French press coffee maker

lcrim · « **on:** 12 Jan 2007, 03:21 pm »

My drip coffee maker was leaking water onto the counter top, it was time to get another coffee maker. My online research revealed that the Freiling French press line was highly thought of by many. The research also pointed out that most drip coffee makers don't get the water hot enough, well I ordered the 5-6 cup unit for ~$50. When it arrived I was very pleased with its clean, modern stainless appearance. After a little experimentation, the quality of the coffee it made was simply the best I have ever tried. Smooth, full bodied, terrific aroma, its all good.

I kind of wish I had gotten a larger model but they all are double wall stainless to act as insulation and keep the coffee warm.
They work for loose tea as well if you're a tea drinker, just don't use the coffee one for tea as the tastes will mix.
Anyway, highly recommended.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 03:33 pm »

Good call! I've been a french press guy for many years and wouldn't give it up. Mine's a glass Bodum. I preheat it with boiling water before putting the coffee water/beans in, then to an insulated steel cup.

Love the press.

shep · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 03:35 pm »

Me too! I can see now what sports we're into (at the coffee bar) makes the best coffee. I've tried them all.

sts9fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 04:03 pm »

Feanch press is the only way to drink coffee!

jqp · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 04:12 pm »

I have a few myself. Bodum and also a plastic one I took travelling (got a $7 water heater on the trip).

The key with these is that you need to clean them frequently, but of course you can actually clean them easier and more completely that just about any coffee maker. water and a little soap rinse thoroughly, or use white vinegar. Important that the screens have no grounds in them.

I actually picked up one of those gleaming copper presspot packages from Starbucks with a wooden case - got a good discount on a display model they had since they could not find the little hourglass. I am planning on whipping it out when I have dinner at some coffee lovers house

Sonny · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 04:31 pm »

Moi aussi...
I have a big one, got it from IKEA for $13, cheap, since my last two Bodum broke and a small one for those intimate moments with the system early in the morning from Bodum. What a good product, but cleaning is a pain. Someone needs to come out with a one step press for coffee, lift to clean one.

Now that should be at the CES show!

samplesj · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 04:44 pm »

Quote from: lcrim on 12 Jan 2007, 03:21 pm

I kind of wish I had gotten a larger model but they all are double wall stainless to act as insulation and keep the coffee warm.

Even though it looks like a thermos do not leave the coffee in the french press after its finished steeping. It will over extract and probably be bitter. Even Bodum has a stainless thermos style press, but that doesn't mean its a good idea.

French press cups are a nice way to slowly sip and enjoy a cup. Its not as bold as a shot of espresso, but you get to savor it longer and sometimes it will yield more interesting flavors. I tend to roast my FP stuff lighter so I get more varietal flavors that way instead of the chocolates a light Vienna brings out.

jqp · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 04:46 pm »

I agree - decant the coffee from the press into a thermal carafe of some kind...

miklorsmith · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 04:51 pm »

Hot tip - some coffee shops have replacement Bodum glass chambers so you don't have to replace the whole unit should it break.

SET Man · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 06:34 pm »

Hey!

Icrim, congratulation on your French press coffee maker!

I recently got myself a classic Bodum "Chambord"....

... and I love it!

I'm not going back to the instance coffee ever again!

Of cause I got the 8 cups model... and that is equal to 3 to 4 of my own cups. It is a bit tricky since they use the European cup style of which is smaller measurement on the box.

BTW... Sonny. Bodum do make parts for their stuffs http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/group_lines.asp?MD=1&GID=48&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=3NA0BPB5DUSU9M3XPJAERHAADNSU2VM6

Oh! I just learned that they do have their own shop here in NYC on 14th Street between 9th and 10th Ave. So, I might go check it out soon. I might pick one of their burr coffee grinder up

Take care,
Buddy

bubba966 · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 07:26 pm »

Quote from: miklorsmith on 12 Jan 2007, 04:51 pm

Hot tip - some coffee shops have replacement Bodum glass chambers so you don't have to replace the whole unit should it break.

I have friends that broke their Bodum Glass a few times. They'd just buy replacement glass. But one time they had to wait for the replacement glass to come in as it was on backorder.

They ended up buying a Pyrex press because they couldn't wait for the Bodum glass to come in. The Pyrex press had a thicker, better glass portion. And it hasn't broke on them in the year & a half or so that they've had it. And I think they happened to brake a Bodum glass a few times a year.

Oh, I should also mention that I think the Pyrex press cost as much as just a Bodum replacement glass...

lcrim · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 07:31 pm »

Buddy:

The Freiling, no glass to break.

SET Man · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Jan 2007, 08:12 pm »

Quote from: lcrim on 12 Jan 2007, 07:31 pm

Buddy:

The Freiling, no glass to break.

Hey!

Yes, I did considered those metal type. But I got the classic "Chambord" because I like to see the the inside when I press down the filter... just more fun that way for me

Take care,
Buddy

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 01:00 pm »

I think the French press is a great way to brew, and I've owned several over the years. Sometimes when you're entertaining more than a few guests though, the press becomes a nuisance.

So, I was ready to give up on auto-drip brewing myself after my last cheap Braun gave up. A few years ago I bought a Technivorm KBT- it brews at 200+ degrees right into a thermal carafe. Nearly 1500 watts with a 13 amp draw shows that this thing does what it says. Really well constructed, made in Holland. Around $200.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.technivorm.shtml

ctviggen · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 01:11 pm »

Whoa! 13 amps! I'd have to rewire my kitchen for that. They do look nice, though.

mfsoa · « **Reply #15 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 04:58 pm »

Hi guys,

I am the wife of mfsoa and he showed me this thread because I am the lone coffee drinker in my house. Actually, I make a couple of cappuccinos a day and once had coffee from a French Press that was really delicious. Can someone recommend a good one for just one person who occasionally serves coffee to a handful of friends?

We also drink tea but mfsoa refuses to come over to "the dark side" with me-no fun.

Thanks! Sharen

SET Man · « **Reply #16 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 06:53 pm »

Quote from: mfsoa on 13 Jan 2007, 04:58 pm

Hi guys,

I am the wife of mfsoa and he showed me this thread because I am the lone coffee drinker in my house. Actually, I make a couple of cappuccinos a day and once had coffee from a French Press that was really delicious. Can someone recommend a good one for just one person who occasionally serves coffee to a handful of friends?

We also drink tea but mfsoa refuses to come over to "the dark side" with me-no fun.

Thanks! Sharen

Hey!

Hello Sharen.

I highly recommend one of these....

The Bodum "Chambord" The original Press

You can't go wrong with one of these simple beauty. I have the 8 cups (4 US cups) version. It is good to have a larger one in case friends or family stop by. I just brew only half full for myself.

Here is the link..

http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/line.asp?MD=1&GID=3&LID=10&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=P12XK2PDEL1K8PTT5C7ATKE04BEECRH8

Little tip... make your that you coffee bean is grind coarse in size to be use in the press.... finer grind won't work well in it. If you get your coffee grind at the store just ask them for coarse grind for coffee press.

Take care,
Buddy

lcrim · « **Reply #17 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 07:00 pm »

Actually, when I started this thread I recommended one, the Freiling. Talk about thread crapping.

shep · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 07:11 pm »

A WOMAN! and a coffee drinker! I never...I'll drink to that aa

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Jan 2007, 07:20 pm »

What's the world coming to when a bunch of guys are discussing coffee makers in the sports bar!