Manual Coffee Makers

A few manual coffee makers are worth the effort

Contrary to popular belief, electric coffee makers aren't essential for great coffee. One highly rated product, the inexpensive Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker (*Est. $25) outputs solid java and is simple to use: Insert a disc-shaped paper filter in the plastic tube, add coffee grounds, place the tube over a cup, pour in hot water, stir for 10 seconds and press the plunger down.

Consumers shouldn't expect the same level of quality as an espresso machine that forces water through the grounds at a higher pressure than can be generated manually by the AeroPress, but one foodie magazine says it nicely combines the "slightly heavier body of French press coffee and the cleanness of drip coffee." Wired gives the AeroPress a rating of eight out of a possible 10, saying it generates coffee without bitterness in less than a minute. It's the easiest to clean of the products they test; however, we don't know what other products were used in this comparison.

The majority of 370 owners posting reviews at Amazon.com say AeroPress' coffee is exceptionally smooth. However, some users say you have to figure out the right combination of water and coffee grounds before brewing, and quite a bit of coffee is needed to yield a decent cup. This may be due to water dripping into the cup as soon as you pour the hot water but before you start to press. One owner says using finely ground coffee and the manufacturer's recommended water temperature can increase the quality of its brewed coffee. One cautionary note: It takes a fair amount of force to depress the plunger, so people with arthritis may not be able to use the AeroPress.

Although the AeroPress is not conveniently programmable like many pod coffee makers, it's a compact and inexpensive alternative to other espresso machines. It's portable enough to use while traveling, and it's virtually silent while brewing. That said, the AeroPress doesn't come with a permanent filter like the Black & Decker Brew 'N Go, but a pack of 350 disposable filters only costs around $5.