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DarkMeister
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« on: August 07, 2011, 08:08:34 AM » |
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Lemme' make it Valk-related and get that over with: are you like me and wouldn't dare get on your heavy machine in the early morning without several cups of java coursing through your veins? I rarely do that. Last time was on the road, in Bangor. I rode down from the hotel, to a miracle - a Tim Horton's. Luckily it was 0500hrs and normal people were still sleeping. Still felt weird and scary.
Having said the obligatory part... my home java pot is toast and I've been looking. AND looking. Reading reviews. Scanning eBay etc. There is so much flashy crap out there. Most "good" brands continue to move production to China and man-oh-man, reading the reviews, one can clearly see the change. People paying big bucks for a brand name. Suddenly, little stuff starts popping up: quit after 30 days. Spilling water and coffee. Handle fell off. Etc. etc.. Like night and day. One I stumbled upon, foe example, is "Capreso". Swiss company, machine assembled in Portugal, great reviews. But older model. Looked at newer ones - made in China, now. Reviews gone downhill. Cuisinart; DeLonghi; KitchenAid. You name it. Beijing bound.
At the periphery of my awareness is this nagging perception that manufacturers see the North American consumers as a herd of dumb cattle. Put some fake chrome on it, slap a name that used to be respected, and let the cattle struggle with unreliable crap like rats in a maze - while they laugh their way to the bank. Great business model.
Maybe I'll go to Walmart and buy 5 of the crappiest, simplest pieces of junk and be good for almost a year.
**END OF RANT**
If some of you have a particular success story on a coffee maker, let'er rip.
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X Ring
Member
Posts: 3626
VRCC #27389, VRCCDS #204
The Landmass Between Mobile And New Orleans
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« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2011, 08:29:26 AM » |
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We used the $10 Sunbeam coffee makers at work. We were pretty hard on them and they were inexpensive enough to replace without freaking out about the cost. They weren't fancy but they worked and, of course, they were made in china.
Marty
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People are more passionately opposed to wearing fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than bikers.  |
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Michvalk
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« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2011, 08:38:18 AM » |
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We have a Cuisinart 14 cup. About 2 years old, and has made at least 1 pot of coffee every day for the whole time. Works as advertised and tells you when it needs cleaning. Bought it on sale at Kohl's. Most of our previous makers lasted about one year. We'll see about this one  |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2011, 09:03:53 AM » |
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I usually drink a good sized cup in the morning but I can deal without it.
I've noticed that in some states (Texas and Oklahoma in particular) you just can NOT get a good cup of coffee.
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12684
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2011, 09:24:14 AM » |
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dont drink coffee ever since I heard that some yahooo puts bacon in the beans  Gig got me hooked on fruit smoothies with yogurt, apparently hotglue and flamingobabe are also hooked on em. Wife makes em with veggies and melons as well. Veggies made in the usa in our garden Hope the Valk ride went well darkM |
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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BigAl
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« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2011, 09:27:48 AM » |
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Took a Travel Cup from home on the Interstate Honda, and rode over to Hardees.
Our traditional meet up point for 5 years now.
Mr. Coffee, 12 cup drip, Maxwell House Decaf. Medium Roast.
Decaf because of my special headache I get is worse with caffiene.
Still get all the anti-oxidants that are in coffee, without the Jitters.
Does it for me.
AL
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Titan
Member
Posts: 819
BikeLess
Lexington, SC
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« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2011, 09:40:23 AM » |
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I've been using a Keurig for several years and it has been 100% trouble free. Yes, it's made in China as are so many other things. But unless somebody comes up with a better coffee system I'll buy another one if/when mine stops working.
My wife doesn't drink coffee so the single cup system works wonderfully in our house. Zero mess and zero waste. Takes all of about three minutes to have a cup ready if it isn't already turned on. Just a few seconds if it is.
And I especially like having a whole lot of choices of coffee to choose from as well.
That's my story.
