Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Fri Dec 28, 2012, 12:47pm Subject: Which Bunn?
I'm putting my search for an espresso machine on hold and have instead decided to upgrade my drip machine.
I've ruled out the technivorm due to price, ease of use, and capacity. As well as the Brazen due to capacity. So I am now deciding between a Bunn VPR or a VR17. Any thoughts on either. Or any other Bunn in the sub $300 range?
Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 9:28pm Subject: Re: Which Bunn?
Bunns air pots work great. A couple years ago I was helping to find a new coffee maker for where I worked and the good folks here on CG steered me towards a VPR air pot setup. Everyone was and is to this day very happy with it. The coffee stays hot for hours and as it's not on a burner cooking remains as delicious as the beans and grind allows.
calblacksmith Moderator Joined: 25 Nov 2007 Posts: 5,681 Location: Riverside, Ca, U.S.A. Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: ECM Veneziano A1 Grinder: Many different commercial Vac Pot: 40s era Silex Drip: Milita, Bunn&Curtis... Roaster: Cast iron pan, gas burner
Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 9:36pm Subject: Re: Which Bunn?
I have had a VPR APS for several years with no problems. It is a well made, dependable coffee maker. As it is a commercial unit, it has an adjustable thermostat though you need to remove a couple of screws to vet to it.
In real life, my name is Wayne P.
Feed the newbs, starve the trolls and above all enjoy what you drink!
Posted Sat Dec 29, 2012, 9:40pm Subject: Re: Which Bunn?
BTW last year I bought a Bunn Velocity Brew ST (thermal cerafe) for my cousin for the holidays (along with a Baratza Maestro plus- I wanted good coffee when I went to visit :) Its been a good machine and the carafe does a great job of keeping the coffee hot.
Rob989_69 Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2012 Posts: 41 Location: Rochester Expertise: Just starting
Posted Sun Dec 30, 2012, 1:48pm Subject: Re: Which Bunn?
Well, as much as I wanted the VPR I found a killer deal on another Bunn. Restaurant was going out of business and sold me their CWTF 15 for $80. Thing is in brand new condition. Just needs cleaned up. I'll find some descaler and delimer and clean it up right. It came with 1 caraffe, but it's pretty rough looking. I may find a replacement or I may just brew right into my thermal carafe. Not sure.
I can also plumb it directly or use it as a pourover. Again, not sure which I'll end up doing. I'll be using it as a pourover first.
Now I can restart my quest for a decent beginner espresso machine.
DreadManWalkin Senior Member Joined: 18 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Detroit Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Jan 18, 2013, 11:08am Subject: Re: Which Bunn?
Hi All, totally new here but just recently purchased a VPR unit myself. My primary reason for purchasing this unit is that I was sick and tired of purchasing a new homeowner unit every year. Ive had horrible luck with Mr Coffee, Gevalia, and my recent "fill-in scab" Rival(which is a fancier way to say Wal-Mart). Outside of the Rival(which doesnt get nearly hot enough to brew, let alone drink), the other 2 made darn good pots of coffee. The problem was that they last a year and a couple of days, which conveniently puts them past any warranty. Heat elements fail on me on every unit, the latest being my Mr Coffee JWX27KV. I really enjoyed that unit, it was programmable and you could also select strength of coffee you would prefer. Which brings me to my current situation, strength of coffee. I prefer stronger cups of coffee, as long as flavor is not compromised. I drink my coffee black, and purchase coffee that is Fair Trade and Organic. I found that my VPR coffee maker runs water through at a very quick rate. I get it, its designed for commercial use so it needs to brew fast. But what Im looking for here is input from VPR or commercial coffee maker users as to how to make the best pot of coffee. Anybody tried to restrict the water flow so it would take longer to flush the grounds? Is it just gonna take more ground beans to get the job done? I have been using reusable filters for years in my "homeowner" units, which has increased flavor profiles with the oils making it to the cup. Cant find a reusable style filter for my VPR anywhere yet, Anybody else? I did find unbleached filters that fit my VPR online but didnt purchase yet because Im not sure I want 1,000 yet, plus I just bought 500 white ones, ouch! I have attempted to put a homeowner sized reusable filter inside of a paper filter in the VPR, which makes a mess in the basket but nowhere else, and have made a stronger pot of coffee by slowing down flow-thru rate. But there has to be a better way, Right? At least, I hope so. Well I will quit babbling, sit back, drink a little coffee and wait for your responses and input. Glad I found this site. Thanks fellow Coffee Geeks, Matt
RoyceRuiz Senior Member Joined: 31 Mar 2012 Posts: 50 Location: Hollister, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Fri Jan 18, 2013, 12:53pm Subject: Re: Which Bunn?
