Keurig B70 Gourmet Single-Cup Home Brewing System

Keurig single serve coffee machines are some of the most popular. They use K-Cups which come in 150 different varieties of coffee tea and cocoa from several premium brands. It has four brew-size options – 5-1/4 ounce cup, 7-1/4 ounce cup, 9-1/4 ounce mug and 11-1/4 large mug. Also it’s easy to clean and use.

• Uses patented K-Cups; 4 brew-size options; Quiet Brew technology
• 24-hour digital clock; programmable LCD message center
• Removable 60-ounce water tank; removable drip tray for quick cleanup

Click here form more information…

Bosch Tassimo Single Serve Coffee Brewers

In the beginning Tassimo was produced by Braun, but later on they switched to Bosch. Tassimo is a well known brewing system, that has won the hearts of many coffee lovers. It uses T Disc (Tassimo Disc) for brewing coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Interesting part here is the barcode system. Each T Disc has a barcode printed on its label and the machine scans the code to determine which drink is desired. Then it adjusts to optimal brewing time, temperature and the amount of water. There are over 40 varieties of Discs from 12 different brands. It has fully automatic brewing cycle, but it can be interrupted any time by the user to make desired adjustments.

• Uses T-Discs with barcode technology; beverages pour directly from T-Disc into cup
• No measuring, no fuss, and virtually no cleanup; customizable size and strength
• LED user interface; 67-ounce removable water tank

Click here form more information…

Senseo SL7810/65 Single-Serve Gourmet Coffee Machine, Black

Produced by Philips, Senseo has gotten a lots of attention for its design and performance, which also contribute to its popularity. This machine uses pressure in the the process which makes it very quick and can make either one or two cups of coffee at a time, depending on user’s preference. For brewing it uses Senseo pods, that come in different varieties and roasts. Using Senseo has been made pretty much as simple as possible and same goes for cleaning. It also makes a greate gift for some who’s into single serve coffe and likes their coffee quick.

• Brews up to 8 ounces in less than a minute
• Works with pre-measured sealed coffee pods that come in a variety of flavors
• Simple push-button controls for size selection and power
• Includes two pod holders: a shallow holder that holds one coffee pod for one cup, and a deeper filter that holds two pods for two cups (or one 8-ounce mug).
• No messy grinding or flavor cross-over; dishwasher-safe parts

Click here form more information…

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Single Serve Coffee Machines

Nescafe Dolce Gusto definitely draws attention with its unique design.It can make whole variety of beverages, including espresso, cappucino, latte, cafe lungo and chococino. It uses smart capsules for brewing that are 100% Arabica fine ground branded under Nescafe. The machine is manually controlled, meaning that you can determine how long you let the water flow or whether you want hot or cold brew.

• Uses coffee capsules; no messy grinding or clean up
• Removable 51-ounce water tank; removable drip tray
• 15-bar pump; custom-control lever adjusts the strength
• Measures 8-2/5 by 12-2/5 by 13 inches

Click here form more information…

Bunn MCP My Cafe Pourover Commercial Grade Pod Brewer

Bunn has very long experience in making coffee machines and the founder of Bunn also created the first paper coffee filters in 1957. This machine is fast – it can make a cup of coffee in about 30 seconds and tea in about 50 seconds. It uses very wide variety of pods, meaning that it is not closed system and can take most of the pods that are currently on the market. Also it has two pod drawers, so you can use one for coffee and one for tea and this way avoid flavor transfer. It has large water reservoir, so it doesn’t require refilling as often as some other machines and you can determine the amount of coffee to be made at once from 4 – 12 ounces.

• Commercial grade pour over pod brewer with removable easy-fill 46-ounce water reservoir
• Works with a wide variety of tea and coffee pods or tea bags
• Fast brews a cup of coffee in about 30 seconds or tea in about 50 seconds
• Unit fast-brews a user-selectable cup from 4 to 12-ounces

Click here form more information…

Disclosure: Compensated affiliate.

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Manual espresso machines.
There are two types of manual machines – spring piston lever machines and direct lever machines.

Spring piston lever machines use internal spring to push water through the coffee grounds at specific pressure. Person who operates the machine, uses a lever to cock the spring. After letting the lever go, spring does the work of pushing water through coffee grounds.

When it comes to direct lever machines, there is no spring, so the operator plays the role of pump, creating the pressure by pushing the lever down. Direct lever machines have bigger learning curve than spring piston lever machines.

