The Cooks' Den » Coffee, Tea & Espresso http://www.thecooksden.com Cooking Tools - Gear for Cooks and Chefs Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:49:11 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower for 30 Review | Best Single Cup Coffee Holder Organizer 5071 http://www.thecooksden.com/keurig-k-cup-carousel-tower-for-30-review-best-single-cup-coffee-holder-organizer-5071/ http://www.thecooksden.com/keurig-k-cup-carousel-tower-for-30-review-best-single-cup-coffee-holder-organizer-5071/#comments Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:57:21 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12802 Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower for 30Keurig coffee makers are best known for those little K-Cups, single-sized beverage servings in a wide variety of flavors. Due to the popularity of these appliances, you don't have to shop Keurig exclusively to find coffee flavors you like. Companies like Celestial Seasonings, Green Mountain Coffee, and even Wolfgang Puck have their own flavors to contribute. That's just a select few off the top of my head; there are literally hundreds to choose from.

Keeping all those flavors handy and accessible can be frustrating. If they're stored in the pantry, it's hard to see and remember all the options for drinks that you could make each morning. That's why one of the best-selling coffee companion products out there is this Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower.

There are a few options for K-Cup holders on the market. Competitors to the Keurig Carousel Tower are usually made from cheap, wobbly wire and have a larger surface area. That's why this one takes the cake. It's built from sturdy materials and stands tall on a Lazy Susan rotating base that moves smoothly. The tower holds 30 K-Cups, just enough to show off a wide variety and leave spaces for flavors you're out of -- a helpful shopping list reminder. Sorry, the coffee's not included with the tower, though. But that's great, actually, because now you get to pick out your own custom flavors.

Space-saving and easy to use, the Keurig K-Cup Carousel Tower is ideal for most settings, whether for home, office, or industry. It's inexpensive enough to have in a home kitchen and professional-looking enough to set out by the hotel's breakfast buffet.

Also see the Keurig coffee makers that inspired the trend.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/keurig-k-cup-carousel-tower-for-30-review-best-single-cup-coffee-holder-organizer-5071/feed/ 0 Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder | Conical Electric w/ 14 Adjustable Settings in 5 Colors http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-bistro-burr-coffee-grinder-conical-electric-w-14-adjustable-settings-in-5-colors/ http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-bistro-burr-coffee-grinder-conical-electric-w-14-adjustable-settings-in-5-colors/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 19:45:34 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12776 Bodum Bistro Burr Coffee Grinder If you're a coffee lover, especially one who loves to make your early-morning concoctions fresh from scratch, you probably already have a burr grinder, or at least know about them. They're much, much more efficient at grinding than their blade-grinder competitors. Most of the value-priced electric coffee grinders you'll see on the market are blade grinders -- with small edges housed in cheap ABS plastic. Use them frequently, and they'll show you just how cheap they are.

Burr grinders do tend to be more expensive, but they last longer and produce a better quality of ground coffee. These grinders use stainless steel parts to crush the beans into a finer consistency. A conical burr grinder -- like this Bodum Bistro Burr Grinder -- is your best bet, since gravity's working in your favor. The motor is quieter, and there's less cleanup involved.

One of the most raved-about qualities of the Bodum Bistro is its "continual" adjustability. It has 14 different grind settings ranging from coarse to extremely fine. Another handy feature is the optional timer. You can set a 20-second timer and come back to fresh ground coffee -- no more holding a coffee grinder down on the counter or in your lap to keep the lid on the thing while it's attempting to get away from you. Yup. Been there.

The container for catching the grounds is made from borosilcate glass specially designed with static reduction technology in mind. This lessens the amount of flyaway coffee grounds, leaving both grinder and kitchen that much easier to clean. Comparatively speaking, most containers from other burr grinders are made from plastic, a material prone to static electricity. After a while, static just gets on your nerves when trying to clean out the coffee container. As an added plus, the Bodum Bistro's container comes with a silicone band fitted over the top to make it slip-proof, too. Nice.

The only caution I can see is for coffee lovers who want to use this grinder for minutes on end. The user's manual warns against setting the timer more than once at a time. If used repeatedly, the grinder mechanisms will overheat. This is something to keep in mind if you plan on doing a lot of bulk grinding; just plan ahead to let the machine cool down before setting the timer again.

