[Bump] Let's talk about coffee machines

[tete]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

Just bought the Keurig Mini at Crappy Tire for $79. Did a pretty good cup (although it's only 8 oz's , I think would have prefered the option of a 10)

If I don't want to order the K-cups online, which store's are the cheapest?
And where could I buy the reusable/use your own discs?

There's a place in the NE called "Coffee Connection" that sells k-cups individually if you want to try out small amounts of different varieties of coffees or tea (though the tea selection has been lacking lately). Price wise it's reasonable, though I think bulk boxes are still a slightly better price point. Address is 1047 - 26 Street N.E. and they are open Saturdays 10-4.

[Olao32]

Does anyone use those metal tea-pot looking things? I received one for a gift I was going to try out the other day, but appears as though it was lost when I moved. I think they call them a "Moka pot".

[sclitheroe]

Let's talk grinders for a moment. Is the difference between a regular blade grinder and burr grinder as significant as coffee-heads would have you believe? Let's say I have zero desire to replace my good quality, routinely cleaned and maintained drip coffee maker, but I'm currently using a blade based grinder to supply the coffee. Would switching to a burr grinder make a sit-up-and-notice difference?

Would the difference between blade and burr be as significant as going from pre-ground coffee to freshly ground?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Puxlut

Just bought the Keurig Mini at Crappy Tire for $79. Did a pretty good cup (although it's only 8 oz's , I think would have prefered the option of a 10)

If I don't want to order the K-cups online, which store's are the cheapest?
And where could I buy the reusable/use your own discs?

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

From my casual looking K-Cups generally round out at about $0.50/cup. I don't generally buy them (in fact have only bought them once since getting the machine) but I got the bulk pack at Costco.

The reusable filter I've found to be the cheapest at Future Shop. They usually run $12.99-$14.99 or something like that. That's what I use. Way cheaper than the k-cups, plus you can get the coffee you really like.

I do have the 10oz option on my Keurig brewer but I'm thinking of picking up the 8oz for my brother and parents for Christmas.

PS: If you get the reusable filter, you may need to put a washer above the upper needle to ensure a tight seal around the filter. I think it's back a page or two that I go into detail about how to do it. If not, PM me and I'll explain (I can also mail you an extra washer as I have a few lying around here)

I can't really help you at this point, but thought you might find this interesting and useful at this point next year. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters owns Keurig and the patents for the K-disc. That patent runs until Sept 2012 after which any company can produce these discs for that machine. You could have a huge supply at a variety of places. Potentially outlets like Safeway or whoever could get these white-labelled as well.

Obviously Green Mountain is trying to avert this. At this point they're doing a couple of things. One is fighting with the patent office. At this point that appears unlikely to work. The other is making a minor change so that they can get that patented and as a result people would have to buy new machines. This strategy is risky from a business perspective of course because the coffee has to be way better for you to want to buy another machine! Plus if you can buy k-discs from basically anywhere then why switch?

Hopefully this was interesting for you....and results in cheap discs next fall! (As a non-owner of the stock)

[Ashartus]

Thanks for the info Slava - I sure don't plan on replacing my Keurig with a new one anytime soon so hopefully if they change their K-cups lots of others start selling equivalents with quality coffee.

Also, singlecup.ca no longer sells K-cups; I'm not sure why. I also haven't been able to find anyone in Canada selling the chai tea latte.

[trew]

Originally Posted by sclitheroe

Let's talk grinders for a moment. Is the difference between a regular blade grinder and burr grinder as significant as coffee-heads would have you believe? Let's say I have zero desire to replace my good quality, routinely cleaned and maintained drip coffee maker, but I'm currently using a blade based grinder to supply the coffee. Would switching to a burr grinder make a sit-up-and-notice difference?

Would the difference between blade and burr be as significant as going from pre-ground coffee to freshly ground?

An expensive burr grinder is a must for making high quality espresso at home, but I don't think it would offer much benefit for drip coffee.

With that said, if I just owned a coffee maker, I probably would buy a cheap burr grinder instead of a blade. They are easier to use, give a more consistant result, and are generally less messy.

[trew]

On the subject of grinders. For camping / travelling, this hand grinder is simply awesome:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmari...ffee-mill.html

[Wormius]

Originally Posted by trew

On the subject of grinders. For camping / travelling, this hand grinder is simply awesome:

http://www.sweetmarias.com/sweetmari...ffee-mill.html

I picked up a Hario mini mill online for about $35.. good investment when combined with an Aeropress for camping, or when you don't want to make a full pot.

whatever you do though, don't get the hand cranked butt grinder from MEC, disappointed with the ergonomics. Electric hurt grinders are expensive - cheapest was a Black&Decker one, but really a piece of garbage. Messy, loud, and broke down after a couple of weeks of use.

