You can go out for a spectacular cup of coffee, but trying to duplicate the results of a gourmet shop at home can be difficult. One way to do it is to invest a hefty chunk of change in fancy equipment and expensive brews. But you don’t need an espresso machine, a bean grinder and Starbucks blends to get great-tasting coffee from your own kitchen. Follow these tips to create hot and steamy bliss.

Pick Your Pot

All drip brew coffee makers operate on the same principle, so more expensive isn’t necessarily better. However, it’s worth the extra money to invest in a pot with an automatic shutoff timer (most are set for two hours). Leaving your coffee maker on for too long can damage the machine, and burns residue onto the pot that’s difficult to clean off. Also, if you tend to consume a pot over a longer period of time, consider getting a metal decanter instead of a glass one—it keeps the coffee hot longer.

What About Water

Always use cold water to brew coffee. It’s easier on the coffee machine, and it makes for hotter product. If you have hard water, the mineral deposits will slow down your coffee maker’s performance. When possible, use spring water instead of tap water. You can also extend the life of your machine, whether you have hard water or not, by running a cleaner made specifically for drip brewers through the pot about once a month. Cleaner is available at most grocery stores and costs around $1 per treatment. If you do have hard water, get two packages and make a double-strength batch.

Flavor Fiesta

The brand of coffee you use is just about the only area where more expensive is usually better. You don’t have to splurge on ten-dollar-a-pound gourmet blends, but most of the time Folgers or Maxwell House is well worth the extra dollar or two over generic brands. Also, don’t use the amount of grounds directed on the package. Most of the time, using a little less makes for a more flavorful, mellow brew. Once you choose a brand you like, experiment with the ratio of water to grounds until you find the best results. Like flavor? You can add a hint of just about anything to your coffee by sprinkling spices or extracts like cinnamon, vanilla, cocoa powder or nutmeg on the grounds before brewing. Make your own mocha cappuccino by mixing about two-thirds of a cup of coffee with warm milk and a package of hot chocolate mix.