French press

08-06-2014, 06:02 PM

Would someone please recommend a good French Press? I'm moving and am seriously downsizing, and the venerable coffee maker is going!
RR

forgop · 08-06-2014, 06:12 PM

This is the one I got a few weeks ago to replace the Bodum that began letting too many grounds through.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

T.G · 08-06-2014, 06:28 PM

Skip the french press, get an Aeropress instead.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...Ck%3Aaeropress

http://aerobie.com/products/aeropress.htm

30 seconds to about the best coffee I've had, and it certainly feels like I've tried probably almost every machine or method out there looking for it. Only thing else that comes close is my Chemex or some insanely expensive machine costing thousands of dollars.

Don't bother with the stainless filters, they kind of defeat the purpose/method of brewing.

DMK · 08-06-2014, 06:30 PM

I've been buying these for the last four or more....
They last about a year before the screen starts to break down, but for the price....
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60241389/

08-06-2014, 07:28 PM

All of these look great! Particularly curious about the Aeropress. Looks like that allows one to make a strong coffee. Can a French Press make strong coffee?

T.G · 08-06-2014, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbriar

All of these look great! Particularly curious about the Aeropress. Looks like that allows one to make a strong coffee. Can a French Press make strong coffee?

Yes it can, but it depends what you like.

French Presses yield more bitter coffee that is kind of murky and grainy. Aeropress coffee, being a pseudo-espresso pushed through a filter and then diluted to an americano coffee, is brighter and less muddled, body is a bit thinner though.

Depending on how you dilute, I think the aeropress can actually make a stronger coffee. Pushing that much soggy grind with a French Press tends to blow by the sides of the screen and end up in your cup.

forgop · 08-06-2014, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbriar

All of these look great! Particularly curious about the Aeropress. Looks like that allows one to make a strong coffee. Can a French Press make strong coffee?

You can make coffee as strong as you want by increasing your coffee:water ratio no matter your method.

Blak Smyth · 08-07-2014, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forgop

You can make coffee as strong as you want by increasing your coffee:water ratio no matter your method.

As well as how long you steep it for... when looking for a French press I try to find one with as many metal parts as possible. Gone through too many plastic pieces breaking on them. Especially the part that screws the screen to the shaft.

I think I need to try the aeropress...

T.G · 08-07-2014, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

As well as how long you steep it for... when looking for a French press I try to find one with as many metal parts as possible. Gone through too many plastic pieces breaking on them. Especially the part that screws the screen to the shaft.

I think I need to try the aeropress...

That's called over extracting, you start pulling out the tannins in the coffee when it sits in the water for a long period of time. Yields a stronger but bitter, muddled, less flavorful cup when you do that. One of the problems with a french press is that they are prone to it with their long brew times.

I beat the crap out of my aeropress, haven't broken it yet. I did lose the bottom guard and paddle once, but that was my mistake. If you do lose or break parts, replacements are inexpensive, just call Aerobie in California directly and they will ship them out to you.

nutcracker · 08-07-2014, 08:07 AM

Go with Chemex. Makes THE BEST pour over/ drip coffee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h-0ewcbHko

http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/

mosesbotbol · 08-07-2014, 01:42 PM

Best "heirloom" French presses are made by Alessi; not cheap, but worth it IMO. The next higher quality brand is Melior, which is the classic French made French Press...

10-31-2014, 10:14 PM

After reading the 'how to' on the Aeropress, have a question...
Directions say 2 scoops coffee with water poured to the number 2 line. Can you use 3 scoops with water poured to the number 3 for more coffee with the same strength and flavor? Same question for the number 4.

RR

T.G · 10-31-2014, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbriar

After reading the 'how to' on the Aeropress, have a question...
Directions say 2scoops coffee with water poured to the number 2 line. Can you use 3 scoops with water poured to the number 3 for more coffee with the same strength and flavor? Same question for the number 4.

RR

Yep. That's exactly how it works.

RWhisenand · 11-01-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbriar

After reading the 'how to' on the Aeropress, have a question...
Directions say 2 scoops coffee with water poured to the number 2 line. Can you use 3 scoops with water poured to the number 3 for more coffee with the same strength and flavor? Same question for the number 4.

RR

I have a couple Aeropresses, love 'em, and one of the things I've learned is how to brew different strengths of coffee by changing coffee amount, water amount, and steeping times. Pretty fun to experiment.

the nub · 11-02-2014, 11:38 AM

my Aeropress is ready to pack it in after a few years of use. Coffee grinds eventually wear the walls of the cylinder so the rubber plunger doesn't seal anymore.

Also it's worth it to get the stainless steel filter after all your paper filters run out.

ApexAZ · 11-01-2014, 07:17 PM

I agree that Aeropress is the way to go. I also really like my chemex for brewing multiple cups.

