Comment

Comment by Stephen Curtis on November 23, 2008 at 4:02pm

Very true - Though I find it I like it better for certain origins. My theory is I just haven't played enough with press times, temps, and methods for figure out the specifics. I did like the more coarsely ground, press timed, then cloth filtered a bit better than traditional cone through a cloth, but a different temperature could possibly change all that! Blows my mind =]

Comment by Robert Badgett on November 19, 2008 at 3:03am

You are filtering some of the oils with the cloth filter, so you will get a different taste. But, the oils contain some harmful stuff, so the coffee will be healthier.
I agree about the polycarb beakers. They are hard to get really clean. I do use one when I go on vacation, since they are unbreakable.

Comment by Stephen Curtis on November 18, 2008 at 5:58pm

I don't think a double wall press is worth the extra money, but I also don't like my coffee so hot I can't drink it. I do Not like the polycarb beakers as they absorb aromatics, whereas glass does not. My parents used flavored coffee in their polycarb, and that ruined it! Maybe it could be cleaned enough one day that it would be ok, but I don't know.
For that reason, and other experiences with polycarb items picking up flavors and such, I would not really want one.
So far so good with my Colombia (the double wall stainless) but I have some concerns about the screen being nylon and the plastics - read: could pick up aromatics and such. Too early to tell.
I have had a good cup also by steeping for 4 minutes in the press, then pouring everything through a cone with a cloth filter. It has the press taste, slightly less body...maybe, and zero sludge. I don't mind the sludge one bit but also am not attached to it as such :)

Comment by Steve MacDowall on November 17, 2008 at 8:02am

when I'm home I only use a French Press - I have three - Steve

Comment by Trevor on November 17, 2008 at 7:23am

At home I use a 32oz insulated stainless steel planetary design french press.

Comment by Sam Jones on November 17, 2008 at 6:45am

I love the Bodum Colombia. They are stainless steel and will never break!

Comment by Robert Badgett on November 17, 2008 at 4:23am

There is a video of a slightly different french press technique here:
http://www.aboutcoffee.net/2008/11/new-technique-for-french-press.html

Comment by Robert Badgett on November 17, 2008 at 4:21am

The best practice is to transfer the brewed coffee into an insulated container, but since the press pot has the coffee in the bottom, you don't want the coffee to stay in contact with the grounds.