Office setup??

[wayner123]

This is my first post in here and it comes after years of frustration with co-workers. I have had it with them not filling the pot when they are done, making a mess and screwing up a simple task of making coffee.

I am not a coffee connoisseur by any stretch of the imagination, but I do want to get to a point where I can enjoy more fully my cup o' joe. I have been reading over the past couple days and I got a list of sorts for a cubical/office desk setup.

1. Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill
2. Aeropress Coffee and Espresso maker
3. Some sort of whole bean storage (not sure on this yet)

Being a total noob about coffee, I am certain I have missed some things. I will be using a few of the recommended online vendors, and no roasting my own... for now. Any thoughts as to my setup? Or maybe a better setup of your own to suggest?

[Mister Moo]

Bodum Columbia French Press
Cuisinart Burr Grinder
Breville Stainless Electric Kettle

Save money? Keep the beans in the bag in a drawer; substitute a pourover filter for the press.

[Ranger_B]

You could always go with a Keurig. Nice and easy. Grab some K cups pre measured and filled "Pod" type things add water to the brewer put in a pod and press go.
https://www.keurig.com/allbrewers.as...ENE6HKJ89X0R89

[Brutus2600]

We have a Keurig at the office. While it saves you making sure everybody takes part in keeping up with the coffee pot...I think the pre-packaged coffee pods are pretty awful. If you can get the pod where you can put your own grinds in then I'd consider that a good alternative.

The french press is a good idea, but cleanup in an office might be annoying.

[Wharf Rat]

If you work in open cubicles, as I do, I suspect your coworkers will take issue with a grinder. Nobody appreciates extra noises. But, grind it at home for the day would work!

[mosesbotbol]

You can half pound or even quarter pound bags of ground coffee from most coffee vendors and that could save you from buying a grinder. I would not go more than one work week with pre-ground coffee.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by Wharf Rat

If you work in open cubicles, as I do, I suspect your coworkers will take issue with a grinder. Nobody appreciates extra noises. But, grind it at home for the day would work!

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

You can half pound or even quarter pound bags of ground coffee from most coffee vendors and that could save you from buying a grinder. I would not go more than one work week with pre-ground coffee.

Both of these thoughts crossed my mind. Thank you.

It may be in poor taste to ask here, but how well does your local grocery grinder work? I don't have any roasters close by and my only options are to buy a grinder, buy pre-ground, or go to the super market with my beans and grind them there.

[irons]

I keep my grinder in the break room and nobody even touches it. I think they are afraid or something.

My local mega-market chain has a good grinder. I don't drink much coffee at home on the weekends, so I buy 1/4 - 1/2 pound and put it on the turkish grind. Comes out like find saw dust. Perfect for pan cooked or drip machine. The bulk stuff has a decent quality and selection. Tends to be fresher then the bags.

[tedrodgerscpa]

Originally Posted by wayner123

It may be in poor taste to ask here, but how well does your local grocery grinder work?

Surprisingly well, actually. I used the one at the grocery store when I was learning my moka pot. Turkish grind, fine espresso, coarse espresso....

A hand grinder is also an option, but probably too much work if you're grinding anything larger than a double espresso

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by wayner123

...may be in poor taste

That would be coffee pods; everything else here is tasting pretty good.

Your point on using a grocerystore grinder is a good one for press coffee. New(er) store grinders perform fine for press and others, well worn, will throw a lot of fines/dust. Either way, the coffee will taste good if the beans are OK. Fresher everything is always better when it comes to coffee but sometimes you can't always have everything, darn it.

[mosesbotbol]

The only thing I would consider with the store coffee is there could be remains from the previous grind which could be flavored coffee or what have you... You'd notice it more when you are just grinding a little. All in all, probably not that big a deal.

[slickster81]

I've got an Aeropress at work Wayne, and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

[JaKaacH]

Originally Posted by slickster81

I've got an Aeropress at work Wayne, and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

WHat he said.
Grind it fine at the store or at home. Easy clean up too. If you have a hot water dispenser on the "cooler" or in the break room then you don't even need a kettle.

The Aeropress has won me over.
I ran out of the coffee that I take to work the other day so I used the Folgers custom roast that was in the break room, the Aeropress even made that drinkable, very smooth.

[KenyanSandBoa]

Originally Posted by Brutus2600

We have a Keurig at the office. While it saves you making sure everybody takes part in keeping up with the coffee pot...I think the pre-packaged coffee pods are pretty awful. If you can get the pod where you can put your own grinds in then I'd consider that a good alternative.

The french press is a good idea, but cleanup in an office might be annoying.

I like the "My K-Cup" thing where you can put your own grinds in, but the pre-packaged ones can be a real hit or miss.

Originally Posted by slickster81

I've got an Aeropress at work Wayne, and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!

Based on cost...this would be the way to go. I'm actually getting an Aeropress myself because I just can't get an espresso at home, and I don't want to spend a ton of money on a machine.