I chose a basic drip machine over a fancy pour-over setup and don't regret it

Everyone at my local shop in Portland kept telling me I needed a Chemex and a gooseneck kettle to make 'real' coffee. I tried it for a week, but the whole ritual took 15 minutes every morning. I went back to my old $40 Braun drip machine because I just want a good, hot cup ready when I'm half asleep. Has anyone else ditched the trendy method for something simpler and been happier?

3 comments

3 Comments

mia_lee3mo ago

You're just making bad coffee faster. The ritual is part of the quality.

ivan821mo ago

So @mia_lee, if the ritual is so important, where do YOU draw the line? Is it just the grinding or does the tamping, the timing, the pour-over dance all count? Seems like EVERY step adds to the whole experience, but some people act like it's just a waste of time. I've messed around with a cheap espresso machine and a hand grinder, and I swear the slow morning routine makes the coffee hit different. It's not just caffeine at that point, it's something to focus on before the day gets crazy.

ninab953mo ago

Totally agree about the ritual being part of it. I got a super automatic machine as a gift and the coffee tasted flat, like it was missing the point. Now I'm back to grinding the beans by hand in the morning. That little bit of work makes the whole cup taste better, lol.