My (now) wife broke up with her keurig about 2 years ago. She went with the bonavita 5-cup. Immediately, just using pre-ground store bought coffee she was happier. She got the one with the timer, set it up at night and had 25oz (yeah 5 cups at 5oz is not a LOT of coffee) of hot, freshly brewed coffee when she woke up. Since she moved in, she's moved away from pre-ground and for a while I'd weigh out and grind the beans the night before. Then I left the country for a bit and she was going to just use up the rest of my beans but got used to weigh/grind and has stuck with that for about 9 months now.
I'd say, get something similar to that bonavita, maybe the 8-cup if you think you'll be making coffee for more than 2 people (EVER!) and just get peet's coffee from the store with the nearest "roasted on" date. They sell a variety of coffees blended from all regions and you can get a taste for different kinds of coffee if you want. If you just want coffee tasting coffee, get cafe domingo or major dickason blend are both really good traditional "coffee". If that's what you're happy with, stick with it. If you get into it, check out fancier bean selections, then an encore grinder, and a scale.
You can look into some of the smaller capacity Bonavita brewers. IIRC, a part of being certified by the SCAA/SCA is a brewer’s carafe capacity, but the 5-cup Bonavita, which is $70 on Amazon atm, has the same optimal brewing temperature that the certified 8-cup brewer has, but it doesn’t meet the SCA certification requirements because it’s smaller.
Yeah this must be new. The only other one I see online is the 5-cup version with those markings. Even their website doesn’t have the update. Strange. Maybe send in a note to their customer support and see what they respond with.
Bonavita 5-Cup One-Touch Coffee Maker Featuring Thermal Carafe, BV1500TS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_mg9fFbDZS1HXE
I have the Bonavita One Touch, but I got the 5-cup version instead of the 8-cup version because it's a little cheaper and I never make 8 cups at a time. The 5 cup is listed on Amazon as ~$87 right now.
Glad this thread kept going. They're selling the Bonavita 5 cup on amazon for $74. Looks like a good price for a quality machine.
Look into the Bonavita 5-Cup. It is built in the same way as the 1900 that was already recommended, but it's within your price range. Some people have issues with the carafe, and it likely isn't SCAA certified because of the smaller brewing capacity.
What size and price range? The Bonavita 1500 might be a good fit for you.
Don't forget that a good machine will only be as good as the coffee you put in it! (the coffee hobby is a rabbit hole)
Stumptown, Coava, and Water Avenue are all award winning roasters out of Portland. A good burr grinder will run you about $120. For my brewer I have been using this powerhouse for the past 5 years. Excellent brewer.
I recently switched from a BV1900ts (8cup drip) to a bv1500ts (5 cup drip).
http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1500TS-Carafe-Coffee-Stainless/dp/B00SK5IXPQ
Super convenient and 3-5 cups is perfect for me in the morning.
Even has a pre-wet setting if you're using freshly ground beans.
I found a new, but damaged packaging one on Amazon Warehouse for $70. But new they're only going for $100 !
Worth keeping your eye out on Amazon Warehouse for whatever coffee equipment you end up buying.
Edit: Full disclosure.. I use the bv1900ts filter basket and shower head w/ my bv1500ts. Shouldn't make a real difference, but I switched out those parts none the less.
I only know about this because I've seen it mentioned in other threads but the Bonavita 5 cup is at it's all time lowest price on Amazon. Only $64 compared to retail of $140.
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https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-One-Touch-Featuring-Thermal-BV1500TS/dp/B00SK5IXPQ
$110.56 x .80 = $88.45
Amazon has it for $84.95.
Considering it's $84.95 on Amazon, not a great deal.
Just received this bonavita today which uses a no. 4 cone filter and love it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_dlC_uIuXFb6VKZCX8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
It's on sale for $80 on amazon.
If water temp is the problem then that is likely.
This is my favorite home coffee brewer for the price: features ratio:
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A model that's a little more affordable and still does a pretty good job is this:
https://www.cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/coffee_makers/cpo-850/
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Or, if money isn't an issue and you want something that will last forever:
So, depending on how strict you want to be, you may have some problems. Automatic coffee machines out of the US are pretty much only "manufactured-in" the US as opposed to "made-in."
Bunn has a few that are manufactured in, but otherwise, you're looking at more manual options like the Aeropress or Chemex.
More details in this extensive article here: https://www.roastycoffee.com/coffee-makers-made-in-usa/
However, I use this one, and it's confirmed as BPA free, and should be decently easy to use: https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-One-Touch-Featuring-Thermal-BV1500TS/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/
Bonavita's BV1500TS is going at a good price on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-One-Touch-Featuring-Thermal-BV1500TS/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=sr_1_8?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1547655252&sr=1-8&keywords=bonavita+coffee+maker
is yours same as this one? https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
thanks, is this one also SCA certified? https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza
I have the Bonavita 1500TS and I love it. Simple, small and inexpensive.
An espresso machine is not a simple thing to use, get her a good coffee machine like a bonavita
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/ref=twister_B01D48R82C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I have a Chemex, BonaVita variable temp kettle, Breville burr grinder, and kitchen scale. I'd been using that for years but recently got a BonaVita 5 cup coffee maker. 5 cups is 20oz which is the size of my Contigo travel mug at work. Makes just the right amount of coffee. I still measure 34g of whole bean and grind it right before I brew.
does this guy suffice? https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1500TS-Carafe-Coffee-Stainless/dp/B00SK5IXPQ
This is how I first got in to good coffee too. I never drank any coffee, but wanted to get my GF a good machine. Now, several years later, we're married and have one corner of our kitchen dedicated to an italian espresso machine and grinder ¯_(ツ)_/¯
Here's my recommendation - it's about $90 at Amazon.
Cooks Illustrated reviewed a bunch of drip coffee makers and this is the smaller version of the one that was clearly the best value. I've bought the same one as a gift before, and it went over great :)
Now, like others have said, if your GF also wants good coffee in addition to a good coffee maker, she'll need a grinder and fresh roasted whole bean coffee as well. Honestly, if she can find anything freshly roasted anywhere that's convenient, that's great. And any grinder is better than pre-ground. Even getting a hand grinder and pre-grinding the night before, or using a cheap whirly blade grinder is great.
If there's no good local source of fresh roasted coffee, check the onlines for:
another vote for the brazen, that's a little out of the price range though. this looks pretty nice: http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV1500TS-Carafe-Coffee-Stainless/dp/B00SK5IXPQ/
Zojirushi seems to make quality goods. I've never tried that coffee pot though.
I have tried the Bonavita machine that /u/VoteLobster mentioned and can recommend it: http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00SK5IXPQ
The bonavita 1500 might be a good option.