Finding a Good Used Coffee Maker

Reviving a Classic Braun Coffee Maker

If you are a coffee drinker you know the importance of a good quality coffee maker. Most of the units you can buy new these days aren't well built and are almost exclusively made in China.

I've always been a fan of the classic Braun coffee makers and refusing to participate in the disposable appliance cycle it seems everyone in this country is on I keep my eyes open at garage sales and thrift shops for the the older Brauns.

Many of the early Braun coffee makers were made in Germany and sold with reusable filters. The coffee isn't barista grade when brewed but its a damn good cup of coffee as Agent Cooper in Twin Peaks often said.

At a thrift store in Massachusetts I like to frequent I ran into a German made Braun model 3097 complete with a Schott carafe and swiss gold filter. I picked up the coffee maker for $2.99 all it needed was a cleaning.

Restoring a coffee maker usually only requires running a couple cycles of white vinegar and water through the system and giving it a good external cleaning. Using a Skoy cloth, castile soap and and old toothbrush I had the unit in coffee brewing condition in about a day.

I love the industrial design of the old Braun products.

I have two Braun coffee makers the other one I picked up at a church sale for $2 is an Aeromaster – which is a classic icon of industrial design.

Many of these older Braun's were deemed “out of style” by homeowners and replaced with other more modern looking units.

They are now at the height of fashion and look great in a kitchen. If you're looking for a highly functional and well designed coffee maker keep your eyes peeled for a German made Braun at a tag sale, thrift shop or on eBay.

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Comments

[Alexander]

This is just the kind of thing that I support. So much of the time we just run to the store and buy anything put in front of us.

I love to see some one sitting down and thinking about quality of life issues. Good job Rider!

[Jean]

Im so glad I came across this site. Iv been telling everyone that the braun coffee pot ( the older model ) is the best darned coffee maker Iv ever had!! And its super Fast!!
And I buying my daughter one for christmas! I'v bought her I bet 'four coffee pots' maybe more, throughout the years and they've all stopped working. This article is right, they are literally disposable!! Iv had this braun coffee maker for about five years and have never had a problem. Its made like things should be made " TO LAST "!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your article, its 100% true, now I have to go and find this model somewhere online.
Sincerely, Jean w. Oh p.s, I found the caraf at a garage sale as with so many other brands the pots have broken, but this one has stood up so well, but just in case, I do have a replacement!