By Matthew Kronsberg

Why do coffee makers always seem to break just when we need them most urgently -- and so much sooner than we expect? Though the big appliances often loom larger in the minds of anyone who's outfitting or remodeling a kitchen, finding reliable countertop coffee-making gear is a matter of the utmost urgency to those who count on a morning cup. "We've had 10 coffee machines," said Ethan Finkelstein, serial home restorer and co-creator, with his wife, Elizabeth, of Cheap Old Houses. "They're all just junk," Elizabeth lamented. What's a coffee lover devoted to homes that endure -- and durable home goods -- to do?

We asked Jessica Easto, author of the books " How to Taste Coffee" and " Craft Coffee: A Manual." She shares similar advice for finding long-lasting coffee gear as for investing in large appliances: Look for the simplest, most robust piece of gear you can find. Below, three setups that should keep you caffeinated for the long haul.

Pourover

Easto began with a shout-out to manual coffee gear: "When made with the right materials and handled with the right care," she said, it should be able to "last decades." She suggested a metal dripper and a stovetop gooseneck kettle, free of any breakable electrical components. Consider Hario's V60 Metal Coffee Dripper (from $38), which is elegant but built to survive the inevitable drop. Hario's V60 Buono Drip Kettles (from $48) will even work on induction ranges.

Drip

For the last seven years, Easto has been using a Technivorm Moccamaster. "We haven't had to fix anything yet...knock on wood," she said. Beyond making great coffee and coming in a slew of colors, Moccamaster machines like the KBGV Select ($359) are known for their quality construction and repairability -- by the company or by you.

Espresso

"An espresso machine, whether it's a commercial one or a home one, is like a car," Easto said. "If you are willing to put in the maintenance, you can keep it running for a long time." The Rancilio Silvia ($900), among the first professional-grade machines built for the home, eschews complicated electronics, making repair and upkeep simple.

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March 07, 2025 15:30 ET (20:30 GMT)

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