Lisa answers your questions from the Gear Heads coffee equipment episode.
Watch the original coffee equipment episode:
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As a coffee geek who owns a rather expensive prosumer espresso machine, I’m a firm believer that you can achieve a very good cup of coffee in an affordable way by focusing on several things: (1) correct water temp, (2) good fresh beans, which I buy directly from roast upon order roasteries, (3) and a $50 burr grinder. Then you can brew via coffee press (which I don’t like coz it’s hard to clean) or aero press, which is my preferred method as it is easy to clean and the paper filter leaves you with a clean no residue mouthfeel.
"Cups" aren't a standard size. Try weighing your water: 1 cc weights 1 gram. Put your coffee maker on a scale, tare it, and add water.
Have you guys thought of doing a standardized testing similar to consumer reports? Because although you pick a favorite in a certain subject there's no standardized quantification of what else you tested. Just a thought.
Nice
Have you reviewed the Zojirushi EC-YTC100XB? I really liked it for it's looks and features and I would have purchased one weeks ago but they were sold out…Since then I stumbled upon and saw a couple of your reviews and decided to get the Bonavita but then I couldn't go through with it because it only makes 8 cups. So what would be the next best thing to the Bonavita that doesn't cost $300? I'm also planning on getting a burr grinder too so a grind and brew machine would be great as long as it does both well, say in the $250 range total? Also, I actually considered the moccamaster then I saw it said the thermal carafe only keeps the coffee hot for about an hour? Yeah for $319 and for me it needs to keep the coffee hot for at least 6 hours and 12 cups to boot. Only 10 cups and 1 hr carafe is a dealbreaker.
Love your thoughtful and informative videos.
I look forward to her reports on America's Test Kitchen on KLRN (here in San Antonio). She has an approach that's honest, which matters for her segments on America's Test Kitchen/your YouTube channel, and, I trust her opinion without having met her. She helps clarify terms that I've never heard of.
Lisa, can you PLEASE review the Neapolitan flip stove top type of coffee makers. It is a method that they have been using in Italy for quite some time and it is becoming popular in other parts of the world. Italians love it. It is two pots that attach together. One holds water, one the grinds. Once the water boils you flip it, and basically it slowly extracts into the other pot. People rave over the quality.
Cool
I am gonna go out on a limb here and say coffee makers will never all be on the same page. Maybe part of the reason is that the designers of these pots and coffee makers size their "cups" more in deference to cultural norms. Not every coffee drinker in the world drinks the cup size your average coffee drinking American does. If you have traveled to other countries like France, Italy or even some in South America you are not exactly gonna get a 10 or 12 oz cup of a weaker or even medium blend at your Hotel for breakfast.
NICE JOB LISA
Hi Lisa – interesting news on the burr grinders versus the blade grinders. I upgraded to an affordable Krups burr grinder, and I had to adjust down the amount of coffee I use per pot. There may be some savings long term with a burr grinder if you[re using gourmet beans.
Lisa is great
Very good! 👍👍👍👍👍
Great answers thanks
That was really informative, Lisa. Thank you!
You would have to have some special tap water to end up with a cup of high quality coffee in the end. I disagree with using tap water for making coffee unless everything else about your process is just as bad. If all the variables in your coffee equation are not high quality, you're wasting your money on the things that are.
FYI – For those of you who have a white or light colored Coffee or Tea Maker – the magic cleaner to get rid of the resulting stains is CHLORINE BLEACH – literally just wipes them away – or if you are concerned – use some Bleach and heavily dilute in water – and then let it soak. Either way – you will need to Wash the Parts of the machine that come into contact with the brew twice with Hot water. So you cannot do this all the time. But the Coffee machine will look new.
Coffee represents my life. As a kid, the percolator meant dessert or guests coming over after dinner. Instant coffee with milk was a quick warm drink before running off to High School and then College classes. An espresso with a rum & coke chaser was an afternoon pick me up while traveling around Italy after college. A brown plastic Melita Cone fitted on an old 2 qt Igloo jug (the glass carafe broke) was perfect for years of camping in the redwoods with friends. A French Press was for that extra caffeine jolt so I could stay out late Friday nite dancing in the weekend. Mr. Coffee was for filling my travel mug and thermos for the daily commute. My Moka is for jazzing up my usual ice cream into a special Affogato. For now at least, a 20 oz horse trough size mug with a double dose from my Keurig to sip while wasting my morning away perusing YouTube now that I'm retired. When I finally go into "The Home", I'd like to start again from the beginning.
Lisa!!!! Yea!! We need more Lisa! Love your reviews and how well you research stuff
We use an aeropress. Love it. Just wondering, whatever happened to the percolator?
Remember what 'cups' used to be: rather dainty China cups, from a China service. Not a mug (common from the 70s, on), or the big, honking, giant, supersized 'meric'n 'cups' common now. So yes, about 5 ounces, with room for milk and a lump or two of sugar. (Do they still make those?🤔😉)
I try to keep it simple:
1. Use a stovetop percolator
2. Use filtered water from my refrigerator door
3. Use 8 O’clock that I grind in a big batch in my blade grinder
4. Once boiling, turn flame down to lowest possible level, brew for 10-12 minutes
Oh, and the easiest way to measure the water is just fill the mug you’re going to use, and that’s your guide. None of this 4oz = cup nonsense.