If you assemble your coffee in the morning, there really isn’t too much advantage between coffee machine and French press.
- Both require assembly.
- Both require 5 minutes of time.
- Both require cleaning.
The factor that converted me back to coffee machines was that Karen (my mother in law) assembles her coffee the night before. When we lived together this summer, I had such fun participating in the process with her. She puts the grounds in after dinner, which leaves the kitchen with a faint air of coffee and makes one already excited for breakfast. And when she’s ready for coffee in the morning, she just flips a button.
[Side note – Karen actually doesn’t put the water in the night before because she thinks it gets dirty
. I say do it – all or nothin’!]
Since I don’t have to be at work by some early hour, it never occurred to me to assemble my coffee at night. Why would I if I had time in the morning? I’m not one of those people who fumbles until I drink my coffee, so there was no problem figuring out how to put it together in the morning. But I never realized how fun the ritual of night making would be. And how easy flipping a button is.
The process of using a coffee machine is now as romantic as that of the French press!
Coffee, perfected
I also like the idea of pulling my pre-made overnight breakfast out of the fridge and digging in!
Remember granola planks!? I think every bowl of oats I ate for 6 months contained granola plank and barney butter the first year I blogged. Honest Foods is now Earnest Eats and their granola planks are back. They sent me a few as a reminder of yesteryear.
Last night’s overnight oats contained:
- ~1 tbsp Nutty’s residue (yeah, I just got this jar – but Matt ate 2/3 of it while I wasn’t looking!! There will be more coming – a fun program I’m working on 😉 )
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 banana
- Pinch salt
- Splash vanilla
- Granola plank topping
Gonna be a blue sky kinda day. I’ve got a freelance project that is taking up my morning and a few appts. this afternoon. Get on crackin’!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
Whatever makes the morning easier, right? PB jars never last in my house, either- all the better for making OIAJ! Hope you have a great day!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
If I drank coffee regularly, I would totally prep it at night! I love my time to relax in the morning.
Freya (Brit Chick Runs) says
I seem to finish off NB jars just by dipping my finger in every time I go to the cupboard – it’s awful!!
Have a lovely day 🙂
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
I now hide my jars at the back of the cupboards so it’s too much trouble to try and get one out just for a few nibbles!!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
My MIL makes coffee the night before too, and the smell of coffee filling the kitchen gets me every time- I love it! It’s all about the ritual 😉
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
we make coffee the night before, and program it to start brewing while we’re working out. nothing better than getting back from a nice run & having coffee waiting for you! 🙂
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I want one of those coffee makers that you can set to make the coffee at a specific time, so that when you come down stairs, a pot is already waiting!! 🙂
Christine says
Pinch of salt! I started doing that only recently and it makes such a difference, especially since my almond butter is unsalted! Delicious!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
My husband is obsessed with prepping coffee that night before! I have to agree that I love the faint smell of coffee in the kitchen!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I second this whole thought on coffee! I love the faint smell of coffee going through the house at night! I love mornings, so it really adds to the excitement of getting up and going!
Laura says
Is your coffee programable?
My favourite thing about my little coffee maker is that (as Anna mentioned), my coffee can already be made for me when I come downstairs in the morning!! 😉 I ? it.
Cara says
Mmm…I love automated coffee machines with timers on them…I always used to set mine to start about 3 mins before I got out of bed so that the smell would start wafting into my room!
Katryn@rampantcuisine says
I have the same coffee maker! My husband and I have it programmed to brew at 6:30 each morning…I love being able to smell fresh-brewed coffee from bed. 🙂
Tina says
Hope you have a great (and productive) day!!!
And don’t you love waking up to a basically ready breakfast. Great way to start the day.
sweetersalt says
I love easy mornings. Cold brewed iced coffee + overnight oats = less stressful morning routine!
