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[SOLVED] Recommendations for single-serve coffee maker?

I want to buy a single-serve coffee maker to have on hand when a whole pot isn't needed. But I started looking around online and....geesh!! There are SO MANY of them! And their features, functions, selling points are all just overwhelming. :eek:

I don't want or need any fancy-schmancy features. I never leave coffee makers plugged in, so all the latest and greatest features (like setting its timer using my phone) are unneeded. I just want a basic set-up, where I pour in a latte cup's worth of water, put one serving of coffee in the holder, put my cup under the spout, and turn it on.

Please note that my latte mugs hold 16 ounces, but that's filled to the very top; in reality, the coffee maker needs to accommodate 12-14 ounces of water, but my cups have to fit!

Also, I didn't know until I started looking that single-use pods were NOT the only option. Now I know that you can also use scoops/baskets. I prefer the most environmentally friendly option, even if it takes a little extra work.

Suggestions? Brands, models, tips, anything?
 
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My suggestion is to buy a basic 4-cup coffeemaker. They’re cheap, filters are easy to find, and if you want enough to fill a mug (as opposed to a standard cup) or a travel mug (or have two cups) then you’re covered. If you really only brew a single cup, take the pot out while it brews so it stays in the basket and steeps a bit, then put the pot in and let it filter through. (If you really want to economize, you can also buy quality filters and then rinse and reuse them, we do this regularly and often get more than a week from a single filter, we but the Melitta browns).
 
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So I have an Aeropress that I use daily now. Haven't had to rely upon our conventional drip-coffee maker for years now. It's got a long history with a passionate fan-base, and there are any number of Aeropress videos on Youtube with all kinds of tips, demos, competitions, etc.
https://aeropress.com/
The filter is a little paper disk, the same material as what you'd use in a conventional drip-coffee maker. No pods so those little disk filters are the only disposable involved (well, with the used coffee grounds of course). I've actually just rinsed those filters and re-used the it several times without noticing any change in the resulting coffee. But there are stainless steel mesh filters available that are essentially 'permanent'. I have one and use it almost exclusively. With that metal mesh filter no paper filter is necessary so the only thing going to waste might be the grounds with lots of debate as to whether used coffee grounds are good for composting or garden slow-release fertilizer.

An Aeropress is usually around $30 so it's pretty cheap and even if you find it not to your liking it isn't a significant loss. But if you want to go really bare-bones, try this Primula Coffee Brew Buddy
https://primulaproducts.com/product/lifestyle/the-flash/coffee-brew-buddy/
It's well under $10, and consists of a thick plastic disk with a hole in its center and mesh melded to the plastic. The plastic disk is the base that sits on top of your coffee mug, and the mesh is the filter where you dump your fresh coffee grounds. You pour hot water through it and the coffee drips down into your mug. It's a very simplistic coffee maker that's basically all manual. Does the same thing as a conventional drip-coffee maker. I've used it several times and it takes some practice to get things just right (use a coarser grind,and maybe just a tiny bit more grounds). The resulting coffee is quite good though.
It's also an environmentally-friendly option, the plastic disk and mesh filter are a reusable, one piece item so nothing disposable but the coffee grounds. This is popular in some camping/hiking circles since it's small, compact, and doesn't need batteries or be plugged in.
http://www.exploreblog.net/explore-gear-primula-single-serve-coffee-brew-buddy/
https://trekbible.com/primula-single-serve-coffee-brew-buddy-review/
 
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TBH, if it's for a simple one cup and done, Keurig is your best bet, simple and fast.

Way, way to much money.
Both for device and the way overpriced little coffee thingys.

Everybody I know that ever got one got real sick of spending so much per (ultra-small) cup of coffee at home.
At those prices, you might as well just go out for coffee.
 
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My suggestion is to buy a basic 4-cup coffeemaker. They’re cheap, filters are easy to find, and if you want enough to fill a mug (as opposed to a standard cup) or a travel mug (or have two cups) then you’re covered. If you really only brew a single cup, take the pot out while it brews so it stays in the basket and steeps a bit, then put the pot in and let it filter through. (If you really want to economize, you can also buy quality filters and then rinse and reuse them, we do this regularly and often get more than a week from a single filter, we but the Melitta browns).
I appreciate the input, but this defeats my actual purpose, which I didn't explain. I need a coffee maker that *I* can easily use. Because of that damned sepsis and the havoc it wreaked throughout my body, I have severe pain in my right shoulder; lifting the carafe of my current (Cuisinart, 10-cup) maker is really hard--and I can't lift it high enough to fill the reservoir, only enough for the few seconds to pour already-made coffee. (I don't make the coffee in the morning.) I want to be able to make a one-off cup when no one's around to do a whole pot.

