[JeffC_]

Sorry for the sentence fragments: I posted when I wanted to edit.

The above applies to any type of percolation: electric or over-the-stove. The electrics are more insidious because typically the heat stays on longer...

Freshly ground beans do make better coffee. When beans are ground, the oils are exposed to air and begin to oxidize. After a while, the oil goes rancid. That''s why ground coffee goes stale after a while even in an air-tight container. Even the roasting process brings some oils to the surface (ever notice darkly ground beans are shinier?), but keeping roasted beans away from the air keeps them fresher longer than is possible for ground coffee. Freezing roasted beans is debated, but I think I notice they last longer.
Grinding as you go insures fresh coffee. And usually opens up many more choices for the budding coffee afficionado. I can''t even drink the supermarket stuff any more, I''m so spoiled by good coffee.