some basic questions.

[Nutiket_32]

apologies if something similar has been posted before. I jsut discovered i like coffee. my only prior tastes were at 7 Eleven, and it was disgusting. After trying a little cafe in chicago (cafe descartes if anyone is around there) and even just some decent hotel coffee, im hooked. This fall ill be living in a dorm room, so my options of what equipment i can have are very limited. From what i see, no one here thinks highly of folgers and the like. My question is, would getting a grinder (probably have to be a blade, cant really afford a good burr one) and grinding good quality beans be enough to make a good cup with just a low to lower-mid range drip machine, or should i just stick to finding coffee shops?
Thanks for helping this coffee newb out.

[NCatron]

Yes, you can get darn good coffee with a drip machine. And there is no shame in a whirley blade. Bean quality is numero uno in my mind. Better brewing and better grinding can help, but if you start with a bad bean, you're SOL. When I was in the dorm room, I bought a little single-cup brewing system that brewed straight into a thermal mug, the ultimate in convenience for bringing to class. And I'm sure these days you can find one that will take a swiss-gold filter for an improvement in taste.

[Commander Quan]

Even with a blade type grinder and a auto drip pot you will still be making better coffee then folgers and even better than preground namebrand coffee like starbucks

[jkim05]

if you save the money from not buying coffee in cafes for a few weeks you'll have enough for a solis maestro.

[soulskater]

some of the guys here recommend the drip coffee maker from Gevalia coffee, it is free with a purchase of a sample pack... i think? as soon as you place the order for some of their coffee and the free coffee maker you cancel the subscription and bickity-bam, free coffee maker.

a blade grinder should not be a problem.

consider buying a french press and electric kettle.

if you start off with bad cofffee, it really doesnt matter how you brew it. buy it fresh, do not buy more coffee than you can use every 7-10 days, keep it sealed, away from direct sunlight (mason jars work well), use good water and you should be set. that is until you start roasting your own coffee.

[novasurf]

consider buying a french press and electric kettle

This is what we use. And love.

[trogdor]

There's some good stuff in this thread:

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by trogdor

There's some good stuff in this thread:

Pure genius there - pearls. Solid gold. Masterpiece.

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