If you struggle to get revved up for the day ahead without at least one cup of coffee, you’re not alone. Like many people, I’m a total caffeine addict and my kitchen is full of tons of fresh beans and coffee making accessories for every occasion. Here are some of my personal favs for enjoying your morning brew.
Aeropress Coffee Maker with Tote Bag – $31.95
If you love coffee, you either already own an Aeropress or you’ve heard of them and been intrigued. Simply put, it’s a manual coffee maker that uses high pressure to produce a damn fine cup of joe (even better if you’re using freshly ground beans). There are several different ways to use this little contraption (inverted method, anyone?) but as a straight-up press, it makes one of the best cups of coffee you can get.
DeLonghi Stainless Steel Electric Burr Grinder – $59.99
I used to use a manual burr grinder to ensure even grinding of my coffee beans (apparently those blade grinders are terrible for uneven, bad tasting beans) but I invested in this little buddy and it’s been a life saver. You can choose how many cups worth of beans you want ground as well as the coarseness or fineness you prefer. It’s admittedly slightly noisy so it might wake up your roommates/partner/whoever else you live with, but at least you can make it up to them with yummy coffee?
Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Canister – $29.97
I know you might be thinking, “Hold up, 30 bucks for a canister?” but I promise you it’s worth it. It’s vacuum sealed and has a CO2 valve to preserve your beans for longer. I keep this on my countertop next to my espresso machine and it’s never steered me wrong.
Secura Stainless Steel French Press – $25.48
Sometimes I want more than a single cup of coffee in a sitting, especially when it’s cold outside. That’s when I hit up my French press. You don’t need to spend loads of money on a fancy French press since they all pretty much do the same thing, but this one is worth the little bit extra since it’s double-walled, meaning it’ll keep your coffee hotter for longer.
Coffee Bear Cold Brew Coffee Maker – $19.99
I love Starbucks as much as the next gal, but I save so much time, effort, and most importantly money by making my own cold brew when the weather gets warmer. Use your burr grinder to coarsely grind up some of your favorite beans, load it up, fill with water, and stick it in the fridge. Within 24 hours, you’ll have really tasty iced coffee ready to go.
Hario V60 Pour Over Starter Set – $21.50
If you want to feel ultra fancy making your single cup of coffee in the morning, the V60 may be for you. It uses the pour-over method, which is said to result in a smoother yet more concentrated brew. It’s not my favorite way to make coffee but it is a simple and delicious one that I pull out whenever I’m feeling like puttin’ on the ritz a bit.
Bonavita Digital Variable Temperature Kettle – $61.82
OK, real talk: a regular kettle that costs $10 at Ikea or whatever will totally work fine for making your coffee, but if you consider yourself a bit of an aficianado and want to get the suggested temperature for a particular bean spot on, consider getting a digital kettle that allows you to see and control how it heats. Plus, this one has a spout that’s perfect for pouring in a direct stream, something that doesn’t seem like a big deal but kind of is, especially when you’re using your Aeropress and Hario, since a regular kettle spout can be a bit all over the place.
Chemex Classic Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker – $40.49
Another gadget to impress your friends with. This is one classy coffee maker and does indeed make some really tasty coffee. The glass canister apparently makes it easy to refridgerate and reheat your leftover coffee, though that’s nasty and I think reheating coffee is kind of a sin (sorry!). However, the fact that it’s glass also keeps other chemicals or weird tastes from getting in, and like the V60, it looks good doing its job.
Fellow Prismo Pressure-Actuated Attachment For Aeropress – $25
If you’re going to use an Aeropress, there may be a time when you want to make a concentrated shot of espresso with it rather than a full cup of regular coffee. For that, you need the Fellow Prismo. This easily attaches to the bottom of the Aeropress to give you a single valve brew that’s super strong and really delicious. Before I got my DeLonghi Dedica (see below), I used this a lot; now it’s mostly for when I travel, when it comes in SUPER handy.
Cafe Casa Hand Mixer & Milk Frother – $17.99
Should go without saying what you need this for. If you don’t drink your coffee black and you’re not satisfied with pouring straight up milk or cream into your cup, you probably want a milk frother to make you feel like a true barista in the comfort of your own home. This one is simple to use and works really well. There may be cheaper versions out there, but this is the one I have and I love it.
DeLonghi Dedica 15-Bar Espresso Maker – $245.99
I know, I know, who has $245 to spend on a coffee machine? If you do (or you know a very generous person who does for your birthday or Christmas), this is a great investment. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now (full disclosure: mine is the black model, not the stainless steel, but it’s the same machine) and it’s never let me down. I make multiple double shots a day and it keeps on chugging along. This pairs nicely with Illy Dark Roast espresso, by the way.
Contigo Snap Seal Stainless Steel Travel Mug – $12.84
If you’re not content to settle for your single coffee at home, take this one with you when you head to work or wherever you’re going. It’s leak-proof, so even if it dumps over in your bag, you shouldn’t have any major disasters. Plus, it literally keeps your coffee hot as hell for hours. Trust me, I’ve learned this lesson the hard way when I’ve gone to take a sip three hours after making the coffee, only to scorch my tongue on still burning hot coffee.
