A cup of coffee.

[Ash]

HF - The top is a screw on. It looks like there is a silicon o-ring in there, but it would not be replaceable (if that's what you're asking). It certainly couldn't become dislodged. It is exceptionally easy to one-hand. The seal opens when you press the button. You then have to keep the button depressed in order to drink. When you release the button it seals automatically. So, you really couldn't operate this with two hands if you wanted to. If you use it at work this is really cool because it is actually impossible to spill on your desk. A second after you let go it is already sealed. As for cleaning, the mug is too narrow for me to fit my hand into, so you need a bottle brush to really clean it out. As for the autoseal mechanism, I've never had a problem. I clean it with soap and water (using the bottle brush), and run it through the dishwasher once every few weeks or so. I drink my coffee black, however, so there's a lot less crud to build up. I will say that all the other fancy-top mugs I've seen, like the OXO or the LiveStrong, are much harder to clean than this one.

I understand wanting to make the right choice. I probably spend more time with this device than any other I own. Not even my TV or my vaporizer gets this many hours of use each week.

There are two things to point out to someone buying this, though, that I don't see as a problem, but should be noted. First, the seal is so tight that pressure builds up in it after you add your hot coffee and screw on the lid. When you first vent it you don't want it pointing at your face. This is instinctive now, and I was never really burned, but it sure surprized me a few times at first. Second, because there is no lip, like most mugs have, the coffee goes straight into your mouth. This makes it difficult to get a sense of how hot the coffee is before it actually hits your lip or tongue. It took me about two weeks to get used to this. However, if something happened to my mug now, I would replace it with another one without even thinking about it.

 

[sour]

In the mornings I usually make coffee with a stove top percolator made by faberware.

During the day if I feel like a cup of tea I use a Bodum diffuser which does only 12 oz. at a time.

I like my coffee black, but I like a spoon of honey in my tea.

Tea > Coffee

 

[jeffp]

Thanks for the heads up on the Faberware perc - I'm going to get one.
I love percolated coffee - it has an "activated" quality that drip or even pod cups can't match.
I use stevia for sweetening, and half & half.

 

[GreenLeaf]

I have some DIY coffee maker where you just put the filter in and the grinds and then pour hot water over them and it drips down into the coffee pot.

I also have a cheap general electric coffee pot that has a mesh filter and it makes pretty good coffee that tastes like French Press coffee but without a huge mess.

I have a French Press too but it's a major pain to clean so I do not use it that often.

I've made pseudo Turkish coffee with a pot on the stove as I don't own an Ibrik and I've heard they can easily spill or overflow and make a huge mess.

I either use raw sugar and 1% milk, or else just 1% milk. If I'm in a coffee shop and they have half and half I usually use that then.

 

[lwien]

I have a French Press too but it's a major pain to clean so I do not use it that often.

Man, I've used one exclusively for over 10 years and it's super easy to clean. Fill with hot water, pour water and coffee grinds down drain, put a little of liquid soap in carafe, fill with hot water, put press on and plung up and down a few times, rinse, and put out to dry. Takes less than a minute.

 

[GreenLeaf]

I have a French Press too but it's a major pain to clean so I do not use it that often.

Man, I've used one exclusively for over 10 years and it's super easy to clean. Fill with hot water, pour water and coffee grinds down drain, put a little of liquid soap in carafe, fill with hot water, put press on and plung up and down a few times, rinse, and put out to dry. Takes less than a minute.

With mine I found that grinds always get stuck under the screen part and I have to take it all apart to get them out which is annoying.

 

[masejl12]

My favorite coffee is by far cold brew coffee, smoothest coffee I've had. I have a Toddy, they are super cheap & requires no hot water to brew. It just takes 12 hours to brew but you come out with a coffee concentrate that you refrigerate. It's suppose to be a lot lower in acid, so it's easier on the stomach, I've noticed a huge difference.

 

[Hippie Dickie]

i have a simple routine ... 4-cup Mr Coffee drip maker, with Starbucks coffee from Foo d'Lion (usually), and half'n'half. Just fills my Starbucks travel mug. Which sits on the edge of my desk (opposite side from the PC) and minimizes the mess if i knock it over.

 

[sour]

My coffee perc is amazingly easy to clean. Like jeffp mentioned it has an activated sort of taste, it tastes richer. I never liked black coffee until I tried it with this thing. Nice smooth coffee flavors and very easy to use. Not much can go wrong with the unit either.

The unit I bought was 16.99 at walmart about 3 years ago. never bought any coffee filters since.

 

[Qbit]

Bumpity.

My favorite coffee is by far cold brew coffee, smoothest coffee I've had. I have a Toddy, they are super cheap & requires no hot water to brew. It just takes 12 hours to brew but you come out with a coffee concentrate that you refrigerate. It's suppose to be a lot lower in acid, so it's easier on the stomach, I've noticed a huge difference.