It's a quality grinder, and its retail price reflects that. As long as you're not planning to use it several times in a row, the Bodum Bistro should live up to its accolades and last for quite a long time. It's available in black, white, red, orange, and lime green.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-bistro-burr-coffee-grinder-conical-electric-w-14-adjustable-settings-in-5-colors/feed/ 0 Toastess Delfino Electric Kettle Review | Cordless Water Boiler & Heater, Stainless Steel DLJK459 http://www.thecooksden.com/toastess-delfino-electric-kettle-review-cordless-water-boiler-heater-stainless-steel-dljk459/ http://www.thecooksden.com/toastess-delfino-electric-kettle-review-cordless-water-boiler-heater-stainless-steel-dljk459/#comments Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:14:00 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12745 Toastess Delfino Electric Kettle Review There are a lot of advantages to choosing an electric water boiler over a traditional stovetop kettle. With today's technology, you can find a product that's "faster than a microwave and safer than a stovetop" -- as is the claim of the popular Toastess Delfino Electric Kettle. After seeing all that this stainless steel pot is capable of, I'd have to agree with that claim. And then some.

The Toastess Delfino is able to get water boiling in well under half the time it takes to boil water on a stovetop (on average, 1 liter boils in 2-1/2 minutes). Yep, that's faster than the typical microwave speed, too. This pot can hold up to 7.6 cups of water. To see how much is inside the stainless steel kettle, a clear plastic window panel is located beneath the handle. Sure, it's in a tricky position and can be hard to see at first, but when the kettle is turned on, the panel lights up so it's easier to get a good look inside.

There are a lot of safety features packed into this kettle, more so than I expected. It has three separate automatic safety shut-off sensors. The first activates when the water inside has reached a boiling temperature, the second kicks in if there isn't any water left inside, and the third will turn off the heat once the pot is removed from the base.

It might seem like such a simple part of the product, but a lot of thought went into the base's design as well. The kettle is fully removable from the base and stays hot wherever it needs to go. When the water needs reheating, the pot fits back on the base in a full 360-degree rotation, so no hassles trying to get it placed at the right angle. The cord also wraps around neatly for when the kettle goes in storage -- if that ever were to happen, of course.

A quick water boiling system lets cooks think outside the box. This kettle doesn't have to be solely for drinks. Boil water for pasta in under half the time or sanitize glassware (feasible due to the kettle's wide-mouth lid).

OK, so at this point, I'm thinking this Toastess Delfino is too good to be true. And as expected, nothing's perfect. The one major drawback I can see is in the kettle's construction. A stainless steel pot would attract a lot of health-conscious, eco-friendly consumers. But the plastic window panel nullifies any hopes that the pot will produce 100% BPA-free hot water.

Wish the pot didn't have that plastic window. But that's just my own preference. In every other way, the Toastess Delfino shines. To clean, wash by hand with a soft sponge. Another tip: using filtered water inside (for both drinking and cleaning) will extend life between washings.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/toastess-delfino-electric-kettle-review-cordless-water-boiler-heater-stainless-steel-dljk459/feed/ 0 Nissan Stainless Steel Thermos | Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug Cup Large 34 oz. http://www.thecooksden.com/nissan-stainless-steel-thermos-vacuum-insulated-travel-mug-cup-large-34-oz/ http://www.thecooksden.com/nissan-stainless-steel-thermos-vacuum-insulated-travel-mug-cup-large-34-oz/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:45:34 +0000 Sharon http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=12736 Nissan Stainless Steel Thermos A couple weeks ago, I bought a stainless steel water bottle for a friend. She was always complaining of the "plasticky" taste after her drinks were left inside for hours -- not to mention they'd be piping hot after sitting in the car.

I had some cash to spare and I bought her an early Christmas present. Though, if I'd taken the time to look around, and not just spent that cash for the first thing I saw, I could have gotten something bigger and better -- like this Nissan Stainless Steel Thermos.

What I like about this sleek beverage holder is that it's made from stainless steel and is not just insulated but vacuum-sealed as well. Cold drinks actually stay cold. Hot coffee doesn't go lukewarm by the time you've arrived at the office.

The thermos holds 34 ounces worth of liquid -- that's enough to feed a family of 4. The lid twists off easily and screws back on to lock in that vacuum seal. It's touted as a "briefcase bottle," so it's tall enough to fit in most executive carry cases without getting knocked over.

One drawback I see is that it's not dishwasher safe. This thermos must be washed by hand, but that's pretty easy to do. Just fill it with hot, soapy water and shake it around like you're mixing a June Bug or Cosmopolitan Citron.

Lately, I've been seeing some great deals online for these Nissan thermoses, so if you're in the market, definitely keep these in mind.

Need something to hold your coffee that stays at home instead? Try the stainless steel Bodum Columbia Thermal French Press Pot.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/nissan-stainless-steel-thermos-vacuum-insulated-travel-mug-cup-large-34-oz/feed/ 0 Zojirushi Fresh Brew Black & Stainless Coffee Maker | Thermal Carafe EC-BD15 http://www.thecooksden.com/zojirushi-fresh-brew-black-stainless-coffee-maker-thermal-carafe-ec-bd15/ http://www.thecooksden.com/zojirushi-fresh-brew-black-stainless-coffee-maker-thermal-carafe-ec-bd15/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 22:05:38 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=9023 Zojirushi Fresh Brew Black & StainlessFrequently referred to as one of the best coffee makers on the market by people who have enjoyed owning one, this tall drink of water (err, coffee? hot water??) comes from the Zojirushi company, makers of exceptional hot water pots and rice cookers. That fact alone is enough to pique my interest.

