rethinking the FRENCH PRESS.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by Superman

I've been using a French press for many years. Daily. I also grind the beans fresh.

Here's a tip: Grind the beans finely. I know....conventional wisdom is to use a coarse grind for a French press. I renew my suggestion. Grind the beans finely.

Chacun voit midi à sa porte. Inutile de discuter.

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by red-beard

...
And a MUCH cheaper Gaggia for $300

https://www.wholelattelove.com/refurbished-gaggia-unica-super-automatic-espresso-machine

IDK.

I've shared time with three Juras over the last ten years, at work and at home. So many 10s of thousands of shots and they've always performed. In the grand scheme of things I'd spend the extra for another one. Maybe the Gaggia is good, but it's an unknown (to me).

[mjohnson]

That Bodum in the pic is also the same as ours.

I'm not sure what coffee:water we use. I'll have to weigh it out the next time I eyeball it. Serious Eats did their drip tests at 1:16 by weight - I wonder if French Press is the same? Definitely coarse grind, based on how long the steep is.

TMI probably but coffee from the press really "gets things moving" for me. Drip, even through a metal filter (and likely not absorbing as many oils as paper) doesn't even register...

Can I do cold brew with the french press? Time for an experiment!

[red-beard]

I would agree. While $899 seems like a lot, over the life of the machine, not really. I checked the home machine, 25968.

One of my neighbors bought a Gaggia Super Automatic, and he's been happy with it.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by Superman

I've been using a French press for many years. Daily. I also grind the beans fresh.

Here's a tip: Grind the beans finely. I know....conventional wisdom is to use a coarse grind for a French press. I renew my suggestion. Grind the beans finely.

You like a lot of body in your coffee?

[cabmandone]

My 16 year old son is really into the whole French Press coffee thing. My wife bought him a frother as a valentines day gift. The kid likes his coffee. My brother, who is REALLY into coffee, roasts the beans and uses a French Press. He's too fancy IMO.

[Roswell]

Clever Coffee - been using one for years. next step in the pour over evolution. Great cup of coffee.

https://www.sweetmarias.com/product/clever-coffee-dripper-large

[TimT]

Dr Coffee

[tabs]

Originally Posted by stuartj

Our household has steadfastly resisted the intrusion of coffee machines, we only use a French Press, and a two shot stove top espresso pot in the evenings. The trouble with the French Press- they break. The glass pot is easily broken while washing. But an insulated steel Press- has about ten years on it now, even I haven't broken it.

Bodum makes a SS 4 cup pitcher model.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by red-beard

This is closer to the my E8 for $899

https://www.wholelattelove.com/refurbished-jura-impressa-f7

And a MUCH cheaper Gaggia for $300

https://www.wholelattelove.com/refurbished-gaggia-unica-super-automatic-espresso-machine

I'm afraid to ask you guys what you think of Breville? (it has great reviews)

https://www.wholelattelove.com/breville-bes840xl-the-infuser-semi-automatic-espresso-machine

[wdfifteen]

I asked Mrs WD if we should try the French Press and she told me to stay off the porn sites.

[vash]

Haha

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I'm afraid to ask you guys what you think of Breville? (it has great reviews)

https://www.wholelattelove.com/breville-bes840xl-the-infuser-semi-automatic-espresso-machine

Nothing wrong per se, but it is a "semi-automatic", meaning you need to grind coffee, fill port-filter, tamp, insert and THEN make your cup. And then you need to clean port-filter between shots.

The super automatic keeps beans and water internally. You press a button, it grinds, tamps, infuses, then controls pressure until enough water has passed. Press button, wait 40 seconds, enjoy coffee. Quicker and easier than even a "pod" machine.

While I LOVE my Jura, my neighbor really likes his Gaggia. One of my other neighbors, has the Italian hand pump unit...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by TimT

Dr Coffee

she's definitely a psychostimulant. and not a mild one.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Nothing wrong per se, but it is a "semi-automatic", meaning you need to grind coffee, fill port-filter, tamp, insert and THEN make your cup. And then you need to clean port-filter between shots.

The super automatic keeps beans and water internally. You press a button, it grinds, tamps, infuses, then controls pressure until enough water has passed. Press button, wait 40 seconds, enjoy coffee. Quicker and easier than even a "pod" machine.

Okay, that is pretty cool... especially seeing as I usually do multiple shots of coffee.

However convincing my wife I need a $800 coffee maker might be a hard sell

On the other hand the reason she shot down a espresso machine was that "they are so messy" and a super automatic would eliminate the grinder (grind my own beans every morning and some spillage is inevitable) and the mess of tamping/loading.

Hmmmmm

[JavaBrewer]

I actually enjoy the coffee process of our semi-automatic espresso machine. It's very much like the last breville linked with the cat picture - but was sold through Starbucks. It still runs fine (12+ years now) but the portafilter is toast and I need to order a new one @ $90 or the rebuild parts kit for $50.

I guess the reliability of the full automatic machines have gone way up, my anecdotal experience being years old and from friends who spent a couple $K on one that lasted just past the warranty cutoff - so 1 year or so. Repair was ghastly $$ so they tossed it and went back to drip coffee. So many complex steps in grinding, tamping, pressurizing, and then dumping - just listening to that machine struggle through convinced me I made the right choice with my simple one.

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by tabs

Bodum makes a SS 4 cup pitcher model.

Yes- been using this Bodum for about ten years, so far indestructible.

[Charles Freeborn]

20 year old Bodum press pot and 30+ year old Pavoni for me. I've got 2 grinders for each of the preferred grinds. Yes, water temp is crucial. I set our kettle at 195, pre-heat the pot and cups and then make and pour.
I take a Latte up to my wife (in bed) every morning. I start with tea, but switch over to a Cap after I've done my exercising and am relaxing in the hot tub. Press pot for later in the day or for company. A good drip is fine too, but I like the sediment the PP leaves...

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

I actually enjoy the coffee process of our semi-automatic espresso machine. It's very much like the last breville linked with the cat picture - but was sold through Starbucks. It still runs fine (12+ years now) but the portafilter is toast and I need to order a new one @ $90 or the rebuild parts kit for $50.

I guess the reliability of the full automatic machines have gone way up, my anecdotal experience being years old and from friends who spent a couple $K on one that lasted just past the warranty cutoff - so 1 year or so. Repair was ghastly $$ so they tossed it and went back to drip coffee. So many complex steps in grinding, tamping, pressurizing, and then dumping - just listening to that machine struggle through convinced me I made the right choice with my simple one.

I bought a refurbished Jura E8 in 2007 and it is still running. I paid $699 for it. It needs a "service" about every 7-8 years at $199. But they fix everything!

[tabs]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Okay, that is pretty cool... especially seeing as I usually do multiple shots of coffee.

However convincing my wife I need a $800 coffee maker might be a hard sell

On the other hand the reason she shot down a espresso machine was that "they are so messy" and a super automatic would eliminate the grinder (grind my own beans every morning and some spillage is inevitable) and the mess of tamping/loading.

Hmmmmm

Well we know who has the stones and is wearing the pants in the family...nancy.

Tell her you are going to buy her a 2500 machine and 1100 grinder for her bd and xmas combined...and she is going to love it.