How long does an automatic coffee maker last you?

[Dennis S]

I too would give a hearty endorsement of French Press. It will never wear out, and I think it makes the best coffee by far. I have a couple of very fancy coffee makers, but we always find ourselves coming back to the little French Press.

 

[Mary]

I can't recall the number of coffee makers we've owned over the years, but we've gone through a bunch--both expensive and inexpensive brands.
I think the hard water in our area is responsible for their demise. We started using distilled water after the last one bit the dust, and six months later, the new one is still working. We'll see how long it lasts.

 

[Freddie]

According to Consumer reports; their ratings on coffeemakers in 2004 the Bunn was listed at #20 for $90 and lacked convenience.

Assuming you want a 8 to 12 cup drip and just the basics;
#3 Black & Decker $35
#11 Black & Decker $25
#12 Hamilton Beach $40
#15 Proctor Silex $20

Best value with extra features;
#5 Hamilton Beach $60

Keep in mind these 2004 prices and the Braun was rated #1 for basic and #4 with extra features.

 

[Freddie]

Try this Ross. Looks like Braun is still around,
http://www.consumersearch.com/coffee-maker-reviews
http://www.ctv.consumerreports.org/coffeemakers.html - done on Dec 5 2008

Hope this helps.

 

[Cooker]

We buy the cheapo Proctor- Silex drip style ($10) ...we use it for coffee every morning and tea 3-4 times a week ....last one lasted over 10 years

 

[csutherland]

I like this thread because coffee is near & dear to my heart! We received a Bunn for Christmas, 1990. We still use it at least once a day, usually twice. For the first several years Bunn would supply a fix for the tank if it started leaking (which it did twice). The last time this happened we contacted them and they no longer did that so my resourceful husband did his own fix with some sort of glue or something. The Bunn has a tank that keeps water hot 24/7 so a pot takes a very short time to run through. I wouldn't have any other kind but, like everything else, the new ones may not be as good.

One of my daughters had a Bunn for many years but decided to go fancier with some sort of contraption. That didn't work out and she had numerous others and finally bought another Bunn. Smart girl. Her twin sister decided she wanted a Hamilton Beach Brew Station when she remodeled her house. It lasted less than 3 yrs. Another daughter has had a Black & Decker under counter since 1998 & uses it every day.

My original drip-style was a Mr Coffee. It was used for many years and is still in the attic waiting for someone in the family to have a coffeepot emergency.

 

[hall]

We have a Couisinart. We have had it going on 3 years. I hate to say to much because it will go out. So far ............so good.

Ross, my stepfather has a Bunn and swears by it. He will not buy anything else. Good luck in your search.

 

[Ross]

We have a Cuisinart. We have had it going on 3 years. I hat to say to much because it will go out. So far ............so good.

Ross, my stepfather has a Bunn and swears by it. He will not buy anything else. Good luck in your search.

Well I went and got another Mr. Coffee, but people keep telling me to go with Bunn or Braun. I can't really afford the Bunn, but for all the cheaper ones I've replaced, maybe it does make sense to spend a big chunk once and for all.

Thought I was going to be smart and fix my old one. Heck, they want $16 for the thermistor. The whole dang thing is only $19

 

[Lorraine]

My favorite drip coffee maker was always the old style of Mr. Coffee. They had the separate basket you could take out, the caraf was pourer friendly and it worked great as long as you cleaned it every so often with vinegar and water. It was also small and didn't take up much space. The ones I had, would last me at least six years. For a cheap coffee maker that was pretty good. The newer ones are not as good unless you get an expensive one. I don't drink that much coffee anymore to justify buying more expensive model like a Braun or Bunn. The one I use now is a Black and Decker Smart Brew. It cost a little more, but I can still take out the basket and the carafe pours very nice. Just wanted to add my two cents.

 

[weekycat]

I'm on my 3rd BUNN!

I'm on my 3rd BUNN!

But I got the first one back in the 80's. They make a great pot of coffee in less than 3 minutes. I wouldn't want anything else. I'm not sure why they would be considered "inconvenient". Unless you didn't use it every day. I do use mine every day, but if you don't, the water that stays in the resevoir in the back of the machine, evaporates. My friend has one of those Keurig things that make one cup at a time, but I don't EVER have just one cup, so I don't think I'd want one. And of course you have to buy special coffee packets for those too.

 

[Ross]

Here's what I got this time.

 

[Freddie]

That looks very pretty Ross.
But does it make a god cup of coffee?

 

[netmiff]

looks remarkably like the Black and Decker ones that we had (4 over 18 months, I think) - and they are NOT made by Black and Decker ...... ggrrr

 

[Ross]

Wouldn't you know, my sister-in-law just called and said she picked up an extra one because hers died. Oh well, I'm not waiting a week to get it.

 

[PairoDocs]

I know most of you aren't percolator fans, but I've tried all of the drip coffee makers (Bunn through work) and still like the coffee from a percolator the best. The first Farberware percolator was given to me by my parents and lasted about ten years, but we had problems with the cord, and so bought another one. Chris cleaned it recently with a variety of chemicals when it started to make weaker coffee, and it seems to be working better; we've only had this one for 2 years. These percolators are super-fast and energy-efficient, and keep the coffee nice and hot. It's true that the first one was made in Spain, and the second one in Spain and China. I also use my French coffee press for the dark-roast coffee, and it's almost as quick. I have an espresso maker, and used to use it almost daily, but now I just don't have the time to fuss with it, since I would still have to make Chris his regular cup of coffee. And, yes, I have done coffee in a percolator on the stove (my mom did it for years before we could afford an automatic percolator), grill, and campfire, and I love outdoor-brewed coffee the best, even "cowboy coffee" said to grow hair in odd places. Despite what they say about Seattle; if you want a great cup of coffee, go to places where it gets really cold and ask the locals-the best coffee I've had was in Alaska, Minnesota, and Idaho. In Alaska, the three things that people insist on are always great coffee served very hot, great bread (also served hot), and burn-the-roof-of-your-mouth soup.

Now Blustery and "Drifty" in Idaho,
-Laura

 

[Lynlw]

Well, I'm fixing to find that out Ross! I just went & bought us one of those 1 cup Turig Coffee Brewers w/the different flavors of coffee. I have been using an old fashion, glass coffee makers for years. But since I'm the only one that drinks coffee first thing in the morning a lot of it goes to waste so I got the 1-cup machine.

Is that like the Kuerig one with the K cups? I just bought my DH one for Xmas.
Ross ours only last 2-3 years but for some reason we seem to be tough on things go thru grills and lawn mowers fast too

 

[Ross]

Is that like the Kuerig one with the K cups? I just bought my DH one for Xmas.
Ross ours only last 2-3 years but for some reason we seem to be tough on things go thru grills and lawn mowers fast too

So do Lyn and I. Your not alone. I've practical rebuilt our entire lawn tractor over the last 7 years. The only thing I haven't done is rebuild the engine. Were on our 5th push mower, only this time, I got a self propelled cheapie. Grill #3. Coffee pot #7 or 8, I've lost track on that.