If you were willing to do that, your best bet would be to find a pod coffee maker somewhere around campus. Then just use your own coffee pod. WinCo sells them for 40 cents each and you can get them even cheaper on Amazon. You can also buy refillable versions of them.
Or even better, rather than sneaking into prohibited areas, just get one of these or similar. You can put hot coffee into this thing in the morning, and sealed, it will remain too hot to drink until tomorrow morning.
If a $30 thermos is beyond your budget, head on over to any of the ten thousand thrift stores within a mile of campus, or go to the OSUsed store when it's open. They always have vacuum thermoses for sale. You can probably get one for under $5.
Realize, when you're purchasing coffee on campus, or anywhere else, you're not paying for the coffee. You're paying for the convenience. You're paying for the ability to not have to brew it yourself, clean the machine out, have tools and equipment available, etc. And you're paying for someone to stand around all day, just waiting for people to come in looking for coffee. Even if no one comes in for an entire hour, everyone at that shop is getting paid. Plus the cost of the space itself. The vendors on campus all have to pay rent to OSU, just like any other landlord.
In short, $2 really isn't that outrageous for instant, convenient coffee that you don't have to lift a finger for. People often also pay $2 for a bottle of water, when they could get the same water for less than a penny per gallon out of their home tap. You're not paying for the water; you're paying for the convenience.
Get a zojirushi vacuum seal mug. Costs around $20 and the tea will stay almost as hot as when you brewed it. I have burned myself drinking tea out of one hours after I made the tea.
This is my Black and Decker Cup At A Time coffee maker that I bought in January 1994. Model is DCM6.
This coffee maker saw daily use from 1994-2005, 3-4x weekly since 2005. It still brews a great cup of coffee every time and has held up very well for almost 25 years old.
The B&D one cup model is now called Brew 'n Go, and it is model number DCM18. By all appearances and by progression of the model number series, it is the exact same maker... albeit it is only made in black now, and it comes with either a beige/black or stainless/black travel mug. Amazon link
My french press travel mug. Like many, I have to have my morning coffee. There were many days we were either staying somewhere where hot coffee wasn't an option, or the coffee shops weren't open yet. Every place we stayed had an electric kettle and I bought a bag of coffee from Bónus on Day 1. Now I bring it on every adventure!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008TYX1DW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_YJBRH3ACXY81QK3PCKD2
There is a few magical “stores” one is called Walmart, the other is Amazon... Self Stirring Coffee Mug Cup - Funny Electric Stainless Steel Automatic Self Mixing & Spinning Home Office Travel Mixer Cup Best Cute Christmas Birthday Gift Idea for Men Women Kids 8 oz by Chuzy Chef https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J44MGOA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_3EPJCb7T1TB7Z
I got a red one for tea, a black one for coffee, and a blue one for water. All 600 ml. I just cleaned them earlier and am excited to start using them. I’ve heard so many great things about the Zojirushi thermos on this subreddit as well as other subreddits.
Amazon link for anyone interested. It’s also on Amazon UK, but for some reason, it’s way more expensive there and also doesn’t have as many colour options, so I’d go with Amazon US (which is what I did, despite living closer to the UK).
>* Not spilling my coffee
Treat yourself and buy a zojirushi travel mug on Amazon. Best insulated drink device I've ever used, best sippy lid, and best no-leak lid.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HYOGUM2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_AZMyAbYPMS09P
My dad loves coffee too so a couple of years ago I got him a self stirring mug. He loved it so much he bought 6 more for friends and started giving them away.
I've been a fan of the Contigo mugs. I've had a one for a solid 10 years now, and it's still going strong. I have this one that I like for on the road because it has an easy-open squeeze top but it's a little harder to clean: https://www.amazon.com/Contigo-AUTOSEAL-Vaccuum-Insulated-Stainless-Travel/dp/B00JE352NO/ref=sr_1_4
I also have one with a flip top lid that's a lot easier to clean, but it's not as convenient for car use.
I got mine at Costco if I remember correctly, they came in a two pack for about $30...
We had an Amazon registry, so some of the non-kitchen things we put on there were:
The fanciest travel mugs
A really nice showerhead
Coffee of the month (from another website)
Gift cards to our favorite restaurants (from their websites)
Bubba makes a great ceramic-lined thermal mug. They call it TasteGuard. We've used them for a couple years and will never go back to steel.
Bubba HERO Elite Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug with TasteGuard, 16 oz, Stainless steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0186EP0JW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_iA8NBb4GEWKNZ
If you're not looking for something with an infuser basket, I strongly recommend the Zojirushi travel mug. This thing does a killer job of keeping your beverage at temperature and I've found that, unlike many other travel mugs (including the Contigo I used to have), it doesn't seem to retain tastes at all. I use it for coffee, tea, and ice water and as long as you rinse it well between beverages, it handles all of them excellently.
https://www.amazon.com/Zojirushi-SM-SA60-BA-Stainless-Steel-20-Ounce/dp/B00HYOGUM2
It's a little pricey, but soooooo worth it! I have put hot tea in this and it's still just as hot 3 hours later, still very warm 8 hours later, and still drinkable the next morning.
My personal opinion is that Alexa is better at home automation than Google is, especially for Routines, but Google should still be able to do everything you want.
Using a smart plug to start your 1 cup coffee maker shouldn't be a problem as long as you get one that has a regular push-to-start switch, the kind that actually resets the thermostatic shut off; an example of that is the Black & Decker Brew 'n Go.