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2011, 09:41:33 AM » |
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We joined the Gevalia coffee club for a couple months and then quit. They do have good coffee, but the free coffee maker is the best one I have ever had, even better than the old Mr. Coffee one that lasted almost 20 years. Whats really funny......when it finally crapped out I took it to a small appliance repair place to see it could be saved.....the dude laughed at me, and now I laugh at myself.......that was the beginning of the era of disposable for me. Then the television blew a transformer and the TV repair guy told me he was going out of business because you just throw them away now....theres no fixing this new junk
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sandy
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« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2011, 09:55:59 AM » |
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Just boil water in a pot, throw in some grounds and remove from heat. Let stand and pour through a screen into the cup.
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Master Blaster
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« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2011, 01:02:09 PM » |
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Last one was a cheap Mr Coffee. Been really good for over a year now, and brews up 12 cups in under 15 minutes. I use Yuban dark roast, and it is lovely. I believe that Yuban is produced by Maxwell House, before that it was any Columbian that I could get a deal on. I like mine strong, black, and hot. Usually 2 mugs and I m set for the day.
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"Nothing screams bad craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."
Gun controll is not about guns, its about CONTROLL.
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fiddle mike
Member
Posts: 1148
Nothing exceeds like excess.
Corpus Christi, TX
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« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2011, 01:56:46 PM » |
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The Chinese do know how to make a good percolator. Paid about $35 and worth every dime.
You can get a good cup of coffee in Texas if you use southern manners when ordering.
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The Anvil
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« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2011, 02:08:25 PM » |
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Anyone here ever had chocolate covered coffee beans? They're awesome.
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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Dodis
Member
Posts: 251
'98 Blue & Cream
Texas City, TX
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« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2011, 02:13:11 PM » |
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I've been using the Bunn home brew coffee makers for years (haven't looked under the hood for made in...). I keep mine on my desk at work. If you're making coffee daily, it sure is nice, a full pot in about 3 minutes, since it keeps a pot of water hot inside it's own tank. They usually average about 12 years for me before the plastic around the top of the tank gets brittle from heat, and that's with daily use. And there is a company online selling a kit to fix that too. As for home, just make coffee on the weekends, sometimes... So, whatever cheapo is on sale at whatever store I am in when I think of it.  Mike "Dodis" |
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VRCC# 27132
mr_dodis(a)yahoo.com
DS#513 GY-TT 205/60 (still waiting for my cookie!)
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DarkMeister
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« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2011, 03:25:23 PM » |
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Thanks for all the input folks. It's not like I'm a connoisseur or 'barista' or such. I just like a good cup (several, actually) with no fuss or muss. Figured that mine being busted was maybe an opportunity to get into something better. It's my routine. Every morning, make a pot, go jogging sit in front of my computer and roll. (Thanks, Oss!)
Methinks I've had "cowboy coffee"; in fact, I used toilet paper for filtering. (New; NOT used. I ain't that desperate. I hope.)
Chris - that's funny - but makes me want to cry. So true. Disposable junk with nothing to repair in the guts.
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Steve K (IA)
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« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2011, 03:37:24 PM » |
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Anyone here ever had chocolate covered coffee beans? They're awesome.
My favorite! Always have some in the house. |
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 States I Have Ridden In |
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Steve K (IA)
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« Reply #15 on: August 07, 2011, 03:46:27 PM » |
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I've been using the Bunn home brew coffee makers for years (haven't looked under the hood for made in...). I keep mine on my desk at work. If you're making coffee daily, it sure is nice, a full pot in about 3 minutes, since it keeps a pot of water hot inside it's own tank. They usually average about 12 years for me before the plastic around the top of the tank gets brittle from heat, and that's with daily use. And there is a company online selling a kit to fix that too. As for home, just make coffee on the weekends, sometimes... So, whatever cheapo is on sale at whatever store I am in when I think of it. Mike "Dodis" Got a Bunn "Thermo Brew" for x-mas 2 years ago. Has a stainless carafe that keeps the coffee VERY hot for a few hours. Doesn't sit on a dang burner continually cooking the crap out of it. The last cup is as good as the first. 99% of time I use Folgers. On a rare occasion I might pick up some blueberry flavored beans or some Starbucks. |
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States I Have Ridden In |
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Walküre
Member
Posts: 1270
Nothing beats a 6-pack!