Laura
Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up says
I absolutely LOVE earnest eats, especially the choco peanut butter nutrition bar! It’s so good! My grocery store doesn’t carry the granola planks yet but I hope they do soon! 🙂
Maria @ Kale and Cupcakes says
Never heard of granola planks! Interesting – I think they’re in my future. : )
Stacey says
We’ve set up our coffee maker in the nighttime a couple of times before..and I think it’s great! I don’t know why we don’t do it more often, it’s so easy (like you said)..just put the grounds in, pour in the coffee and set the clock to go off at a certain time. That’s five extra minutes I have in my morning! I think I might give it a try tonight! Thanks for motivating me lol 😀
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
I love coffee in all ways! I have a french press (that, honestly, rarely ever gets used), a fancy coffee machine that grinds the beans and is great for big groups!, and a Keurig machine… which I have become hopelessly addicted to 🙂
YAY for easy coffee!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
My coffee maker has a timer that will turn on at a certain time — I don’t even have to flip a switch in the morning! I walk down the stairs to the smell of delicious coffee ready and waiting.
I have thought about having my coffee maker next to our bed – then I could coffee as soon as I get up. 🙂
Lindsey says
Mmmm I LOVE granola planks! Especially the blueberry crackle ones. SO tasty!
VeggieGirl says
Best of luck with your project and appointments, dear Kath!
Kath says
Hi!
Whitney says
I don’t drink coffee but all of this coffee talk makes me wish I did! 🙂
Kathleen says
I love making up the coffee pot the night before. Mine is programable so all I have to do is go straight from my bed to my cup. Coffee already made waiting for me.
Heather says
my parents always do their coffee the night before too, bc my dad gets up so early. I like to smell it in the evenings when my mom is getting it ready!
Danielle (Runs on Green) says
I think the coffee machine is a lot easier but I have one of those 1-cup makers so it’s also more expensive. I’m thinking of switching back though b/c it’s quicker!
Sonya says
Your breakfasts have inspired me! I have an arsenal of products (non-perishable) under my desk at work. In the a.m., I simply assemble a random combo of oats/oat bran/muesli/chia seeds (never used them until I began reading your blog)/grains soaking in almond milk (in fridge) with various fruit, top off with crushed nuts and an occasional tsp of Earth Balance peanut butter….it makes coming to work bearable and very tasty! Thank you.
Faith @ lovelyascharged says
Why has it never dawned on me to make coffee at night? What a great time-saver!
Heather says
The reason my husband loves the keurig so much is the speed at which it makes coffee in the morning – he could never fill a coffee pot the night before – he would never remember!
I drink iced tea so on Sunday night I make a big pot of it for the week – I’m all set!
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
You should be able to program your coffee maker to come on a few minutes before you normally wake up, that is if your on a schedule. It’s nice to get up and have it all ready brewed.
Kath says
My coffeemaker is programmable, but I prefer to be there while it brews and gurgles – I think it’s more fun!
Kath says
AND – as I said, I really like flipping the button!!
Alison says
i am all about assembling coffee the night before. the brand i use has a light chocolate scent and it smells divine. totally gets me excited for breakfast, too!
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
Overnight oats in a jar may be my absolutely favorite way to eat oatmeal.
And while I don’t drink coffee, I love the smell of Edgar’s coffee brewing in the morning. He sets it the night before. Only bad part about it is that he prefers his coffee fresh ground, and grinding it ahead of time (the night before) damages the allure to him. Ah well. He gets over it.
Alexa says
I have a cheap-o coffee maker, but its best feature is the auto timer! I don’t usually use it, as I too have time to assemble coffee in the morning, but if I set the clock and the timer and put the water and coffee in the night before, I wake up with the most amazing coffee smell permeating my apartment. I can stumble into the kitchen and pour a cup and it is bliss!
Whoa! Granola planks look awesome!! Me wants!
Alexa says
*glances through the other comments post comment submission*
Okay, okay, the button pressing is fun. But really, try the coffee brewing in the morning smell thing. With really good coffee. Really. Just once. 😉
Kath says
I have tried it – it was fun, but I missed the making process!
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
I couldn’t help but think of those sappy Folger’s commercials while reading about your coffee maker. You know the ones: Christmas, son Peter is is away, Folgers coffee pot is all set and turns on automatically, this magically draws Peter home. I don’t drink coffee, but I grew up in a house where it was made each morning, so when I hear the gurgles and smells of it at the crack of dawn, I get warm fuzzies.
Bridget says
I agree about the autotimer. To fit in gym time I am usually up at 5am, there is nothing like the aroma of coffee sneaking into my bedroom to encourage me to get out of bed.
