Took me forever to flip the last batch of refurbished Krups coffee makers...not making that mistake again! Imma pass. Plus the newer generation at a new price is only about double.
@dlmasonjr Some days, if it's too warm in the house for a hot drink, I pound an energy drink instead- and once in a while we have a big jar of cold brewed coffee, as well.
Supposedly Technivorn and Bonavita are the only two coffee pots with some special certification for being able to hold 195° for six minutes, supposedly what it takes to release the best out of the beans
And yet, at the same time, folks are raving about cold brew coffee for the exact opposite reason, that it doesn't heat and therefore mess up the coffee somehow
@saodell Go to a local non-chain or very small chain coffee shop (NOT Starbucks) that roasts their own coffee beans onsite and offers a variety of brew methods. Ask the owner or a well seasoned barista the difference and the recommended methods. It's where you'll get the best answer and they will let you know it depends on your own personal tastes.
But cold brewed coffee is interesting. I like it and I never would drink iced-coffee before. Cold brewed coffee releases flavor from the beans differently than heat. Just like there is a difference in iced tea made with boiling water (like my mother did); sun tea (like i did in my youth) or cold brewed iced tea, (which is the only way i'll make it now). Cold brewing brings out flavor without bringing out an excessive amount of the components that make it bitter.
And yes, bitter is a component of coffee one many expect and like in moderation. That bite that gives it zing.
Cold brewed is intended to eliminate that so that you have a cold coffee beverage that does not need milk and sugar to taste good.
But a lot of it is strong, as in caffeine level strong. The longer the extraction the higher the caffeine content.
It has been years since I first tasted coffee that was cold brewed. My daughter had a friend who had a friend who was a chemist and determined to maximize caffeine extraction while not proving a gross and bitter brew. From that a friendship on her part developed and he grew a business.
@saodellThe SCAA certifies coffeemakers. Their research turned up the 195-205F temp range and 4 to 8 minute brew time. There are 6 approved coffeemakers at the moment; Technivorm, two models of Bonavita, the Brazen, a Kitchenaid and a Bunn. No Krups on the list.
@younggeezerKitchenAid (and their support) sucks for just about everything except heavy duty stand mixers. Our home used to be all in with KitchenAid for large and small appliances. We had problems with most of it and their support was oblivious. Thankfully we're down to one remaining.
I don't need it. I might want it, if not for a few minor design flaws pointed out by Amazon reviewers, but I definitely do not need it. Already justified my VMP for this month, so Meh.
Meh It is a mediocre coffee pot that makes less than mediocre coffee. if you let you coffee sit on the burner for hours and still drink it, buy one. if you always drink your coffee within 15 minutes of when you ground the beans, run quickly, before goats and purple tempt you to stray.
Personally, i despise stale coffee.
Babbie's Rule of Fifteens
Green coffee should be roasted within 15 months, or it goes stale. Roasted coffee should be ground within 15 days, or it goes stale. Ground coffee should be used within 15 minutes, or it goes stale.
No hot plate, I bought one at Costco at big box price about $100 I think, it's a good coffee maker and the coffee stays hot for longer than it takes me to drink a whole pot, ~1hr and good-n-warm much longer.
// Go to a local non-chain or very small chain coffee shop (NOT Starbucks) that roasts their own coffee beans onsite and offers a variety of brew methods. //
ATMO, even at Joe's MicroRoasters, most of nearly all of the time, they're using equipment that fails the SCAA testing program. Or some other Myth Buster type dude has looked at the equipment and found it failing. Unless they have a $10,000 Clover, we're just taking their word for it that the cup of Joe was brewed as hot as they claim it was.
I first noticed this in Europe in the '80s. Lots of bars served espresso, but never coffee. Always out of machinery that looked like the Red October's engine room. Reason I always got was that you couldn't get water hot enough for long enough in a Bunn. So instead they went with heat and pressure. Restaurants served a lot of French press, because they could get water up to 212° minus a couple, and I guess it would stay above 195° for the 4-5 minute brew.
