After many requests for recommendations, I decided to put together a list of the coffee related items that I would suggest to someone that ‘s getting into good coffee or wants to upgrade to the next level.

It includes everything from coffee brewing gadgets I use every morning to coffee books I want to re-read.

I’ll add more to the list as I go along, but if you have any question about what coffee equipment to try, please email me via the contact form. I’ll gladly answer your questions.

If you have any suggestions for recommendations, I would love to hear those too. There’s so much equipment out there and more is being created all of the time, so I’ll admit that there’s a lot of devices I haven’t used…yet.

Also, since the page will be updated on a regular basis, I would recommend bookmarking it so you can come back and check out the additions. (Last Update: March, 2013)

Coffee Brewing Gadgets

There’s a lot of amazing coffee gadgets out there and new ones are popping up all of the time. Here’s a few of my favorites.

Aeropress
It’s a little crazy looking, but it makes amazing coffee that’s incredibly smooth and full of flavor. You can read my Aeropress Review here.
Replacement Aeropress filters

Chemex
Another great, slightly unusual looking way to make coffee. It’s a manual method similar to a drip coffee maker, but a whole lot better tasting and smoother. To learn more about Chemex, check out my Chemex How To and Review post.
Replacement Chemex filters

French Press
This is my go to method of making coffee. It’s a simple method that gives me all the control to make the coffee how I want it. It pulls out the flavors from the coffee better than many other methods. Make sure to read 8 Tips and Tricks For The Best French Press Coffee before you go to my French Press Review. For under $30, there is no reason why you should not own one.

Mypressi Twist
I’m not a big espresso guy, unless someone else is making it for me. However, this is the one way that I like to make espresso. Mypressi Twist is a lot more affordable than a traditional espresso machine and for me it was easier to use too. Read my review to see how it works.

Toddy Cold Brew
During the hotter months, I always have a thing of cold brew coffee in my fridge. The Toddy is my favorite way to brew it. Review is here.

Coffee Makers

I’m not a fan of a lot of drip coffee makers – a lot of them don’t brew the water hot enough so the flavors are off, but there are a couple of coffee makers that I love.

Zojirushi Fresh Brew
I had this coffee maker in my kitchen a few years ago for review purposes (read it here). After I was done testing it out, I gave it away via a giveaway contest. I continue to kick myself for giving it away. It was an awesome coffee maker that brewed amazing coffee and came with a thermal carafe. I haven’t found a better drip coffee maker for the price since then. Get it on sale from Amazon for $86.99.

Technivorm
This is one of the few items on the list that I haven’t tried. However, after reading lots of reviews and talking to experts who have first hand knowledge, this is the only other drip coffee maker that I would recommend. It’s not cheap though, at $299. Check out the reviews on Amazon.

Grinders

Without a coffee grinder, you’ll never get as good of coffee as you get with whole beans. Ground coffee that you get from the store is stale and there’s no getting around it.

Mr. Coffee Blade Grinder
I know that a lot of people look down on blade grinders, but they’re better than nothing and get the job done. This is the grinder that I had in my kitchen for a while before I upgraded. Get it now for only $19.85 on Amazon.

Burr Grinder
Right now, I don’t have a mid-level burr grinder that I would recommend. I have one that I use in my kitchen, but it leaves some things to be desired. However, our contributor Geoff reviewed the Krups GX610050 Burr Grinder, but he ended up buying the Baratza Virtuso. Read his review of the Krups Burr Grinder here and find out why he preferred the Virtuoso.

Baratza Virtuoso Conical Burr Grinder
Yeah I’m jealous. This is the only other item on the list that I actually don’t own. However, after seeing it in use in person and talking to several baristas and roasters, this is the grinder that I would recommend. It’s pricy ($219 on Amazon), but it’s one of those things that you get what you pay for. Read the reviews to see what I mean.

Online Coffee Shops

GoCoffeeGo
At some point soon, I’m going to create a list of coffee roasters that I recommend and love. Until then, I want to just recommend my friends over at GoCoffeeGo. Not only have they been long time supporters of Daily Shot Of Coffee, but they also feature some of the best coffee roasters in the country and can have coffee shipped directly from those roasters to your door.

Coffee Books

I may be the only one who reads about coffee almost much as they drink it, but in case there are any other avid readers out there, I selected a few of my favorite coffee books.

Brewing Justice: Fair Trade Coffee, Sustainability, and Survival
The focus of this book is fair trade coffee, but overall it’s an eye opening look at the lives of coffee farmers. It also examines the differences between fair trade and non-certified coffee, analyzing whether fair trade is a real solution.

Coffee Quest
A fun book, by author and artist Dave Wodnicki. The book tells the story of one man’s journey to find a decent cup of coffee. That’s something that I can relate to!

The Art and Craft of Coffee: An Enthusiast’s Guide to Selecting, Roasting, and Brewing Exquisite Coffee
A great looking book that shouldn’t just sit on the coffee table.

Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World
There’s a few books that tell the story of coffee, but by far this is the best one. Not only was it an easy ready, but it was also loaded with information.

—

Fine Print: Some of the links above are affiliate links and we will earn a small commission if you purchase through those links (without any extra cost to you). The above items are all things that I have experience with and I’m recommending them because they are helpful and come from companies that I trust, not because of any commissions that I might earn from you purchasing the products.

Photo by nalundgaard.