With the quarantine many of us have returned to making coffee at home and getting excited about the process. From the simple French press to the automatic drip, the Underscored team has served and tested countless mugs over the past few months.
If we've learned anything, it's that having the right equipment at home can make a huge difference. These are the products that we recommend to all caffeine lovers.
Coffee makers
Technivorm Moccamaster 40-Ounce Coffee Brewery in Polished Silver ($ 309, originally $ 359; amazon.com)
When we tested automatic drip coffee makers earlier this summer, it was among our highest rated. While it's expensive, it's a beautifully designed and quality machine, and if you spend as much time brewing coffee at home as we do, it may well be worth it.
3-in-1 Manual Coffee Maker ($ 140; uncommongoods.com)
We love the French press. This beautiful manual option is a favorite of Humblemaker Coffee founder Chris Smith, but it is much more than a press. "It can also be used to pour coffee and cold brew, so you really get a lot for the money," says Smith.
Varia Multi Brewer ($ 149; amazon.com)
Amber Jacobsen, co-founder and director of Partners Coffee in Brooklyn, New York, says she loves to “change the routine with different brewing methods, from French press to moka pot. This coffeemaker is designed with six brewing methods in one elegant package, including cold brew and brew flash. Its intuitive design is also very easy to use »
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker ($ 44.95; amazon.com)
Like hordes of coffee purists, Chris Smith's favorite alternative coffee maker is an old-school Chemex: "Easy to use, timeless, and great in design."
12-Cup Programmable Mr Coffee ($ 26.99, amazon.com)
Easy, clean and fast for about the price of three fancy latte.
Kalita Wave 185 Drippers ($ 26.11, originally $ 44; amazon.com)
Make quality coffee for one every morning? Opt for a filter that fits directly into a coffee cup.
"With this I make more consistently flavorful coffee than with popular alternatives," shares Maciej Kasperowicz, Trade Coffee Coffee Director. "I taught my housemate to use it in March and we were immediately making delicious iced coffee with it."
Cold brewery
32-Ounce Ball Jars with Lids and Bands, 2-Pack ($ 14.93, originally $ 19.99; amazon.com)
Many of us are making our own cold brews at home in the midst of this summer heat, and you can make an easy version in a jar, which you can also use to store the concentrate in the fridge (the little ones make good iced coffee glasses too) .
Cold Brew Airtight Iced Coffee Maker ($ 35.99; amazon.com)
Driftaway's Mody also opts for a compact glass version for its iced coffee. "Parallel summer cold brew at home, there is no better container and brewing device," says Mody.
Espresso (or almost)
Bialetti Moka 6-Cup Express Espresso Maker ($ 34.99; amazon.com)
One of the easiest, most affordable, and also space-saving ways is to make espresso directly on the stove is through a mocha machine.
Flair Espresso Maker Manual Press ($ 159; amazon.com)
Ngai recently added this manual espresso machine to his home setup.
"I just use my hand grinder and grind on the finest setting, and that makes good espresso," he says. “It's great for everyone from beginners to professionals. All you need is hot water.
Breville Milk Cafe Milk Frother ($ 129.95, originally $ 149.99; amazon.com)
Want professional-style frothed milk? Coffee Project NY co-owner Kaleena Teoh likes this froth as a nice add-on to the coffeemaker her partner, Sum, just got. Bonus: The frother has two separate settings for cappuccino and latte.
Aerolatte Milk Frother ($ 19.99; amazon.com)
For a much cheaper option that we love. This milk frother turns any regular coffee into a spectacular one.
Pressure Filter for AeroPress Coffee Maker ($ 23.99; amazon.com)
“I don't go to coffee shops a lot these days, so I miss espresso, and although I have no interest in spending the kind of money I would have to spend to get the coffee maker I would like, I am very happy with this accessory for AeroPress »Says Kasperowicz. "It doesn't exactly make espresso, but it makes really tasty coffee with the strength of an espresso that's about 90% of what I miss about espresso, and for the price it's pretty impressive."
Additional equipment
Golden Scoop Tea Shop Meter ($ 7.41; etsy.com)
If you make as much coffee as we do, you'll want a nice, easy-to-find meter that also works as a clip to keep your coffee bags closed.
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder ($ 149; amazon.com)
Jacobsen admits that "one of the best benefits of owning a coffee business is that I can get bags of freshly ground beans whenever I want."
However, when you come across unground beans, this is your grinder. "It's a high-quality conical grinder that offers a wide range of consistent grind sizes for the perfect cup every time," she says. "And as a Brooklynite with limited counter space, I also appreciate how compact it is."
Bodum Bistro Electronic Grinder Grinder ($ 99.99; amazon.com)
This Bodum was the best value for money grinder in Underscored's coffee grinder tests, it also scored highly for aesthetics.
Fuzion Digital Pocket Scale ($ 11.99, originally $ 16.99; amazon.com)
"Traveling seems impossible now, but I bought this pocket scale in anticipation of summer travel in December of last year," says Mody. "It's small and great for weighing and making coffee."
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour-Over Kettle ($ 149; amazon.com)
Our sources say that for any type of pouring method (drip, French press, Chemex), a gooseneck kettle is what separates the serious from the amateur.
"This kettle is a super-precise tool that allows you to dial in your custom settings and pour at the exact temperature so that your coffee's saturation is just right," says Smith.
Bonavita 1-Liter Variable Temperature Electric Kettle ($ 53.35, originally $ 99.99; amazon.com)
Kasperowicz is also happy with this more affordable one. "I have used more expensive kettles, and while they are definitely not worse, I have also not found that they made a big difference to my pour," he says. "I'm making coffee these days, but spending a few extra bucks on a programmable kettle is great if you want to make good tea too."
Prime Orchid Teak Wood Spoon ($ 9.99; amazon.com)
If you are a fan of the French press (or cold brew), you should stir with a wooden spoon instead of a metal one to ensure that it does not break if you are using a glass jug, also, isn't it time to upgrade your wooden spoons?
Amalfi Brita 6-Cup Pitcher in White ($ 36.68; amazon.com)
Filtered water is a must for good coffee, say our experts.
Home furniture
Fellow Atmos Airtight Can ($ 25; amazon.com)
Teoh preserves the freshness of your coffee beans at home with this simple and functional pot.
Airscape Food Storage and Coffee Can ($ 29.50; amazon.com)
Mody likes this one, which is so beautiful that you can "leave it out on the counter."
Scented Coaster ($ 15; uncommongoods.com)
In fall, these Cinnamon Coffee Coasters will epitomize comfort.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.
