I got a new coffee maker a few weeks ago and thought I’d share the info and give a few tips on using it as a guy who is blind.
Hamilton-Proctor 46896 10-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker
This makes very yummy coffee and its pretty easy to use. One of the things I like about it is the insulated carafe keeps the coffee hot, and not a heating element on the coffee maker. Once its done brewing, unplug the coffee maker, as it serves no other purpose.
There is a small display on the front, but its not a touch screen as some really fancy coffee makers have. There is a button on the left side of the display and a button on the right side. They are both large buttons and are easy to feel.
There are three small buttons under the display but those are only needed for setting the time on the display. The left button sets the brew mode and the button on the right starts brewing.
There are two covers on top of the coffee maker. The one closest to the front covers the filter basket and the one in back covers where you will add water.
So here’s my routine for making coffee.
I buy whole bean coffee & grind it with an inexpensive KitchenAid coffee grinder.
KitchenAid Blade Coffee Grinder BCG111OB – Onyx Black
$29.99
https://goo.gl/ZcDt3V
While the shortened link is to Google Express, I’ve seen it as low as $20 from time to time on Amazon. The link is just to make things easier, I get nothing in return, so shop around.
The metal grinding cup will lock into position by placing it into the groove and turning the cup clockwise to lock or counterclockwise to unlock. You turn the grinder on or off by pressing down on the lid or lifting up from pressing the lid.
It may take a couple times of inserting & removing the grinding cup to get the feel of the right position to lock the cup into the rest of the grinder.
Using a 1/4 measuring cup I place 3/4 of a cup of coffee beans into the grinder. I prefer a more coarse grind, so once I place the lid on the grinder & plug it in, its just three or four quick presses on the lid to grind the beans. Its one of those things it will take a few times to get the grinding to your liking. Buy a bag or two of some really cheap coffee at the grocery store to play around with. Unplug the grinder, as its job is done, and slide it to the side.
The coffee maker uses a #4 cone coffee filter that you can buy in any grocery or department store, there are about six that come with the coffee maker.
Place the cone coffee filter into the brew basket with its handle facing you. Open up the filter and gently spread it open as you lower the filter into the basket.
Take the lid off of the grinder if you haven’t already. Grab the metal grinding cup, and twist it counter clockwise to unlock. Lift it off of the grinder’s base and set it on the counter.
Take the brewing basket with filter inserted and place it upside down on the top of the grinder cup.
Flip it upside down, dumping the ground coffee from the grinding cup into the filter.
Place the basket with filter & ground coffee into its place on the coffee maker, handle side of the basket towards you and close its lid.
One of the things I like about the insulated carafe is it has a place on top of its handle where one would press down to pour the coffee into a mug, if you don’t press down on this small lever, nothing comes out of the carafe.
You can take the lid with lever off of the carafe by turning it in a counter clockwise motion. This is how you will put water into the carafe so you can pour it into the coffee maker.
Fill it up almost to the top of the carafe, leaving a little extra space, no need to totally fill the carafe.
Place the lid & lever part back onto the carafe so that the lever part is near the carafe’s handle and turn it clockwise. It doesn’t turn far and will be in the right place so you can pour the coffee later.
Play around with that step a few times of filling it up, replacing the lid and then press down on the lever and pour the water back into the sink if that helps you figure out the right levels and what it all feels like before making coffee.
Open the back cover on top of the coffee maker. Feel the opening on the left side. I place a finger there to help guide the carafe in my other hand and after feeling the small lip on the carafe, I line it all up with where the opening is on the coffee maker. Gently press down on the button near the carafe’s handle and water will come out. Slowly pour the water into the coffee maker. If you feel that you don’t have things lined up just right and you are spilling water, just take your finger off of that dispensing button and it will stop.
When the carafe is empty close the lid on the back of the coffee maker. In case any water dripped onto where the carafe goes, just wipe that area dry with a paper towel. Place the carafe into its place on the coffee maker. It may take a few times of inserting and removing the carafe to get it into place.
Plug in the coffee maker and move it around to a safe place on your counter where it won’t get bumped or knocked over.
One of the benefits of unplugging the coffee maker when its done making coffee is you get to start out with the default settings each time you make coffee and don’t have to wonder what it is set to.
By default it is on the regular brew setting. If you press the large button to the left of the display once it will be on the bold setting. Pressing that button twice puts it on the robust setting.
If you press the button too many times, just unplug the coffee maker for about 45 seconds and plug it in again.
The three modes, normal, bold, and robust control how fast water is placed into the brew basket. Normal is fastest and robust is slowest. This is something you will have to find your preference and maybe adjust it when making coffee for others.
I prefer the robust setting. You’ll hear the coffee maker dispense some water into the basket, take a break for a little bit and repeating this process until brewing is done. The three settings will control the fullness or strength of the coffee.
After selecting the brew strength, press the button on the right side of the display and brewing will begin.
You can get coffee before the maker is totally done by removing the carafe, pouring coffee into a mug, and returning the carafe back to the coffee maker. I choose not to do this as you only have about 20 seconds of time to have the carafe removed before the coffee maker will overflow and make a big hot mess. I choose to just play it safe and wait until its done.
You’ll know its done when you don’t hear the sounds of water being put into the basket and that common gurgling sound of a coffee maker as it gets near the end. One very minor thing I’d like to have as with my other coffee makers, a beep when its done but its not a deal breaker for me. A typical estimate of about 14 – 15 minutes on the slowest setting, robust might help you get an idea of how long it takes.
I bought it on Google Express. I’m providing a shortened link to make it easier to find. I don’t get anything in return for you buying it from Google Express.
blindbites 