I haven't been buying coffee for myself for a long time - not because I don't like it, but because the side effects it has on me. They're not severe, but less pleasant than I am comfortable dealing with on a frequent basis. So I've only been drinking it socially, and then only sometimes.

But then last week my sister gave me a birthday hamper, which contained some freshly ground espresso. Since I don't have any specialised coffee making equipment, I wondered about different brewing methods, got online and stumbled into cold brew coffee.

I read somewhere that this is part of the trick they use in South-East Asia for their iced coffees (cold brew coffee concentrate, condensed milk, loads of crushed ice - that's it I think). I travelled around there extensively in 2007, and remember well the delicious iced coffee served in plastic bags with straws. And so do my sisters, who were with me for a short time there.

So yeah, I've been making a bit of cold brew coffee over the last week (though having it hot), and I'm finding it very tasty, and very easy to handle. Mind you it doesn't quite have the same kick to it either - I think I've read that caffeine is reduced by 60-70% or something. But then I seem to be having really strong cups of it - barely diluted - which inevitably uses more grounds. Maybe this is just going to be a bit of a short-term binge. I don't want to be paying for a serious coffee habit at the moment.

But I think I'll be impressing my sisters soon enough. Dad too, perhaps.

 

[AGBeer]

Meh, I have my coffee in the AM (very nice and strong) and I just use my drip maker.

The one thing I do special though is buy whole beans and grind them before I brew it. I loves the smell of freshly ground beans, and you can definitely taste a huge difference from the big ole container of pre ground stuffs. I had a glass press for a short period, but one slip on the kitchen sink and its now a memory.

I might bite the bullet and pick up one of those nice SS presses, but then chances are I will start roasting my own beans, and getting ridiculous on the grinder specs, etc... I really dont need another hobby right now

 

[Alan]

The best cup of coffee I have had was from my Aeropress. I use the inversion method. Flip it upside down and put the filter on last. You get much longer contact time with a precise temperature water. I also use a disc of felt cloth rather than the filter papers as allows the oils through that the paper blocks.
My coffee gets an aeration treatment after brewing. I use a high speed hand blender to infuse air into the coffee. Just short little bursts. Lifting and lowering to trap air in the blender bell. It creates a layer of crema about a half inch thick that lasts the entire cup of coffee. The coffee is much smoother after the aeration.

I use the same process on my wine, whiskey, brandy, vodka, etc. It dramatically mellows and improves the flavor.

I will need to try the cold brew method. That sounds even better.

 

[lwien]

^^ I was using a French Press for decades, but then tried an Aeropress and haven't used any other method for brewing coffee since I got it 2 years ago. GREAT, very inexpensive device. LOVE it, especially when used with great coffee fresh off the roaster. Been getting my coffee from these guys: http://www.paradiseroasters.com/

They don't roast their coffee until you order it, so you get it no longer than 3 days from it being roasted. Until you try this, you really have no idea how quickly coffee can go stale. Just fantastic.

 

[placetime]

The best cup of coffee I have had was from my Aeropress. I use the inversion method. Flip it upside down and put the filter on last. You get much longer contact time with a precise temperature water. I also use a disc of felt cloth rather than the filter papers as allows the oils through that the paper blocks.

I agree. Aeropress is by far the best coffee maker I've ever owned or used. I got one about 4 years ago based on the recommendation of a friend who's a coffee fanatic, and I've never felt any desire to use anything else since then.

I also use the inversion method--a little tricky to master, but worth it, imho. I haven't ever used anything in place of the paper filters though. TV, can you give more specifics about the felt you use?

Also, no problem with BPA in the Aeropress; there's info about that on their website. I hadn't read that before, though--I might need to get an updated version.

 

[Alan]

TV, can you give more specifics about the felt you use?

I bought a square of white (didn't want any dyes) felt cloth from the hobby store and cut the correct size circle. A little trick about cutting felt cloth evenly - Place strips of masking tape on the felt so you can draw the circle. Trace one of the filter papers to get the correct size. The tape hold the felt together while you cut it. Just rinse out the felt disc after use. I have used mine dozens and dozens of times with no worries of grounds getting in the coffee. It will turn brown with use but is very economical.

I have also brewed ABV in my aeropress. It works very well for sleepy time tea.
Any type of tea works well in the aeropress. Especially with the inversion method.

 

[Havelock Vetenari]

Big fan of the most commonly used drug in the world here.
I roast my own beans with a Gene cafe coffeeroaster for starters.
Further equipment :
A Technivorm CD-10 drip with a swiss gold filter for my 2 morning wake up cups.
Other brewers :
Cona vacuum(all glass),Chemex pourover,Clever Coffee Dripper,Bodum columbia french press,Aeropress,Hario V-60 pourover.
Related stuff :
Solis scala grinder(weakest part of the equation,i'm saving up for a Mahlkonig home vario atm),Hario buono kettle,small weightscale,hempfilters.

Yep i do love my java.

