Coffee for the masses?

[Isocene]

I've began making coffee for a few people in the office and its grown to about 8 people that come for coffee. These people are used to getting 12 or 16 ouce cups of coffee from the cafeteria and my 12 cup coffee maker just isnt cutting it.

I've been looking at bigger coffee makers, I guess they're called coffe urns, like this one on Amazon.com:

link

I was wondering if anyone has had any experiences with these kinds of coffee makers and has some advice? It seems it re-cycles hot water through the coffee grind but I guess it doesnt turn out that bad?

 

[mattpegher]

Are they all getting coffee at once or are they comming in throughout the day. The coffee urn is a cheap option but the coffee isn't that great and it does burn a bit the longer it is there. Maybe you should consider one of those single cup makers. I got one, a keurig, for the office, it was about $100, and the coffee comes in little sealed shot sized cups that run about 40 cents a cup but you can get different flavors and each cup is brewed fresh.

 

[Isocene]

They come all at once.

 

[JonTheBaller]

I have this machine from Saeco

You just put the whole beans and water in and it does the rest for you.

 

[Isocene]

$1,500 is a bit too much

 

[mattpegher]

So the urn is probably your best bet.

 

[JonTheBaller]

Originally posted by: Isocene
$1,500 is a bit too much

Well then you save... it's worth every penny. Also, I got it for under $1200 last year iirc.

 

[everman]

The Bunn Thermofresh is a good machine, but only 10 cups. It is one of the best though imo because it brews quickly (in about 3mins). Urns don't make good coffee. I'm not sure how much time it takes the Bunn to warm up more water for a second brew, perhaps get two.

 

[Scarpozzi]

This is expensive, but you might be able to find a used one on ebay. It gives you the ability to warm a few caraffes while you're making more.

Link

 

[mattpegher]

Originally posted by: JonTheBaller

Originally posted by: Isocene
$1,500 is a bit too much

Well then you save... it's worth every penny. Also, I got it for under $1200 last year iirc.

I do agree the Saeco makes great coffee, have the $600 model for home and fresh ground fresh brew is awesome. To be honest it has soured me to other coffee. But at one cup at a time it may not serve his uses.

 

[mattpegher]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
This is expensive, but you might be able to find a used one on ebay. It gives you the ability to warm a few caraffes while you're making more.

Link

Bunn-o-matics are standard issue for most hospitals but they tend to burn the coffee on the warmers.

 

[Isocene]

I think the one cup at a time if it only takes a minute is a pretty nice thing.

How much does each cup cost on average, and can you used your own cups?

 

[mattpegher]

This is the unit I bought for the office.

http://coffeegiant.com/product_info.php?cPath=61_111&products_id=676

 

[MageXX9]

I have no clue how much money you are willing to put into this, but if it were me, I would buy a Technivorm, that is suited to the capacity I need. They are badass.

Ask Descartes for some more info, he enlightened me in regards to coffee.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: MageXX9
I have no clue how much money you are willing to put into this, but if it were me, I would buy a Technivorm, that is suited to the capacity I need. They are badass.

Ask Descartes for some more info, he enlightened me in regards to coffee.

:thumbsup:

The Technivorms are great machines.

I know that when most people say, "I want a new coffee machine" they generally don't want to consider things like brew temperature, but really it can make a profound difference. Technivorm is one of the few (Melitta is another manufacturer that produces solid machines, and all manual brewing methods like vacuum pot, french press, pour-overs, etc.) that can maintain a high enough temperature for a sufficient amount of extraction time.

Most other machines have quite a few problems: One, they don't evenly distribute the water over the coffee; two, they don't maintain a steady temperature; and three, they often burn the coffee as it sits on the warmer. Most people think that it's a little extreme to consider such things, but once you realize how little extra effort is required to get a truly good cup of coffee.... it's hard to go back.

<cliffs>
I'd buy a Technivorm.
</cliffs>

 

[0roo0roo]

just use the bunn, and enough coffee grounds. dont make the mistake of using too little..icky, the thermos is good, heater element is bad, toasts the coffee. and clean it man...every day. coffee oils go rancid in uncleaned baskets and stuff and leads to nasty ass office coffee

 

[V00DOO]

I also use Bunn to make coffee in the morning. I never let the coffee burn which is kind of tough to do when you have 10 people.

 

[mattpegher]

The least expensive single cup grinder brewer from Saeco runs about $600 but you can use anyones beans. Switching beans or for decaf can get a bit problematic because they need to be grounds and the ground bypass chute fails on some of the units as it did on mine.
The Keurig unit above is $150 at coffeegiant and similiar elsewhere. The k-cups are about 40 cent each but you need to by boxes of 24. Online and target is the only places I have found them.

Both units fit standard coffee mugs, but the Keurig will fit larger mugs, the Saeco just standard mugs and cups.

The reviews of the single cup brewers stated that the pod systems allow the coffee to get stale since they arent sealed from the air.

 

[MageXX9]

Originally posted by: Descartes

Originally posted by: MageXX9
I have no clue how much money you are willing to put into this, but if it were me, I would buy a Technivorm, that is suited to the capacity I need. They are badass.

Ask Descartes for some more info, he enlightened me in regards to coffee.

:thumbsup:

The Technivorms are great machines.

I know that when most people say, "I want a new coffee machine" they generally don't want to consider things like brew temperature, but really it can make a profound difference. Technivorm is one of the few (Melitta is another manufacturer that produces solid machines, and all manual brewing methods like vacuum pot, french press, pour-overs, etc.) that can maintain a high enough temperature for a sufficient amount of extraction time.

Most other machines have quite a few problems: One, they don't evenly distribute the water over the coffee; two, they don't maintain a steady temperature; and three, they often burn the coffee as it sits on the warmer. Most people think that it's a little extreme to consider such things, but once you realize how little extra effort is required to get a truly good cup of coffee.... it's hard to go back.

<cliffs>
I'd buy a Technivorm.
</cliffs>

That's one half of the equation, the other is using beans that have been roasted less than two weeks ago, using a burr grinder, and grinding less than 30 minutes before you plan to use them.

 

[0roo0roo]

and don't get a spin type grinder, get a burr grinder if ur gonna bother at all

 

[gotsmack]

are these people paying you for coffee?