Why I Hate Auto-Drip Machines

Okay, so I don't really hate auto-drip machines, but after months of research and testing the models I had at hand, I have come to the conclusion that the convenience they offer comes at too high a price.

So here's the litany of cons: The vast majority of auto-drip coffee makes simply don't brew at the right temperature, yielding weak and/or sour brew. The few that do brew to the right temperature are either very expensive, hard to get or aren't built very well. If you do manage find a good machine at a price you can afford, they are all built to brew a fixed quantity of coffee, usually 8 to 12 cups at a time, a bit much for the average household.

Another problem I have found is that the machine are not designed to be used with fresh coffee, which releases a considerable amount of CO2 during brewing. If you put in the right quantity of coffee in and it is less than two weeks off the roast, the foam or blossom from the CO2 is likely to back up into the water spout.

Suddenly, the convenience of an auto-drip doesn't seem all that great. For the same money or less, you can purchase a decent kettle, some manual drip cone filters in a couple of sizes and a nice glass-lined thermal carafe, giving yourself total control over your brewing. Others may prefer a French press (in which case I would recommend a grinder upgrade if you are still using one of the chopper variety).