This blog refrains from posts that deal with matters of relative trivia, but does not hesitate to report on important news and information. This is important. A new coffee maker now graces the McCain Manse. The journey toward its purchase began with a post or two by Diane Meyer, of Respublica, as she recounted her quest for a new coffee maker. I began musing on the need to replace our machine, but delayed it far too long. I launched my search in earnest a few weeks ago when our Krupss began to lose its ability to heat water to the perfect coffee-making temperature. I was baffled, since the machine was only twenty one years old! Seriously, the Krupps was purchased back in 1987.
    In its place now stands the Brew Central™ 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker by Cuisinart, which was on sale at Sam's for only $50, an excellent sale price. I did quite a bit of research, and this model kept coming up on the high-side of consumer reviews. Of course, the ultimate coffee experience is the French Press, but that takes too much time on the hurry-up-and-get-in-the-car mornings. Or when you just want coffee, now! The new machine is doing a great job. I'm particuarly impressed at how well it does on the four-cup setting. Either on 12 or 4 cup setting, the machine makes very hot coffee, not too hot, but definitely hot. It has a built in water filter, nice touch. And it is programmable, and very easy to get to the filter and basket holding the filter. The caraffe has a wonderful pouring lip: no drips or spills. And the hot plate is adjustable, so you can set it to high to keep the coffee piping hot, assuming there is anything left in the pot after the first couple of pours. All in all, I'm very pleased.