Drip Coffee Makers — super simple, super cheap

Gather 'round the fire with some delicious cups of hot brown as I tell you the story of American hot brown.

The Engineer Guy's video on the coffee maker's Bubble Pump

My percolator video

The infamous Kettle video (which I have a feeling inspired the even more infamous New York Times article...)

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00:00 Intro
01:05 Kettles are Confusing
02:20 Why kettles don't make our coffee
04:51 Introducing Mr. Coffee
08:12 Exploring a vintage Mr. Coffee machine
10:57 Brewing Temperature and Control
16:19 Modern design and theory of operation
21:25 Speed comparison and taste test
23:20 Coffee Saver feature test
26:37 The cost-saving hot plate
28:59 These things are stinkin' cheap
30:21 Coffee Pragmatism
31:21 Some advice for cheap drip brewers
32:08 More Pragmatism and the Flavor to Effort Ratio
33:23 The drip brewer's reliability weakness
34:27 Conclusion
35:22 Bloopers

[TechnologyConnections]

Don't hold back on those coffee opinions! It boosts engagement :)

[Nikiaf]

I feel like you’ve opened the door to explore espresso machines now. It would make for a good video anyway, there’s a lot of mechanical goodness happening inside.

[DawnBriarDev]

"Big tubs because some families will absolutely get through it in a month."
I have been promoted to the status of "a family." I don't feel lonely anymore.

[captainevenslower]

As a central European: we have both an electric kettle AND a coffe maker. Since we can't decide which hot brown we want at any given day.

[theCodyReeder]

I, someone who doesn't drink coffee, have watched this video twice now.

[Zengalachoc]

This man could make a whole 2 hour documentary on anything, and I would watch all of it.

[maol]

12:42 "And what are strips of metal sometimes? Bi"
I knew I was watching this channel for a good reason

[hrsuiter]

I am an Old Geezer and I remember the invention of the Mr. Coffee drip coffeemaker. One thing you did not mention is the prevalence of instant coffee during the time before Mr Coffee. Between the years of the late 1950's and the early 1970's in office break rooms, the ubiquitous instant coffee and an electric percolator used to keep hot water warm was the de facto standard. There wasn't any time to use anything else during the week. It is no wonder that people loved perked coffee during the weekend, in spite of it easily scorching if not carefully watched. Even perked was so much better than the instant garbage they usually drank. When Mr. Coffee machines were introduced, coffee lovers saw light from heaven. They could make a pot fast at the office, and it didn't taste like bilgewater. Another thing you did not mention on the later versions is the handy little spring that allows you to take a quick cup even though the coffeemaker is not done.

[elenhin]

As a Swede, who started drinking coffee on a saucer at my grandparents when I was 8, and then went on to form the regular Swedish 5 cups a day habit, I am very pleased to hear that there are americans drinking REAL COFFEE. I am one of those who thought you used only instant or pods. I use a Moccamaster automatic.

[andljoy]

That bi-metal strip to control the water inlet is just genius. I love how limitations bring innovation.

[sunla]

Some months back, I watched your video "why don't Americans use electric kettles" and I remembered someone had gifted my husband and I one years back. I thought maybe I was misremembering, so I took a look, and I found it - still in the box and all. To be honest, I didn't really think about it before. My goodness, I've gotten literally daily use out of it since.
It's so quick and easy to use. Thanks for the information and for enlightening me to these nifty things. I just came by this video, and remembered you, so I had to tell you!

[MowLawner]

Drip coffee machines are the dishwashers of coffee makers. They're consistent, reliable, and effective AS LONG AS YOU USE THEM PROPERLY. If you weigh your coffee and use the same mass of coffee each time, the other variables will make a much bigger difference (bean freshness, how recent the beans were ground, whether you're using an insulated carafe). Plus, guess what I'm not doing while my drip machine is making coffee! Yep, you guessed it! Making coffee!
Great vid, Alec.

[trep]

Another great video! As a 71 yo male that started drinking coffee 63 years ago I have tried most variations of coffee brewing in the USA. What shaped my coffee tastes was a 15 cent vending machine cup of black (no sugar) coffee served in a paper cup with a poker hand printed on it. The claim was “High pressure, steam brewed”. It wasn’t too good. Then Mr. Coffee where developed and the vending machines disappeared.

[thoraudio]

"There are only so many things I'm willing to become an enthusiast for..." said the man sitting behind 3 coffee makers during his 2nd coffee maker episode.

[mattmorgan]

As a non-American who has only seen these things in movies, you have no idea how grateful I am that this video exists! Thank you for thoroughly sating my curiosity. :)

[alexanderthesk]

The amount of Love I have for this channel is indescribable. You have no idea how much you've helped me by simply passing on information. All the good vibes and positive thoughts to you.

[bladactania]

The best thing about your videos is that they fly by. Most other videos that are this long tend to drag on, but yours seem so much shorter than their actual length. This is because you're so engaging and entertaining all while educating! Love your work, sir!

[daviga]

In archaeology, I can't tell you how many times the answer we have is 'no one reorded that because it was so common and everyone knew about it'. as I watch a video explaining how to brew coffee, I can't help but wish someone would etch this onto some clay tablets so future archaeologists dont decide all those weird objects in the landfill are 'ritual totems'

[jbomb]

never thought I'd hit a point in my life where I'm excitedly clicking on a half hour long video about drip coffee makers but here I am.

[mmz]

i never would have imagened to watch a 36 minute video about Drip Coffeee Makers, i like your videos