Oxford, Indiana
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« Reply #16 on: August 07, 2011, 04:10:02 PM » |
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 On my 2nd one of these, still have one more NIB, just in case. This one has lasted 18 years, and still running strong. I pretty much look "under the hood" at everything I buy, for "Made in USA", or, at least "Assembled in USA". The remark about going to WalMart, and buying 5, is exactly why we are IN this position. Had everyone DEMANDED American products, 20 years ago, WalMart would have 90% American, 10% Chinese, not vice-versa. Needless to say, I do not shop at WalMart. Nor do I go through the self-serve (job stealing) registers, and I went to the only full-serve gas station (paying more for the privilege), until it closed down. Not enough of the self-proclaimed "PATRIOTS" around, to support it. And then those same "PATRIOTS" complain, when there are no jobs for their children. Sorry, didn't mean to get on TOO much of my own rant - I just like the Corning Coffee Maker, a lot. You can't find them, anywhere, except ebay or antique stores, but WELL worth the $50+ you will probably pay for one. I drink a pot, virtually every day, and have the entire time I've owned it. In that time we've probably gone through 15 of the small makers at work, and 2 of the Bunn Commercial ones. If I had $300 laying around, I would probably buy a Bunn, but since I still have a NIB Corning, I won't. And, BTW, my LAST (and first) Corning, still works, just got so stained, that it was an embarrassment. As for Bunn: "Bunn-O-Matic (Springfield, IL): Some Bunn Home Coffee Makers (BX and GR models) are assembled in Creston, IA from domestic and imported parts. Other models imported." For those with the patriotism, inclination and willingness to spend usually a little bit more, to keep American jobs, IN AMERICA, you can click on the following logo, and find things still made in America:  R |
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2000 Valkyrie Standard
1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2000 HD Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGRoger Phillips Oxford, IN VRCC #31978 Yeah, what she said...
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DarkMeister
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« Reply #17 on: August 07, 2011, 04:27:53 PM » |
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Totally bookmarked that site. Thanks! |
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Traveler-MI
Member
Posts: 67
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult
Nowhere In Particular
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« Reply #18 on: August 07, 2011, 04:29:02 PM » |
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Got turned on to Bunn coffee makers 10 years ago -- I have two one blacj and one white (depends on kitchen colors). Never failed me a full pot ready in under 5 minutes.
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Traveler ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Why? I explain it all here: http://travelerswords.comTraveler's Random Mental Wanderings & Contemplations  |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #19 on: August 07, 2011, 08:31:37 PM » |
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We had one of those (and used it) until I was in high school. Made great coffee. Can you imagine how many went into the scrap heap? |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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Walküre
Member
Posts: 1270
Nothing beats a 6-pack!
Oxford, Indiana
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« Reply #20 on: August 07, 2011, 08:35:32 PM » |
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Can you imagine how many went into the scrap heap?
Thirteen, at last count...  |
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2000 Valkyrie Standard
1999 Valkyrie Interstate
2000 HD Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGRoger Phillips Oxford, IN VRCC #31978 Yeah, what she said...
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Valkahuna
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« Reply #21 on: August 07, 2011, 09:51:58 PM » |
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We still have an older Capresso that grinds it's own coffee beans. We use it daily for at least 10 years or so (probably for longer than that). As for the coffee, we buy Dunkin Donuts beans, both decaf, and regular. Can't beat it! The trouble with manufacturing in the USA began when the consumer demanded to buy a $30 DVD player (substitute anything that had been expensive and now is cheap). That whole "cheapening" process forced totally different designs and assembly procedures, and servicability went the way of the Dinosaurs.  Manufacturers could have provided a "cheaper" product made here in the USA as well, but decided to go the easy way and escape to the land of lower labor costs. There are many factors at fault, including our government for not taxing excess profits on foreign made products at different rates. Etc., etc., etc., ... (Pick your villain of choice here, they all contributed)  |
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The key thing is to wake up breathing! All the rest can be fixed. (Except Stupid - You can't fix that)
2014 Indian Chieftain
2001 Valkyrie I/S
Proud to be a Vietnam Vet (US Air Force - SAC, 1967-1972)
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JimC
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« Reply #22 on: August 07, 2011, 10:10:23 PM » |
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My wife and I are coffee nuts, I refuse to drink a cup of coffee that is not brewed properly... For about 5 years now we have been using what is called a COFFEE PRESS. All we have to do in the morning is put a pot of water in an old fashioned tea kettle and get it hot, while that is on I take fresh coffee beans and grind them (takes about 15 seconds), after the water is hot (about 2 minutes) I dump the coffee beans into the press, pour in the hot water, and stir it for a minute or two. After it is stirred, you take the press (plunger with a fine screen) and push the grounds to the bottom of the coffee pot. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes, and it is GREAT coffee!!! I know it sounds like a lot of screwing around, but it really is not, and the coffee will rival that of really good resturants. PLUS, the whole set up only cost about $40.00 (including the coffee grinder) and there are no parts to break or wear out.  If you like good coffee, give it a try. Jim |
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Jim Callaghan SE Wisconsin
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ricoman
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« Reply #23 on: August 08, 2011, 01:59:38 AM » |
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Anyone here ever had chocolate covered coffee beans? They're awesome.
