Recommended coffee maker for infrequent use?
I just broke the carafe to my automatic drip coffee maker, and I'm debating whether to replace the carafe for $20 or buy something else. (The maker itself still works fine but isn't anything fancy.) Do any of you have experience with the pour-over filters, like the Chemex? I'll soon have a house full of guests for over a week, so I need something that will make 6+ cups at a time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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Especially if you're making it infrequently, no need to invest in an sort of electronic gadget, since the time savings are minimal.
Very coarsely grind 1/2 pound coffee beans. Pour 1 cup cold water into the bottom of your French press. Add half the ground coffee (do not stir!). Add 2 more cups of cold water. Add the rest of your ground coffee. Add 2 more cups cold water (fill about 1" from the top). Do not stir! If some of the grounds aren't wet on the top, take the back of a spoon and gently pat them down so they're saturated. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid or a plate and refrigerate for 12-24 hours. Press with your French press filter.
This makes a strong, very caffeinated (caffeine is water-soluble) cold coffee concentrate that can be diluted with cold water, ice, cream, etc. The beauty of this is the coffee isn't bitter at all because of the long cold extraction method. The toddy will keep in the fridge for about 3 days.
Another option, more expensive and with the same potential for over-extraction as the french press (but really cool!), is the eva solo:
http://www.amazon.com/Eva-Solo-Cafe-Coffeemaker/dp/B00009OWEV
I love these because of their beautiful design and excellent extraction. Just pour out all the coffee once it's finished extracting and you'll adore it. Yes, I'm a coffee nerd.
http://www.hamiltonbeach.com/products/brewstation-coffeemakers-brewstation-10-cup-dispensing-coffeemaker-47380.html