Anyway, I find the coffee produced from a the burr grinder / aeropress combo to.be.pretty smooth, but it takes some experimentation on grind settings to get what you like.

[CKPThunder]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

Thanks for the info Slava - I sure don't plan on replacing my Keurig with a new one anytime soon so hopefully if they change their K-cups lots of others start selling equivalents with quality coffee.

Also, singlecup.ca no longer sells K-cups; I'm not sure why. I also haven't been able to find anyone in Canada selling the chai tea latte.

I hear you. I was quite sad when Singlecup.ca decided to stop selling k-cups and they have been quite quiet on the reasons why as well.

To answer your question though, the only place I found that sold the chai latte's in Canada is:

http://www.idrinkcoffee.com/Cafe_Esc...up-ce-chai.htm

I think they are based in Ontario.

[jtfrogger]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

Thanks for the info Slava - I sure don't plan on replacing my Keurig with a new one anytime soon so hopefully if they change their K-cups lots of others start selling equivalents with quality coffee.

Also, singlecup.ca no longer sells K-cups; I'm not sure why. I also haven't been able to find anyone in Canada selling the chai tea latte.

That explains why the K-cup selection at their retail store (Coffee Connection) has dwindled over the last few months. They probably have a few kinds to service the various corporate clients they have until they can move them over to other technology. It is too bad, as they were a great way to try the various types of coffee.

At least selection is starting to pick up at retailers. I picked up a box of one of my favourite ones at Canadian Tire recently (GMC Donut blend). I like it because it is an extra bold light roast and tastes good as a 12 oz cup.

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by Olao32

Does anyone use those metal tea-pot looking things? I received one for a gift I was going to try out the other day, but appears as though it was lost when I moved. I think they call them a "Moka pot".

Yes I use 'Moka' pots daily. Basically it pours a strong coffee, so much so that I only need 1 in the morning, and perhaps after dinner. No more drinking cup after cup.

However I highly recommend the stainless steel ones over aluminum. They clean up way better and the rubber rings last longer too:
http://www.bialettishop.com/MusaMain.htm

[woob]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Yes I use 'Moka' pots daily. Basically it pours a strong coffee, so much so that I only need 1 in the morning, and perhaps after dinner. No more drinking cup after cup.

However I highly recommend the stainless steel ones over aluminum. They clean up way better and the rubber rings last longer too:
http://www.bialettishop.com/MusaMain.htm

What's the general prep/brew time for one of those? Also, what grind do you typically use with yours?

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by woob

What's the general prep/brew time for one of those? Also, what grind do you typically use with yours?

Essentially as long as it takes the water to boil. Have to clean out the pot, dump the water in (I use hot water), dump the grinds in, seal it and turn on your stove.. I'd say 5 minutes total, but it's really hands off. You will hear it boil when it's ready.

Typically the idea is to use something in between an espresso grind and drip grind. No need to compress the grinds very much when you put them in but a couple light taps should do the trick.

[Boblobla]

Is there anywhere online to purchase k-cups now that singlecup doesnt sell them?

[jtfrogger]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Is there anywhere online to purchase k-cups now that singlecup doesnt sell them?

It has been a while since I have last done so, but you can order them from Kuerig directly.

[Ashartus]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Is there anywhere online to purchase k-cups now that singlecup doesnt sell them?

CKPThunder directed me to www.idrinkcoffee.com who sell them online, but their threshold to get free shipping is higher than singlecup was.

[CKPThunder]

Originally Posted by Ashartus

CKPThunder directed me to www.idrinkcoffee.com who sell them online, but their threshold to get free shipping is higher than singlecup was.

That link was the only one I found that sold the chai latte's. In terms of k-cups, there are many out there but I always found singlecup.ca so convenient since it was in town and the shipping was fast.

I've tried tweed and hickory, timothy's as well but you have to buy so much more to get free shipping.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Bigelow Earl Grey k-cups

Anyone know a good place to order those specific ones from?

[TorqueDog]

Just picked myself up a Bosch Tassimo T45 Suprema, should be here in a week or so.

Compared the Keurig (which we have in the office) and the Tassimo and I like the Tassimo for the variety of beverages it can create. The Keurig is good for a no-nonsense cup of coffee, however.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

So I'm thinking of picking up some Keurigs for Christmas presents. However, I don't have an insane amount of money to spend, so I'm trying to watch the sales.

Can anyone find anything better than $99.99 for a Keurig other than the Mr. Coffee one at Walmart for $48 which you can't use the My K-Cups with?