Manual espresso machines require some skills to operate them, so if you go for them it’s going to take some practice, before you start getting a good shot of espresso.

Semi-automatic espresso machines.
As the name suggests, with these machines parts of the process are automatic. They have automated pump, that keeps constant pressure and automated temperature control. You on the other hand decide when to turn on the pump and also when to turn it off, meaning that you control how long the water flows.

Automatic espresso machines.
The difference with semi-automatics is that it has preset water volumes, which means that the water delivery is also automatic and machines stops the water flow itself. They have several different amounts available and in many cases amounts are also programmable. Often times automatic machines also have some sort of semi-automatic option incorporated into them.

Super automatic espresso machines.
As the name says, they are as automatic as they can get. They do everything with one press of the button– grind the beans, fill the internal brewing chamber (they don’t really have a portafilter), tamp the grounds and brew the shot. They even dump the used grounds (of course not into your garbage can, but into the built-in dump box). All you have to do is provide beans and fill the water tank. Oh, and push the button of course.

Note: There are also some steam driven devices that are often called espresso makers or machines, but that is actually not correct. The thing is that the steam they use does not create strong enough pressure to make espresso, so instead they make strong coffee. This includes moka pot, which is often called stovetop espresso pot.

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Old attics are great because they tend to contain mysterious old things. And that is just the case here. Not so long ago we came across an old coffee/espresso machine produced in the Soviet Union in 1970. We’re not fully sure how this thing works, but we assume that when the water was heated up, the steam forced the water though a small tube to the portafilter and from there into the cup. We haven’t tried to make coffee with it yet, we need to run a few tests on its electrical wiring so it doesn’t explode in our face or doesn’t create a blackout for the whole block. However, here are some pictures of what this machine looks like. When I first saw it, my jaw nearly dropped to the floor. Also, it kind of reminds me the microscopes we used back in the days in primary school in science classes (they were also produced in the Soviet Union).

Top view: in the center is the heating device and through the small tube the water passes to the portafilter.

Bottom view and the portafilter.

Label translation: The Dinamo Factory named after S. M. Kirov, 220V, 300W, 0.35L, Moscow, year 1970, GOST 7400-58, Price 10 rubles.
Sergey Mironovich Kirov was a prominent early Bolshevik leader whose assassination precipitated the Great Purge. In the Soviet Union it was a tradition to name factories, hospitals etc after communist revolutionaries.
GOST (acronym for gosudarstvennyy standart, (meaning state standard)) was a set of techinal standards that were developed in the Soviet Union as a part of national standardization strategy.

If we manage to get this thing to work one day, we are planning to make a small video about it, so stay tuned.

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French press is a one of the best ways to make coffee, it’s quick and relatively easy to use and makes beverage that has rich and full flavor that is often higher in quality than drip machine can produce. Also known as a press pot, coffee press, coffee plunger or cafetiere, it is a device that most often has glass carafe, filter plate and a plunger attached to the lid. There are variations to this, but we’ll get to that later.

How to use French press?

• For French press use coarsely-ground coffee, it won’t be caught in the filter. If the beans are too finely ground, some of it may not be caught by the filter and will end up in your cup. Also, it can block the filter, so it’s hard to press the plunger down. It’s suggested to use burr grinder for grinding the beans, because it creates equal sized boulders. Blade grinders tend to create dust and boulders are varying in size, so the taste of coffee suffers.
• Lift off the plunger and add coffee grounds to the carafe. In average you can use about one rounded tablespoon per 6 oz. of water.
• Pour in the water. It should be little bit below the boiling temperature. Pour it slowly and evenly, so the water can mix with the grounds. Don’t overfill the press, the water level should be below the edge so it won’t overflow when you insert filter. You have to be careful with this, since the water is very hot.
• Stir with the wooden spoon or chopsticks. Don’t use metal spoon to avoid damaging or breaking the glass.
• Put the top on and don’t press down yet, leave the filter up.
• Let it steep for about 3-4 four minutes. Generally the steeping time is smaller for small presses and longer for bigger presses.
• Now, press the plunger down. Do it slowly and with equal pressure. If you press too fast the water might splash out and burn you.
• Pour the coffee into the cup.

French press coffee is meant for using right after it’s ready. Don’t let it sit out, because the coffee will cool down and the taste will also be affected.

As for the amount of coffee grounds and steeping time you can and should do some experimenting yourself, so you can find the best options to suite your taste.

How to choose French press?

