It's time, yet again, to replace our coffee pot...

[bluejay]

We're on the second Cusinart coffee pot and the grinder on it has died.  Our first one lasted seven years before biting the dust; we got 2 from this one.  I'm guessing it's poor design, but the motor seems to just burn out on these.  Do any of you have recommendations for a drip coffee pot, preferably with a built-in grinder?

 

The drip is our daily driver.  We make 2 pots a day with it, so it does get frequent use.  We also drink percolator coffee (with a GE Immersible from the 60s), and occasionally will also make espresso via the stove top espresso maker.

 

This is our Cusinart.  It's one of the last remaining appliances we own that isn't vintage:

 

 

[washer111]

Technivorm Moccamaster!

This is hands-down the best drip you can get. Yes, you'll need a separate grinder, or to get your beans ground at a local store or coffeehouse.

 

BUT the coffee is deliciously smooth, very much like plunger coffee. Its 'lighter,' as the coffee is filtered. Similar great flavour without the hassle of so much measurement and guesswork (or mess, in some cases). 

 

http://www.technivorm.com
 

To add, they're also very well-built. I have family with models from the early 90's that are used 3-4 times a day (Hey, Scandinavians drink the most coffee per-capita in the world), that have not skipped a beat. Carafe still original and all the pieces present. Not too worn out, either. 

 

[bluejay]

They look well built! I also like that they come in something other than stainless...

 

[danemodsandy]

It's Not Much Use.....

If you are determined to have a grind-and-brew machine, you're looking at new stuff, with today's build quality. The first grind-and-brew that was commonly available was in the '80s - the Toshiba Mill 'n Drip. I owned a couple of these, and they were capable of making very good coffee, but they loved to burn through their electronics, and were short-lived, both as individual units and as a concept Toshiba wanted to fool with.

Grind-and-brew machines are complex; there is a lot to go wrong. If you want to stay with that format, accepting that they're not particularly long-lived devices is about the most helpful advice I can offer. Following the maintenance instructions helps, of course.

Look at it this way: Your photo looks like the 10-cup thermal-carafe model, which goes for about $129. If it lasts two years, that's 104 weeks, which averages out to about $1.25 a week for ownership cost. That's the price of one small convenience-store coffee.

Maybe someone here knows something I don't, but in my experience, these are fun machines, not lasting ones.

 

[bluejay]

I'm not married to the grind and brew; my parents used to get Black & Decker drip pots. Their first one lasted 20+ years before they replaced it (the timer went). We have a separate grinder; the grind and brew is convenient, but it's frustrating when the grinder dies.

 

[danemodsandy]

In That Case....

I'll let others advise you on a drip coffeemaker, since I am a perc fan.

Now if you want a coffeemaker that will grow old with you, the Farberware Model 142 Superfast 12-cup perc in stainless is the one to get. You just have to be sure to get a vintage one - there are new ones made in China that look the same, but which sure don't last the same.

I plug my Superfast into the timed convenience outlet of my GE J370 electric range. Starts automatically like today's machines. Makes great coffee. Lasts and lasts.

Viva vintage!

 

[rp2813]

I got four years out of my Cuisinart Burr Grind & Brew, but it wasn't the grinder that failed.  It was something in the circuitry for the heating/warming element that fried.  No way to get inside the guts to see if it was fixable.

 

I had a spare of the same model from a thrift store, which had seen little use.  It's been about a year and so far so good.

 

I'm spoiled by the grind & brew feature, but will not pay full retail for another made by Cuisinart.

 

[mrb627]

Breville You Brew

Would be my pick for a grind and brew machine.

Malcolm

 

[foraloysius]

I can only second the advice for a Moccamaster. They are well built coffeemakers and make wonderful coffee. Technivorm, who makes them, is a small Dutch company, that is dedicated to coffee related appliances, they concentrate on that.

 

[gadgetgary]

Farberware

All the way!
Excellent HOT coffee every time.
Use a 4 cup every morning, set it up the night before and just plug it in when I get up in the morning.

 

[iheartmaytag]

I have a separate grinder, but I do love my Bunn Coffee maker.

My first one lived 18 years before springing an irreparable  leak.  My second one only lasted a year, but was replaced without any question  under warranty.  #3 is going on it's second year without a problem.  

 

 

[alr2903]

The regular/non grind "Cuisinart" makes very good coffee.  We are on our 3rd one in 7 years. 

ALR

 

 

[bluejay]

Thanks all! I think we've got some decisions to make. I'm thinking our next drip will not have a built-in grinder. As long as it has a timer, I'm good. I've heard the Bunn pots are good; I'll have to check out Farberware too. I'm also intrigued by the Moccamaster, but I don't think I'll be able to sell my better half on it, given the $300 price tag.

