Coffee and Caffeine FAQ

The coffee is most likely being burnt. That and too hot brewing will turn the coffee bitter. Too cool will leave it weak and acidic. The flavor will start to deteriorate after about 45 no matter what. If you keep it in a thermal container (thermos, insulated carafe) it will stand a better chance of lasting than a hotplate. I use a French Press with RO filtered water @ 190 deg (just when bubbles start to rise should be close if you don't have a thermometer) for 5-6 minutes before separating the grounds. Then pour into a thermal cup. Can't do much better than that for good flavor. Even Maxwell House tastes good if it is brewed right. Most auto drip units won't do well brewing and then burn the bejezzes out of it. Look into a Bodum Santos unit if you want automatic brewing at its best. Comparable results to a press but I still prefer a $15 press any day.
Cheers