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Top 10 Coffee Machines

(Updated from 2005-03-07 - MGR)

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top ten, kitchen, cookware, appliances - small

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Comments (32)

That Chemex certainly brings back some '70s memories.

posted by Joan on 2005-03-07 13:31:17

Just wondering where this list comes from? Is it from an authority or is it just random? Oddly, I love my Zojirushi coffee maker, and I only found out about it by reading reviews on Amazon. It's not even expensive, and the coffee is always good.

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/kitchen/B0000X7CMQ/qid%3D1110227644/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/104-5172271-5770328

posted by Fiona on 2005-03-07 15:35:15

I also wonder which 10 are the best since there are 11 listed.

posted by JudNYC on 2005-03-07 20:20:37

Well what about these Nespresso coffe machines,
they ensure you get the exact dose of coffe, and the right quantity of water by using sealed capsules ...
Actually, you find this is the rage in Europe.
I don't know about you there but this makes the best coffee I've ever drank.
www.nespresso.com/precom/home_us_en.html

posted by Romain on 2005-03-08 04:04:03

If you are looking into the Bialetti Moka Express, I recommend the electric version. That way, there's absolutely no mess. For a mere fifty bucks, the coffee is delicious, the little machine is adorable, easy to clean, and takes up very little room on your small kitchen counter. And you're guaranteed to look sexy serving coffee on Sunday morning.

One con - it's not good for large groups.

posted by ny on 2005-03-08 10:05:19

The only problem with those pre-measured things is that you can't adjust the strength of the coffee. Also, you're limited to the brand of coffee that's available in those sealed capsules. But obviously you guys have lucked out with your arrangements.

posted by Joan on 2005-03-08 11:04:42

You need a good burr type grinder, if you buy whole beans--Braun has a nice heavy-duty one. And Bunn's home machine (not remarkably unlike their industrial one) makes amazing coffee. It's not really attractive, but the coffee is great. I don't think this list above is really serious.

posted by Kate on 2005-03-08 12:31:59

Millions of Italians can't be wrong when it comes to coffee, so I stand by Bialetti (you have to have the right grind, of course). And if you have more money than you know what to do with, then the bellissima La Pavoni. And I am a coffee snob, so I'm not just talking about looks.

posted by ny on 2005-03-08 20:44:33

The list omits the better makers in favor of those that are easier to find in stores it would seem. I also want to say that the Bunn home brewer is outstanding. Ours is a Tim Horton's branded Bunn home coffee maker, $125 Canadian dollars, makes the best coffee outside of Tim's itself.

Even Starbucks' beans taste good, and that's saying something.

posted by Phronetix on 2005-03-09 00:26:09

Where's the love for Capresso machines? The one I have won a NYT coffee-maker shoot-out in 2002, and it's the best machine I've ever owned (and I've owned many). It's the same one the Sopranos have in their kitchen!

posted by Andrew J. on 2005-03-13 14:19:58

i am loving our capresso coffeetec...a great machine...

posted by solhnyc on 2005-04-28 22:48:12

I've found that the Bodum Santos Vacuum machine makes the best coffee--

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005M1V0/qid=1120442948/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl79/102-1468321-2924909?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=507846.

And the smaller version is perfect for 1-2 people (and easier to clean). It combines the steeping benefit of French Press coffee with the clean taste of a drip machine, and it's endlessly entertaining to watch it brew. Amazon has a little link that you can watch it in action.

posted by bcroyer on 2005-07-03 22:11:46

It's all about the Rancilio Silvia for espresso. I want one of those machines sooooo bad. She's supposed to be a demanding mistress when it comes to grind and tamping, but nothing under $500 is supposed to come close to Miss Silvia if you know how to work with her.

For drip I'm a chemex guy.

posted by Max on 2005-12-28 20:12:32

Bodum Santos . . .after all these years . .it's the only i can marry!

posted by cecilia hermoso on 2006-05-05 21:47:57

If you want some serious, educated discussion of the relative merits of various coffee and/or espresso machines, then head over to www.wholelattelove.com or www.coffeegeek.com. The lists above appear to have no rhyme or reason.

posted by Jim on 2006-12-07 17:48:28

We had the stove top Moka Express for nearly one year. When it worked it was the most amazing cup of cappuccino or latte. When it didn't work, it resulted in about 30 minutes of cleaning coffee off of our ceiling. Or, when it wasn't being as dramatic, I would get a nice cup of coffee-flavored hot milk. Perhaps the electric version is better, but when we returned the unit to William-Sonoma, the salesperson told us that we were one of many unsatisfied customers. So sad.

posted by carla on 2006-12-11 14:21:59

The Jasper Morrison Rowenta coffee maker is a piece of crap in my opinion. I had 2 and they both burned up. Their customer service is also a problem. BUT that is just me.

