Uber coffee geeks... Need some help...

[FortFunFoSho]

All -

I am looking to upgrade my home coffee operation. I usually fresh roast my own beans once a week and have been drinking a la french press.

Recently my french press broke and as I look forward I need to make a decision, what method do I brew with? I have been reading the thoughts at coffeegeek and sweetmarias on the different methods to brew. I am torn. The technivorm looks and sounds awesome because of the ease. Additionally, Cook's illustrated just posted a review of coffee makers and it is claiming its testers liked the Technivorm better than a french press. However, I am curious to the flavor of a Chemex or Vacuum.

Anyone tried the Technivorm and the other methods and care to comment.

I consider this a moral crossroads.

 

[Vehemence]

Just stopping by to say I have no idea what's going on here

 

[thirtythree]

Do coffeegeek or sweetmarias have forums? 'Cause you might have more luck there.

 

[calvinbiss]

What means do you use to roast your own coffee!!?? Where do you buy "green" beans??!!

 

[Anubis]

personally id just get another french press, they 1) cheap 2)simple to use andclean 3) make damn good coffee and lastly 4) fast

 

[brxndxn]

Personally, I think a drip coffeemaker is the best way to make coffee.. Now, the best kind of drip coffeemaker is the one that minimizes the amount of time the water comes in contact with the bean.

I dunno if they exist, but I would like a drip coffeemaker that sprays the water evenly over the grinds in order to get a consistent 'contact time' with the grinds.

Not sure if the technivorm does that..



Though.. I think sometimes more effort is put into the coffeemaker than the actual materials that go into the coffee..

What's the point of having world's best coffeemaker if you make your coffee with tap water?

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: brxndxn


What's the point of having world's best coffeemaker if you make your coffee with tap water?

lots of us live places that dont have shitty tap water

 

[FortFunFoSho]

I roast my beans currently in a popcorn popper (i know it is not the most advanced method, but it works and has gotten me into the hobby cheaply). Buy the beans from Metropolis in Chicago or SweetMarias.com.

Coffeegeek has forums which I have been reading and I think Sweetmarias just has reviews. I read here a lot so I figured if I could pull some opinion from anyone in the peanut gallery.

 

[OpenThirdEye]

I've been using an AeroPress at work for about a year now. I really like it and find myself using it more than my french press.

 

[Ns1]

I use a single serving french press.

Going to get a grinder pretty soon.


In response to your question, I hear good things about the chemex.

 

[MadAmos]

I have been using a Technivorm for a little over 3 years and it does make a nice pot but there are a few minor glitches as overall the quality of the brew is what counts for me and that overrides the negatives. At work I have a Keurig B70 on my desk and with the right k-cuo it is also excellent.

 

[FortFunFoSho]

MadAmos -

Any comments as to the negatives? I think I am looking to the TV as sometimes when I have friends over it is a pain to brew large amounts of coffee in the FP (I could just upgrade to the bigger size, but still might have to do multiple times).....

Thanks!

 

[Descartes]

I have almost every type of brewing device there is, from a vacuum (Yama), press pot, Chemex and of course espresso (Isomac Tea, Mazzer Mini grinder). I've not yet used the AeroPress. I roast my coffee in a modified popcorn popper with a convection oven mounted on top.

In my opinion, nothing beats a full-control method like a vacuum, press, Chemex, etc. The Technivorms are great, but unless you really are brewing for a lot of people on a regular basis the added convenience isn't really worth it to someone that loves coffee. I enjoy controlling the temperature, the bloom, the grind, roast, etc. If something went wrong, you know why.

So, I'd say go with a vacuum. They produce a great cup with full flavor, but you don't have the mud like you do from a press pot. I'd look at SweetMaria's options for some of the vacuum pots. The Chemex is equally good, but there's something fun about a vacuum pot and the Chemex does require a little more effort.

Final comment: Most people I know don't really like a full-flavor cup of coffee. I'm guessing most of these people don't really want a press pot anyway, so I would brew more for your tastes than theirs. Of course, if all your friends are coffee enthusiasts it's a different story.

 

[yours truly]

i just bought a bodum chambord yesterday and slightly disappointed it leaks when i pour from it

im new to proper coffee, and i love it

 

[MadAmos]

The flow control slider on the filter basket is hard to tell when it is positioned where you want it and it does not seal completely do it will drip if you remove the carafe before it has had time to stop on it's own also the carafe has a very wide pour and it is close to impossible to fill a Thermos with out spilling. On the plus side the brew temp is hot and it brews quickly the coffee is very full flavored with no bitterness and it has been 100% reliable I do use it for partial pots frequently and the brew quality is still excellent. I have the thermal carafe so no hot plate to burn the coffee, and it will stay hot for several hours if you put the lid on as soon as it stops dripping.

 

[bobdole369]

Lol, I had to look up the Bodum french press when I remembered I wanted to try this on the cheap.

Instructions for use:

WARNING: Using excessive force can cause scalding liquid to shoot out of the pot.

 

[jkwon]

I highly recommend the Aeropress by Aerobie (http://www.aerobie.com/Products/aeropress_story.htm).

All the oils are intact like from a french press, but the flavor seems much more vibrant.

 

[HomerSapien]

I bought my mom a vacuum coffee pot a few years back (Bodum, I believe). Since then, electric models have gotten harder to find. It makes great coffee and is fun to watch. Personnally, I like the Bialatti Moka Express (stove top percolator (sp?)). It makes a really strong cup without to many grounds mixed in.

 

[davestar]

i've had great luck grinding at home in the morning and using an Aeropress at my desk at work.

 

[Pepsei]

coffee siphon... i have one a home, i picked it up while i was in Taiwan. $15, requires alcohol, you can use rubbing alcohol.

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