American machines, with plastic housings and tubing, relied on a hot plate to give the illusion of heat. So it goes.
I'm not trying to bash any particular roaster or brewing equipment. Really just wondering why really hot is good, really not hot is also good, but sorta hot isn't.
@Cerridwyn So, it was a good machine until someone you don't like bought them out? Did Starbucks somehow change the engineering? I'm asking seriously. I don't know.
I had a similar looking Krupps coffee maker (except with a glass pot and warming plate) that served me okay for a few years. Eventually the coil or whatever inside that boils the water stopped working, and it happened suddenly. The cost to replace was outrageous and Krupps was adamant about their warranty policy. If I couldn't provide proof of the date of purchase, they weren't providing any support.
All that said, I'm in for one. I've been hemming and hawing over going in big for a TOTL unit, but at this price I think I'll let it tide me over.
@j37hr0 Coffee makers that I have come across have cup sizes as small as 4 ounces. Oh, and also note that the 8oz cup is American, rather than Imperial measurement. An Imperial cup is around 10oz, although you're unlikely to encounter this measurement in any recipe published after World War I. It might have to do with "mugs" of coffee vs "cups" of coffee. If you look at antique mugs, you might find that they were often 'round-bottomed' and rather petite.
@j37hr0 Traditional tasses à café are around 4oz. Presumably this comes from a time and place where coffee was a luxurious after-dinner drink, vs. a CHUG IT ALL SO I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH TODAY drink.
@j37hr0 // Can someone explain why coffee makers measure a cup as 5 ounces? //
They all don't. Some are 4, 5, 6, or 8. And some aren't even standard within a single machine. Had a cuisinart or something where 2 or 4 cups were 4 oz, 5-6 cups were 5, and 7-8 cups were 6. Something to do with the filter basket holding more water in the grounds as it was filled closer to the top. Or less. Can't remember which.
The coffee grounds will never release all of the water poured over them, unless you put it in some sort of dehydrator or something. So some pots have 5 ounce cups in the reservoir to create 4 ounce cups of coffee. For that reason, be careful de-scaling your coffee maker. If you fill the reservoir to the top, it might overflow the coffee pot
I like coffee. Straight black coffee. Lots of it. Like hook-me-up-to-an-IV-of-it. The Red Cross nurse who measured my blood pressure before I donated blood this week asked if I drink a lot of coffee. Ouch. Whomever gets my blood will surely get a jolt. ;-)
While I'm not enough of a coffee connoisseur to get worked up about preparation details (grinding beans every morning makes me happy enough), the above dialogs about proper methods has been very interesting. Thanks.
It seems today's machine would be fine for the targets of the following:
@RedOak I worked with a lady who had a heart attack scare and had to quit coffee completely. She went cold turkey, but was having excruciating headaches and some other problems
Found out that she drank a 10 cup pot with breakfast before she left for work She drink a 12 cup pot at her desk in the morning, and a 12 cup pot after lunch. Got home and made another 10 cup pot
Granted, this wasn't 44 cups of French press. She bought the 55 gallon drum of Sam's choice ground coffee, used half as many scoops as you're supposed to But still
Regretting the purchase about now. It turns off, sometimes immediately after starting, sometimes after brewing for about 20 seconds or so. It will not stay on long enough to brew a pot.
It's normal to have pretty nasty plastic taste for a few days, but this machine had very unpleasant flavors for a month. The first week I probably ran 20 cycles with water-only to get through the wear-in period, but if it didn't seem to help. After about a month of truly awful coffee (when we had guests I steered them toward the Keurig) the plastic flavor finally eased.
If you like your coffee very hot, I don't think you'll like this machine. It's a really mediocre thermos. The bottom of the carafe is noticeably warm after brewing, the heat starts sinking away immediately. My old Cuisinart steel carafe would hold temp all morning long, first cup to the last. When full, this carafe holds temp for maybe an hour. After the first cup is poured, the temp crashes. My second cup almost always needs some time in the nuke.