posted by Stephen on 2006-12-11 13:53:55

I'm surprised to not see the Richard Sapper Alessi coffee maker on the list. The design is wonderfully ingenious! The handle serves as the locking mechanism:

http://www.alessi.com/ecommerce/oggetto//espresso+coffee+maker/448

posted by jamie on 2006-12-11 13:58:07

I vote for Bialetti too: I have three of them, of differents sizes, all making good coffee.

posted by Francesca on 2006-12-11 15:00:24

I hate the words "coffee machine". All one needs to make great coffee is good quality fresh whole beans, a grinder, and hot water. Keep it simple and keep in unplugged.

posted by glenn on 2006-12-11 15:36:36

yes for bialetti! use a smaller one for an espresso, use a larger one for coffee. store ground coffee in the fridge, the grinder on top of the fridge, and whole seeds in the freezer - and the coffee will smell like joy each morning.

also, a cezve/toorka (a turkish coffee maker, like here http://www.fantes.com/turkish_coffeemakers.htm ) is an excellent option for those with little space, and craving for great coffee. very fast (especially for 1 cup - boil water, at boiling drop coffee, take off the heat, and serve), very small, and very tasty. i suppose it is not a coffee machine, but in my experience this is the leading way to make great coffee across russia.

owning both is easy (very little space consumption), and the grinder can be stored further away until it is required once every week or so.

now; anyone has any advice on how to stop sugar from clumping?

posted by olya on 2006-12-11 15:42:23

also, in canada:

an excellent (well, so far - 1 month) burr grinder that my parents gifted us with is available from president's choice for a mere $30:

http://www.presidentschoice.ca/HouseAndHome/ProductDetails.aspx/id/17343/name/PrecisionBurrCoffeeGrinder/catid/17343/type/2

best part: you can pour, push the button and watch it grind while you do something else. and its incredibly fast. and small. and pretty!

posted by olya on 2006-12-11 15:47:44

Carla: I think you are talking about the mukka express (http://www.bialettishop.com/MukkaMain.htm). I love mine, and it's a great space saver, but it's taken some experimentation to get the right amount of water to make the milk hot, yet not make the milk froth so much that it spills out the top. I usually err on the side of hot milk/mess on the cooktop.

I also think the President's Choice burr grinder is a great deal and I use it all the time.

posted by kim on 2006-12-11 17:00:49

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Eva Solo. It makes one amazing cup of coffee. And, of course, it's completely impractical to list as a home machine, which these all seem to be, but the Clover is worth its weight in gold. If anyone lives in NY, NY, go to 'Grumpy' in Chelsea and sample their coffee from the clover. HOLY COW.

posted by Marianne on 2006-12-11 17:20:58

I am a barista here in the city and as with all things coffee you have to start with excellent whole beans and use a conical burr grinder. After that, I use a Chambord French Press by Bodum which is my favorite way to brew coffee. But if you want drip coffee, Krups makes a thermal carafe coffee machine that brews a good cup.

posted by sarah on 2006-12-11 17:31:41

I would like to add Technivorm to the list.

http://www.technivorm.com/home.html

g

posted by illmethinks on 2006-12-11 18:32:42

I had always considered myself a bit of a coffee snob, but I have to admit my $130 Braun Tassimo makes a damn fine cappuccino. Faster and cheaper than the corner cafe and much faster, more consistent and cleaner than my old outrageously expensive espresso/cappucino machine.

posted by laurie on 2006-12-11 18:02:19

Why make it all so complicated?
http://what.coffee.maker.shouldiget.com
http://what.coffee.grinder.shouldiget.com
Easy. Done!

posted by mike on 2006-12-12 09:51:11

I also hate my Jasper Morrison coffee maker. It is poorly made, leaks coffee through the lid while brewing and has annoyed me since I bought it. The customer service is also atrocious.

The Chemex is amazing though, and a much better design.

posted by Liz on 2006-12-12 12:25:26

WTF? This list is spotty at best. With all due respect the Francis Francis is all looks and no function. You want a kick ass espresso for around the same price? Try a Rancilio Silvia or Gaggia Classic. These machines stand the test of time and taste. Also, the bodum vacum-press is great but the plastic on the new electric one stains quite easily. The Bunn drip hands down is the best. Like someone posted before, go to wholelattelove.com or coffee geek to see an educated round up.

posted by Lucky on 2006-12-12 12:34:18

For those talking about the coffee "pod" machines like tassimo and nepresso, there was one I sampled at sur la table, kerig, that includes a little filter so that you can also use your own coffee with it, in addition to the selections they offer. IT was pretty good too.

posted by Christine (the one in DC) on 2006-12-12 13:42:17

Sorry, that's keurig. Here's the link:
http://www.surlatable.com/common/products/product_details.cfm?dmode=browse&StartRow=1&CRPCGNBR=336&CGRFNBR=377&prrfnbr=18612

posted by Christine (the one in DC) on 2006-12-12 13:43:05