Archive for August, 2010
Bunn Coffee Maker BTX-T
This home-style coffee maker called a home brewer makes 10 cups of coffee in just 3 minutes. That’s 50 ounces of coffee. When the coffee is done, the stainless-steel and black water tank pre-heats the water with an 800 watt heater. The internal thermostat keeps the water at the ideal temperature, around 190 degrees, for the next pot of coffee. The patented spray-head design improves coffee-flavor extraction by causing the water to spread evenly over all the grounds. The end result is café quality coffee. The stainless-steel vacuum insulated carafe is easy to use with its close-and-brew lid.
At the end of the day, turn on the vacation switch and the brewer will no longer preheat the water for the next pot of coffee or tea. The insulated carafe keeps coffee warm enough that a warmer of any kind is not needed. The carafe is also dishwasher safe. The Bunn BTX-T coffee maker comes with a 3-prong grounded cord, the glass decanter, filters, a coffee funnel and a deliming tool. (If you have a white build-up on any part, especially where there is water, use this tool to get rid of it. It deteriorates the material of these parts.) This machine weighs 7.3 lbs. If live at an elevation more than 4,000 feet, put a “D” after the ordering number.
Bunn Coffee Maker NHBX-W (White)
I have covered a number of coffee maker companies that have been in the business for close to 100 years. By comparison Bunn is a newer company that has been in the business of making coffee makers for over 50 years. The Bunn Company makes a large range of different coffee makers. This week I will be covering some of them. This reservoir-style household brewer is great for a small office as well. The Bunn Model NHBX-W brews up to 10 cups (50 ounces) of coffee in just 3 minutes. How does it do that? It pre-heats the water for 15 minutes before the first pot of coffee is made. After the first pot of coffee, make sure there is enough water in the reservoir for another pot of coffee. Then, when you want the second pot the reservoir will keep the water warm with 34-watt heater and internal thermostat that keeps the water at an ideal temperature to make the second pot in 3 minutes. This ability to make a second pot of so fast is why we add it to our commercial page. Another reason is its stainless steel water tanks 34-watt heater and internal thermostat that keeps the water at an ideal temperature. This coffeemaker is not a drip style, but is one that has a spray-head that improves coffee-flavor extraction. The 800-watt tank heater produces the ideal temperature of hot water that is perfect for making tea as well, while the 46-watt porcelain-coated warming plate keeps your coffee or tea just right for drinking as well after it is made. The sliding lid at the top of the reservoir at the back side of the coffeemaker makes it easy to add brew water. The ten cup glass decanter allows a clear view of your beverage and is dishwasher safe. After the last pot for the day just switch on the vacation switch and the reservoir will no longer pre-heat the water. You will get expert support and service from Bunn. After these 50 years, Bunn does know about coffee makers!
Unlike many coffee makers that come with a one year warranty, this Bunn model NHBX-W coffee brewer comes with a 3 year limited warranty. Be sure to read your warranty and paperwork before doing anything with the coffeemaker and you will be rewarded for it. The coffee maker comes with a 3-prong grounded cord, the glass decanter, filters, a coffee funnel and a de-calcifying tool. (If you have a white build-up (lime) on any part, especially where there is water, use this tool to get rid of it. It deteriorates the material of these parts.) This machine weighs 7.3 lbs. If live at an elevation more than 4,000 feet, put a “D” after the ordering number.
Farberware 12-Cup Coffee Percolators
The Farberware model FCP512S Coffee Maker comes with a mixed bag of reviews. The later reviews say this is not the quality of coffee maker that it was even five years ago. However, the Farberware FCP 412 comes with much better reviews.
The FCP412 comes without all the troublesome digital problems and makes a great cup of coffee. The review below gives an idea of why I do not carry it. The picture above is the Farberware FCP412 coffee percolator.
A Review of the 512: “This Farberware FCP512S Percolator is a 2-12 cup percolator that comes with two main pieces: a stainless-steel pot and inner working components, and a power base with a digital display to set the time, turn of/off or program in advance. This percolator is cordless as the power resides in the power base, a separate piece. The main components of this pot are made of high polish stainless steel. The handle is made of stay-cool plastic as is the base of the pot. Inside the pot is a permanent stainless basket for the ground beans, a basket cover and a stem that facilitates perking. Die cast in the steel are marks to measure water, from 2 to 12 cups. The circular power base is made of plastic to simulate stainless steel. The power cord comes out the back and has a handy cord manager build in to the underside of the power base. The front has a digital display with on/off for immediate perking, and program buttons to set in advance. Brewing time is typical at about 1 minute per cup. A big convenience to me I thought was the 2 hour auto-off feature. I had hoped this feature would extend the life of the product. The inner components of the pot are dish washer safe. The pot itself and the power base are not.
