How do you make your coffee at home?

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Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
136
ok black silk it is. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010ULFOSG/ref=twister_B0762N5N5L?th=1

Thanks for the tips.

One last generic question we keep our folgers coffee at work in the freezer. Does that actually help?

No. It helps if you never take it out (long term storage), but it doesn't last much longer if you are taking it out all the time.

I'd go with anything but Folgers. Folgers is pretty bad. Go 8 o'clock if you want value brand. They carry it everywhere and have a few single origin varieties, as well. Amazon carries a ton of other smaller distribution brands as well, of varying quality but almost all will be better than Folgers.

Last ground coffee I had was Kicking Horse Smart Ass, which was decent.
 
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lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,401
9,925
126
I'd go with anything but Folgers. Folgers is pretty bad. Go 8 o'clock if you want value brand. They carry it everywhere and have a few single origin varieties, as well.
I liked the black silk variant, but I'll defer to crono. I only had it once cause I was short on money, and thought I'd try it. I don't care for the other folger varieties I've had. Keep in mind though, pretty much anything is better than instant. That's literally the bottom with the possible exception of weird dollar store off brands.
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
136
I liked the black silk variant, but I'll defer to crono. I only had it once cause I was short on money, and thought I'd try it. I don't care for the other folger varieties I've had. Keep in mind though, pretty much anything is better than instant. That's literally the bottom with the possible exception of weird dollar store off brands.

I'll still drink Folger's (it's what we have at work) but it's mainly for caffeine at that point, I don't really enjoy it. Black silk is a little better than their classic roast if you like darker roasts (I prefer lighter roasts).

But dollar store coffee... yeah, those are undrinkable. Really bad.
 
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MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
I've been looking for old coffee urn percolator from WW2. They were fired by kerosene burners and were everywhere in coffee carts, kiosks, uso's and, clubs but, I've been unable to find any. Perhaps estate sales. If anyone has any ideas for locating one, please let me know.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,401
9,925
126
Ya know what's a weird cheap coffee? Walmart brand dark roast. It tastes bad hot, but really wakes up when cool. I typically make a pot of coffee, and after drinking one or two cups, I turn off the maker to keep it from getting overheated, then drink the rest from warm to cold depending on how long it sits there. I was on a kick trying cheapo brands, and walmart dark was one of them. I didn't like it at all when fresh, but after sitting and getting cold it tasted good. Not just better, but actually good. I've thought about getting it again solely to make iced coffee which I don't typically drink.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,401
9,925
126
I've been looking for old coffee urn percolator from WW2. They were fired by kerosene burners and were everywhere in coffee carts, kiosks, uso's and, clubs but, I've been unable to find any. Perhaps estate sales. If anyone has any ideas for locating one, please let me know.
I'd say the typical used channels; ebay, flea markets, antique shops... I'll keep my eyes open. I don't remember seeing them, but I wasn't particularly looking either. I guess they're like 30-50 cup size?
 

MagnusTheBrewer

IN MEMORIAM
Jun 19, 2004
24,122
1,594
126
I'd say the typical used channels; ebay, flea markets, antique shops... I'll keep my eyes open. I don't remember seeing them, but I wasn't particularly looking either. I guess they're like 30-50 cup size?
20 to 30 cup generally. I've totally struck out on eBay.
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
18,574
7,672
136
I've been looking for old coffee urn percolator from WW2. They were fired by kerosene burners and were everywhere in coffee carts, kiosks, uso's and, clubs but, I've been unable to find any. Perhaps estate sales. If anyone has any ideas for locating one, please let me know.

Like the one in Saving Private Ryan when they meat up with Paul Giamatti?

:p
:lollipop:
 
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yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
18,409
39
91
Drip is more concentrated in one respect, given the same volume of water and measurement of grounds: a French press keeps the oils whereas drip filters them out. But that also means you lose out on some of the richness (and potentially cholesterol-raising compound cafestol, among other compounds) when opting for filtered coffee.

