Speak to me about making coffee

[scottmandue]

Hard drives espresso thread (and tabs espresso maker) got me thinking...

I love me some coffee... but I'm old school (and a cheap old ba$tard) so I go with a simple French press, a Braun burr grinder, and whole bean from trader Joe's (Costa Rica, Kenya, Columbian).

At work I use a generic automatic drip machine (with fresh ground beans)
that was kicking around ther break room not being used, not great but gets the job done.

On Amazon I see these things:
Bodum Santos Stovetop Glass Vacuum 34-Ounce Coffee Maker

Worth trying or pass?

Is French press the best way to go or are there any other methods I should look into?

PS, As it is my wife thinks I'm a coffee snob for grinding my own beans.

[lane912]

1- i have lived in portland all my life. I have a opinion about coffee-

grind 3/4 cup beans medium fine-

boil water- ( rapid boil)

standard f.p. is 32oz i believe....

let stand for (4) minutes- this is the inportant part

press the grounds throught the coffree and enjoy

poor into air pot to keep warm-


simple, dont know why everyone f's this all up

[Brando]

I'm a fan of the Press-Pot myself. I usually let the coffe steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how dark I want it to be. Comes out good every time. Just remember to pour through a paper filter, unless you enjoy the chewies.

[rouxroux]

Unless I HAVE to make a full pot of coffee to share with others, the French press is my favorite.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Brando

I'm a fan of the Press-Pot myself. I usually let the coffe steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how dark I want it to be. Comes out good every time. Just remember to pour through a paper filter, unless you enjoy the chewies.

It puts hair on your chest!

Think I am not letting the FP sit long enough... maybe two minutes... next time I will let is sit a little longer.

So no opinion on the vacuum pot thing? I think I saw some gourmet coffee shop on TV that was using them.

PS, Not a big fan of espresso... it is OK in a pinch but much prefer a cup of Joe.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Brando

I'm a fan of the Press-Pot myself. I usually let the coffe steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how dark I want it to be. Comes out good every time. Just remember to pour through a paper filter, unless you enjoy the chewies.

So, you're using 2 filters for each cup? Or the FP doesn't have a fiber filter? Multi steps are not for me. I drink a cup in about 2 minutes. If it loses even a little heat it's in the MW or in the sink.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Zeke

So, you're using 2 filters for each cup? Or the FP doesn't have a fiber filter? Multi steps are not for me. I drink a cup in about 2 minutes. If it loses even a little heat it's in the MW or in the sink.

I use the standard Bodum you can get just about anywhere for around $20.

It has a metal plate with big holes with a fine mesh screen under it that catches 99% of the grounds.

[vash]

my humble opinion?

french press is the best option. then a perculator..then somewhere down the line, a drip coffee maker.

[nynor]

french press for the win. fresh ground beans. 190F water. 3 minutes. press. done.

i've had coffee from a vacuum press. it was damn good.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by Zeke

So, you're using 2 filters for each cup? Or the FP doesn't have a fiber filter? Multi steps are not for me. I drink a cup in about 2 minutes. If it loses even a little heat it's in the MW or in the sink.

We have a delonghi magnifica. One step, push a button, it grinds the beans and spits out a cup of coffee. Like it so much, I can't drink drip coffee anymore.

[gtilove]

French press tips:
-Grind 3/4 cup of fresh beans medium fine. ( Burr grinder is best but not necessary. A bur grinder will make grinds that are very close to the same size. If the grinds are the same size, the extraction will be more even.)
-Pour freshly boiled water over ground beans, filling up F/P half way. Let seep for 1 min.
-Stir mixture (I use a wooden chopstick so there will be no risk of breaking the glass), then top up with more hot water. Let seep or 3 more min.
-Gently plunge mixture and enjoy amazing coffee.

[HardDrive]

I like my new machine, but I think French press is the best way to make coffee. If your going to upgrade anything, upgrade your coffee.

[AirKuhl]

I use this:


Boils the pot of water in less than a minute, awesome. Local roasters fresh beans. Burr grinder on medium/coarse.

Originally Posted by Brando

I'm a fan of the Press-Pot myself. I usually let the coffe steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how dark I want it to be. Comes out good every time. Just remember to pour through a paper filter, unless you enjoy the chewies.

The nice thing about a FP is that you retain all the aromatic oils that are otherwise filtered out by the paper filter. Just use a medium/coarse grind and don't drink the last sip in the cup of it bothers you. (I kinda like it)

Originally Posted by vash

my humble opinion?

french press is the best option. then a perculator..then somewhere down the line, a drip coffee maker.

Friends don't let friends use perculators. Those evil coffee destroyers should have died off in the '50's.

[azasadny]

Use "good" water, too! The majority of what you're drinking is H2O, so make sure you're using the purest stuff you can get!

[lane912]

you all are weenies!!!!!!
the chewy bits are what really get you going!!!!!

i also put ground coffee in cookies

did i mention i like coffee!!!!

[gtc]

Stick with the press and don't bother with the gimmicky vacuum brewer.
Coarse grounds, 200 degree water, ~3 minutes.

[Schrup]

I just picked up an electric kettle, water is nearly boiling before the grinder quits. That one Pete has looks slick.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by gtilove

French press tips:
-Grind 3/4 cup of fresh beans medium fine. ( Burr grinder is best but not necessary. A bur grinder will make grinds that are very close to the same size. If the grinds are the same size, the extraction will be more even.)
-Pour freshly boiled water over ground beans, filling up F/P half way. Let seep for 1 min.
-Stir mixture (I use a wooden chopstick so there will be no risk of breaking the glass), then top up with more hot water. Let seep or 3 more min.
-Gently plunge mixture and enjoy amazing coffee.

That's how I do it...

Alternatively I pour boiling water over freshly ground coffee, stir, wait two minutes then pour the lovely sludge through a Mellitta coffee filter in a porcelain holder.

[john70t]

Break it into elements(drip maker):
1). Grind medium fine vs. fine/dust?
What are the drawbacks to more surface area? Bitterness? Loss of flavor at last of brew cycle? Should dark roasted be larger grinds?
For making the second pot, we usually stir the grinds add 1/3 more and the result is much the same.

2). Boiling water vs. hot water?
I put cold water in the drip machine, so the whole cycle takes longer and thus should steep longer.

3). Long steep time vs. short?
Good point on the aromatic oils. I was thinking of using a double paper filter, but should look into those brass filters(water pours through them quick though).

[gtc]

The finer the grind, the faster you're going to pull the flavors out of the grounds, and consequently the less time you need to brew. Brewing longer and reusing the grounds will increase the bitterness.
However, grounds that are too fine may also clog the filter and drain too slowly.
It's basically a balancing act that you need to go through with your particular setup.