The market is positively saturated with coffee makers and very little truly sets any one apart from a competitor, yet those small details can mean the difference between a cup of coffee you can live with and one you can't, one you love and one you merely tolerate because you don't feel like boxing the machine up and filling out the paperwork to return it.

This pot works better in part by utilizing superior insulation to keep the hot water at an optimal temperature for improved results. The carafe keeps the coffee hot, has an excellent spout for pouring without spills, and eliminates the burned flavor that can come with hot plate models. It doesn't have the touchy positioning problems which plague some carafe/maker pairings.

People have found that #4 filters can be adapted to work well with the machine if locating #3 filters becomes a hassle. One aspect worth noting: you may need a special brush to clean the interior of the carafe unless you're comfortable with a rinse-only method for cleaning.

Compare this with the KitchenAid Single Carafe coffeemaker.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/zojirushi-fresh-brew-black-stainless-coffee-maker-thermal-carafe-ec-bd15/feed/ 0 Bodum Santos Stovetop Glass Vacuum Coffee Maker, 34 Ounce http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-santos-stovetop-glass-vacuum-coffee-maker-34-ounce/ http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-santos-stovetop-glass-vacuum-coffee-maker-34-ounce/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:04:49 +0000 Alice http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8946 Bodum Santos Stovetop Glass VacuumChemistry class was always a favorite of min -- the tubes, beakers and flasks, the interesting experiments. I guess that's why I'm drawn to this unusual coffee making system by Bodum. Each time a pot is made, it's like a little laboratory in my kitchen. It is as much fun to watch as it is to prepare. Suddenly, shlepping to the kitchen to make a cup is no longer a chore.

When you heat the water, it boils into the upper chamber and joins the grounds. After the brewing is complete, the coffee flows through the filter and back into the lower chamber for serving. It creates several delicious cups per pot with no sediment. The Santos is more than just a curvy beauty; people who use it believe it better preserves the oils of the beans and say it produces a superior cup of coffee. The temperature of the finished cup is hot, maintained even with a generous addition of cream.

Forget those unsightly, stained, mediocre plastic beasts. If you are one of those people who appreciates items like a good burr grinder, who wouldn't think of parting with your French press, this might be the next great leap forward in your coffee enjoyment.

Also see this stovetop coffee & espresso maker by Alessi.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/bodum-santos-stovetop-glass-vacuum-coffee-maker-34-ounce/feed/ 1 Gaggia Titanium Automatic Coffee & Espresso Machine | Stainless Steel Appliances 90500 http://www.thecooksden.com/gaggia-titanium-automatic-coffee-espresso-machine-stainless-steel-appliances-90500/ http://www.thecooksden.com/gaggia-titanium-automatic-coffee-espresso-machine-stainless-steel-appliances-90500/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:33:43 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8816 Gaggia Titanium Automatic Coffee &The Gaggia Titanium Super Automatic Espresso Machine features a double boiler system to separate water supplies for brewing and steaming and fully programmable settings. Perfect espresso is the consistent result, with options for several brew times and varieties of product.

This beautiful machine is not difficult to comprehend. Internal sensors warn of cleaning tasks that need doing, and making coffee is mostly a matter of adding beans and water. Some oily beans may eventually clog the burr grinder, but it can be cleaned at home. For faster work, the grinder can be bypassed with ground coffee added directly to the hopper.

Fittings and cabinet are all high quality stainless steel, with brewing tanks that are stainless steel lined. The machine is durable and should be trouble-free for years. One potential drawback is that Gaggia machines have little service and support in the U.S. beyond return and replacement from local dealers. If there is a problem, even a small one like an internal pressure switch that needs resetting or a steam fitting that leaks, you may be on your own for repairs.

The usual warranty for the Gaggia Titanium is a generous two years, with exclusions for expendable parts. Without more local support, the actual warranty is what your dealer provides, so check with the seller before purchase.

Here's another coffee maker with built-in burr grinder to consider from Capresso.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/gaggia-titanium-automatic-coffee-espresso-machine-stainless-steel-appliances-90500/feed/ 0 Krups Coffee Maker & Combination Espresso Machine | Black 10 Cup XP1500 http://www.thecooksden.com/krups-coffee-maker-combination-espresso-machine-black-10-cup-xp1500/ http://www.thecooksden.com/krups-coffee-maker-combination-espresso-machine-black-10-cup-xp1500/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 23:44:28 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8785 Krups Coffee Maker & CombinationThe Krups XP1500 Coffee and Espresso Machine is a moderately priced combination coffeemaker that wants to please everyone but unfortunately ends up falling short in its coffeemaking abilities and convenience.