In terms of flavor, generally the higher temperature, longer steep time, and higher pressure methods extract more out of the beans. It's balancing act, though, because you'll end up with an unpalatable brew if you try to do all three, or use too little or too much solute (grounds) or solvent (water). You don't want to over or under extract the beans; not everything in coffee is pleasant to the taste buds (it is roasted beans, after all), including caffeine which is naturally bitter.

The bottom line is that you'll get more "coffee" in your coffee if you go with a French press, or even more with an espresso maker/moka pot, and it will be by far better than drip if you nail the other factors.
Very interesting point on the oils. I'll have to experiment more with the French press.
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
18,574
7,672
136
Ok got my coffee kit, Pour over, filters and the black silk folgers to start off with. Through some trial and error I've come up with at least for me is a decent cup of coffee. I discovered you can't just throw the water into the filter as will splash the grounds up the sides and the water does not filter through a lot of the coffee. So i'm using a 3 cup pyrex measurer with a pour lip since I don't own a kettle and I boil my water in the microwave.

Thanks for all the help. :coffee:
 
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child of wonder

Diamond Member
Aug 31, 2006
8,307
176
106
Cold brew. The acidity of coffee gives me acid reflux issues and cold brew is 1/3 the acidity. Tastes super smooth, too.
 
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lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
59,401
9,925
126
Ok got my coffee kit, Pour over, filters and the black silk folgers to start off with. Through some trial and error I've come up with at least for me is a decent cup of coffee. I discovered you can't just throw the water into the filter as will splash the grounds up the sides and the waters does not filter through a lot of the coffee. So i'm using a 3 cup pyrex measurer with a pour lip since I don't own a kettle and I boil my water in the microwave.

Thanks for all the help. :coffee:
I'd be interested in hearing your impressions over time.

A water kettle is pretty nice to have. Boiling in the microwave works in a pinch, but is a pita imo. You can score a stovetop kettle for a few bucks at the thrift shop, or a new electric kettle from walmart for <$20.
 
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Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
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I'd be interested in hearing your impressions over time.

A water kettle is pretty nice to have. Boiling in the microwave works in a pinch, but is a pita imo. You can score a stovetop kettle for a few bucks at the thrift shop, or a new electric kettle from walmart for <$20.

I have one of these. A cheaper one would be just fine for coffee, but this one is perfect for me since I happen to drink a lot of tea, too, and it has all the temps for herbal (delicate), oolong, green, white, and black teas, as well as french press coffee (200F).
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,304
675
126
I have a Cuisinart grind and brew that has a burr grinder. Add beans up to 1.5 lbs, set how much I want and just add water. It auto adjust for what I select and for the rest of the week I just have to add water.

I won't drink the already ground coffee anymore. Especially when I can get my own beans.
 
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ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
39,470
20,151
146
Standard drip maker, whole beans ground each time. The beans are usually Aldi's brand right now, I fall back to plain ole 8 o'clock if needed.

I do have a little thing for the new England's blueberry preground stuff, so when it's on sale I get some
 

thebestMAX

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2000
7,505
134
106
Ya know what's a weird cheap coffee? Walmart brand dark roast. It tastes bad hot, but really wakes up when cool. I typically make a pot of coffee, and after drinking one or two cups, I turn off the maker to keep it from getting overheated, then drink the rest from warm to cold depending on how long it sits there. I was on a kick trying cheapo brands, and walmart dark was one of them. I didn't like it at all when fresh, but after sitting and getting cold it tasted good. Not just better, but actually good. I've thought about getting it again solely to make iced coffee which I don't typically drink.

Came in here to mention Wally Worlds brand actually. Ran out of beans a while back and grabbed a can of their medium blend and was quite surprised! Been keeping it on hand ever since. Use a cone filter drip pot. Tastes fine fresh also BTW.
 

slag

Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
10,473
81
101
cuisinart burr grinder and aeropress. Good coffee, every time. I get walmart 8 oclock coffee beans as its cheapest there.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,304
675
126
The burr grinder is key a lot in these coffee makers. I had one without a burr grinder, black and Decker I think and it was not as good at all. Broke after a year of use.
 

Thebobo

Lifer
Jun 19, 2006
18,574
7,672
136
Getting low on the Black Silk so gonna go with the 8 o'clock and give it a try. It is more expensive so we'll see.

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