they do taste real good. just don't eat 'em by the handful after 7 or 8 pm, you'll be awake for a while. |
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take personal responsibility and keep your word
98 Tourer, black and chrome, added 8/11/10
98 Std, yellow/cream, totaled 8/3/10
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scoot
Member
Posts: 909
Lifes too short Ride it hard
Grand Rapids Mi.
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« Reply #24 on: August 08, 2011, 05:14:30 AM » |
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I've been using a Keurig for several years and it has been 100% trouble free. Yes, it's made in China as are so many other things. But unless somebody comes up with a better coffee system I'll buy another one if/when mine stops working. My wife doesn't drink coffee so the single cup system works wonderfully in our house. Zero mess and zero waste. Takes all of about three minutes to have a cup ready if it isn't already turned on. Just a few seconds if it is. And I especially like having a whole lot of choices of coffee to choose from as well. That's my story. |
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 Some like to ride Fat boys, I think I'll stay with the fat lady |
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The Anvil
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« Reply #25 on: August 08, 2011, 05:38:22 AM » |
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Anyone here ever had chocolate covered coffee beans? They're awesome.
they do taste real good. just don't eat 'em by the handful after 7 or 8 pm, you'll be awake for a while. I keep em in my toolbox at work. If I feel I need a boost I chew a few and it's like meth, black teeth and all. |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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Dogg
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« Reply #26 on: August 08, 2011, 05:53:41 AM » |
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bunn still made in the usa. best coffee maker made. have a commercial one that has been in and out of service for over 20 years. i just bought my cousin a countertop bunn (home use) for christmas last year and he loves it. Id be looking for a new bunn if mine were to die.
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czuch
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« Reply #27 on: August 08, 2011, 06:36:08 AM » |
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MMMmmmmmmmmmm chocolate covered cofffie beeeeaaannnssssss..
Look for the dark chocolate espresso beans. That will ignite your afternoon.
Give a few to the grand kids right before ya give em back. HAHAHAHAHA.
We have the Corning percolator. Estate sale special. We also prefer the Costco brand coffie. Its pricey for store brand but since Tammy quit smokin I cant deny her a good cuppa coffie.
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Aot of guys with burn marks,gnarly scars and funny twitches ask why I spend so much on safety gear
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Titan
Member
Posts: 819
BikeLess
Lexington, SC
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« Reply #28 on: August 08, 2011, 10:08:49 AM » |
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Anyone here ever had chocolate covered coffee beans? They're awesome.
OK. I don't want to hijack this thread but there have already been a whole lot of answers to the original question. But, tell me a bit about chocolate covered coffee beans. I think I might have heard of them but never have seen them. Coffee beans are really hard. They make a helluva noise in a grinder! Wouldn't they be difficult to chew up? And wouldn't they also taste about a hundred times stronger than a strong cup of coffee... and give you terrible coffee breath? I do love chocolate and I do love my coffee in the morning. Maybe I should try this? |
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ricoman
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« Reply #29 on: August 08, 2011, 10:14:22 AM » |
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Anyone here ever had chocolate covered coffee beans? They're awesome.
