Coffee Slingers is one of the best coffee shops and roasters in my home town of Oklahoma City. If you're ever in town you should really check the place out and get some delicious coffee, but a trip to OKC isn't required to get one of their awesome t-shirts. The design of the roasting machine and the iconography are all great, plus…
I recently happened across an article in The Atlantic that piqued my interest in the Sowden SoftBrew coffee maker. (Because, I don't already have enough coffee makers in my life, right? Please send help.) It's essentially a ceramic kettle with a large, easily-removable, stainless steel mesh filter inside. In fact, it looks a lot like a tea brewer. The filter has been…
The same people who designed our favorite cheese grater are also the makers of a great coffee maker. Similar to a French press, the Eva Solo coffee maker uses a full-immersion brewing method. Just dump some coarsely-ground coffee and hot water directly into the glass carafe, seal off the top with the conical filter/stopper (also, make sure the outer neoprene sleeve is…
(Pictured on right. Aeropress not included.) Let's say you've organized your suitcase, but in your rush to get out the door you totally forgot to get your morning caffeine fix. As long as you remembered to pack your travel coffee gear the night before, you're in good shape. Along with an Aeropress and a bag of fresh beans, you're going to want…
Like it says on the tin, this is a rack that lets you store and display a week's worth of coffee. Each day of coffee is represented by a test tube, which seems fitting. $46 at Meriwether of Montana.
Okay, so maybe this trend of craz- er, inventive new coffee brewers is starting to get a little out of hand. It seems that we're getting ever closer to some sort of Coffee Maker Singularity, and the Canadiano Coffee Maker is perhaps the next step in that process. Fashioned from a single block of wood (cherry, walnut, or maple), the Canadiano is…
The Duo Coffee Steeper is a Kickstarter project that combines the longer steeping time of a French press with the cleanliness of a pour-over brewer. The instructions are simple: load up the top chamber with coffee and hot water, stir, let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then twist the chamber to allow sludge-free coffee to pour into the bottom. The…
If there's one thing we at Tools & Toys (and many of our readers) are not in need of, it's another coffee-making contraption. I mean, the lot of us are nearly full-on baristas at this point. But this beautiful, upcoming device called the Ratio Eight coffee machine definitely seems worth checking out. This machine looks like a cross between a Chemex coffee…
Coffee and camping are two things that go together very well, but I feel like a lot of brewing equipment is too delicate for the outdoors. As much as I like my Hario V60, I'm not sure the ceramic would hold up well in my bag. The Snow Peak Coffee Dripper, another pour-over brewer, may be a solution to this problem. It…
Before the coffee geeks cry out with indignation: yes, I realize I am linking to a Nespresso product and Nespresso is a blight on the coffee-making world, but this is not one of their wasteful coffee pod contraptions. No, the Aeroccino 3 – no relation to the AeroPress – is merely a milk frothing machine, and a good one at that. It…
The Impress Coffee Brewer is a combination coffee press and travel mug that aims to make the brewing process a breeze. Put some freshly ground coffee in the press, pour in some hot water and let it brew for a few minutes, then insert the "cup" piece and push down all the way. It's a lot like brewing with an AeroPress, except…
From the same folks who brought you the Compendious Coffee Chart poster (which is now available in coffee mug form) comes another coffee-themed print, Exceptional Expressions of Espresso. This beautiful 18"x24" poster breaks down the ingredient ratios of 23 different espresso beverages, some of which we've not heard of but sound delicious anyway. We recommend hanging it near your coffee-making area for…
One of the best ways to brew a great cup of coffee is using a pourover method — a couple of the more popular options are the Chemex and Hario V60 brewers. The Pour Mason is an interesting Kickstarter that aims to apply this same idea to mason jars. The concept is simple: twist one of the Pour Mason brewers onto a…
There have been a lot of coffee makers and accessories on Tools & Toys over the years, but somehow, the Toddy Cold Brew System has never been featured (only mentioned once by yours truly). Maybe Shawn and Stephen just aren't big fans of iced coffee, but it's definitely one of my favorite things in the world, and this system is my favorite…
You know what's better than a cup of hot coffee first thing in the morning? A cup of iced coffee on a hot afternoon. I don't know about you guys, but in my neck of the woods, it's already starting to warm up outside as we get closer to springtime and I'm in full-on iced coffee mode. The thing is, iced coffee…
The kitchens of many coffee nerds are practically overflowing with coffee paraphernalia, but a lot of that stuff isn't very well-suited for traveling. Electric burr grinders are no exception to this, which is why hand grinders are so great. They can be tossed into a bag alongside your AeroPress for easy traveling. And if you're willing to put in a little elbow…
For those not in the know, Blue Bottle Coffee is one of the highest-regarded coffee roasters in the business. They have unrelenting passion and focus when it comes to serving up high quality coffee, so their reputation is well deserved. Whether or not you've had the opportunity to try their coffee, their book, The Blue Bottle Craft of Coffee is a fascinating…
We've mentioned the standard Bonavita Gooseneck Kettle ($42) before, but the kinds of coffee nerds who experiment with AeroPress recipes are likely to want very precise temperature control. And that's exactly what the Bonavita Variable Temperature model ($90) brings to the mix. It rocks the same 1-liter stainless steel design and distinct spout that allows for greater pour control, with the addition…
A good drink — hot or cold — should be about more than just the taste. The smell and look of a beverage round out what can be a simple, yet enjoyable, experience. That's one reason I like the Moderna Artisan Double-Wall Thermo Glasses. These 8-ounce, heat-resistant glasses insulate your drink while showing it off. Don't be shy — tell the world you…
This 8-ounce mug has a handy reminder that it's time for more coffee imprinted in the bottom — the molecular structure of caffeine. The graphic is permanently fused to the mug, so the science lesson won't come off with repeated use. It's microwave and dishwasher safe, and is just $14 on Etsy.