how much coffee do you supply?

[Julie1525]

My last 2 guest stays were one day and 3 days. The guests who were here 3 days drank a whole 1.5 lb. container of Starbucks coffee. They were only here early in the morning and then got back about 8 pm. The guest who stayed a single night prepared 2 full pots of coffee, used a dozen creamers and as many packets of sugar. She threw out most of the coffee she brewed. Such a waste and expense! In hotels, they leave 2 packets of coffee and replace any used ones the next day. Am I being stingy by thinking that supplying an unlimited amount of coffee sets me up for being depleted by such guests? Would I be better off by getting a smaller coffee pot? I don't drink coffee, so I don't really know what is normal.

[Pete69]

More questions from a coffee illiterate.... So I've got a grinder. I'm gonna buy one of these Coffee Gator stainlless steel containers with CO2 value -- apparently it can store coffee beans for 6 - 9 months. But once you grind the small servings of coffee, what would you store them in for guests? Just a small tupperware container? I figure it's cheaper to throw out usused coffee after 2 weeks than to buy a vacuum sealer and sealing plastic.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Pete69 

The small servings of ground coffee for guests should be stored in an air-tight glass or ceramic container - coffee should NEVER be stored in a plastic container. And after about 2~3 weeks, unused grounds should be thrown out. 

If you are planning to grind the coffee yourself, make sure you have the right kind of grinder to ensure consistency and control over grind size. http://www.coffeeteawarehouse.com/coffee-grind.html

The 2 most important things for good coffee is (1) freshly-roasted, good-quality beans (that have been stored properly) and (2) how&when you grind the beans. 

Also for used grinds or unused ground coffee, here are some ways to use them. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/uses-for-coffee-grounds#section17

[Pete69]

Thanks. I'll have to compare what my wheat grinder produces to what store bought ground coffee looks like. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Sandra126]

@Pete69. not sure that you can grind coffee in a wheat mill, check. Even dedicated coffee grinders don't do the job well. Blade grinders are no good, should be burr grinders only. more expensive though. Just buy it ground, but smaller packets maybe?

[Pete69]

The consistency from griinding wheat looks just like the consistency of some Taster's Choice coffee.

I'm looking for some small packet sizes that you can buy. Unfortunately all I can find is Fodger's.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Pete69 Unless you are planning not to ever use your grain mill for grain ever again........ I would not recommend using it to grind coffee beans. And you'd have to clean the crevices after each grind. 

https://52brews.com/kitchenaid-grain-mill-attachment

https://www.reddit.com/r/Coffee/comments/akph55/grain_mill_to_grind_coffee/

Based on everything that has been said I recommend that you either buy ground coffee in bulk then vaccum seal small portions yourself OR buy beans in bulk and buy a decent entry-level grinder (something under $50) and grind as you go. 

[Pete69]

Yeah I think that might just buy some Starbucks ground coffee and store in one of these....  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E1KFGZS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3GFNB8O5JJQGP&psc=1

I wonder how much coffee the most addicted drinkers would use of a $6 bag of Starbucks.

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Pete69 

Fyi, to make 1 cup (mug) of coffee you will need anywhere from 8 to 18 grams of coffee beans/grounds......but it's really a matter of preference 🙂

https://coffeestylish.com/how-much-coffee/

Henry and I go through about 1~1.2kg of beans per month. On average, anywhere from 2 to 4 cups (mugs) of coffee is consumed per day. 

[Pete69]

What do you think about these K-cup pods? They've gotta be vaccuum sealed (so I don't have to buy a vaccuum sealer or a special grinder, and my coffee lasts long). I have a Mr. Coffee machine but I'm sure people can measure out what they need with the tablespoons that I leave for guests.

https://athome.starbucks.com/product/breakfast-blend/#kcup-pods

[Jessica-and-Henry0]

@Pete69 

Considering that k-cup pods are waaaaaa~y expensive than coffee beans or ground coffee........

If you are planning to pop open k-cups to get the grounds for your Mr.Coffee drip machine my answer is simple. NO. 

https://bestcoffeemakersinfo.com/k-cup-vs-ground-coffee-cost

Also..... the grind size won't be right.

Let me reiterate - I recommend that you either buy ground coffee in bulk then vaccum seal small portions yourself OR buy beans in bulk and buy a decent entry-level grinder (something under $50) and grind as you go. 

Or just get rid of it all and buy instant coffee (Starbucks Via) in packets like @Julie1525 has decided. 

[Julie1525]

I've decided that I really like the electric pot for boiling water as opposed to a drip coffee maker. I can now include hot chocolate as well as tea and the Starbucks via instant coffee. It will make it easier for me for cleanup and give another option to my guests. And I won't have to smell brewing coffee!!!

Is there a good source for buying the Starbucks VIA coffee at the best bulk purchase price?

[Pete69]

I decided to buy a Capresso Cool Grind $21.99. Will leave it in the suite with a bag of Starbucks Morning blend beans for guests to grind their own.

[Julie1525]

Depending on the wheat grinder, you'll want to chase it with wheat berries. The oils in the coffee beans could gum up the stones, if it's a stone grinder.

[Noel102]

I keep my guesthouse stocked with about 5-6 ounces of ground coffee in an airtight ceramic canister.  I buy Costa Rican coffee from World Market because it's amazingly delicious.  If my guests use it all, they can ask for more, but no one ever has.  Some guests leave it untouched and a couple guests have finished it off.  I provide a 5-cup "junior" standard style coffee maker to avoid waste of brewed coffee.  The coffee costs me about $6.50 per pound, so it's much more economical, even with waste or poodling, than buying k-cups or Nespresso pods.

I agree with others - the guests took the coffee.

[Julie1525]

I thought I was asking a simple question. I had no idea there was much to consider! I bought a small electric kettle and 3 different small packages of Starbuck's instant coffee pouches (medium, dark and, I think, special blend). We'll see if it gets used by my next guests. I also put a covered pitcher of purified water next to the kettle so they don't have to use tap water. 

I've decided I REALLY  don't like the smell of coffee. I'm hoping the instant will reduce the smell some.

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I'll return to this thread in the future if I want to tweak the newest decision again.