As a true coffeelover i don't spoil it with milk of course( ),but having an uncurable sweettooth i do like some sugar in there,for which i use unrefined cane sugar.
My current favourite SO(single origin)-beans are the Ethiopean Yrgacheffe(full of fruity flavours,very sweet) and Indonesian Java(Blawan estate atm,mmmmm chocolate...).
I even have got a coffeeplant in the livingroom,i'm far gone i'm afraid...

Have a nice one on me folks.

 

[wake n blake]

I just got an Aeropress this weekend... I'm really digging it. I had a French press prior.
It may not be "true" espresso, but I'm loving the lattes and cappuccinos I can make... annoying now that everyone is like 'oooh, make me a coffee.'

I have some Kansas City Roastery Italian blend... it's REALLY smooth and mellow. I put a dash of Coffee Mate Sweet Italian Cream (yum) and then add the heated and frothed milk/half and half. Pret-tay, pret-tay good.

I need a better coffee grinder, though.

 

[lwien]

Been using this one for about 6 months and lovin' it. For the money, I don't think it can be beat. Perfect compliment to the Aeropress. Consistent grind, no fly-away grinds due to static buildup, and...............super easy to get to the burrs to clean. Highly recommended for a grinder under 100 bucks. Had a blade grinder before and this blows it away. Had a Capresso burr grinder before too and this one blows it away as well.

And check out those crazy colors. Pretay........pretay, pretay neat.

http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Bistro-...95WW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315787709&sr=8-1

 

[RumbleShorts]

Just a couple of pluggs for a couple items I have and use daily.
The Contigo is the best coffee travel mug made (imo). I have had my first one for about 2 years. i use it everyday and have never had a spill or leak. I also purchased one for my pops and he now swears by them. I have assorted sizes for my daughters (they sell at Cosco)
I also have a Keurig maker, we use it all the time. Makes a decent cup of coffee but it is a little weak unless I use the Double black diamond from Green Mountain. Then there is the cost, even buying in bulk you are still looking at $0.48 per K-cup. That's not much when compared to Starbucks but it does add up if you are drinking 3-4 cups per day for 2 or 3 people. All that has changed though in the past few days....
I picked up a couple of these when they where on Special last week:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005F3IAPE

Picked them up for $18.50 for a 2 pack. They are TERRIFIC!! You don't need to remove the bracket inside the machine to use them... They drop right in. They hold more coffee grounds than the Keurig brand re-usable. I grind using a Blendtec. They make a nice strong cup of coffee and clean up is a snap. I can't recommend these enough.

If I have the time, the Aeropress makes great coffee but, for grab and go with flavor & strength that can't be matched by any brand of K-cup, the Ekobrew Cup is hands down the winner.

 

[AGBeer]

Damn... Looks like I need to pick up an aeropress now. It wont add much time to my morning coffee routine, but if it make my coffee that much better Im willing to give it a go.

Its also a new toy that I get to play with.

 

[wake n blake]

Iwien, I've been looking at the same grinder... Has great reviews and under a bill... And yes, the colors haha.

Great minds think alike, eh? Ha

 

[Irie]

French press for awhile, then a cheapie plastic pour over, transitioned to a clever chimp and currently using a Chem ex. I might, and I say might....like the chem ex best. Depends on the day, I dig pour over though. I was super into the heavy body of the French press but I have come around to a really clean and bright.

Love a bit of half and half there in my bodum double wall glass mug. 2 cups of coffee then I go.

Wife's gonna get on me if I grab and aero press but the price of the chem ex filters is soooo tempting to force me to try the aero.....how is it? Clean, bright, full bodied???

 

[wake n blake]

Irie, it's very similar to the French Press but a little cleaner due to the filter.

You Aeropress users see for like $15 you can get a stainless steel filter, lots of tiny holes?
http://www.amazon.com/Aeropress-Sta...TLYO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1315894949&sr=8-2

I guess paper absorbs a lot of the oils and stuffs.

I've yet to get any crema on an 'aeropresso' (cause it's not REALLY an espresso), but I've heard rumors and fairy tales from yonder of folk getting different results when not filtering through paper.

Makes one wonder...

Oh, I picked this up the other day http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-202-...1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1315895115&sr=1-1

It's really cool... I so very much dig it and the mounds of foam frothy goodness. Cappuccinos be supah easy ha.

 

[WatTyler]

A few christmas' ago I got a kitchen espresso machine with a 19bar pump, and I have to say it's the best thing in my kitchen. I think it cost around 125 or so, but if it broke I would buy another one tomorrow (it's this one). This has produced the best coffee I've ever had at home, and in fact there is more crema from this than I get when I buy a coffee in town. I can't recommend the investment enough. It's about the same price as a vape I suppose, although does get used slightly less often (in my house at least), but still every day so worth it for me.

 

[Irie]

Thanks wake and Blake. Just FYI, a French press works excellent to froth some warmed milk. Put the milk in and rapidly raise and lower the screen. Thick tasty froth.