Finally, and this is a nit, it's very difficult to see the reservoir level. The little water level indicator doesn't work (escaping the refurb inspector's attention, apparently). Without it, you won't be able to just eyeball when it's full. I have to use a measured pitcher.
Specs
Condition: Refurbished
Warranty: 30 Day PRC
Estimated Delivery: 8/26 - 8/29
Shipping: $5 or free with VMP
What’s in the Box?
1x KRUPS coffee maker
1x Stainless steel carafe
1x Duofilter water filter
1x Coffee scoop
Pictures
Coffee maker
Everything included
Opened up
Moose for scale
Price Comparison
$144 List, $113.95 (New) at Amazon
Find a relevant price comparison? Please share it in a comment in this thread
Warranty
90 days
Wow, first. And meh.
nope
Took me forever to flip the last batch of refurbished Krups coffee makers...not making that mistake again! Imma pass. Plus the newer generation at a new price is only about double.
@zachdecker Yes!
The site name certainly holds true tonight
Nice, but I'm very happy with the 12-cup Krups I bought here for $10. Use it almost every day. :)
@Pony almost?
@dlmasonjr Some days, if it's too warm in the house for a hot drink, I pound an energy drink instead- and once in a while we have a big jar of cold brewed coffee, as well.
So meh you trying to grind us down with all the coffee makers??
@AttyVette
I'm thinking they've bean up to something.
@AttyVette
They've perked my attention!
@AttyVette
Does seem to be a whole latte coffe pots lately
@AttyVette
Like Paul Harvey would say, we want to know the roast of the story.
@AttyVette
Maybe sales of coffee pots have been espressoly good lately
@AttyVette
Coffee
@AttyVette I've bean wondering why they are selling so many coffee makers.
@AttyVette I am berry excited about the deal.
I want it.....I don't need it....but I want it.....I don't know what to do!!!
@JasonToon that European pitcher reference (and your link) reminded me of Eucopia. Congratulations on becoming fully funded!
@KDemo Thanks! I'll admit, there were moments I weren't sure we'd make it. Now the real work begins...
Based on news reports about coffee helping to prevent colon cancer....maybe should sell it as a health aid?
@eeterrific I prefer to drink my coffee
Something weird going on with coffee right now
Supposedly Technivorn and Bonavita are the only two coffee pots with some special certification for being able to hold 195° for six minutes, supposedly what it takes to release the best out of the beans
And yet, at the same time, folks are raving about cold brew coffee for the exact opposite reason, that it doesn't heat and therefore mess up the coffee somehow
I want someone to look into this!
@saodell Go to a local non-chain or very small chain coffee shop (NOT Starbucks) that roasts their own coffee beans onsite and offers a variety of brew methods. Ask the owner or a well seasoned barista the difference and the recommended methods. It's where you'll get the best answer and they will let you know it depends on your own personal tastes.
@saodell the Brazen I believe is also certified.
But cold brewed coffee is interesting. I like it and I never would drink iced-coffee before. Cold brewed coffee releases flavor from the beans differently than heat. Just like there is a difference in iced tea made with boiling water (like my mother did); sun tea (like i did in my youth) or cold brewed iced tea, (which is the only way i'll make it now). Cold brewing brings out flavor without bringing out an excessive amount of the components that make it bitter.
And yes, bitter is a component of coffee one many expect and like in moderation. That bite that gives it zing.
Cold brewed is intended to eliminate that so that you have a cold coffee beverage that does not need milk and sugar to taste good.
But a lot of it is strong, as in caffeine level strong. The longer the extraction the higher the caffeine content.
It has been years since I first tasted coffee that was cold brewed. My daughter had a friend who had a friend who was a chemist and determined to maximize caffeine extraction while not proving a gross and bitter brew. From that a friendship on her part developed and he grew a business.
http://www.funraniumlabs.com/the-black-blood-of-the-earth/bbote-vs-coffee/
Black blood of the earth is not coffee as you have ever had it before. It's not for the weak. But damn is it good
Okay, i have to reply to myself. A GOAT on BBoTE's site
@saodell The SCAA certifies coffeemakers. Their research turned up the 195-205F temp range and 4 to 8 minute brew time. There are 6 approved coffeemakers at the moment; Technivorm, two models of Bonavita, the Brazen, a Kitchenaid and a Bunn. No Krups on the list.
