Kitchen appliances - stove, oven, microwave, and whatever else is needed!

The beans are ground with a conical grinder, then the coffee grounds are put into the TM, where the water is stirred at 94 degrees. Then pour through a sieve. I only hang in the tea infuser because I tried it and there is no noticeable difference, so I don’t have to bother with the sieve.

I do this a) only when I have to make more than 1L or even 2L of coffee, and b) I never wrote that I grind the beans in the TM. THAT would really be nonsense.

Extracting coffee grounds in moving water at the desired temperature for a defined time is exactly what happens here.

Through trial and error with variety + grind size + temperature + time I have determined to get the coffee that I consider the tastiest. This is not just holding a brush, there is a nice picture at the end (uh... tasty brewed coffee)

Privately, for two people, a cheap porcelain hand filter suffices for us. I invest the money in the beans and keep trying out new things here too. There is no coffee machine or fully automatic machine, though. It is supposed to cost good money for good quality, regarding cost/benefit argument.

We do not brew coffee continuously in the TM. Only when we need quantity because of visitors. My point was only to show that I have a function here that the standard user does not think of and that therefore makes equipment elsewhere unnecessary.

Hi , then I misunderstood that. To ME it sounded as if you yourself would call it nonsense, namely that the TM could also grind. But I must have misread that.

I only wrote the chemist/painter comparison because mentioning a training in a certain field doesn’t really say much (about cooking or coffee making). It was not necessarily meant to say that you couldn’t handle coffee, but it was deliberately written somewhat provocatively. That all sounds very reasonable, what you do with the coffee ... only the tea infuser still doesn’t convince me, but it doesn’t have to. The result counts, and as long as you and your guests like it, everything is fine.
The hand filter is also something nice, and likewise a comparatively inexpensive way to get very good enjoyment in the cup. I would have no hesitation drinking a nice coffee at your place. Have you ever tried Chemex? The look should really appeal to a chemist, shouldn’t it?

Regarding the funny statement about TM, I don’t know if it was aimed at me, but just in case: I stick to what I wrote above. TM doesn’t suit me because of my specific requirements, I would not use the device the way you do and therefore would not really use it. But that only applies to me. My dual boiler is used several times daily and gives me great pleasure because for me coffee enjoyment already begins with preparation. Hopefully I didn’t imply that I deny you the fact that the TM might bring you similarly high benefit. And about the price: you can’t imagine how much convincing it took to persuade my wife not to think I’m crazy for spending nearly 2,5k on a “coffee machine” including a grinder.
...and guess who, when planning the new kitchen, considers a second grinder as an integral part of the kitchen equipment and makes sure you can work well there too? But yes, I can also understand when people shake their heads and think I’m crazy when they learn about the costs of my coffee preparation equipment. That’s just how it is...

But obviously I must have read that wrong.

No problem, it just happened to me recently with Obslerbaum as well, obviously.

You have no idea how much convincing it took to get my wife not to think I’m crazy for spending almost 2.5k on a “coffee machine” including a grinder.

Well. I called my better half crazy when the TM arrived and I heard the price. And then there’s also the patronizing guided cooking... And now who’s the main user of the whole thing and even bought an extra pot for better workflow? Now sometimes I have to endure this knowing "you don't say?" sidelong glance.

Pour-over filter is also a nice thing and likewise a comparatively affordable way to get very good enjoyment in your cup.

In the end, the difference to fully automatic machines is that you can’t get any crema and the coffee is rather medium strong (so not full-bodied) and drunk in the style of tea. Then, of course, it has to be black. Usually, the roast level of the beans is also a bit lighter here, to have more of the acids and fewer bitter substances. Over-extraction for too long leads to too much acidity, which is not tasty and also not stomach-friendly. In the end, the drink should be in a bitterness range similar to very dark chocolate and not taste acidic, but due to the acids still present, depending on taste, it can have fruity or floral influences.

