Equipment Corner

Milleta

This is the cheapest option for brewing good coffee. Instructions for use:
  1. Put the filter cone on top of a thermos or cup.
  2. Put a filter in your Milleta that matches the size of your Milleta.
  3. Grind your coffee and put in filter.
  4. Boil water, and let cool slightly until you think it is down to approximately 200 degrees (use a thermometer in the beginning if you like)
  5. Pour hot water through Milleta (Make sure there is not more hot water than your thermos or cup can hold)
  6. Stir wet coffee grounds with hot water to get coffee off the sides of the filter and maximum flavor.
The Milleta and other filter cones can be purchased in many stores.  You can also find it on this link: Sweet Marias Milleta

Technivorm Moccamaster (Automatic drip coffee maker)

Using the Milleta is cheap, but it won't make multiple cups of coffee.  There are also a lot of steps, and you may not be up to the task first thing in the morning. The Technivorm Moccamater is a great option for those who don't want as much work and/or want to make coffee for larger amounts of people.  The larger Technivorms' make 10 cups of coffee, and brew pretty rapidly.  Of course, the best part is that the water brews at 200 degrees helping you to obtain A Good Cup of Joe Put in the desired amount of water, and a filter.
  1. Grind your coffee and put it in the filter.
  2. Turn the coffee maker on.
  3. You are done once it finishes brewing.
  4. Optional step:  while the coffee is brewing you can stir the coffee to get the coffee off the sides of the filter.  This will help you to get the maximum flavor out of your coffee.
      Instructions for use:
      Check out this link to buy your own Technivorm: Sweet Marias Technivorm On the website you will find multiple options, and a detailed description of the coffee maker.  You can also look at the Technivorm tip-sheet if you want to be scientific about how you brew your coffee: Sweet Maria's Tip Sheet

    French Press

    This is a classic method of making good coffee.  However, the coffee can be a little grainy because the sediment can get through the filter.
    1. Grind coffee and put in the bottom of the french press.
    2. Boil hot water and let cool slightly until it is at 200 degrees.
    3. Pour water in french press.
    4. Put top on to keep water hot.
    5. Let sit for 2-4 minutes.
    6. Press plunger down.
    7. Pour coffee.
    Directions for use: You can purchase a press on this website and also learn more about them: Sweet Maria's French Press

    Aeropress

    The Aeropress is a wonderful way to make a single cup of coffee. It is also convenient to take with you on a trip.

      1. Screw off the cap on the bottom, insert a new Aeropress filter, and screw the cap back on.
      2. Put Aeropress on top of a cup.
      3. Grind coffee and put coffee grounds in top of press.
      4. Boil water, let cool slightly until at 200 degrees, and put hot water in press (make sure you don’t put in more water than your cup will hold)
      5. Stir coffee and wait for 30 seconds.
      6. insert plunger and push water into cup.
      7. Remove bottom over waste receptacle and pop the puck out into the garbage.

      • Directions:

      You can purchase an Aeropress on these websites:

    Sweet Maria’s Aeropress or Amazon.com

      You can also learn more about the press by following this link:

    Sweet Maria’s Aeropress Instructions

    Burr Coffee Grinder

    I think burr grinders are the easiest to use.  You just put your coffee beans in the top, push the grind button, the machine grinds away, and puts the ground coffee in the hopper below. However, if you are also using your grinder to grind espresso these cheaper burr grinders will often burn out in a year.  For high quality grinders check out this website: Sweet Maria's Grinders

    Blade Coffee Grinder

    These are definitely the cheapest coffee grinders.  However, the blade goes dull, you often have to hold the button down, and they are messy.
      Of course, there are people who love their blade grinders and have used them for years.  It can also be a cheap way to start grinding your own coffee if you are skeptical that it will make a difference to grind your coffee immediately before you brew it.
    Here is a link to a website that claims to have found the best blade grinder.