Debrak, other than the equipment costs (the roaster, the grinder and the Chemex and filters cost right around $200.00), the green beans are far cheaper than I can get coffee already roasted for here. Most "good" beans are around $12-$15 per package, which used to be a pound but are now 12 ounces. I get green beans anywhere from $4.50 to $7 or $8 a pound. The exotic beans can go up to $20 or so and many are on sale for they're far cheaper. I roast a pound on the weekend. Since you'd have to buy a coffee maker, that balances the cost somewhat. So, I figure my coffee, even after I pay shipping, costs me about $6 a pound, as opposed to the $12 for store bought beans in a lesser amount. We go through about a pound a week, so that $6 a week will add up quickly. However, if you factor in time, you have to roast the beans, grind the coffee and Chemex takes time and attention, you have to pour over the water instead of just pushing the button on the coffee maker. I used to use a coffee maker for coffee during the week when I worked, and the Chemex was reserved for weekends. I got to the point where I'd get up 10 minutes early to use the Chemex, LOL. Annie

Cinnamom can be sprinkled on top the grounds before brewing... to your taste. About a quarter teaspoon per pot is my dose. Cardamon! Sprinkle a pinch over the coffee grounds before brewing. Cardamon is fairly expensive but a small jar last a long time for me... also sprinkle it on burgers and it gives nice scent to my bread. No mixing required. Make a flavor when you feel like it and straight coffee when you don't. I get flavor worn easy so I switch things up. : ) lyra

My percolator makes great coffee. I enjoy a cup or two each morning. I wished I was borned in the US and would have known about coffee percolator a long ago. What a difference a cup of coffee from a percolator makes. It's smooth and flavourable. Another tip is to add a sprinkle (1 cup) or a dash (5 cups)of salt into the coffee ground. It will take the bitterness away from the coffee and you won't taste the salt. Unless, the coffee is processed for the bitter taste.

My 4 cup maker is easy to make 1 cup. I can make "1 cup" in my 12 cup maker either. I find it hilarious that people think that a larger maker must be full. They must also think you can't drive a 6 seat car unless it's full of people! People are gullible to no end. Keurig is nothing unique. It's the biggest sell job/fad since the pet rock. It's also easy to make any amount in a percolator and you'll get better coffee from a good percolator than any Keurig IMO. Only a fraction of people who have Keurigs have even heard of cleaning them. Every time I see those things with the used, wet, mildewed soon to be moldy used pods sitting in them I gag and wonder how people like drinking that. Disgusting. Everyone I know who has them finds them to last at best a little over a year. For that kind of money I laugh at them and ask how much they paid for their pet rock and other gimmicks. One friend argues "OH it makes SUCH GOOD coffee!!!!!" Yeah, then 6 months later it's not so good. And they always ask for coffee when they're here because my coffee "is so good!" Plus I see many people who have gotten tired of the fad and realize that most people want more than a single cup, especially if they entertain so they buy a real coffeemaker to go with it. The novelty of standing in line for each person to make their own "single cup" has worn off in a lot of places. If people really want to pay $100 or more for something that does nothing more than a $10-$30 appliance, and then pay anywhere from 40¢ to $1.00+ for each of the pods, no problem, they can go ahead and throw their money away for a status symbol. Just don't try to tell me it does things that it doesn't and don't try to tell me it's better or easier or can't be done with the other things. I don't need a microwave toaster or a Keurig. I do much better without.