Hints from Heloise: Did I take my pills? Here’s a tip on how to remember.

MAKING THE PERFECT CUP OF JAVA

Dear Heloise: When the coffee can is close to empty, I turn the can upside down over a large bowl and hit the bottom and sides of the can. I can rotate it while hitting the sides until it looks clear of most of the grounds. Then I use a soft brush inside the can to collect whatever grounds are still remaining.

If the can is to be reused, it can then be wiped clean. I also make coffee in an electric 12-cup percolator that was purchased online. My husband and I have been making our coffee for several years this way, and it tastes great. All the parts are metal, so no plastic comes into contact with the coffee-brewing process. We order paper filters online to use with the percolator. This old-fashioned technique still seems to work for us. -- Marlene S., in T