coffee maker

[kmwrestle]

I need to buy a coffee maker for my sister for xmas. Id like to be somewhere around 50.00 or so, or whatever it takes to get something good. Only thing she really cares about is an auto timer so you can set the night before.

 

[Britalian]

We talking just filter, I take it? I remember the pre-set things, my folks had one in the 70s. Not sure what's available these days. Maybe you'll have to go higher than 50$.
If you want to make decent espresso you'll have to spend a sight more than 50.

 

[acidboy]

For that price I think the only thing you can get are either a coffee press or a small stovetop espresso maker.

 

[Reggs]

While you guys are at it. Could anyone reccomend a 4 cup drip that takes paper filters?

 

[chobochobo]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find anything half-decent at that price. I don't think that most filters are that difficult/time consuming to use that you need an 'auto timer' model (reminds me of the Teasmaids in the UK).

I use a Nespresso machine which many purists will poo-poo, but makes a good enough cup of coffee for me and is easy to use.

 

[Britalian]

Originally Posted by chobochobo

I think you'd be hard pressed to find anything half-decent at that price. I don't think that most filters are that difficult/time consuming to use that you need an 'auto timer' model (reminds me of the Teasmaids in the UK).

I use a Nespresso machine which many purists will poo-poo, but makes a good enough cup of coffee for me and is easy to use.

Teasmaid is the name I couldn't recall.

My sister bought a low-end Nespresso system, a Krups machine, I think. The espresso it made was basically a short filter coffee, not an espresso. I'm sure there are differences with better machines

 

[chobochobo]

I have the Alessi Coban nespresso as well as the ES-80 in the professional range. Don't ask me why I have two when I'm only an 'occasional' drinker of coffee, I think I had intended to keep only one but never got round to deciding which one to keep. They're obviously not topnotch (I read enough in websites such as coffeegeek to know that) but I manage to make a cup of latte/cappucino better than my local Starbucks with them. Plus no mess.

 

[vaclava krishna]

You can buy this ibrik, for less 10 dollars, but it doesnt have a timer.

 

[dkzzzz]

Let me answer your question:
Don't buy anything with paper filters.
Get the drip coffee maker from Starbucks(it does have a timer). It will cost you a bit more than 50 more like 70, but it is worth every penny.
I use to brew my coffee stovetop, using so called ibrik or jezva. Waste of time and coffee IMO. Messy drink requiring 3 times more coffee to get some thickness.
Once I switched to Barista made for Starbucks single cup dripper with a metal filter I discovered that a single cup of coffee requires 3 times less beans and could be brewed in 5 minutes without constantly monitoring it. Believe me if I tell you the coffee tastes better too.
I am a convert, who use to think that all filter coffee makers are junk.

Now homemade espresso or latte is a completely different story all together.

 

[Reggs]

I had that coffee maker and it was horrible. The water was too hot and made the coffee bitter, plus I was lucky enough to get an old model that would leak all over the counter every time it was used. After I returned it(for store credit of course), I was glad I had kept my $20 plastic Mr. Coffee since it made much better coffee.

I use paper filters in the morning because the granules you get with a metal filter upset my stomach when I drink without eating. I have a french press that I use if I want a nice cup with dinner.

 

[Britalian]

I use one cup Bialetti Mocha for short coffee; a plastic, one cup filter cone for my long morning hit. Cost about £2. Larger sizes available. Also 'get it on the outside', to paraphrase Seinfeld.

 

[Dmax]

I don't like pour-over type coffee makers so my advice may not answer OP's questions, however, for people who actually enjoy good cup of coffee I recommend a plunger pot (a.k.a french press). Bodum makes several nice ones.

You can combine the french press with a $20 blade grinder. Add some freshly roasted whole bean coffee that you would grind just before brewing and taste the difference freshly roasted, freshly ground and barely filtered makes. The french press has no timer but it only takes about 5 minutes to get a real eye opening cup of coffee. Ibrik (aka Briki) also makes a flavorfull cup of coffee but it does require you to pay attention while the Ibrik is on the stove. Many times I ended with coffee all over my stove when I turned away just for a second and missed the moment when the coffee started to boil over.