By the way, I haven't used paper filters in decades. The first thing I do when I buy a new coffee maker--if it doesn't already include one--is buy a permanent filter. I highly recommend them! :)
 
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So I have an Aeropress that I use daily now. Haven't had to rely upon our conventional drip-coffee maker for years now. It's got a long history with a passionate fan-base, and there are any number of Aeropress videos on Youtube with all kinds of tips, demos, competitions, etc.
https://aeropress.com/
The filter is a little paper disk, the same material as what you'd use in a conventional drip-coffee maker. No pods so those little disk filters are the only disposable involved (well, with the used coffee grounds of course). I've actually just rinsed those filters and re-used the it several times without noticing any change in the resulting coffee. But there are stainless steel mesh filters available that are essentially 'permanent'. I have one and use it almost exclusively. With that metal mesh filter no paper filter is necessary so the only thing going to waste might be the grounds with lots of debate as to whether used coffee grounds are good for composting or garden slow-release fertilizer.

An Aeropress is usually around $30 so it's pretty cheap and even if you find it not to your liking it isn't a significant loss. But if you want to go really bare-bones, try this Primula Coffee Brew Buddy
https://primulaproducts.com/product/lifestyle/the-flash/coffee-brew-buddy/
It's well under $10, and consists of a thick plastic disk with a hole in its center and mesh melded to the plastic. The plastic disk is the base that sits on top of your coffee mug, and the mesh is the filter where you dump your fresh coffee grounds. You pour hot water through it and the coffee drips down into your mug. It's a very simplistic coffee maker that's basically all manual. Does the same thing as a conventional drip-coffee maker. I've used it several times and it takes some practice to get things just right (use a coarser grind,and maybe just a tiny bit more grounds). The resulting coffee is quite good though.
It's also an environmentally-friendly option, the plastic disk and mesh filter are a reusable, one piece item so nothing disposable but the coffee grounds. This is popular in some camping/hiking circles since it's small, compact, and doesn't need batteries or be plugged in.
http://www.exploreblog.net/explore-gear-primula-single-serve-coffee-brew-buddy/
https://trekbible.com/primula-single-serve-coffee-brew-buddy-review/
Thanks for the great info, @svim. :)

I've never heard of Aeropress, but I'm running into that a lot in my search. I found what looked like a PERFECT choice yesterday....then looked at its brand, Litifo, which I've never heard of, and thought, hmmmm... :thinking: ... I don't know.

I'm not averse to buying a brand I'm unfamiliar with; I just assumed going in that I'd find a Cuisinart (my normal brand) and be done with it. The price isn't an issue, but the filters are, so I'm glad to hear yours doesn't rely on cups/pods and can use a permanent filter.
 
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Way, way to much money.
Both for device and the way overpriced little coffee thingys.

Everybody I know that ever got one got real sick of spending so much per (ultra-small) cup of coffee at home.
At those prices, you might as well just go out for coffee.
I tend to agree with you. The convenience of the “pods” comes with lots of limitations and the guy who invented it is sorry he did. The amount of non-recyclable waste generated is tremendous.

Another concern is filtering. Coffee, as flora, has no cholesterol, but there is a chemical in it that actually causes the body to release cholesterol, thus increasing blood cholesterol and raising the potential for resultant health issues. Paper filters capture this chemical, so if cholesterol is at all an issue, you want to use a system that employs paper filters. (I loved French-press coffee, but then I had to filter it, and by then it it cooled enough that I had to reheat it…ugh. I did the pour-over method as well, but that took too long for me and like Clementine, I prefer to push a button and be done with it. Boiling water and then pouring, stirring, pouring, stirring, checking level, repeat ad nauseum…no thanks.

Anyway, Moody, I know you have had some health issues, which is why I mentioned the importance of filtration. And since you mentioned brand, our little 4-cup is a basic Mr. Coffee, so old the logos have worn off. ;)

One other tip: if you use any kind of a coffeemaker with a water reservoir, do NOT regularly leave water in the reservoir overnight. Over time it will build up filmy algae-like deposits and who knows what else (honest to God, we had a 12-cup one at work that there were lots of tiny somethings swimming in the water…since it was black it was hard to notice and who knows how long it was used that way, gross!). If you love the convenience of prepping the night before and using the timer so it’s ready when you get up, at least weekly clean it out thoroughly.

Good luck (and health!) however you go, Moody.
 
