As the years pass, I become increasingly particular about how I like certain things to be. Some call this fussy, but provided you can stay on the right side of becoming OCD I think it’s probably OK. Coffee is something I have some quite specific requirements on. I should say this is not in a kind of ‘OMG I simply can’t find anyone here who can make a proper flat white’ kind of way, its more my own (maybe odd) preferences on a basic cup of coffee.
1. I don’t really like instant coffee, it just doesn’t taste right to me. If that’s all that’s on offer, I’d rather have tea
2. I don’t like the dense sludge that you end up with in your cup if you use a cafetière
3. When I use those individual pre-filled plastic coffee filters I feel like I have lost part of my life I’ll never get back whilst waiting for it to drip through.
4. I don’t live next door to a Starbucks
5. I am the only person who regularly drinks coffee here, so I only want one cup, not a pot full.
In the light of these facts my method of choice for the last few years has been to balance the plastic filter cone on top of the coffee cup and fill it with enough water for one cup. ‘Enough water’ is a somewhat moot point as invariably it’s ‘too much’ water, so after the cup is full I balance the filter on top of any nearby receptacle for the final unwanted bit to trickle through. This generates a random collection of cups, bowls and the like sat on the worktop with a few spoons of cold coffee in – maybe a small price to pay for a great cup of coffee but not exactly a popularity gaining move it turns out.
The balancing of the cone on the cup is fraught with danger, as it doesn’t really fit and when filled with boiling water it becomes very tippy. The most likely time for the cone to tip slightly is as the water goes in, the sudden sideways motion leading the stream of water to go down the back of the filter paper and miss the coffee altogether, leading to much profanity and cursing from the kitchen.
There is nothing like a relaxing cup of coffee on a Sunday morning and this was certainly nothing like it.
Enter Coffee Thing;
This was actually meant to be a prototype, but since it looks OK and seems to work I suspect the product development has reached the end of the road here. Having re-read my set of requirements that led to its birth, I think I may be the only person in the world that needs this product so this American Black Walnut one-off will probably be the first and last Coffee Thing.
Problem solved…thanks Coffee Thing.
Ed
louise
June 25, 2011
I’m saying nothing! Muppet except fro that it is a beautiful piece of design – love walnut!
louise
June 25, 2011
might help if my fingers typed as quick as i thought things!
Jacob Butler
June 25, 2011
There’s only one way Ed and that’s a Moka and fresh ground coffee. Marcella Hazan (and several million Italians) all say so so it must be right.
You can get a little one for yourself, or bigger for the family.
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
June 25, 2011
Way to put that American black walnut to use. Hmm, not sure that even made sense. I think I need my coffee. Have to go make it. I don’t live near Starbucks either.
Laura
June 25, 2011
Maybe you would like a French press. You can get a small one. My husband says it is the best coffee he has ever had and he is a Starbucks addict. In fact, that is what Starbucks uses when their machines act up.
egg me on
June 25, 2011
Great post … I was chuckling the whole time. I think a lot of people would like your Coffee Thing, actually. Me included. Awesome.
Kelly
June 26, 2011
I couldn’t believe it! That which I have been searching for!!! I leave at 0darkoo for work and all I want is a cup o Joe for the road. Auto coffee is…let’s leave it at bad. After my 3rd French press mysteriously broke according to my kids, I was left with holding the filter and screaming under breath, just give me the coffee! If you ever feel the need to sell a coffee thingy, please let me know.
Jill
June 26, 2011
Do you know, this is very similar to the Clive Stand I’ve been coveting for some time: http://www.clivecoffee.com/product/clive_stand.html. I never imagined making one yourself, but what a wonderful idea. And if they’re selling theirs for $195, there must be a market for it.
Annie
September 7, 2011
I would love to buy one or maybe a couple- how much?
They are so nice,
Annie
206.218.3324
Cassi
September 7, 2011
I. Love. This.
Faye
September 10, 2011
You know, Black and Decker makes a single cup coffee machine that uses regular grounds instead of those stupid pre-filled plastic tubs. I’ve had mine for years, and it’s still going strong.
thingswemake.co.uk
September 10, 2011
Thanks for all the comments. Coffee Thing continues to perform well, although I have been cheating on her a bit recently with a shiny little stove top espresso maker that I’ve had for years.
I suspect that if I added up the cost of materials, man hours, packaging and postage the price would make it fairly unattractive. For that reason, and also my lack of spare time, I can’t see Coffee Thing being offered for sale any time soon. I’d like to think that this blog might provide ideas and inspiration for people to have a go at making things for themselves. There’s a satisfaction to be gained by making it yourself that far exceeds buying a solution to a problem.
Thanks again for all the positive feedback.
Ed
John Pantazis (@PAN360)
September 18, 2011
Great read for a Coffee Lover…
Lasse H. Kristiansen (@iamlasse)
October 2, 2011
Funny to find this posts, as I have been thinking about creating a similar ‘thing’ lately.
jameyandcarrie
November 18, 2011
As a fellow coffee lover, I laughed out loud several times reading this post. Very clever. I identify with many of your requirements 🙂 What a great fix to your problem.
Wendy
December 6, 2011
I love how particular you are about coffee — I’m the same, and have struggled for years to find just the right mechanism and method for making it. I’m so inspired that you made your own. Really enjoying your blog.
Luke
February 8, 2012
These have been used in latin america for ages to brew their coffee. They use a cloth filter, but the wooden stand is basically the same thing.
Jim
June 5, 2012
Check out the Hario V60 – it’s a special cone made for manual pour over brewing and what I brew with every day. Makes a superb cup especially when you get the technique down. http://vimeo.com/8590103