@younggeezer KitchenAid (and their support) sucks for just about everything except heavy duty stand mixers. Our home used to be all in with KitchenAid for large and small appliances. We had problems with most of it and their support was oblivious. Thankfully we're down to one remaining.
Too bad those other brands sound expensive!
Coffee maker just died. In for one
I don't need it. I might want it, if not for a few minor design flaws pointed out by Amazon reviewers, but I definitely do not need it. Already justified my VMP for this month, so Meh.
Beanis Envy
@davide Made me spew coffee on my pc!
@beachbum perhaps they will sell a refurbished pc tomorrow? Or maybe just some wipes...
Meh
It is a mediocre coffee pot that makes less than mediocre coffee.
if you let you coffee sit on the burner for hours and still drink it, buy one.
if you always drink your coffee within 15 minutes of when you ground the beans, run quickly, before goats and purple tempt you to stray.
Personally, i despise stale coffee.
Babbie's Rule of Fifteens
Green coffee should be roasted within 15 months, or it goes stale.
Roasted coffee should be ground within 15 days, or it goes stale.
Ground coffee should be used within 15 minutes, or it goes stale.
@Cerridwyn Um, this is a thermal carafe, like a thermos. No burner keeping it hot.
@cathasach You didn't quite catch his meaning.
Someone's crappy coffee flavor in the unit? Pass.
Does this have a hot plate at the bottom? Common sense says "no dummy, it's a carafe".
@stevekirks That's the same thing Common Sense calls me all of the time.
No hot plate, I bought one at Costco at big box price about $100 I think, it's a good coffee maker and the coffee stays hot for longer than it takes me to drink a whole pot, ~1hr and good-n-warm much longer.
// Go to a local non-chain or very small chain coffee shop (NOT Starbucks) that roasts their own coffee beans onsite and offers a variety of brew methods. //
ATMO, even at Joe's MicroRoasters, most of nearly all of the time, they're using equipment that fails the SCAA testing program. Or some other Myth Buster type dude has looked at the equipment and found it failing. Unless they have a $10,000 Clover, we're just taking their word for it that the cup of Joe was brewed as hot as they claim it was.
I first noticed this in Europe in the '80s. Lots of bars served espresso, but never coffee. Always out of machinery that looked like the Red October's engine room. Reason I always got was that you couldn't get water hot enough for long enough in a Bunn. So instead they went with heat and pressure. Restaurants served a lot of French press, because they could get water up to 212° minus a couple, and I guess it would stay above 195° for the 4-5 minute brew.
American machines, with plastic housings and tubing, relied on a hot plate to give the illusion of heat. So it goes.
I'm not trying to bash any particular roaster or brewing equipment. Really just wondering why really hot is good, really not hot is also good, but sorta hot isn't.
@saodell mmm. clover machine.
@connorbush POS since *fucks bought them. sad sad
@Cerridwyn
So, it was a good machine until someone you don't like bought them out? Did Starbucks somehow change the engineering? I'm asking seriously. I don't know.
@saodell http://archive.wired.com/gadgets/miscellaneous/magazine/16-08/mf_clover
I had a similar looking Krupps coffee maker (except with a glass pot and warming plate) that served me okay for a few years. Eventually the coil or whatever inside that boils the water stopped working, and it happened suddenly. The cost to replace was outrageous and Krupps was adamant about their warranty policy. If I couldn't provide proof of the date of purchase, they weren't providing any support.
All that said, I'm in for one. I've been hemming and hawing over going in big for a TOTL unit, but at this price I think I'll let it tide me over.
How 'bout some hot chocolate, huh?