Leah says
Hi Kath!
Love your blog! It’s one of my favorites :). I’m going into my 3rd year of University (in Canada) and am working towards adding the RD title to my name, so it has been fun reading about your journey :). A very belated congratulations for passing the RD exam!!
Kath says
Thanks! And good luck to you!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i remember when you ate those granola planks – i liked the sound of them then, and i like the sound of them now!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i love breakfasts that require no work! yours looks amazing 🙂
Rose says
The other upside of a coffee maker is MORE coffee 🙂 My roommate gets up much earlier than I do, makes a pot and then puts the rest in the fridge for me so I can have iced coffee. It’s a great system!
Vicky @ eat live spin says
I have the same coffee maker. I only use it once in awhile… but I have to say having the smell of coffee makes a great natural alarm clock!
Megan says
Now that is the way to do breakfast and coffee!!!
Susan Mc says
This post is a great reminder in enjoying simple pleasures…
Yes, flipping a button can = joy!
🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I was about to say “didn’t you just get that jar?!” but then I saw you commented on it. haha must be a good one!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
I’ve never heard of Granola Planks before but they sound like such a good idea! I love putting all sorts of mix-ins in my yogurt so I’d love to track some down. Looks like a delicious breakfast, as usual! 🙂
barefootgirl says
while pushing a button can be lots of fun….. I love the fact that my alarm & coffee maker go off simultaneously… The sound of the coffee grinding certainly motivates me to crawl out of bed..
On another note, I finally got up the courage to mix cottage cheese in my oats.. pretty darn good!! thank you!!!
Allie says
i love setting up my coffee machine the night before. i have mine on auto start and i wake up to coffee smell every morning. LOVE IT!
Annie (Delicious Wellness) says
Hi Kath, This is completely random, but I’ve been meaning to ask you – did you “invent” SIABs? Or where did you come up with that idea? I got the idea from YOU and I make them ALL the time, and I wanted to know who I should credit on my blog! I know it’s not quite a recipe, but I still think the concept is unique (to those outside the blogworld). Thanks! 🙂
Kath says
I did invent them – and most definitely the name SIAB.
But that doesn’t mean other people haven’t been doing them for ages!
Caitlin (EatFeats) says
Having coffee and breakfast ready when you wake up does seem romantic. I was wondering which jar of oats was for whom!
meredith says
My husband and I are not OBSESSED with SIABs!!! Thank you so much for turning us onto them.
R @ Learning As I Chop says
Granola planks sound delicious
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
upside of my husband not eating peanut butter – more for me:-)
Joanna says
I started doing the prepare coffee at night thing in April and you’re right, there’s something really awesome about the ritual!
Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales) says
You think that’s easy? Get yourself a Keurig…sometimes I feel so guilty being that lazy! But, it’s that single cup of coffee that’s perfected. Love it!
Chelsea says
I love waking up to a pot of coffee made already. I get up at roughly the same time everyday, so I (or my parents) usually set it to turn on so it’s just finishing up as we wake up. It’s so nice waking up to the smell of coffee
Wei-Wei says
Haha. How did you and Matt choose between the two jars? 😉
Kath says
Easy choice for me 🙂
Megan (Braise The Roof) says
Welcome to the automatic side of coffee-making. I have a coffee maker like yours, but I’m starting to make coffee at work now in the single serve k-cups. Doesn’t get more convenient than that!!
Taysa says
Convenience is one thing, but taste is another. I got rid of my coffee maker last year and make a french press every morning, even while rushing out the door, and I will never go back! You can still prep the night before, by grinding the beans and putting it in the glass carafe, then just heating/pouring the water in the morning. Plus, I love having one less thing in my house that plugs in, one less plastic/metal contraption that will sit in a landfill (glass carafes are far more recyclable) and so on.
Kath says
I’ve pretty much figured out the right proportion of grounds to water for French-press-thickness in my coffee maker
Christina @ ilovefetacheese says
I love waking up to the smell of coffee. Seriously makes me so happy.
? HefiA says
I agree Kath! The sound of the coffee maker early morning and the wonderful smell of the freshly brewed coffee hovering through the house is indeed REALLY romantic!!!
