Need new auto coffee maker

[Mark C]

My old faithful coffee pot is crappin' out on me after ~5 yrs. It's a Cuisinart Grind 'n' Brew that was a wedding gift. Over those last 5 yrs, I've gotten pickier about coffee, I'm now willing to consider a separate grinder/brewer. Right now I'm looking at this grinder: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS.../coffeegeek-20

Seems to get good reviews at coffeegeek, after a modification... and modification = fun in my book.

Now I need something to pair with it. I've thought about french press, or moka, or some other crazy device.... But I really want something that has a built-in timer so my coffee is ready when I wake up. Am I stuck with a regular ol' drip machine? Any recommendations for <$100? Need something fairly large too, 8 cups minimum.

[drob]

Before I started using a french press, this is what I brewed in. As soon as you get it and the intro coffees, cancel the membership. You get to keep the coffeemaker. Brews at 195 - 200 degrees, and makes a great cup of coffee. And, unless I am mistaken, it is made by Cuisanart.

http://www.gevalia.com/Gevalia/Coffee/index.aspx

[BigAsh]

We've been using the Cuisinart Grind-n-Brew for years....has auto setting so fresh coffee is waiting when i WAKE UP....CARAFE IS THERMAL

[Snake Hips]

Fumador bombed me a Cuisinart Grind N' Brew, and to tell you God's honest truth, I can't tell a difference between it's coffee and the brew I make in the French press. I love the damned thing.

[shilala]

Mark, I bought a commercial Bunn coffee maker on ebay a couple years ago to replace the bunn thermal carafe deal I had used for lots of years.
It's brought me more pleasure than you'd ever imagine. The cool factor is off the map and I have hot coffee 24/7. It doesn't cook down and taste like crap, either.
I bet you would absolutely love it.
You have to run a water line to it, but it runs on 110v, so you don't need a 220 outlet like most commercial Bunn models. The box thing lifts off the "soft warmer", so you can clean it easily and take it to the picnic table or whatever. The box thing holds a gallon of coffee, too.
I have absolutely zero waste because I just make a pot on top of whats already in there. It has hot water out the side and I use it to preheat my thermos for work.
I could go on forever about the positives.
It's nice to have a coffee maker that works so well. It's a true joy.

Edit:
I think I paid like 120 bucks shipped. I shopped all the models for a long time before I finally found this one. It's perfect except it has two burners on the top that I totally don't need. I'm sure there's gotta be a model that doesn't have that.
This one was brand new from a guy that started a convenience store that shut down before they got it off the ground.

[CasaDooley]

Originally Posted by shilala

Mark, I bought a commercial Bunn coffee maker on ebay a couple years ago to replace the bunn thermal carafe deal I had used for lots of years.
It's brought me more pleasure than you'd ever imagine. The cool factor is off the map and I have hot coffee 24/7. It doesn't cook down and taste like crap, either.
I bet you would absolutely love it.
You have to run a water line to it, but it runs on 110v, so you don't need a 220 outlet like most commercial Bunn models. The box thing lifts off the "soft warmer", so you can clean it easily and take it to the picnic table or whatever. The box thing holds a gallon of coffee, too.
I have absolutely zero waste because I just make a pot on top of whats already in there. It has hot water out the side and I use it to preheat my thermos for work.
I could go on forever about the positives.
It's nice to have a coffee maker that works so well. It's a true joy.

Edit:
I think I paid like 120 bucks shipped. I shopped all the models for a long time before I finally found this one. It's perfect except it has two burners on the top that I totally don't need. I'm sure there's gotta be a model that doesn't have that.
This one was brand new from a guy that started a convenience store that shut down before they got it off the ground.

Scott, what model is yours? You're right, the cool factor is awsome and it's what I've been thinking of getting. Thanks Bro

My dad had one of the professional Bunn machines for his business. When they closed, he chose not to keep it. He's regretted it ever since. That is a great machine.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by AllOGistics

My dad had one of the professional Bunn machines for his business. When they closed, he chose not to keep it. He's regretted it ever since. That is a great machine.

I could not believe the price they go for on ebay. There's a million available and they're dirt cheap.
Mine still looks like it just came out of the box. It's incredibly durable and super easy to keep clean and nice.
They are mega-expensive new. Just the box thing on mine runs around 200 bucks. If not for ebay, I'd never be able to justify the cost.

[shilala]

Oh yeah, one more thing...
That pot doesn't have a timer. It brews a pot in three minutes. I make my coffee the night before (or whenever, for that matter), and it's ready in the morning.
If I walk by and see it's low (there's a glass indicator in front), I'll just start a pot any time of the day. All my buds know that there's always hot coffee on at shilala's house, and I get a lot of company.

I'm glad you suggested that one because I hadn't thought about that machine for a long time. I never really thought about checking ebay for it. I may have to look around and see if I can find him one for his birthday. Thanks for the tip Scott!

[Mark C]

Thanks for the tips guys. Scott, that machine sounds great, but it'd never pass wife approval. As it turns out, my goal for separate grinder/brewer didn't pass approval either. Hate to admit it, but she's probably right. Our kitchen ain't that big and counter space is rather limited, and I tend to spread out and take up a lot of space when I cook.

Here's our compromise: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ELFZNM

From what I've read, the burr grinder is more than acceptable for drip coffee, the brew temp is right at 200 F, the grinder is separate from the drip so it stays dry (big problem with the Cuisinart), and I can't wait to play with all the settings to dial in my perfect cup of coffee. Best part is that we've got a collection of Bed Bath and Beyond 20% off coupons, so that knocked the price down nicely. Should be here in a week or so, I'll post my thoughts then.

That doesn't look like too bad of a compromise. I look forward to the update.

[novasurf]

Newco OCS 8.

[Mister Moo]

I vote for the Gevalia subscription; get the 12-cup coffeemaker and cancel.

[bobarian]

I have been very happy with my Gevalia. Had it for 3 1/2 months now. Nice pot!

[raisin]

Originally Posted by novasurf

Newco OCS 8.

Better yet, get the 12, same brewing unit - better carafe (stainless v glass).

ps either way, best cup short of the TV.

[DocLogic77]

I'm VERY happy with my Technivorm Moccamaster.

[Mark C]

Well two pots in, I'm really liking this machine. The brewing options are cool, I like options and buttons, so that makes me happy. The coffee comes out nice and hot, but to be honest I'm not sure it's much hotter than the Cuisinart (when using the Cuisinart setting to preheat the water). The taste is much better though. Brewed my lost pot with the Cuisinart on Monday, then the new one on Tue and Wed with the same beans. Very different. Monday's cup was bitter and not very flavorful, Tue was very smooth, little weak, Wed was strong, smooth, and delicious. Best part is the cleanup is much much easier. Instead of cleaning the whole friggin' machine, the carafe gets a quick rinse, and the 'gold tone' filter gets emptied and rinsed. I'm looking forward to a long future with my new friend!

Sounds like a real winner! I'm glad you found one that suits all your needs. Did it come with the gold tone filter, or did you purchase that separate?

[Mark C]

Came with the gold tone. I think I read somewhere that it's gold-colored nylon, but it sure seems to work well.