Can someone explain why coffee makers measure a cup as 5 ounces?
@j37hr0 Coffee makers that I have come across have cup sizes as small as 4 ounces. Oh, and also note that the 8oz cup is American, rather than Imperial measurement. An Imperial cup is around 10oz, although you're unlikely to encounter this measurement in any recipe published after World War I. It might have to do with "mugs" of coffee vs "cups" of coffee. If you look at antique mugs, you might find that they were often 'round-bottomed' and rather petite.
@j37hr0 Traditional tasses à café are around 4oz. Presumably this comes from a time and place where coffee was a luxurious after-dinner drink, vs. a CHUG IT ALL SO I CAN MAKE IT THROUGH TODAY drink.
@j37hr0
// Can someone explain why coffee makers measure a cup as 5 ounces? //
They all don't. Some are 4, 5, 6, or 8. And some aren't even standard within a single machine. Had a cuisinart or something where 2 or 4 cups were 4 oz, 5-6 cups were 5, and 7-8 cups were 6. Something to do with the filter basket holding more water in the grounds as it was filled closer to the top. Or less. Can't remember which.
The coffee grounds will never release all of the water poured over them, unless you put it in some sort of dehydrator or something. So some pots have 5 ounce cups in the reservoir to create 4 ounce cups of coffee. For that reason, be careful de-scaling your coffee maker. If you fill the reservoir to the top, it might overflow the coffee pot
I like coffee. Straight black coffee. Lots of it. Like hook-me-up-to-an-IV-of-it. The Red Cross nurse who measured my blood pressure before I donated blood this week asked if I drink a lot of coffee. Ouch. Whomever gets my blood will surely get a jolt. ;-)
While I'm not enough of a coffee connoisseur to get worked up about preparation details (grinding beans every morning makes me happy enough), the above dialogs about proper methods has been very interesting. Thanks.
It seems today's machine would be fine for the targets of the following:
@RedOak
I worked with a lady who had a heart attack scare and had to quit coffee completely. She went cold turkey, but was having excruciating headaches and some other problems
Found out that she drank a 10 cup pot with breakfast before she left for work
She drink a 12 cup pot at her desk in the morning, and a 12 cup pot after lunch. Got home and made another 10 cup pot
Granted, this wasn't 44 cups of French press. She bought the 55 gallon drum of Sam's choice ground coffee, used half as many scoops as you're supposed to But still
@saodell yah, I've heard similar stories. I try to mix it up (not often enough) with good quality green tea (not crappy Lipton).
Beanis envy. Hee!
really hope this is not a piece of absolute crap.
Refurbished/ By whom? Why? Thinking about it....
How about a coffee grinder
Regretting the purchase about now. It turns off, sometimes immediately after starting, sometimes after brewing for about 20 seconds or so. It will not stay on long enough to brew a pot.
@emt That's weird. Looks like the warranty for this one is provided by:
So I'd start there.
Anyone get the coffee scoop?
Trying for the first time today, my old coffee maker gave up the ghost this morning. I hope it lasts as long as that free Gevalia maker did.
Here's my 5 month review:
It's normal to have pretty nasty plastic taste for a few days, but this machine had very unpleasant flavors for a month. The first week I probably ran 20 cycles with water-only to get through the wear-in period, but if it didn't seem to help. After about a month of truly awful coffee (when we had guests I steered them toward the Keurig) the plastic flavor finally eased.
If you like your coffee very hot, I don't think you'll like this machine. It's a really mediocre thermos. The bottom of the carafe is noticeably warm after brewing, the heat starts sinking away immediately. My old Cuisinart steel carafe would hold temp all morning long, first cup to the last. When full, this carafe holds temp for maybe an hour. After the first cup is poured, the temp crashes. My second cup almost always needs some time in the nuke.
Finally, and this is a nit, it's very difficult to see the reservoir level. The little water level indicator doesn't work (escaping the refurb inspector's attention, apparently). Without it, you won't be able to just eyeball when it's full. I have to use a measured pitcher.