DreadManWalkin Said:
Hi All, totally new here but just recently purchased a VPR unit myself. My primary reason for purchasing this unit is that I was sick and tired of purchasing a new homeowner unit every year. Ive had horrible luck with Mr Coffee, Gevalia, and my recent "fill-in scab" Rival(which is a fancier way to say Wal-Mart). Outside of the Rival(which doesnt get nearly hot enough to brew, let alone drink), the other 2 made darn good pots of coffee. The problem was that they last a year and a couple of days, which conveniently puts them past any warranty. Heat elements fail on me on every unit, the latest being my Mr Coffee JWX27KV. I really enjoyed that unit, it was programmable and you could also select strength of coffee you would prefer. Which brings me to my current situation, strength of coffee. I prefer stronger cups of coffee, as long as flavor is not compromised. I drink my coffee black, and purchase coffee that is Fair Trade and Organic. I found that my VPR coffee maker runs water through at a very quick rate. I get it, its designed for commercial use so it needs to brew fast. But what Im looking for here is input from VPR or commercial coffee maker users as to how to make the best pot of coffee. Anybody tried to restrict the water flow so it would take longer to flush the grounds? Is it just gonna take more ground beans to get the job done? I have been using reusable filters for years in my "homeowner" units, which has increased flavor profiles with the oils making it to the cup. Cant find a reusable style filter for my VPR anywhere yet, Anybody else? I did find unbleached filters that fit my VPR online but didnt purchase yet because Im not sure I want 1,000 yet, plus I just bought 500 white ones, ouch! I have attempted to put a homeowner sized reusable filter inside of a paper filter in the VPR, which makes a mess in the basket but nowhere else, and have made a stronger pot of coffee by slowing down flow-thru rate. But there has to be a better way, Right? At least, I hope so. Well I will quit babbling, sit back, drink a little coffee and wait for your responses and input. Glad I found this site. Thanks fellow Coffee Geeks, Matt
Hi Matt, welcome to coffeegeek. We need some more info. How long does a brew currently take? Have you timed it? What is the volume in that time? how many grams of coffee per 8 oz cup are you using? What grinder are you using and how fine is the coffee ground? Answering these will help us help you brew the best possible coffee from your new machine. As far as a reusable filter for that machine I think you will have a hard time because that is a commercial unit and usually restaurants don't use reusable filters.
DreadManWalkin Senior Member Joined: 18 Jan 2013 Posts: 3 Location: Detroit Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Jan 22, 2013, 6:18pm Subject: Re: Which Bunn?
Royce,
It usually takes about 4 minutes for a batch to brew, regular 12 cup pot about 60 ounces. I usually use 5 scoops of beans, which works out to 1.5 ounces(43g), that I grind on my Mr Coffee grinder model IDS77. I have been grinding it on Medium grind for 12 cup up until today when i tried the fine grind setting as a test. Today's coffee had more flavor but something is still not there. Doing the math, I come up w 5.73 grams per 8 ounce cup, which is what I used on my Mr Coffee JWX27KV on the strong setting for the same volume. It took my old coffee maker 20 minutes to finish, which includes heating that water. I never really thought to time that unit once I could hear the water start flushing. I haven't tested my Bunn maker to see what the actual temperature of the water coming out is. Then again, I really don't know what the best temp should be, my cup of coffee is hot but could probably be hotter as far as drinking purposes. I figure that will be my next test, brew temperature. Am I just missing flavor from the oils? I ponder....... Matt
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