With the aim to produce an appliance that satisfies the coffee as well as the espresso drinker, Krups has come out with this model that features a ten-cup drip coffeemaker and a steam driven espresso machine. The coffee side uses a swing-out basket filter and glass carafe. Pretty standard stuff. The carafe sits on a nonstick warming plate, and the unit includes a brew pause feature for sampling a cup while brewing. The espresso machine advertises water pressure of 4-bar (I think just to get the word "bar" in there because it is not a very impressive feature). Virtually all the steam driven machines deliver this pressure, compared to the more costly pump driven machines that produce an impressive 15-bar for a superior espresso product. The controls could not be simpler: On/Off and a steam control valve for the milk frother. Sorry, no fancy programmable clock for this coffeemaker. While I appreciate the stripped down style of this model, the included features really don't make it worth the price when there are so many competing combo machines on the store shelves.

Users have been very vocal with opinions, and there are precious few buyers of this coffeemaker that are satisfied with the performance. Weak coffee and espresso, leaking from filter basket, and poorly constructed components are the most common complaints from the coffee community. It seems Krups is in danger of brand dilution if they continue to manufacture these budget appliances that disappoint the consumer.

Here's a similar Krups coffee & espresso maker.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/krups-coffee-maker-combination-espresso-machine-black-10-cup-xp1500/feed/ 0 Cuisinart Stainless Steel Espresso Machine & Coffee Maker | 15 Bar EM-100 http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-stainless-steel-espresso-machine-coffee-maker-15-bar-em-100/ http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-stainless-steel-espresso-machine-coffee-maker-15-bar-em-100/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:34:58 +0000 Dan http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8779 Cuisinart Stainless Steel EspressoThis sturdy and compact espresso maker from Cuisinart has all the features that make for a great coffee making appliance for your kitchen. The question is, does it provide enough features and convenience to compete with others in the price range?

The EM-100 Espresso maker is a pump-driven machine capable of coffee brewing pressure of 15-bar, which is sufficient to properly extract all the espresso goodness as well as the rich crema that is craved by aficionados of the stuff. There are a number of useful features including a 52 oz. removable water reservoir, milk frother, and a top that serves as a warming tray for storing and preheating your espresso cups. Adding to the versatility is the ability to brew with ground coffee or coffee pods. The filters included allow you to make one or two cups at a time, and the large size of the water reservoir means less time spent filling and more time brewing coffee.

This seems to be a decent espresso brewing machine. The controls are clearly labeled, and the output fairly consistent. Like most of the pump-driven espresso makers, you need to follow the instructions well in order to master it. Cuisinart has included not only an instruction book but also a DVD to walk you through the process. That is a nice touch to keep calls to customer service down with "how does it work" questions.

Compare this with the Breville Cafe Roma espresso machine.

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]]> http://www.thecooksden.com/cuisinart-stainless-steel-espresso-machine-coffee-maker-15-bar-em-100/feed/ 1 Saeco 8 Cup Coffee Maker | Renaissance TDCM-CC | Stainless Steel Carbon Fiber Carafe http://www.thecooksden.com/saeco-8-cup-coffee-maker-renaissance-tdcm-cc-stainless-steel-carbon-fiber-carafe/ http://www.thecooksden.com/saeco-8-cup-coffee-maker-renaissance-tdcm-cc-stainless-steel-carbon-fiber-carafe/#comments Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:19:39 +0000 JT Hats http://www.thecooksden.com/?p=8865 Saeco 8 Cup Coffee Maker This programmable eight-cup Renaissance Drip Coffeemaker from Saeco uses a thermal stainless steel and carbon fiber carafe to keep coffee hot rather than a warming plate. Although that is energy efficient, and the unit shuts off after brewing, it can affect both temperature and flavor of your morning brew.

When containers impart unwanted taste to coffee, that can be minimized by rinsing the inside of the pot rather than thoroughly scrubbing with a detergent solution. The thin layer of coffee oil that remains on the interior walls limits any plastic or metallic taste that storage in most thermos bottles will contribute.

Since the carafe isn't preheated for an automatic brew cycle, part of the coffee's heat goes into warming the pot itself, lowering the temperature of your drink. If you're up in time to start the cycle yourself, you can get around that by warming the pot with boiling water first.

The Saeco Renaissance uses a brew basket rather than a paper filter, and if you grind your own coffee, you'll need to run a few test batches in order to find the proper grind for this machine. If the grind is too fine, the filter basket can clog, causing the basket to overflow onto the counter rather than dripping into the pot. The Saeco is easy to program and makes excellent coffee, with only a few quirks to consider.

Also see the Cuisinart Cup-O-Matic.

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