 years, until we moved to the country and didn't have city water anymore. i *believe* it was a black and decker.
I am asking for a Bunn for Xmas this year tho, had already decided that before I found this thread :)
Janis |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
 November 16, 2005
09:22 PM Post #1879860
| our Melitta # 6 drip coffee maker is just right. Used to have a Chemex but finding the filters became too difficult. When I ran the coffee fund at work I bought a two pot Bunn and it ran all day for years without a hitch. |
darius
So.Appalachian Mtns, VA
(Zone 5b)
November 16, 2005
09:29 PM Post #1879872
| Gosh, I still have my old Chemex, sans the wooden collar. Haven't used it in years but won't throw it away either. I find filters easy to get, #4 and I like the brown (unbleached) ones. |
balvenie
Marysville, WA
(Zone 7a)
November 16, 2005
09:57 PM Post #1879920
| #4 Melitta filters are abundant, but when I find the #6 I usually stock up. Don't know why they are so scarce. The big circular Chemex filters didn't take any more time to fold than the Melitta. Both make great coffee, if you use good grounds to begin with. |
darius
So.Appalachian Mtns, VA
(Zone 5b)
November 16, 2005
10:05 PM Post #1879929
| I just make smaller amounts for one person, LOL, so the #4 works for me! |
darius
So.Appalachian Mtns, VA
(Zone 5b)
November 16, 2005
10:07 PM Post #1879931
| Chemex filters are available online... let your fingers do the walking...
http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.brewers.shtml |
kyjoy
Frankfort, KY
March 16, 2006
03:53 PM Post #2117007
| I have a single-cup Tassimo maker that I love. It uses the discs (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, latte). |
billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
March 17, 2006
01:48 PM Post #2118979
| Hi everyone, Thanks for all your opinions. I'm running on an old Mr. Coffee and want something that gives me a hot cup of coffee for a change. I've been thinking Bunn myself. Question, can I use paper filters? I don't like grounds in my coffee and I've gotten that with the ''permanent'' filters. |
aggiesmom
Wewoka, OK
(Zone 7a)
March 20, 2006
06:46 AM Post #2124762
| I always used paper filters in my Bunn and never had a problem.
|
billyporter
Nichols, IA
(Zone 5a)
March 20, 2006
10:14 AM Post #2125128
| Great! I'm probably going to have a new coffee maker by the end of the week. I haven't even had a chance to use the extra Mr Coffee decanter I bought, because I'm good at breaking them. |
EileenAZ
Tucson, AZ
(Zone 9a)
April 19, 2006
03:58 PM Post #2203012
| After going through every single possible brand of electric coffemaker, my husband got a french press stainless steel coffeepot. Just boil water and pour it into the pot with the grounds, then after a couple of minutes (not sure exactly how long) you push the press down and it forces the grounds to the bottom and you can pour your coffee. Low-tech, but perfect for 1-2 cup-a-day types that need it to be totally fresh. And it won't burn your house down, either- unless you wander off with the kettle boiling. |
flowerjen
central, NJ
(Zone 6b)
February 15, 2007
04:24 PM Post #3192835
| Bunn is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fast, great tasting and hot coffee, put the water in, close the lid and before you can finish making toast it's already done. |
2vernes
Blytheville, AR
(Zone 7a)
February 19, 2007
10:50 AM Post #3204708
| I love my Bunn coffee pot, also. Makes it fast and good. |