First of all – capacity. There are various sizes available starting with single serve and going up to 12 cups (maybe there are even bigger ones, but I haven’t come across them yet). So, if you are using it mainly for you personal use the small press will be enough, if you’re using it for making coffee for several people go for bigger and for gatherings/parties 12-cup version is often a good choice.

Stronger glass version is recommended as it doesn’t break so easily. Also I suggest to get one where you can change the glass carafe, so if you happen break it, you can replace it and don’t have to buy whole new press. If you want to take your press along with you on travel pick the one with plastic body or get the travel mug version of French press which is also available.

There are also French presses that are insulated or have double walled glass so they can keep the coffee warm for up to two hours. This is an option to go for if you need to keep coffee warm for longer time, since the coffee in regular French press cools down rather soon.

Some examples of French presses:

Bodum Chambord Coffee Press

This is pretty classic French press in 3-cup size (4, 8 and 12 cup versions are also available). It has replaceable glass carafe and chrome-plated brass frame.
Click here for more information.

Bodum Columbia Thermal 48-Ounce Stainless-Steel Coffee Press

This is stainless steel French press with insulation that holds 12 cups of coffee and keeps it warm for up to two hours.
Click here for more information.

BonJour 8 Cup Rhone Ribbed French Press, Double Wall Glass

This French press has double walled glass, so it also keeps coffee hot longer and is more resistant to the shock and breakage.
Click here for more information.

Planetary Design Double Shot Travel French Press Mug

This is a combination of a travel mug and French press.
Click here for more information.

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Moka pot is steam based coffee maker that makes dark and very strong coffee. Often it is also called stovetop espresso pot, however, it should be mentioned that it is not exactly the same as espresso, because the pressure of the water going through the grounds is not high enough. Occasionally you might come across the names like ‘macchianetta’ or ‘caffettiera’ – these are both just different ways to call moka pot. Also when talking about stovetop espresso pots, company called Bialleti often comes up – it is the company that first started producing these devices and is probably the best known and most valued moka pot manufacturer.

Moka pots are three chambered pots: lower chamber is for water, middle is filter funnel where the coffee grounds go and the top chamber is where the coffee ends up. Additionally there is a filter plate that goes in front of central column in top chamber and rubber seal which ensures that hot liquid doesn’t leak from between the lower and the top chamber. Here is a picture of all the parts:

And here is a photo of top and bottom containers with filters and rubber seal in place:

This is what top container looks from inside:

How does moka pot work?

When heated up, some of the water evaporates creating the steam which reaches the pressure high enough to force the water from lower chamber up the filter funnel and through the coffee grounds to the top chamber where it is collected. Finally when the lower chamber is nearly empty steam bubbles mix with upstreaming water creating gurgling sound. That’s when it’s ready.

How to brew coffee with moka pot?

1. Fill the lower container with water so its level is lower than the safety valve. Don’t put more water than that. It is very important that water level is below safety valve, because it provides release if pressure should get too high. If the safety valve is blocked by too much water and pressure gets too high your moka pot can actually explode.

You can use either hot or cold water, it really is a matter of taste and you can do some experimenting here to find the best option for yourself. However it is recommended to use hot water, since it lessens the time that grounds are exposed to heat, which makes the brew less bitter.

2. Fill the filter funnel with the coffee grounds. Use bit coarser grind that you would for the regular espresso machine, because if the grounds are too fine they might block the holes in the filter and the water can’t get through anymore. Also, do not tamp the coffee grounds, since if the coffee is pressed too tight it also may block the water flow. Tamping is also not necessary, because grounds will expand with the heat and create its own tamp. Instead lightly knock the filter downwards, which helps to distribute the grounds evenly.

3. Screw on the top chamber and place the moka pot on the stove. Use medium level heat, since too high temperature might create the steam too fast. Keep the pot on stove until you hear a gurgle. It means that the water in the lower tank has been exhausted. Take the pot off the heat. Your coffee is ready. Note that the metal handles and surfaces get very hot, so be careful when handling the pot.

Most of the moka pots are made either from stainless steel or aluminum. It is recommended to get the stainless steel model, as the aluminum can affect the taste of the coffee and not in a good way.

Here are couple of different examples of moka pots from Amazon:

Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Espresso Maker

This is classic shaped moka pot. It comes with many different sizes, so when buying, you should consider your needs. If you will be using it to make coffee mainly for yourself 1-3 cup sized pot will be enough. If you need to make more, there are also 6, 9 and 12 cup sizes available. Click here for more information.