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-DCM18S-Coffeemaker-Stainless/dp/B00005MF9C
Smart lights are also not a problem since all you need to do is put them in the light socket; those can be dimmed as well as give you the option to get RGB lights for various colors. For a floor or desk lamp that you would always want just white light you could use a smart plug or a smart dimmer, and use standard LED light bulbs.
Most smart bulbs and smart plugs that are listed as working with Alexa will also say they work with Google Assistant.
One advantage of a smart lock would be that you could remotely tell if the door is locked/unlocked, and could unlock it for someone at your door without having to get up. I do not have a smart lock but there are many that say they will work with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Depends on the backpack, you might be able to fit in a 32oz with a skinnier profile. Otherwise, a 24oz or below should definitely fit. I avoid drinking out of plastic, so here's the two I would recommend:
Hydroflask, trail series is their best one IMO, the 24oz should easily fit, and the 32oz might fit as well since it's skinnier than other 32oz bottles.
Zojirushi, also double wall insulated and has a more convenient opening mechanism compared to the hydroflask.
I would just get a stainless steel coffee mug with a leak proof seal and then use a standard water bottle holder to hold it. I would not want to be riding around on a scooter with a cup of hot coffee in a paper cup with a plastic lid.
I use this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JE352NO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Try a contigo mug. It only opens when you press the button. I've dropped one off a scissor lift and it still didnt spill. Contigo Autoseal West Loop Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug, 20 Oz, Stainless Steel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JE352NO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apan_glt_i_AFC1NB9ZF28GHH4C9G28?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Second RTIC! I love their cups and water bottles for cold stuff, very similar to Yeti quality wise IMO, their travel coffee mug are good as well. Zojirushi travel mugs are seriously the best I’ve ever come across for keeping coffee hot. The lid has an actual lock so you can toss it in a duffle or on a seat with no worries and the lid also comes completely apart for cleaning.
When this happened to me I got this one. It's a great water bottle honestly.
you could just use one of those self stirring cups that exist. Pretty neat and seems like something up your ally.
https://www.amazon.com/Self-Stirring-Coffee-Mug-Cup/dp/B01J44MGOA
you can also look up many more like it.
The mug is stainless steel, it just has a ceramic lining to prevent odour from sticking.
I got them locally but here's an amazon link, the bottles usually come in 12oz, 16oz, & a 20oz. Zojirushi bottle
+1 for Zojirushi. Don't own this specific model but this one held hot and cold stuff for much longer than any hydroflask or kleen kanteen I ever owned.
Zojirushi have a nonstick inner coating which I haven't had any issues with metallic tasting coffee. link
I carry 20 ounces Zojirushi thermos (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HYOGUM2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) Usually black tea with honey and lemon.
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It's this one!
edit: I just realized what you meant, it's screw/flip top hybrid, but the flip top creates a really tight seal and you need a solid amount of force to open it when there's hot liquid inside, I wouldn't worry about tossing it on a bag or anything
Hi All. I'm in the market for a coffee maker and figure I'd run it by the experts as I figure my coffee game can be improved.
I have been using the Black and Decker coffee maker linked below for over 5 years and is super simple. Fill up the back portion with water and has a re-usable filter where I can put ground coffee and in a couple minutes a cut of hot coffee is made. The machine heats the water for me and have no complaints and coffee tastes fine to me.
Wondering what you would recommend as a step up from this? I would like to use pre ground coffee and I'm lazy so the faster I can make a cup the better.
I looked at the Clever Dripper which looked interesting but I'm unsure if you can use pre ground coffee with it. I saw the AeroPress as well but looks too complicated. Not sure if there are any good options out there that can make a quick cup of coffee and wondering what you recommend.
I pee less with the 5hr shots. The act of sipping coffee and the taste are the draws with coffee.
I see you have a mug, but I've found the best travel mug I've ever owned:
Zojirushi SM-SA60-BA Stainless Steel Mug, 20-Ounce, Black https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00HYOGUM2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XVQFCbNGXCGY7
I own 2 of these and the tumbler for cold drinks as well as a big thermos for ice (still have ice 36 hours later) and the biggest size thermos for bringing water to the dog park. Made for the Japanese commuter market. Leak proof and the lid locks.
Just forgot I also bought 2 of their water bottles that were made in 2011, retired my steel camelback ones which I loved. Yes, I'm a total cheerleader for this company...
Before you go back to 5hr, Farberware makes a 4 cup percolator. I parked it at home as I needed the bigger one to fill my 2 mugs but it's a nice size and makes nice coffee, easy clean up with these. The Keurig gets used for the hot chocolate things I got a case of on Amazon.
Yes the flip top Zojirushi insulated travel mugs are fantastic. I’ve had this one for 5 years and it’s held up great.
I like that the lid disassembles so you can thoroughly clean it. The rubber stopper and mouthpiece will need occasional cleaning.
The only thing that’s bad is that it insulates too well. It’ll keep your hot coffee burning hot for hours. So either fill it with drinkably warm liquids or take the top off and let it cool a bit before drinking.
Also, you’ll want to get her a bottle brush. Something like this is good.
This Zojirushi 20oz black thermos
I heard that it was amazing for retaining heat and also keeping drinks cool. Theres an identical 16oz version so I’m kinda on the fence as I’ve never used a thermos before.