This pot operates as does any percolator. Measure using a coffee scoop using 1 scoop for 2 cups of coffee and you are sure to make a perfect pot of coffee. I found the programming instructions very confusing. I managed to get it set but if you have a power outage or want to move the base, plan to get the instructions out for you will never remember how to set this thing!
All in all, this pot had all the features I wanted. I was even willing to live with the difficult programming but unfortunately, it died less than one year after I received it as a gift. When I contacted Farberware with no receipt, the serial number dictated a 2+ year old manufacture and they only count on a retail shelf life of 6 months, so they would not honor the warranty.”
This is a sad story, HOWEVER there is a remedy. If you get a Farberware or Black and Decker coffee making product as a gift from someone, call and register it immediately. The call will begin your warranty from the time you called. To register your product call: 1-800-231-9786. If you have any problems with your product, call immediately at this same number.
You can also reach them online at: ProdProtect.com. Select “U.S. Residents” and fill out the registration information and click “Register Product.” If you want a copy of the registration, you can print out the page just before you click the “Register Product” at the botton of the page.
Farberware 4 Cup Coffee Percolator
Since I introduced the Farberware 36 cup coffee urn yesterday, I thought I would review this 4 cup percolator. Hope this information is helpful.
If you like a strong cup of coffee or a weaker cup of coffee consider using this percolator. It repeatedly circulates the water through the coffee grounds as long as you set the control the strength by adjusting the length of brewing time. It has durable stainless steel construction that means this coffee maker will last a long time and maintain consistent brew speed of 1-cup per minute at its regular setting. Thus, your four cups are ready in four minutes for a full pot and ready in two minutes if you want a half pot of coffee. Most reviews note that coffee brewed at its regular length find the coffee just right without being bitter.
This coffee maker keeps your coffee warm as long as it is plugged after brewing. The “Cool-touch handle and the lid knob remain cool to the touch while the rolled edges make it safe and easy to handle. The power cord is detachable so you can set it on a table where power is not available; however, the stay warm feature ends when it is disconnected from a power source. The heavyweight stainless steel construction does help to keep the pot warmer than a regular strength stainless steel. This coffee maker pulls 1000W for maximum efficiency while brewing your coffee.
This Farberware 4 cup coffee maker is 10 inches high, 7 inches wide and 7 inches in length and weights 3.5 pounds. It comes with a one year warranty. Note Friday’s (tomorrow) blog for more information on insuring your one year warranty.
I recently added this urn to my store. It is rated with a 4 star rating by 17 consumer reviews. We seldom think of the great advantages of having an urn. This shining beacon of brew is an elegant mirror-finished stainless steel coffee urn. It dispenses cup after cup of hot delicious coffee. Its sleek, sweeping contours make a dazzling presentation on your next holiday dinner side board where your guests can help themselves to a delicious hot cup of coffee time after time. Or it may be at a party or during a special sports event gathering at your home. This urn automatically switches to keep-warm temperatures and continues to pour perfect piping hot coffee from its non-drip spigot.
This urn is made of durable stainless steel construction and maintains a consistent brew speed of 1-cup per minute. This urn has a ready indicator light and an automatic keep warm mode along with a cool-touch base as well as a lid knob with elegant side handles. The non-drip spigot is a great feature that keeps your area dry. This urn pulls 1150 watts at its highest peak of performance and comes with a one year warranty. P.S. Farberware has been making percolators and urns for around 100 years.
Chinese Herbal Chrysanthemum Flower Tea
Chrysanthemum tea is another very popular tea in that part of China. They sell the dried flowers and stems in bags. If you get some flowers here keep them in the freezer or in the refrigerator. They will loose there flavor if not kept cold or frozen and they will rot in hot weather. Speaking of hot weather, chrysanthemum tea is a great for aiding digestion, relieving different congestions brought on by the heat as well as dry itchy or irritated eyes. When using tea for your eyes, pour it on a cloth and put it over your eyes.
