The question was posed the other day if the cost of a coffee maker was worth it. I think it is and here's how my logic circuit works.
If you're 3 cup a day guy like I am that equates to about $6 at your average coffee house. I haven't tried fast food places recently because past experience taught me that gagging shouldn't happen when consuming something I like.
Your average pound of coffee at the grocery store costs $12. Yes, Peet's and Starbucks are pricier, but then again did you ever notice that their pound is 12 oz and not 16 oz. I measured today that the 4 oz difference is the equivalent of 12 cups of coffee missing. Instead I recommend grinding a pound at the store. Often the coffee is good (your taste buds are your own, so try a few out to find the one you like), you can get a real pound aka 16 oz, and to rotate stock the price often drops to less than $10 per pound.
Taking the $12 average per pound I figured out that about 2 oz makes roughly a 10 cup pot of coffee. I'm a 3 cup guy so 1 oz will do. This means 16 oz lasts about 16 days. (I say about because some days I use a scoop or 2 more for added richness to flavor).
This means I spend $1 a day instead of $6. Which means a $30 coffee maker is paid for in 6 days. More expensive coffee makers are paid for by way of the $5 difference per day. So, yes, making your own coffee is way better.
Someone might say I forgot the other costs like filters, coffee mug, and electricity. I didn't. Those costs are so minor to be negligible. Filters cost about $2 for hundreds. Who doesn't already have a coffee cup? (BTW, mom has an Etsy shop with beautiful mugs ) As long as you don't leave the pot on 24/7 (ewww, burnt coffee) you'll only pay pennies a day for that.
Besides when you make your own coffee you get a chance to try blending your own beans. Or adding new flavors directly to the pot. I like adding cocoa powder and cinnamon to the coffee before brewing.