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Anyway, Moody, I know you have had some health issues, which is why I mentioned the importance of filtration. And since you mentioned brand, our little 4-cup is a basic Mr. Coffee, so old the logos have worn off. ;)
Mr Coffee!! Goodness, I remember when those were all the rage. :D
One other tip: if you use any kind of a coffeemaker with a water reservoir, do NOT regularly leave water in the reservoir overnight. Over time it will build up filmy algae-like deposits and who knows what else (honest to God, we had a 12-cup one at work that there were lots of tiny somethings swimming in the water…since it was black it was hard to notice and who knows how long it was used that way, gross!).
Oh no! I can only imagine.
If you love the convenience of prepping the night before and using the timer so it’s ready when you get up, at least weekly clean it out thoroughly.
Ever since the '70s, when I first heard about this--and continuing on through today--I've never left coffee makers plugged in when not in use, due to fire risk. I've seen too many stories on the news of houses burning down and the cause was traced to a plugged-in but not in-use coffee maker. So all fancy doo-dad features, like programmable timing/settings, on mine go unused. *shrug*

On a related note, I recently saw a news segment about an air fryer doing the same thing. Only this was caught on camera. A little girl could be seen walking toward the kitchen, where flames were starting to shoot out from the air fryer; she ran to get her dad out of the bathroom, he came, tossed it in the pool, and put out the flames left in the kitchen. It was plugged in, but NOT turned on. :eek:
 
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Update: After checking everything in this thread, I went back to Amazon to try again. I found this "Stamo" (never heard of) coffee maker that sounds perfect--so I ordered it!

From its description, it should be just what I was looking for. Since I'm not familiar with the brand at all, I threw in a 4-year protection plan for an extra 7 bucks.

Among other things, it specifies up to 14 ounce capacity--yay! And it includes a reusable filter. Also yay! It's much less expensive than I expected, but hopefully it'll turn out to be good. We'll see....
 
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How?! :thinking:

How would the water get hot?

To say nothing of the fact that I don't like instant coffee. :p

I just use hot water from the tap at home.
Our water heater is intense.

At work I use an electric tea kettle.

Maybe you don't like instant coffee becauae you have never had it made just right.

Typically for me, a 24 oz mug will take two heaping teaspoonfuls.
(Not a measuring spoon, just a smaller, long handled spoon.)

Alternating between Aldi's house brand (Beaumont) and Nescaffe Classico keeps the variety up.
 
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Way, way to much money.
Both for device and the way overpriced little coffee thingys.

Everybody I know that ever got one got real sick of spending so much per (ultra-small) cup of coffee at home.
At those prices, you might as well just go out for coffee.


Well that is subject, as for the device, we've had our for over 5 years and still works like a charm and cost us $99, as for coffee pods, they cost us .22 per pod from Costco, so for me the convenience and the low cost per cup of coffee, plus the taste to me is great, and to say we have our coffee is less then 45 seconds, I have no issues. As we say see to each his own. Just giving our input and convenience, not saying with is better then the other, that will be Moody's choice.
 
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Well that is subject, as for the device, we've had our for over 5 years and still works like a charm and cost us $99, as for coffee pods, they cost us .22 per pod from Costco, so for me the convenience and the low cost per cup of coffee, plus the taste to me is great, and to say we have our coffee is less then 45 seconds, I have no issues. As we say see to each his own. Just giving our input and convenience, not saying with is better then the other, that will be Moody's choice.

Amazing prices you have found for device and product.

But the large amount of waste remains.

Unless, of course, you have a permanent filter pod thingy?

I bought my mother one for hers and she never uses it because she doesn't want to wash the filter pod thingy.
 
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Amazing prices you have found for device and product.

But the large amount of waste remains.

Unless, of course, you have a permanent filter pod thingy?

I bought my mother one for hers and she never uses it because she doesn't want to wash the filter pod thingy.


Costco pods are cheap and affordable, and if looking for a waste less foot print, Costco also sell the recyclable San Fransisco Bay Pod which are even cheaper. Anyways was just giving my input, not looking for a debate, as we will not all agree.;)
 
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My doorbell rang an hour ago; I looked at it to see who on earth would be ringing the doorbell so early...it was my coffee maker being delivered. :)

I haven't even taken it out of its package yet. Ooooooh....maybe I should make a fun [not], interesting [not], engrossing [not] unboxing video! :D
 
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My doorbell rang an hour ago; I looked at it to see who on earth would be ringing the doorbell so early...it was my coffee maker being delivered. :)

I haven't even taken it out of its package yet. Ooooooh....maybe I should make a fun [not], interesting [not], engrossing [not] unboxing video! :D

And if you like, you can buy your Pods cheaper, shop around. Enjoy your wake up. :oops::oops:
 
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When I used my Keurig I bought pods from Amazon, a box of 50 assorted flavors for about the price of a box of Keurig brand coffees. Also had several of the parts that allowed bypassing the Keurig pod only function for it.

I also had a washable screen and used gourmet as well as Folgers/Maxhouse coffees.

Lots of options with that one.

The 4 cup drip maker I use now only gets gourmet flavors, I am kinda picky.

FYI I would not drink instant coffee if it were the last coffee on the planet, Dr. Pepper would provide the caffeine at that point !



smilewinkgrin
 
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