To make chrysanthemum tea the Chinese way is quite similar to green tea. You steep the dried flowers and stems in a pot, tall glass or mug; however, you do not have to get rid of any flowers or stems. Put about 3 tablespoons of flowers and stems in the bottom of your container this should be about an inch deep in a glass. Pour hot water over the tea and let steep for about five minutes to get the full flavor. Some like this tea with sugar or honey; however, in China, they do add some jasmine flowers (Mò li huā) with the chrysanthemum flowers (Jú huā). To make another mug or glass of tea simply fill the same mug or glass with 180° to 190° hot water. With these flowers and stems you can make sometimes up to four servings of Chrysanthemum tea this way. Enjoy!
P.S. I like bright colors in my kitchen including a white cordless electric tea kettle.
Green Herbal Tea made the Chinese Way
For two summers, I lived and taught in Xinyang, Henan Province, China. One of the many great things about living there is that it is in the green tea center of China. The first time I taught, adult students would come to class with freshly made tea in a glass, yes, in a 7 inch tall glass. I was soon introduced to a lady who ran not only a tea shop, but was one of the historical leaders on green tea. She sold many varieties of green tea, some costing in the $100s of dollars per ounce. After the first tea ceremony, we became friends. She taught me how to make everyday tea correctly and that green tea is rich in polyphenolic antioxidants that helps prevent peripheral artery disease and skin aging. I thought all you herbal tea drinkers would enjoy knowing this tea making Chinese methodology.
First fill your container, a mug is okay, with a “good quality” of loose tea about ½ inch high, a little higher for stronger tea. Heat the water to almost boiling. If you boil the water, let it cool a minute or two. When steam comes from your electric tea kettle it is hot enough; 180° to 190° is best. Pour the water over the tea. The leaves should soon stand up in the container; only good leaves stand up on there ends on the bottom. Let them steep until there are leaves floating on the top. Pour out all the water out and make sure all the leaves on the top are out of the container as well. Fill the container again. This time you may drink the tea or if many leaves still come to the top again. Then, you must repeat the process. Drink the tea when all the leaves stay on the bottom. When you want another cup of tea you can add more hot water to the container. This process makes 2 to 3 great tasting mugs or glasses of tea. Enjoy! P.S. I love the Rachel Ray (Apple) Green Cordless Electric Tea Kettle.
Chinese Herbal Chrysanthemum Flower Tea
Chrysanthemum tea is another very popular tea in that part of China. They sell them in bags of dried flowers and stems. If you get some flowers here keep them in the freezer or in the refrigerator. They will loose there flavor if not kept cold or frozen and they will rot in hot weather. Speaking of hot weather, chrysanthemum tea is a great for aiding digestion, relieving different congestions brought on by the heat as well as dry itchy or irritated eyes.
When using for eyes, place the tea in a cloth and put over your eyes.
To make chrysanthemum tea the Chinese way is quite similar to green tea. You steep the dried flowers and stems in a pot, tall glass or mug; however you do not have to get rid of any flowers or stems. Put about 3 tablespoons of flowers and stems in the bottom of your container this should be about an inch deep in a glass and pour hot water, not boiling over the flowers and stems. Let the tea steep for about five minutes to get the full flavor. Some like this tea with sugar or honey; however, in China, they do steep some jasmine flowers (Mò li huā) with the chrysanthemum flowers (Jú huā). To make another mug or glass of tea simply fill the same mug or glass with 180° to 190° hot water. With these flowers and stems you can make sometimes up to four servings of Chrysanthemum tea this way. Enjoy!
P.S. Using an electric tea kettle allows you to have hot water without boiling.
LAVAZZA Cafe Espresso
Have ever wondered how a coffee you are not familiar with would taste? This is the fourth coffee offered this week that gives a hint of what it tastes like. Let me know if this helps you understand the taste of the coffee better.
The best fragrance for those who love the pure pleasure of espresso is Café Espresso. The LavAzza Cafe Espresso is a 100% Arabica blend of the highest quality beans, which have been carefully selected and evenly roasted to produce a smooth coffee flavor with an enticing aroma. The taste is fragrant and aromatic, yet very pleasing to the palate. This is a coffee that really tastes best when made in an espresso machine.
Have ever wondered how a coffee you are not familiar with would taste? This is the third coffee offered this week that gives a hint of what it tastes like. Let me know if this helps you understand the taste of the coffee better.
This LavAzza coffee blend is made with only the best Arabica beans from Central and South America, and select African and Indonesian Robustas beans. LavAzza Grand Espresso’s full-bodied flavor, with its strong chocolate undertones, is perfect for espresso-based beverages with a high milk ratio, and easily produces a very thick crema. Some prefer using sweetened condensed milk with this coffee for the sweetest evening drink; maybe, for a dessert?