If you have a number of people using the same machine, I say you have to go with the people who like it the strongest. Onced brewed, you cant make it stronger, but those who dont like it so strong can dilute it with hot water.

For years I never had to make coffee in the office...someone else already started a pot!

Many years ago (before prepackaged servings) I had to come in to work very early, so being the first in the office, decided to try my hand at making coffee.

Never saw anyone else do it, so I simply inserted the filter, grabbed the can of Folgers, and filled the filter up to the brim and pressed the "brew" button.

Man!

The whole department wondered who made the rocket fuel that morning!

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Brew coffee? With a Starbucks and Tullies located every half mile, and at least half a dozen indy cafes in between each set, plus the world wide headquarters of 3 of the worlds most well known coffee giants within eyesight, why would anyone around here bother to brew coffee?

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

I have a stove top expresso pot I got in Italy.....the only coffee I drink is technically expresso.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Buy CDM coffee or in a pinch, Community New Orleans Style.

Shut-off alarm.

Start 7 cups of water bioling.

Get newspaper.

Pet dog.

Pull your drip coffee pot out of the sink where you left it, intending to wash it last night like you told your wife you were not going to forget to do.

Dump the grounds from yesterday into the compost trash bucket and rinse the crude out of the sieve and bottom portion.

Put 3 heaping tblsp of coffee into the pot.

begin reading front page of newspaper.

Pour boiling water into the top when the kettle shrieks at you.

Wait for it to drip--5-6 minutes.

Pour two mugs 3/4 full of coffee.

Top-off with Half and Half.

Add a ice cube to the missus' cup.

Drink your cup while completing the front page.

She comes staggering out having been awakened by the shrieking kettle, and takes a long sip of the coffee. Give her the front page, go for the comics and Ann Landers. Here come the kids.

Domestic bliss.

Thanks for all the replies. I believe brewing strong and diluting if necesary is the way to go.

Yes I would avoid any springs in the general area of a feedlot.......

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Man this is sounding like an oil debate.....for the record Westcoast dark roasted coffee, one mellita scoop per 8 oz of water....a little raw sugar and a splash of 18% cream... Does a body good at 5am

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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

No feedlots by this spring. But what I am wondering though is if I would take my cold, clear, spring water and combine it with that stove top expresso machine of yours????? Are these stove top expressos readily available and how much? J.R.B.

__________________
1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

THey are readily availible......many Italian delis have them......and I would think places like Williams Sonoma might too....they are simple devices....and I know you can buy them from about $7 on up depending on how many demitass cups they make in Italy. I'll try to get a few links today and post them as I assume many people have never seen them to know what they are.


OK..they are a lot more expensive here but here is one link....

http://www.espressozone.com/espresso-makers.html

and another...

http://www.cybercucina.com/ccdocs/aisles/Coffee-Accessories.htm?source=overture&ccag=AdGroupCoffeeAccessories

and remember a "cup" when you are talking Expresso is really about a shot glass full as its very strong compared to your average american coffee, that in italy is called "Cafe lungo" or a long coffee.

And these are what most Italians have in their kitchen...not the Fancy expensive machines.....

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Thanks Dr. I'll give the links a look-see.

__________________
1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

They are all basicly the same design in function. The expensive ones aren't really any beter than the cheaper ones, just better looking. the rubber seals need annual replacement so make sure parts are easy to find in the off brands.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Have you compaired the aluminum with the stainless units? I was tempted to purchase an inexpensive aluminum stove top unit but was concerned that the aluminum would affect the taste.

__________________
Ray
1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles

I have both....the stainless looks better......and will last longer. But realisticly even the aluminum one will last a long time. If you have any fears just get a stainless steel one. I avoid aluminum pots for cooking. But the expresso really spends little time in the pot.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

the latest rage in europe (and now the us?) - http://www.nespresso.com . you can get the units on ebay - each capsule costs about $.50.

__________________
joE
1993 300e-2.8 - gone now <sigh>
"Do not adjust your mind, it's reality that's malfunctioning"
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