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Survey: How Do You Make Your Coffee?

2007_09_07-Coffee.jpgOur much-loved French press has bit the dust - the threads on the screw widget holding the plunger together are stripped, so the plunger tends to collapse when we push it down. We love our French press, but we are open to exploring alternate ways of making coffee.

So here's a poll: how do you make your coffee? Drip? French press? Barista? We want to know - feel free to expound on the benefits of your preferred method.

 
 

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Comments (42)

My boyfriend's parents make amazing lattes at home - they use the Chemex for the coffee, foam the milk, and sprinkle demerara sugar on top. Heaven.

posted by SisterRae on 2007-09-07 11:58:23
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i used to use a french press but clumsy bf always broke the glass - i got so tired of hunting down replacements. so i bought a metal one - which sucked. now i'm just too lazy to do it and bought a $14 coffee maker from target that works just fine, and isn't TOO ugly.

posted by elizabeth in AL on 2007-09-07 12:00:06
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As hard as it may be to believe, some of us just don't drink coffee

posted by MattC on 2007-09-07 12:19:33
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french press for the black stuff, and my new shiny Bialetti Muka for stovetop lattes and cappuccinos. I justify this purchase by imagining how much $ will be saved by not stopping to spend $20 a week on caffeine for myself and the boyfriend.

posted by nadarine on 2007-09-07 12:19:33
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I make coffee at work using a single-serving, non-automatic drip cone. With no communal machine, it's the only way I can afford my afternoon coffee.

posted by Michelle of Montreal on 2007-09-07 12:27:54
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drip coffeemaker. I'm contemplating giving it away for a French press though. I just don't drink enough coffee anymore for a 10 cup machine.

posted by verily on 2007-09-07 12:28:35
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I have a Bialetti Moka (classic) and an auto-drip. The Bialetti sees more action these days, but when I want a light roast, easy going cup of coffee I use the auto-drip.

posted by caitlinp on 2007-09-07 12:34:27
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Bialetti Moka Express (6 cup) for me. After our Presto Scandinavian drip bit the dust we went for something that could be used with any heat source. We were also heading off on a 2 week rustic camping trip, so it killed two birds.

I love it. Americano every morning, almost anywhere.

posted by samaritan on 2007-09-07 12:41:39
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I need a french press. Any recommendations on good ones?

posted by MC on 2007-09-07 12:43:19
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Aeropress. It ROCKS. invented by same guy who invented the Aerobee frisbee.

It makes the smoothest brew!

posted by steamykitchen on 2007-09-07 12:55:15
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i have a little 4-cup drip coffee maker with a timer, so i set it up the night before, and my coffee is hot and waiting for me when i get up at (gah) 5:30 every morning...

posted by thinkingwoman on 2007-09-07 13:00:03
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I make mine with an aluminum stovetop percolator.

posted by Melinda on 2007-09-07 13:00:08
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I use the Toddy system because I live alone (and drink too much coffee for my acid-y tummy). I have a french press and a stove-top moka espresso pot for guests.

posted by lizaboo on 2007-09-07 13:22:50
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bialetti moka for the espresso, ibrik for the Arabic stuff, and Mr. Coffee for the rush hour drip. I swear by my 4 cup Mr. Coffee machine. It was no more than $15 and works just as good as any other machine for what it does... make a basic cup o' joe.

posted by JasonD on 2007-09-07 13:30:56
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My husband drinks very strong coffee (Green Mtn Lake & Lodge) and I'm a lighter brew kind of gal. We finally ditched our expensive pot/espresso machine and bought a keurig. We each have what we want in the morning. No wasted pots. And since he is up and out of the house by 5:30a and I dawdle the morning away, each cup is just brewed for us. To find the right k-cup, we had a keep, dump and maybe pile from the sampler. Now we order a case for him and a case for me about every other month. Works out sooooo well.

posted by jennemmy on 2007-09-07 14:03:31
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Stainless Bialetti stove top and a french press. The auto drip takes up to much counter realestate (I have hardly any.) I mostly use the french press to make iced coffee, it's easier than the cheese cloth method. I also have a Cuisinart burr. I totally love it. Fresh ground coffee is the only way to go.

posted by shayna on 2007-09-07 14:09:05
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I started making cold-brewed this summer (there was an article in the NYT about it) and will never go back. My stomach is so much happier! I put 1/3 cup ground coffee and 1-1/2 cups water in a Mason jar, let it sit on the counter for 12 hours/overnight, and strain it (my now-defunct 4-cup brewer is perfect for this - just pour it through the filter and it drips into the pot). Mix half coffee and half water for yummy iced coffee, and if it ever gets cooler in DC I'll add hot water for a hot cup. The bitterness is gone (in me and my coffee) and it's much smoother.

posted by MargaretR on 2007-09-07 14:29:14
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I use a stove top perculator.
My grandma would use the foot part of a stocking (new of course) and would use that as the filter for her coffee.

posted by Sweet Pea on 2007-09-07 14:43:10
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Technivorm Moccamaster ... brilliant coffeemaker.

posted by Terri on 2007-09-07 15:10:11
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French Press all the way.

There are only two of us, so it makes the perfect amount. And it's oh so delicious.

posted by Nicole R on 2007-09-07 15:17:33
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I also use the Toddy. We live in Tucson, access to iced coffee throughout the day (and week) is incredible. When I'm drinking coffee hot, I use a french press. I'm also a fan of the Moka stovetop espresso maker, but am itching for a high-quality espresso machine for the house.

posted by ricestein on 2007-09-07 17:39:17
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When I was single, I used a stove-top percolator. My boyfriend and I know own an Expobar espresso machine and a Mazzer grinder. We love the machine because we can froth milk and brew at the same time - helpful for us, because we both take 4 shots in our morning coffee!

