Forget about those enthusiastic baristas (and their ho-hum muffins). Get great coffee that doesn’t require you to cash out your 401(k).

Getting yourself a good machine is a start (see box below), but you also need to use it right. Follow these tips to make sure your new toy brews you a perfect cup o’ joe:

Clean Up First
Roll up your sleeves and clean your equipment already! This will get rid of any coffee oil residue that can lead to a bitter taste -- or worse, clog your water flow if allowed to build up. Make your own cleaner with a mixture of a quarter cup baking soda and one cup warm water. Then just let it run through the empty filter and drip down into the pot.

Use the Right Water
Chlorine-free, filtered or distilled water is best. Regular tap water can cause a buildup of hardened minerals and calcium deposits in your equipment.

Get Your Grind On
Do the daily grind -- or as close to that as possible. Coffee loses its flavor an hour after it’s been ground. As for the coarseness, a grind that’s too fine will trap water and taste bitter, but a grind that is too coarse may make weak coffee. Find your machine’s perfect grind by matching it to your brewing method and filter type. A coffee press requires a coarse grind, but an automatic drip requires a finer grind.

Know Your Strength
This has everything to do with the proportion of coffee to water and not the flavor of the bean. The general rule for making coffee is one table- spoon of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. A light-roasted, mild-flavored coffee can be brewed rather strong, or you could brew a dark-roasted, sharp-flavored coffee very weak. Play around with the proportions when trying a new bean until you’re happy with the taste and strength.

Store Wisely
Didn’t listen to us about the daily grind? At least keep your beans in an airtight container (no, the bag it comes in, folded down, isn’t good enough) and store in a cool, dark place. Never keep them in the fridge—moisture is the enemy of coffee and can cause beans to grow mold. Only store in the freezer as a last resort.

Bean Machines
Depending on your coffee taste and budget, here are the latest toys to make your daily coffee ritual a stella experience.

A split basket means you can brew two flavors at once. And one cup at a time means you’ll never have to drink the dregs or waste half a pot. Plus, it brews iced coffee! Stay or Go Coffeemaker, $70, HamiltonBeach.com

This machine’s Pause ’n Serve function lets you pour a cup before the entire pot is done brewing -- which is extra great since it’s a big pot to fill (12 cups!). Bonus: Customize your cup with a brew strength selec- tor. Black Programmable Coffeemaker with Stainless Steel, $60, MrCoffee.com

Want the taste of freshly ground beans without the added counter bulk of a grinder? This machine, with its built-in grinder, is definitely the one for you. Note: The grinder is a bit loud, but the dishwasher-safe parts make up for it. Grind & Brew Thermal Coffeemaker, $129, Cuisinart.com

This Italian-style coffeemaker disguised as an automatic drip machine gives you intense hot coffee every brew. It’s one of the quietest makers ever -- you barely hear it brewing, but you know it’s on when your kitchen smells like the local coffeehouse. Krups Moka Brew, $150, Amazon.com

-- Sarah Newell

See More: Cooking Q&A , How to