Thread: A Cup of Joe

Originally Posted by Devilpup

Any suggestions for a decent beginners french press that wont break the bank?

I think the main thing with cheaper ones is to make sure they aren't skimping on the glass. A caraffe made out of thin glass is likely to shatter - either from the temperature stress of adding boiling or near-boiling water or from general handling when cleaning, etc. If you're anywhere near an Ikea, they have a pretty decent one. Not Bodum quality, but quite a bit better than the very cheap ones I've seen.

Other things to consider: what kind of plunger is it? I.e. is there a screen that does all the filtering work, or is there a rubber/silicone ring that surrounds the screen and contacts the glass. In my experience the rubber/silicone ones have been very prone to allowing grounds to escape up into the top portion.

But to be honest, I'd take some time to see if you can find a deal on a real Bodum press. That way you know you will have a quality press that will work well. They have quite a range on offer these days, so you should be able to find a reasonably-priced one.

Happy hunting!

EDIT: forgot to say that if this is just for yourself to try out, you can always get a smaller-size press. That can help bring the price down a bit too.

As a coffee lover myself, have a Cuisinart machine that grinds the beans just before it makes the coffee, and more unbelievably it works like a charm, and Cosco has a great Hawaiian blend test perfect in the morning. Later in the day. I prefer Cuban or espresso.

I used to have a cheap one from Ikea I used for tea, but worked fine for coffee too. In fact I gave it to one of my sister and they still use it. The glass definately seems a bit thinner than the bodum though and it does not have very good heat retention.

Originally Posted by Devilpup

Any suggestions for a decent beginners french press that wont break the bank?

Originally Posted by Devilpup

Any suggestions for a decent beginners french press that wont break the bank?

My Grandmother would just boil some water in a small sauce pan, let it cool a moment and then just put the coffee grinds in the water to steep. Strain the coffee in a small screened strainer and your all set. can't get any cheaper than that.

I've been grinding my coffee beans as long as I can remember. About 8 yrs ago CarrieM gave me a coffee roaster for Father's day and I haven't looked back. I roast about three days of beans at a time and grind just enough to brew in a slow RPM burr grinder. I brew is a drip most of the time just for convenience but I do have a French Press and a percolator. Both of them require a lot more cleanup time so I just use the French Press as a treat on the weekends and the percolator when we looks power. Gotta have several cups of Joe every morning, it's one of the few treats I afford myself every day. Since starting to roast my own beans, I only buy brewed coffee if I'm really desperate or having a coffee out w/ a friend.

Originally Posted by Cangooner

I think the main thing with cheaper ones is to make sure they aren't skimping on the glass. A caraffe made out of thin glass is likely to shatter - either from the temperature stress of adding boiling or near-boiling water or from general handling when cleaning, etc. If you're anywhere near an Ikea, they have a pretty decent one. Not Bodum quality, but quite a bit better than the very cheap ones I've seen.

Other things to consider: what kind of plunger is it? I.e. is there a screen that does all the filtering work, or is there a rubber/silicone ring that surrounds the screen and contacts the glass. In my experience the rubber/silicone ones have been very prone to allowing grounds to escape up into the top portion.

But to be honest, I'd take some time to see if you can find a deal on a real Bodum press. That way you know you will have a quality press that will work well. They have quite a range on offer these days, so you should be able to find a reasonably-priced one.

Happy hunting!

EDIT: forgot to say that if this is just for yourself to try out, you can always get a smaller-size press. That can help bring the price down a bit too.

You can't just go by the thickness of the glass. There has been a move towards the use of Soda Glass which is made thicker and is far inferior to Borosilicate Glass which is thinner and much stronger. Often times the thick stuff will self destruct violently. Most of the Pyrex stuff made in the U.S or China is Soda Glass. The Soda Glass is far cheaper to make so...

Have not tried it myself and have heard mixed reviews about it but mr coffee has one at bedbathandbeyond that is $10 the only knock on it I heard was thin glass and not the greats heat retention but I have a bodum and the heat retention isn't great either but they arn't really meant for that anyway.

A bodum brazil will set you back 20 to 30 dollars and is also good. A 12oz bodum will be about 16.

I really do suggest bedbathandbeyond cause they always have 20% coupons or 5 dollar coupons. If you dont have one ask a female I'm sure they have 20 of them as they never expire.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...OFFEESETUP.jpg

The press is a Mr. Coffee from wal-mart and it works great. The grinder is an antique store find that has an adjustable grind. The mug is a Thermos from Amazon that came with a tea basket. That thing will keep coffee hot for hours! The coffee depends on my mood. I get a variety from a local roaster.

I'd probably be in the coffee appreciative category.

I usually have machiato, or picolo latte's brewed from my Rancilio espresso machine ( modded for better temperature control ) from freshly ground beans i buy whole from a local coffee mob that roasts single origin estate grown beans from all over the world. And my grinder cost nearly as much as my espresso machine LOL

I have yet to roast my own, but would like to when i get more time one day



Cheers,

Aidan.

For anyone and everyone who appreciates a good cup of coffee, this resource is most helpful.
Namaste,
Morty -_-

Morty, Thank you for the link.

I'm one who needs economy to be part of the picture - at least in theory. Was eagerly looking into roasting my own, but dropped it when the price of green beans was the same as I pay for fresh roasted at Costco. Would the result at least potentially be better? Sure, but I understand green beans used to be alot more economical. With little or no economy to the pursuit, it was enough to make me pass on the hobby.