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Does anyone have any experience with b2c filter/drip coffee machines?
I/we drink filter/aeropress coffee exclusively - we've been through all the espresso machine lark and concluded just black filter is the way to go for us.
Aeropress works fine, but in the quantities we drink during the day it can get a bit faffy - I tend to drink 4 - 5 mugs a day, my wife 2 - 3 - and if we have anyone round (parents etc) doing a large number of aeropress coffees can take a while.
One of the faffy bits (it's not really THAT faffy, but you know...) is the grinding. Fines get everywhere, and the grinder we have has a stupid collection hopper which statics up all the time.
Obvs the answer to aeropress faff is to get a drip/filter machine. However, I wondered if there was any way to combine the two and lo and behold there are two possible machines:
A Melitta Aromafresh Therm:
and a Cusinart Grind and Brew Plus:
https://www.cuisinart.co.uk/professional-grind-and-brew-plus-DGB900BCU.html#start=1
I'm leaning towards the Melitta ATM because it is smaller (looks bigger in the pics, but it's a couple of CM shorter than the Cusinart) and has the removal water tank.
Does anyone have any experience with either?
And before anyone starts harping on, I know it's frivolous and yes, I could stick with aeropress, no, I don't want to do pour-over/Vario/Chemex/cafetiere, definitely no interest in nespresso, a new espresso machine, yes I know Gold Blend is cheaper etc etc
I don’t have an answer to your question but wanted to let you know that if you give your beans a quick spray with water (from a small atomiser) before grinding, it stops any static and messiness completely.
We have the Cuisinart (bought used) and really like it. We use paper filters instead of the gold mesh filter though as a) it didn't come with the gold filter, and b) the paper filters are finer and prevent any grittiness at the bottom of the cup.
So what’s the advantage/disadvantage of filtering over a ‘proper’ coffee machine ?
I’m assuming the flavours are just as well drawn out as no pressure involved ? And because no pressure machines are cheaper?
I don’t have an answer to your question but wanted to let you know that if you give your beans a quick spray with water (from a small atomiser) before grinding, it stops any static and messiness completely.
Thanks, really good tip!
We have the Cuisinart (bought used) and really like it. We use paper filters instead of the gold mesh filter though as a) it didn’t come with the gold filter, and b) the paper filters are finer and prevent any grittiness at the bottom of the cup.
@idiotdogbrain thanks, that's really useful. How do you find the carafe, because I've seen a couple of reviews saying it doesn't work very well as a thermal one?
So what’s the advantage/disadvantage of filtering over a ‘proper’ coffee machine ?
I’m assuming the flavours are just as well drawn out as no pressure involved ? And because no pressure machines are cheaper?
@FunkyDunc - do you mean over an espresso-type machine? IME/O filtering is not as bitter and works (again, IME) better if you drink your coffee black as a mug/longer drink. I'm sure in part that's down to consumer machines not necessarily getting high enough pressure for a decent extraction leading to a longer draw and therefore more bitterness, but that's why I went back to aeropress in the first place. I know you can spend £££ to get a good home espresso but my view is sort of if I prefer filter all along, why go with the extra faff.
I've always preferred good filter coffee to espresso-based black coffee - I wonder as well if it's because filter grind is larger?
idiotdogbrain thanks, that’s really useful. How do you find the carafe, because I’ve seen a couple of reviews saying it doesn’t work very well as a thermal one?
Depends how long you're expecting it to keep the coffee warm for tbh. My other half is WFH at the mo and I think she's done all the coffee by 10am, so 2.5hrs maybe? I seem to recall it's noticeably cooler after 90mins or so, but she doesn't care, and at the weekend we tend to make a brew then have a cup immediately and decant the rest into travel mugs as we're heading out.
Filter coffee has the highest caffeine extraction ratio. The dose can be double an espresso machine. It's the one method I don't use, but we have a nice delonghi grinder than is fine for the task (and cafetiere) sitting next to the bean to cup espresso machine.
not sure of the cost of a B2C filter amchine, but i have a Jura Z5 and can set it to make a 250ml Mug on demand - no need to keep it warm and no chance of it 'stewing'.
edit - just seen the prices. thats a lot less than the Jura.
hats a lot less than the Jura.
By a factor of 10 I think!!!!
James Hoffman rates the Sage filter machine (as in, reportedly it what he uses at home and has no home espresso setup). So that looks decent, obviously not fully bean to cup, but you can grind and use the water spray mentioned above to reduce the fines spreading, hell, you can probably even get a cloth to wipe them up 😉
obviously not fully bean to cup,
I think if I'm going to have to grind anyway, I'll just stick with the aeropress, as really there's not much point unless we can do away with the separate grinder.
I’ve got the melitta look therm filter machine without grinder and it’s really good. The thermal carafe on that keeps the coffee hot for ages with no apparent loss of flavour. I set it to come on a timer at 6:15am and this morning I had my last cup at around 10am, it was still steaming and perfect drinking temp (with a splash of milk)
Filter coffee is my favourite, although I generally have a much weaker brew than the general advise says. Most coffees around 30g/l most is 45g/l
I’ve just got a niche zero - it’s zero mess. There is a bit of static (supposed to pass as the burrs become seasoned), but even with that it doesn’t leave any grinds on the counter at all.
It replaced a massive mazzer - and the difference is stark.
I’ve just got a niche zero
£500!!!
https://www.nichecoffee.co.uk/products/niche-zero?variant=31208685076611
I have the Cuisinart machine. I use the gold filter because I bought it new and it came with it.
Positives - Makes great coffee, has a timer which is great if you like getting up to fresh coffee, has a thermal jug which works really well if you put more than a couple of cups in it (if you want it to stay warm for longer then put some boiled water in it and rinse it out before you make the coffee). It'll stay warm for a good couple of hours even half full in my experience and I tend to use it most days when I'm WFH. Also, it has settings for different amounts of coffee and strength.
Negative - grinder is LOUD, no need for an alarm clock if you use the timer. It's big, if this is sitting under over counter cupboards you'll need to pull it out to add water and beans. Final negative, this machine makes it very easy to make a whole jug of tasty strong coffee which you'll then sit and drink which will give you a buzz that lasts for a whole day. Good luck having an afternoon snooze.