11-02-2014, 12:38 PM

Ok... If you chose only ONE... Which would it be? Chewed or Aeropress?
If Chemex, which size?
RR

ApexAZ · 11-02-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbriar

Ok... If you chose only ONE... Which would it be? Chewed or Aeropress?
If Chemex, which size?
RR

I use my Chemex more, simply because I brew 24 oz of coffee and put it in my thermos.

I think the aeropress makes a tastier cup though.

For me, I'd choose the chemex for the greater capacity. However, in reality I chose both, because I can

In fact I have 2 Chemex brewers and 2 aeropress'.

RWhisenand · 11-02-2014, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badbriar

Ok... If you chose only ONE... Which would it be? Chewed or Aeropress?
If Chemex, which size?
RR

I have a couple Aeropresses which I really like. With that said, I have a regular drip maker for work mornings, it has delay brew options so coffee is ready when I get up. The Aeropresses are for slower paced weekend mornings. If you are like me, a drip for weekdays, and the Aeropress for weekend mornings.

JLMraider · 01-29-2015, 07:20 AM

I was looking into getting a plastic french press for travel a couple months ago. I'm glad I didn't end up getting one because I'm thinking the aeropress will be a better option. It'll take up less space in my bag and to hear some of you talk, it makes a better brew. I do enjoy espresso. My mind's made up. Thanks guys.

08-06-2014, 06:02 PM	#1
badbriar Guest Posts: n/a	French press Would someone please recommend a good French Press? I'm moving and am seriously downsizing, and the venerable coffee maker is going! RR

08-06-2014, 06:12 PM	#2
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,870 Trading: (40)	Re: French press This is the one I got a few weeks ago to replace the Bodum that began letting too many grounds through. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

08-06-2014, 06:28 PM	#3
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,581 Trading: (37)	Re: French press Skip the french press, get an Aeropress instead. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...Ck%3Aaeropress http://aerobie.com/products/aeropress.htm 30 seconds to about the best coffee I've had, and it certainly feels like I've tried probably almost every machine or method out there looking for it. Only thing else that comes close is my Chemex or some insanely expensive machine costing thousands of dollars. Don't bother with the stainless filters, they kind of defeat the purpose/method of brewing. Last edited by T.G; 08-06-2014 at 06:33 PM.

08-06-2014, 06:30 PM	#4
DMK S.O.B. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Darryl Location: Hamilton, ON. Canada. Posts: 2,747 Trading: (86)	Re: French press I've been buying these for the last four or more.... They last about a year before the screen starts to break down, but for the price.... http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/60241389/ __________________ Darryl, SOB...

08-06-2014, 07:28 PM	#5
badbriar Guest Posts: n/a	Re: French press All of these look great! Particularly curious about the Aeropress. Looks like that allows one to make a strong coffee. Can a French Press make strong coffee?

08-07-2014, 08:07 AM	#10
nutcracker Shameless epicurian Join Date: Apr 2014 First Name: Neil Location: Winnipeg, Canada - Home of the Jets! Posts: 1,631 Trading: (26)	Re: French press Go with Chemex. Makes THE BEST pour over/ drip coffee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h-0ewcbHko http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/ __________________ "Well I ain't often right but I've never been wrong.... Jerry Garcia (R.I.P.)

08-07-2014, 01:42 PM	#11
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: French press Best "heirloom" French presses are made by Alessi; not cheap, but worth it IMO. The next higher quality brand is Melior, which is the classic French made French Press... __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-31-2014, 10:14 PM	#12
badbriar Guest Posts: n/a	Re: French press After reading the 'how to' on the Aeropress, have a question... Directions say 2 scoops coffee with water poured to the number 2 line. Can you use 3 scoops with water poured to the number 3 for more coffee with the same strength and flavor? Same question for the number 4. RR

11-02-2014, 11:38 AM	#15
the nub Papa Chino Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Nanaimo, BC Posts: 320 Trading: (2)	Re: French press my Aeropress is ready to pack it in after a few years of use. Coffee grinds eventually wear the walls of the cylinder so the rubber plunger doesn't seal anymore. Also it's worth it to get the stainless steel filter after all your paper filters run out.

11-01-2014, 07:17 PM	#16
ApexAZ Wandering aimlessly Join Date: Oct 2011 First Name: Brian Location: Sonoran Desert Posts: 1,299 Trading: (10)	Re: French press I agree that Aeropress is the way to go. I also really like my chemex for brewing multiple cups.

11-02-2014, 12:38 PM	#17
badbriar Guest Posts: n/a	Re: French press Ok... If you chose only ONE... Which would it be? Chewed or Aeropress? If Chemex, which size? RR

01-29-2015, 07:20 AM	#20
JLMraider In vino veritas Join Date: Jan 2015 First Name: Jonathon Location: Raleigh, NC, USA Posts: 25 Trading: (0)	Re: French press I was looking into getting a plastic french press for travel a couple months ago. I'm glad I didn't end up getting one because I'm thinking the aeropress will be a better option. It'll take up less space in my bag and to hear some of you talk, it makes a better brew. I do enjoy espresso. My mind's made up. Thanks guys.