The coffees from fully automatic machines, as I know them, tend more towards bitterness and roasted aromas, with less acidity. Depending on strength, that screams for milk and sugar, latte macchiato, cappuccino, etc. But these are all drinks that I categorize under flavored milk, not under coffee.

At least everyone here can recognize a benefit in a certain thing that really justifies high prices. We’re talking about thousands of euros for some devices here – which exactly doesn’t matter for now.

The result counts, and as long as you and your guests like it, everything’s great

Most guests do. Some find it a bit too weak and not roasted enough. Taste of course develops through habits.

...and guess who considers a second grinder as an integral part of the new kitchen planning

May I ask what the second grinder is for? I bought a second one with a ceramic grinder that I occasionally use for homemade spice mixes. That means roasting whole seeds/capsules and then freshly grinding them. But I always have to run coarse salt through it afterwards to clean it. Maybe I’ll give it away someday. It is used but rarely and therefore not really worth the space. It seems better to me to fully stock manual grinders for things that are often ground, like caraway and allspice.

Edit: Chemex is, in my opinion, somewhere in-between size-wise: too small for coffee for 8 people or more, too big for two. I just have a Bayreuth pot for 2-4, for more then the TM. And I snagged the pot for a few euros during a business liquidation. Otherwise, I think it costs 60€. But it’s not the end of the world either.

May I ask what the second grinder is for?

Of course you may. For different beans. I searched for a long time for a good decaffeinated bean and finally found one. Since I really like to drink a lot of coffee but can't sleep after drinking caffeine late, that one is reserved for evening coffee enjoyment. Nevertheless, I also want to vary other varieties and flavors sometimes, so the second grinder is or would be quite practical. The Commandante is at work with a French press and countertop; the automatic coffee there is not great for my palate, not even with milk or sugar. And making coffee at work with a hand grinder, filter, or French/AeroPress slows things down and relaxes immensely.

And preparing a coffee at work with a hand grinder, filter, or French/Aero Press slows things down and is incredibly relaxing

Exactly!

I am generally rather reserved when it comes to acquiring new devices. I think for a long time about whether I really need it, whether I can use it sensibly, or whether I have even missed it before. If I then decide to buy it, it can also be a bit more expensive. And if I don’t end up using something, I have no regrets about disposing of it immediately.

My "impulse buy" this year was also a spiralizer. A neighbor of mine had raved about it, including the zucchini noodles. I believe it’s a handheld device from Lurch – and what can I say, I really use it. Sure, there is always a core left inside, but with the zucchini flood from the garden, I don’t care.

I don’t need things like rice cookers or egg cookers. On the countertop there are "only" the MUM, the kettle, and the portafilter plus milk frother. All other devices are put away again after use, like the dehydrator, the yogurt maker, or – my husband’s purchase – the popcorn maker. The latter is only used for making bird food...

I am much more susceptible to various baking helpers. Proofing baskets, Springerle molds, cookie cutters... quite a collection accumulates. But all of it is used.

I am almost completely immune to Tupperware. I don’t like plastic stuff and try to avoid plastic in general whenever I can. I find stainless steel bowls much nicer anyway. Recently, I was at a Tupperware party... my goodness, the ladies were really in their element! In the end, the Tupperware lady was a bit annoyed because I rejected all her great "usage tips." The best was the demonstration of a microwave bowl, which you just have to preheat for 10 minutes in the microwave, then add turkey strips, onions, tomato paste, cream, and bouillon granules, and it cooks perfectly in just 15 minutes. Sensational! The finished dish reminded me of the worst ready meals from Sonnen-Bassermann and my objection that you can make strips delicious in the pan in just a few minutes was dismissed with the great energy-saving argument. The wonderful bowl would have only cost 250 euros. And I, silly cow, didn’t want to see all the advantages...

Dressing board, you are just like me. I also never see the advantages and drive the ladies crazy.