I do also love French Press.

posted by kari-anne on 2007-09-07 18:40:13
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I don't know you steamykitchen, but I totally agree with you about the Aeropress coffee thingy. Can't break it. Sooo easy to use. Incredible coffee.

posted by jn on 2007-09-07 19:18:57
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I live by myself and don't drink much coffee, but when I do, I make it Vietnamese-style, with the little press that sits on top of the cup and with sweetened condensed milk & ice. mmmmm.

posted by phu on 2007-09-07 21:02:29
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i use a bodum eileen 8-cup. i love it! i bought this because i rarely make coffee at home, and it doesn't waste valuable counter space. plus, it makes a much nicer cup of coffee when i do use it.

if your french press is by bodum, i think they replace parts.

http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/group_lines.asp?MD=6&GID=48&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=7WPRD6L3BPG49L1EJC51PARL4QNK1LN5

posted by athena on 2007-09-07 21:18:12
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I use the Bodum Santos vacuum maker--without a doubt the most intriguing coffee maker I've used, in a Mr. Wizard sort of way. And the resulting coffee has flavor similar to a French press.

posted by chowbella on 2007-09-08 00:11:59
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we love our french press, though it was frustrating because the coffee got cold too quickly, even when swathed in towels. so we replaced it with a thermal one (ours is from freiling, and we probably bought it on amazon) and we love love love it.

posted by shisomama on 2007-09-08 00:24:45
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we love our Bialetti stovetop for lattes or cappuccino...

posted by daiz on 2007-09-08 02:43:45
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Krups Moka Brew. This is the one of the best coffeemakers the world has ever seen. I am partial to an Americano. I.e., two shots of espresso with some hot water. Actually not very much hot water. If you want Italian-style coffee, coffee with body, then this is the best machine outside of a super-automatic.

http://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews/quickshot/krupsmokabrew

The best thing is that after a three-year hiatus, Krups is bringing them to the U.S. again.

posted by SeanG on 2007-09-08 09:10:01
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We have an insulated French Press that we love.

posted by jennyd on 2007-09-08 10:15:15
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stovetop espresso maker is truly the only way to go. i'm a recent convert from a french press and the coffee (well, latte technically) is truly sooo much smoother. french press (while I loved it), makes the coffee more bitter.

posted by melissaw on 2007-09-08 12:52:02
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I have to add in that Mcdonalds coffee really is good-better even than starbucks imho. Their iced coffee is just that coffee with ice and good but twice the price.
I like a french press. You dont have to use more coffee to get a stronger flavor and each cup is fresh. The main draw back is cleaning the messy grounds. As far as brands, I dont recall but I got mine at target and after about 4 years of daily use the plunger failed at the screw part. I think I paid about 20.00.

posted by Tollie on 2007-09-08 16:28:36
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Stainless Bialetti stove top and a Bodum milk frother...
yummy coffee yummy design.

posted by mmms on 2007-09-08 19:40:17
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Since it is summer, I've been cold-brewing. Makes for a great ice-coffee in the morning.

When the weather cools down, I'll go back to my beloved Nespresso/pod coffee maker. It makes really yummy lattes.

posted by saleboat on 2007-09-08 23:27:23
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Depends on how much time we have for coffee in the morning. From least to most: Braun drip coffee maker, beloved Rancilio Silvia for espresso / cappuccino, French Press, stove-top Turkish coffee.

posted by SMM on 2007-09-09 08:45:44
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Farberware superfast percolator. it confuses the staff at our local starbucks when i ask for coffee ground for a percolator.

posted by epiffani on 2007-09-09 21:33:08
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I import my Nescafé Gold Blend from back home in the Middle East. 2 tsp coffee 2 tsp Coffeemate 2 tsp sugar hot water=Heaven in a cup. But when I go home or if my parents come to visit, it's Turkish coffee all the way!

posted by Talloush on 2007-09-09 23:44:52
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Anyone have problems with the Balietti Moka? We have one and loved it but suddenly it started popping too early and it doesn't froth the milk. In fact, the button doesn't stay down when I press it down, which I think is the real problem.

I just bought a new steam attachment and it also won't stay down. I can usually figure this things out but am totally at a loss.

posted by Eliza on 2007-09-10 13:02:05
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Moka and a stove top steamer -- an older version of this:

http://www.amazon.com/European-Gift-Stove-top-Steamer-50/dp/B000ES6XRM

I admit that I am curious about the Bialettia combo unit, but the price -- in addition to some skepticism -- has kept from trying it.

PS -- I've been using mine for nearly 20 years -- you just have to replace the rubber sealing rings every now and then.

posted by Mid-C Frank on 2007-09-10 14:04:28
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Bialetti Brikka for the espresso french press to make foam= perfect cappuccino. I have found that an actual french press makes thicker nicer foam than those foam makers that look like french presses.

posted by abigailm on 2007-09-10 19:25:30
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I recently switched to a stovetop Moka and love it (just as long as I remember to screw the top and bottom together tightly, otherwise only steam comes out instead of coffee).

At the office, I use a Travel Mug French Press

posted by karmagirl on 2007-09-10 23:09:00
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Took me a while to get to this post!!
Anyway, I answered Espresso machine - my partner and I actually use a small stainless stovetop espresso, but I also have a proper espresso machine which lives at my parents place (no bench space in our rental :( and which I think makes better coffee.

posted by imogenesis on 2007-09-30 03:28:04
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