Next year I will be attending a college that will not permit me to have a coffee pot in my room, not because of the heat involved, but because of the electricity it uses. Don't ask me why. Anyway, they will allow us to have water heaters (again, don't ask me why this is ok, and not a coffee pot), so I was wondering what is the best way to make coffee if all I have is hot water. I would also like to do the same with espresso, if it's possible. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

-- Clay Sandoz (claysandoz@email.com), June 23, 2002

Answers

If you can have a hot water kettle, your best bet is a press pot or "French press." You can find them really cheap, but expect to spend $40-60 for a good one. Bodum makes several popular styles which are available at stores such as Target. You can often get a good deal on eBay.

I would not recommend trying to make espresso in a dorm room. Try to find a good coffeehouse near campus, if one exists.

-- Keith H. (dioxypurine@yahoo.com), June 25, 2002.

Clay~ You can make coffee by the drip method if your water will be really hot, nearly boiling. Place a coffee filter in a funnel, put the funnel in a cup, pour the water in the filter, lift it out and place in another cup til next time. Use new grounds and filter with the next cup.

-- IveyNelson (iveynelson@aol.com), June 28, 2002.

The reasoning against the coffee makers has to do with the PULL of the power..more to get things going, then a slow trickle until the warmer plate is turned off. You by yourself might be insignificant, but try hundreds of people, especially starting in clumps at popular times..and throughout the night for cram sessions.

The water heater just does a trickle =to the warmer plate.

Your best bet for flavor is a bodum french press (just plain coffee, sorry)If you have access to a "dorm kitchen" opt for a stovetop mud maker (also can be found as "turkish coffeepot", or italian espresso maker).

Stay away from using anything based in aluminum--it's been shown to increase deposits in the brain, which may or may not contribute to alzheimer's...(heat+aluminum=BAD 4 BRAIN).

..unfortunately, most of those water heaters are aluminum.

Tell your U. to build their own power plant (or update it), and come out of the bronze age!

-- cofeehed-and-former student (cofeehed@hotmail.com), November 30, 2002.

It is advisable to use COFFEE PERCOLATOR easily & cheaply available at many stores like Walmart etc. It gives very concentrated decoction from coffee powder/grains with hot water. It does not use any filter paper so no incuring expenses, every time. It is available of different capacities like, for one cup, two cups & so on. It is available with handle and nozzle also. Give it a good try. You will like it.

-- Y.Mehta (rashgayo@msn.com), June 11, 2003.

Hey Clay,

We have a device that brews a really good cup of coffee heated with alcohol as a heat source. It could soulve your problem and give you one of the best cups of coffee you have ever had. It is called a Globinho and it is manufactured in Brazil.

al

-- Al Welker (orangeroaster@aol.com), January 03, 2004.