rethinking the FRENCH PRESS.

[enzo1]

For a french press...https://frieling.com/product/the-frieling-french-press/

[flipper35]

Originally Posted by tabs

So you have actually had a Starbucks coffee!!! I have always heard about them but never wanted to pay the freight..well now I know I haven't missed a THING.

I instead went straight past go and bought a high $$$$ espresso machine...It is the only way to fly high on caffeine.

I was given a gift card. I have not ever in my life paid for Starbucks drinks.

[aigel]

Had a LaPavoini in college (room mate). It was good but failed to produce decent crema.

G

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by aigel

Had a LaPavoini in college (room mate). It was good but failed to produce decent crema.

G

Crema is over rated. Different beans give different results. Many people spend time chasing creama when they should be chasing flavor.

Afterthought; I'm pretty sure your 'it' was the LaPavoni and not your room mate?

[snbush67]

I've rebuilt this LaPavoni machine and it makes a perfect espresso. A lever press takes some time to figure out, and every one is different.

Replicating consistently good shots is an art form to be sure. Some of the best shots I have had are when I thought I had messed up. It's then that I discover that a small change in temperature, a little coarser grind, the tamp, the brew time and length of the pull, all add up to the perfect cup.

It's a lot like tuning carburetors. Once you get it right, something will change and then you adjust.

[red-beard]

12595 cups (so far, in the office. The House machine has much higher numbers).

$599/12595 = 4.7 cents per cup run
Eight O Clock 100% Columbia = $4.99/11 oz, 7 grams per cup = 11.3 cents per cup
Electricity = 55 BTUs per 8 oz cup, 16 Watt-hours = 0.12 cents per cup.

Total = 16 cents per 8 oz cup

[FOG]

Try cold brewed, just takes a little prior planning.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by enzo1

I've got a Technivorm Moccamaster and a Baratza Virtuoso grinder ...good stuff!

I’ve got the same drip machine and a Baratza Sette 270 grinder.

The Sette opened my eyes to how important a consistent grind is. My coffee is more flavorful than before.

An overlooked aspect of coffee is the water. It was recommended to me by a second generation coffee maker (Martin Diedrich of the former Deidrich and now Kean Coffee, amazing single origin coffees btw) that you want the total dissolved solids of the water to be in the 150 range. The TDS level of the water influences the extraction process and therefore the flavor.

[aigel]

The office jura at my work has over 30k shots. It has milk too and needed maintenance in that department, but not in the brew unit. Well engineered fully auto maker, for sure.

G

[aigel]

Originally Posted by snbush67

Crema is over rated. Different beans give different results. Many people spend time chasing creama when they should be chasing flavor.

Afterthought; I'm pretty sure your 'it' was the LaPavoni and not your room mate?

Haha - I disagree. A good pilsner needs to be poured with a head too, even if it tastes perfect ...

no more room mate jokes - there is another one in there, I know!

G

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I use a French press every day and have done so for 20 years, no better way to make a cup of coffee other than a Clover.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by aigel

Haha - I disagree. A good pilsner needs to be poured with a head too, even if it tastes perfect ...

no more room mate jokes - there is another one in there, I know!

G

You keep leaving the barn door wide open. It's so hard to resist. Ok Ill let it go.

[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.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by red-beard

12595 cups (so far, in the office. The House machine has much higher numbers).

$599/12595 = 4.7 cents per cup run
Eight O Clock 100% Columbia = $4.99/11 oz, 7 grams per cup = 11.3 cents per cup
Electricity = 55 BTUs per 8 oz cup, 16 Watt-hours = 0.12 cents per cup.

Total = 16 cents per 8 oz cup

Okay you sent me on a google search, apparently Jura no longer makes a $599 machine.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by snbush67

I've rebuilt this LaPavoni machine and it makes a perfect espresso. A lever press takes some time to figure out, and every one is different.

Replicating consistently good shots is an art form to be sure. Some of the best shots I have had are when I thought I had messed up. It's then that I discover that a small change in temperature, a little coarser grind, the tamp, the brew time and length of the pull, all add up to the perfect cup.

It's a lot like tuning carburetors. Once you get it right, something will change and then you adjust.

I'll stick with drip. I can't hardly even get the morning cuppa Joe to my lips some mornings let alone calibrate the grind, tamp, temp, time and length of pull.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

I'll stick with drip. I can't hardly even get the morning cuppa Joe to my lips some mornings let alone calibrate the grind, tamp, temp, time and length of pull.

Same here, I move real slow through the whole process. Sometimes I pause, occasionally I find myself staring out the kitchen window in a foggy haze, drooling into the sink.

I have become addicted to the morning ritual and the extracted perfection that a great espresso brings.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Okay you sent me on a google search, apparently Jura no longer makes a $599 machine.

The E8 is a very old model. I bought mine refurbished. Here is a more modern one for $549

https://www.wholelattelove.com/refurbished-jura-ena-micro-5-espresso-machine

[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

[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.

[wdfifteen]

We have a French press, a Chemex, and a Saeco super automatic. The Saeco gets used 99% of the time. I do like the coffee the French press makes, but with the Saeco I can stumble into the kitchen, push a button, and have a great cup of coffee ready in less than a minute.