Bialettoi Easy Caffe 6 Espresso Cup w/ Electric Base

This one comes with its own electric base, so you don’t need a stove to make coffee with it. Click here for more information.

Bialetti Musa 4-Cup Stovetop Espresso Maker

A 4 cup moka pot with rather sleek design.
Click here for more information.

Vev Vigano Van Gogh Starry Night Espresso Maker – 4 cup size

This one is a little bit different, as it has stainless steel bottom and porcelain upper container with Vincent Van Gogh’s famous masterpiece Starry Night printed on it. It’s brewing process is the same as with other moka pots. Click here for more information.

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The vac pot used in this video is Bodum Santos Stovetop Glass Vacuum 34-Ounce Coffee Maker. Click here to find out more about it in Amazon.
You can read more about this kind of coffee machines from our article What is a siphon coffee maker? that we published a little while ago.

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Grinding can be time consuming and messy, so if you choose to invest the effort to reap the benefits, pick the best you can afford.

There are three broad categories of grinders – burr, blade and crusher.

The third category is basically some sort of mashing device, often an ancient-style mortar and pestle. These crush the beans, which is difficult and in result it produces a very uneven sized granule. This type is not recommended if you have a choice.

The blade grinders actually don’t grind at all, they chop. A whirling blade slices the beans into smaller and smaller sections until they reach something like a small grain. Unfortunately, the grains are invariably too large and of inconsistent size.

As a consequence the surface areas of the granules vary, releasing varying amounts of flavor oils when brewed. Another problem with slicing is that it often produces excess heat, which is a result of the high speed of the blades. That friction warms the grounds and affects the aroma.

The first type, burr grinder, is the best choice. It has a pair of motor driven plates with pyramid-shaped teeth that grind the beans to a consistent, appropriately small granule. The advanced models also allow adjusting the size of the grain and the speed of the grinding.

Possibility to adjust the size is important in order to fine tune the grounds to allow just the kind of brew you desire. Controlling the speed keeps the warming effect to a minimum.

There are two classes of burr grinders – the conical burr grinder is preferred by real coffee aficionados. They are noisier, but allow the most control of grain size and speed.

Good conical burr grinders can rotate as slowly as 500rpm. In contrast other burr grinders spin at 10,000rpm or higher (blades rotate between 20-30,000rpm). That allows very fine control and little heat. The fine grind is especially important for Turkish-style brews. Some grinders have a continuous dial, others have a series of up to 40 steps to adjust the granule size.

Beyond those broad attributes, you also need to look for ease of cleaning, solid construction and low noise. A cleaning brush and removable upper burrs is essential. Different materials used also affect how much static electricity is produced – it causes the grains to stick to the burrs and container.

A timer switch and auto-shutoff are also nice to have and being able to see the beans as well as the grounds is useful for judging the results in the grinder. Dark plastic or glass may look appealing but it obscures the view. Grounds may change color slightly depending on the fineness.

These are the main things to keep in mind when choosing a grinder. Old saying ‘You get what you pay for’ applies here also, so if you are willing to spend little more you can enjoy freshest and most flavorful cup.

Some examples of coffee grinders:

Capresso Infinity Conical Burr Grinder

This grinder is from the smaller price range. It comes with conical burrs made of steel, heavy-duty zinc die-cast housing, a built-in timer with time frame from 5 to 60 seconds and has 16 different grind settings. Bean container holds 8-1/2 ounces and grounds container holds 4 ounces. Click here for more information.

KitchenAid Pro Line Burr Grinder KPCG100

This burr grinder has 15 different grind sizes and the system turns only at 450 rpm, which minimizes the frictional heating of the grinds and preserves coffee flavor and aroma. The DC motor with gear reduction system makes for quiet grinding. It is constructed of die-cast metal and glass not from some cheap plastic, which also lessens the static clinging of the coffee grounds. Click here for more information.

Baratza Vario Espresso Coffee Grinder w/ Ceramic Burrs

This is higher price range grinder with higher quality. It has Mahlkonig 54mm ceramic flat burrs, which have 1.5-2.0x longer life than steel burrs. Also, they keep the coffee cool by limiting the amount of heat transferred from the burrs to the grinds. Grinds directly into the espresso portafilter, exactly the amount you require. Brackets are adjustable for any portafilter. Thanks to macro-micro adjustments, it supports over 230 grind settings. Click here for more information.

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First thing to ask is yourself is how involve do you want to be in the process?

There are people who have a little chemist in them who likes to mix, stir, whir and measure. Roasters vary along this dimension. The most basic stove top models are simply a sauce pan with a tight lid and a special handle.