I love being waken by the coffee maker. No fancy alarm clocks can compete with my little coffee maker! 🙂
I guess I drink dirty coffee too then. I never thought of it like that before hehe
? HefiA
kate says
I wonder how much time I save in the morning by not drinking coffee. If it means more sleep for me… I guess Ill never be making the transition!
laine @ beets, butter and mountaintops says
I learned about “prepping the coffee” from my parents, who actually kept the coffee maker next to their bed. It’s such a nice way to wind down the evening.
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
You’ve gotta love a hassle free breakfast. Can’t beat oats in jar!
Josie @ Skinny Way Of Life says
I would die without my Keurig machine, my hubby isn’t a coffee drinker and I have a 3 year old and a 7 month old, I need at least a cup of coffee to make it through the morning. I usually put my creamer and sweetner in my coffee mug the night before and leave it in the fridge and all I have to do is whip out a K-cup and fresh brewed coffee in about 1 min!!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
I love your coffee mug! It’s so darling. I like the idea of flipping a switch. Now if I could only do that with my green tea frappachinos 😉
chelsey says
Perfect breakfast! I used to always do my coffee at night – not sure why I stopped!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
I kind of like my routine of making coffee in the mornings. I like doing my crossword while I’m waiting for it to brew. 😀
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
A fun project involving nut butter?! I like that!
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Your overnight oats looks like freshly made warm ones. 🙂
Jenn
kim says
Hi, I just wanted to write and say that I’m a more recent follower of your blog. I really enjoy it and have appreciated the few ideas I’ve picked up too. 🙂 We live on the West Coast so it’s also interesting to learn about different communities in other parts of the country. I think I got to hear about some of the details of your summer travels; very fun! Did I read correctly that you and your husband are opening a bakery? I couldn’t help but wonder if that was your occupation for now or if you are doing other things for work. You both seem to have so much time and flexibility.
Kath says
Hi Kim!
This blog is my job – I put many hours into it. Matt and I are also opening a Great Harvest Bread Company. He worked at one in Charlotte until we moved to Charlottesville and he is devoting his time these days to opening it next spring. We are kind of in a transition stage at the moment.
Nicole, RD says
My cappuccino is worth every second it takes! I leave the water in the machine for 2-3 days. Guess Karen would think that’s pretty gross. Oh well 🙂
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
I love granola planks! They’re delicious crumbled into yogurt messes, oatmeal, or just on their own. You’re right about the amount of time both french press and coffee machines take, some machines allow you to preset your coffee pot to automatically brew in the morning…I had one of those and it was a God send. Nothing like waking up to an apartmtent filled with the smell of coffee in the morning!
Jackie says
Morning Jackie is always thankful to nighttime Jackie for prepping her coffee. I don’t flip a switch though, I set a timer. Out of the shower and smell that coffee brewing…that’s one of the best feelings ever.
Paige(Running Around Normal) says
My husband wants to go back to a regular coffee maker so much! I think I’m going to get him one for our anniversary (how romantic, haha)
Cailin @ Stir Crazy says
Just found your website through Eat, Move, Write and LOVING your oatmeal tribute and all those yummy oatmeal creations. I, too, am an oatmeal lover… and now realize I have so many more combinations to try! I’m diggin’ the idea of overnight oats too… just read about this concept recently. Where have I been?!
I also set up the coffeemaker every night… I love knowing I can walk to the kitchen, all groggy and sleepy-eyed, and just press a button 🙂
Simply Life says
Oooh and you can even skip the “flip of a button” and set the timer – which makes it extra fun to walk into the kitchen and the coffee’s ready! 🙂
Lauren says
I love prepping my coffee after dinner for iced coffee in the morning. There is something relaxing and therapeutic about it.
Hannah says
Oooh, can’t wait to hear about these projects!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie says
My husband does coffee the night before and it’s nice to wake up to coffee a brewing already:)
Erika @ Food, Fitness, & Fun says
I am a HUGE coffee drinker – if I don’t drink coffee I get a terrible caffeine headache! (I usually just use my 1 cup coffee maker though…)
kim says
sounds like a wonderful transition time.:) I so wish we had a Great Harvest Bread Co. nearby. I think the closest one is about 60 miles away.:/ I looked into having bread shipped but it’s just too expensive. Best wishes and will look forward to reading more.