OK. I don't want to hijack this thread but there have already been a whole lot of answers to the original question. But, tell me a bit about chocolate covered coffee beans. I think I might have heard of them but never have seen them. Coffee beans are really hard. They make a helluva noise in a grinder! Wouldn't they be difficult to chew up? And wouldn't they also taste about a hundred times stronger than a strong cup of coffee... and give you terrible coffee breath? I do love chocolate and I do love my coffee in the morning. Maybe I should try this? not as hard as peanuts taste good, strong expresso with chocolate try some, never after 8pm or you will be awake a looong time old Chinese saying, "halitosis better than no breath at all" |
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take personal responsibility and keep your word
98 Tourer, black and chrome, added 8/11/10
98 Std, yellow/cream, totaled 8/3/10
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chuckinVA
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« Reply #30 on: August 08, 2011, 10:33:23 AM » |
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Have to agree with Titan on this. We have used a Keurig for years and really like it. We threw out the old Bunn when we realized we were wasting a LOT of coffee by making a whole carafe full, then dumping it when it got stale. Going to the individual cups has saved a bundle, and the Keurig is very dependable, simple, and quick. The price of the K cup has risen over the years but we still figure we are ahead of the game. |
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #31 on: August 08, 2011, 10:41:54 AM » |
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Have to agree with Titan on this. We have used a Keurig for years and really like it. We threw out the old Bunn when we realized we were wasting a LOT of coffee by making a whole carafe full, then dumping it when it got stale. Going to the individual cups has saved a bundle, and the Keurig is very dependable, simple, and quick. The price of the K cup has risen over the years but we still figure we are ahead of the game. For our 25 year anniversary we recieved a Keurig Platinum with the K cup and LOVE it so far. |
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woefman
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« Reply #32 on: August 09, 2011, 02:55:00 AM » |
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Lemme' make it Valk-related and get that over with: are you like me and wouldn't dare get on your heavy machine in the early morning without several cups of java coursing through your veins? I rarely do that. Last time was on the road, in Bangor. I rode down from the hotel, to a miracle - a Tim Horton's. Luckily it was 0500hrs and normal people were still sleeping. Still felt weird and scary.
Having said the obligatory part... my home java pot is toast and I've been looking. AND looking. Reading reviews. Scanning eBay etc. There is so much flashy crap out there. Most "good" brands continue to move production to China and man-oh-man, reading the reviews, one can clearly see the change. People paying big bucks for a brand name. Suddenly, little stuff starts popping up: quit after 30 days. Spilling water and coffee. Handle fell off. Etc. etc.. Like night and day. One I stumbled upon, foe example, is "Capreso". Swiss company, machine assembled in Portugal, great reviews. But older model. Looked at newer ones - made in China, now. Reviews gone downhill. Cuisinart; DeLonghi; KitchenAid. You name it. Beijing bound.
At the periphery of my awareness is this nagging perception that manufacturers see the North American consumers as a herd of dumb cattle. Put some fake chrome on it, slap a name that used to be respected, and let the cattle struggle with unreliable crap like rats in a maze - while they laugh their way to the bank. Great business model.
Maybe I'll go to Walmart and buy 5 of the crappiest, simplest pieces of junk and be good for almost a year.
**END OF RANT**
If some of you have a particular success story on a coffee maker, let'er rip.
I hear ya loud and clear and agree however AMericans No Longer want to pay for anything and the ole saying comes to life. "You get what you pay for" . But in your defense, it sounds like you can't find anything decent to pony up for. I feel for you, I really do. Sad world, and the funny part, the Fat Bastard that Reaps in all the profits does not make his own coffee and his maid prolly has two crap machines on hand just in case. Or goes to Star Bucks |
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woefman
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« Reply #33 on: August 09, 2011, 02:58:22 AM » |
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We joined the Gevalia coffee club for a couple months and then quit. They do have good coffee, but the free coffee maker is the best one I have ever had, even better than the old Mr. Coffee one that lasted almost 20 years. Whats really funny......when it finally crapped out I took it to a small appliance repair place to see it could be saved.....the dude laughed at me, and now I laugh at myself.......that was the beginning of the era of disposable for me. Then the television blew a transformer and the TV repair guy told me he was going out of business because you just throw them away now....theres no fixing this new junk
I did that too, they sent us the wrong color, so we called them, they sent us the correct color and told us to keep the other one. SO Backup time LOL |
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