Manual Coffee Makers

A few manual coffee makers are worth the effort

Contrary to popular belief, electric coffee makers aren't essential for brewing great coffee. One highly rated product, the inexpensive Aerobie AeroPress (*Est. $30) , makes solid java and is simple to use, reviewers say. 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 Aerobie AeroPress, but one foodie magazine says it nicely combines the "slightly heavier body of French press coffee and the cleanness of drip coffee." Popular Mechanics, on the other hand, calls the Aerobie AeroPress "a French press on steroids," noting it's simple to control the strength of coffee or espresso simply by adjusting the amount of coffee grinds used. While it's not the most mess-free manual coffee maker (use it next to a sink or trash can to dispose of the grounds), it does produce a tasty beverage in about 40 seconds after you've heated water.

Of the more than 900 Aerobie AeroPress owners posting at Amazon.com, most say the 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 heating water to the manufacturer's specifications can increase the quality of its brewed coffee, while others say a perfect grind isn't necessary like with a French press.

One cautionary note: it takes a fair amount of force to depress the plunger, reviewers say, so people with arthritis may not be able to use the Aerobie AeroPress. This coffee maker doesn't come with a permanent filter like the Black & Decker Brew 'N Go, but does use paper filters. (One owner posting to Amazon.com says he's still using the same pack of filters after four years.) The Aerobie AeroPress is also useful for making cold-brew coffee.

Another manual coffee maker that gets high marks is the Mypressi Twist (*Est. $150) , which uses a blast of nitrous oxide to produce single or double shots of espresso. Reviewers say that although the Mypressi Twist resembles a hand-held massager, it makes an impressive cup of java. The trick lies in its handle, which conceals a nitrous oxide cartridge. Once you pull the trigger, a 9-bar pressure system forces preheated water through a filter basket, creating what The New York Times reviewer Oliver Strand describes as a "lush shot of espresso." Wired gives the Mypressi Twist a 9 out of 10 rating and names it an Editor's Pick, adding that "the thick, rich brew is just as good as what you'd get from a $2,000 countertop machine."

While the Mypressi Twist can't outperform high-end espresso makers, Abe Carmeli at Home-Barista.com concludes that it comes a shade close by delivering shots that "look, pour, smell and taste like real espresso." Experts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute laud the "thick head of crema" and "carmel-colored foam that's the hallmark of true espresso." However, we found complaints about the assembly requirements. With more than 10 pieces, the Mypressi Twist can be somewhat challenging to set up. Editors at Popular Mechanics say that while the Twist is "good for occasional use," the labor required to disassemble and clean all the parts makes it less than ideal for daily use.

Several users at Amazon.com say that while they enjoy their Mypressi Twist, it is complicated to use and doesn't insulate the hot water, which could affect brew taste. Several owners say you'll need a high-quality burr grinder to produce the right consistency for use with the Mypressi Twist, but numerous reviewers say with proper preparation, the Twist produces better-tasting coffee than expensive home units costing thousands of dollars. There are a few isolated complaints about "slow leaks" developing over time, which shortens the life of the nitrous oxide cartridges.

If you prefer freshly ground coffee without all the frills, reviewers point to the Chemex coffee maker, which comes in four different sizes: 1-3 cup (*Est. $40) , 6-cup (*Est. $37) , 8-cup (*Est. $37) and 10-cup (*Est. $37) . A cult favorite of coffee purists, Chemex uses nothing more than a fluted glass beaker and paper filter to make a smooth cup of brew. Oliver Strand of The New York Times says once you've mastered the Chemex, you'll "run circles around that plug-in machine you have cluttering up your counter." Editors at Popular Mechanics rave that because Chemex allows owners to adjust the grind and amount of coffee to personal preference, it delivers a stronger-tasting cup than a standard coffee maker.

However, as a few Amazon.com owners note, being able to custom-brew your coffee takes time. You have to slowly pour near-boiling water over a conical filter and wait for it to drip through your favorite grind, and some say you'll need a finer grind than drip coffee makers require. According to the manufacturer, 200 degrees Fahrenheit is an optimum temperature for flavor extraction, but coffee expert Kevin Sinnott prefers his brew at 190 degrees, adding that anything too high won't yield good results. He also mentions that it may take a few tweaks to get your measurements and grind down. At foodie blog SlashFood.com, Erin Meister suggests pouring just enough water to saturate the grounds, which allows the aroma and flavor to bloom, before adding the rest of the hot water. The Chemex also isn't the easiest to clean, because the narrow-shaped neck makes it difficult to reach inside the reservoir. One owner posting to Amazon.com says a baby-bottle brush works great.

Lastly, some users complain about the recommended proprietary Chemex filters, which are thicker than filters used for auto-drip coffee makers, saying that they impart a "papery" taste, especially if you use the natural, unbleached squares instead of the oxidized white filters (*Est. $10). Oliver Strand of The New York Times says that while the oxidized filter is "superior," both the natural and the oxidized filters can make "beautiful" coffee. To help eliminate the cardboard taste, Erin Meister at SlashFood.com recommends rinsing Chemex filters with hot water prior to use. It's important to note that because Chemex filters are designed for longer saturation to enhance flavor extraction, third-party or standard drip filters will not work with this coffee maker.