 

[petek]

I gave up on the grind'n brews as well, they didn't last. I'm really liking the Hamilton Beach Brew Station. No carafe to worry about,, just push your cup up against the dispenser button and voila. They're not super expensive either... usually around $60 but always on sale somewhere for $40.

 

[mrb627]

Bunn Phase Brew

I have a Bunn Phase Brew. No grinder, but it has the timer. Good hot coffee from this one.

Malcolm

 

[polkanut]

<span style="font-family: georgia, palatino; font-size: 12pt;">If you're a person that visits thrift/charity shops with any regularity you might also want to consider a vintage Norelco Dial-A-Brew drip coffee maker.  They are very solidly built, and make an excellent brew.  Spare pots can also be found with some ease.  We have 2 that get used daily because my wife likes flavored coffee, and I don't, thus 2 machines.</span>

 

[davey7]

I was just visiting one of my friends who got a Moccamaster since I'd last been there, he seems to like it, his significant other, less so (partly because of the cost). I wasn't impressed or underwhelmed by the coffee taste/flavor but that's also the strength and bean too.

It does look really impressive on the counter though.

You could always do it the Swedish way with a stovetop coffee pot (this one by Sigvard Bernadotte, the designer prince).

http://https//finafyndet.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/kaffekanna_sigvardbernadotte.jpg

 

[foraloysius]

What is special about the Moccamaster, is that it has two heating elements, one for heating the water and one for the hotplate. Most drip coffeemakers have only one.

There is also a Finnish classic coffeepot named Finel, designed by the legendary Antti Nurmesniemi.

 

[danemodsandy]

Dial-A-Brew:

I had one of those as my first "quality" drip maker, and it was definitely that.

But in all my years as a design writer, I have never seen such excellent physical quality lavished on such poor design. The brew basket has to sit atop the carafe during brewing; the body of the coffeemaker does not hold it suspended over the carafe, as with most drip units.

This means you have a yee-OWCH! hot brew basket to remove from the top of the carafe before you can pour coffee. Plus, that basket is leaking coffee and has to be put onto a dinner plate or other landing surface.

I didn't put up with that long, trust me.

 

[thomasortega]

I have an Oster Counterforms drip coffee maker.
It doesn't have a grinder but it is fully programmable.

I love it because the coffee is really hot and the "strong" button really works, brewing a stronger coffee. But i'm sure it won't last much. Good news, it's very cheap so, when it dies, you won't care too much.

 

I would die for a Philips/Walita Cafe Gourmet coffee maker from early 90's. It boils all the water before it starts brewing. Unfortunately it's NLA here in South America but I know they still have it in some european countries.

 

[twintubdexter]

I bought this Capresso coffee maker a little over 12 years ago when I moved to the Desert. Used at least once a day, it still performs like new. Dip-It Coffee Maker Cleaner every few months keeps it running smoothly. An occasional overnight soak with Polident Denture Cleaner keeps the carafe clean. So far, it's been as dependable as my Maytags.

 

[rp2813]

I had a Capresso burr grind & brew before I got the Cuisinart version.  I might still have the Capresso, except once when I was cleaning the exterior, the digital readout got pushed inward and there was no way of retrieving it.  This rendered the unit useless, as operation depended on being able to see the display.

 

I liked the Capresso otherwise, and the filter basket design wasn't anywhere near as complex as that of the Cuisinart.

 

 

 

[bluejay]

We had a basic Proctor-Silex drip pot (sans timer) prior to our first Cuisinart.  It worked fine, except for the lack of timer.  The Cuisinart pots were fine, with the exception of the grind motor dying.  The only other issue we've had with them is that the basket would occasionally pop open mid-brew cycle and cover most of the area in coffee grounds and water. 

 

If our stove had a timed outlet, I'd just revert to using our percolator.  It was given to us by my wife's grandmother, who used it every day for quite a long time.  It's well loved, but indestructible.  It's a tank!

 

[davey7]

I love that Finnish coffeepot! Must do a search for it.

 

[xraytech]

Even without the timed outlet on a stove you can set your percolator up by simply buying one of those timers that are used for lamps or holiday lighting. I've done that with my percstor, and even my crockpot a few times

 

[polkanut]

Sandy,

<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino; font-size: 12pt;">Luckily for us both coffee makers are near our kitchen sink.  We just hold the pot over the sink and set the basket in the dish rack when it's done brewing.</span>

 

[pcasa]

Chemex

Have you tried the Chemex method? I don't drink coffee - but lots of people love this method - I have a big collection of the vintage ones - all sizes - and love the old instructional brochures that came with them - just a thought!