The handle contains a crank that allows the roaster to stir up the beans during the process. Stirring is essential to keep the beans from burning on the bottom as well as to keep the hot air inside circulating evenly.

Even in this simple set up, be sure to pick the one that has a thermometer in the lid. Temperature control is necessary for good roasting.

On the other end of the spectrum are roasters that do it all for you. Pop in a pre-determined volume of green beans from a bag, close the lid and wait for a few minutes.

These deluxe models have inbuilt thermometers, thermostatically controlled heating mechanisms, clever air-flow control geometry with rotating canisters and a timer to automatically shut off the device at the right time.

At the upper end of the price range, these high tech roasters can do everything except eliminating the smoke that invariably accompanies the process.

How effective are they at heating and circulating air?

The most common type are air roasters that work pretty similar to the popcorn machine. Hot air circulates throughout the mixture, while the beans are agitated. This gives a uniform roast and some models can even filter out the chaff produced as the skins burst from the expansion of the bean.

Most of them have a glass exterior that allows you to watch the process, so you can judge the degree of desired roast. Often they have pre-set amounts on the dial ranging from light to dark.

The ability to circulate air evenly and heat uniformly is critical and designs vary in the degree to which they meet these goals. For example, a roaster with a heating source only at the bottom and constricted air flow is going to provide an uneven roast.

Drum roasters help overcome this problem, by providing a rotating drum that uses gravity to move the beans around, rather than relying solely on a stirrer at the bottom.

However, many of them don’t have windows for observing the roasting process – which is a must if you like to experiment and fine-tune the roast. And of course with the greater quantity of beans comes a larger volume of smoke, so be prepared to ventilate well.

Features that were once was confined only to professional use, are now readily available in home devices and have the added benefit of being able to roast larger quantities. Helpful for those large dinner parties where you want to provide your guests the freshest possible coffee.

Some examples of coffee roasters:

Fresh Roast Plus 8 Home Coffee Roaster

This is a good place to start when you are new to roasting. It is made to roast about 3 ounces of beans at a time, which makes approximately 12-16 cups of drip coffee. Click here for more information.

Gene Cafe Home Coffee Roaster cbr101A

This roaster has larger capacity and is able to produce up to half-pound of roasted beans. It has clear roast chamber, that allows easily to view the process. Analog dials allow to control time, temperature and system status and you can make adjustments on the fly. Click here for more information.

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If you are more interested in drinking a beverage than eating coffee grounds, there are a wide variety of types available from the plain to the esoteric. These are a few things you should be looking for:

The largest percentage of coffee makers nowadays is the inexpensive drip model. You pour water in the top, it’s heated by an electric coil, the water passes through coffee grounds and into a glass pot sitting on a heating plate.

These are the basics, but there are a few other features it’s handy to have.

Controls have proliferated to the point that many coffee machines look like a modern stereo: LCD screens display the time, the time to brew, temperature, a timer and several infobits even more esoteric.

The ‘degree of brew desired’ control is a minimum, but more control rather than less may be preferred. Auto-shutoff is useful for those who tend to forget to turn it off. Many people these days are too busy to wait for the brewing process to be completed, so they remove the pot before the water has finished draining. In the old days, coffee would continue to drip, splashing onto the heating plate. The automatic shut-off solves this by stopping the water flow when the pot is lifted.

The illuminated displays are also helpful on those dark mornings when you can’t find the light switch and haven’t yet had your coffee to get your eyes completely open.

Cleaning has also been made easier by the invention of coffee pods – small pre-measured paper containers of coffee through which the water flows. They have the added advantage of providing good filtering for grounds. Once the brewing is complete you just pop them out (wait till they’ve cooled!) and toss them into the waste basket. Essential for the busy coffee drinker who doesn’t have much time for cleaning up.

Several models can be had with water filters, essential for the urban dweller where the city supply often tastes like the community swimming pool. The filters can be quite pricey but a good cup of coffee is priceless.

Also available are permanent coffee filter styles, but with the pods they’re much less important. There are quite a few debates over the environmental impact and the taste effect of the paper from the pods. Vote your conscience.

Some coffee makers have integrated bean grinders, even though it could be easier to clean up id done in a separate device .

There are also machines that are made for brewing a single cup of coffee. It’s fast and useful if you don’t need to make large amounts at once and want to get your coffe quickly.

So, when you go buying a coffee maker consider what are your needs, how fast you want your coffee and what’s your budget for this.

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