Silound 11:49 AM 08-10-2010
Let me start by saying, I'm a junkie. I appreciate things such as a 100% Kona or a select production roast from Costa Rica as much as I can appreciate Burger King coffee. I just LIKE coffee and it's flavor.
That being said, I've been looking into some FP's, and I ran into an interesting...dilemma. All presses seem to follow the same core design and have acceptable parts (stainless screen/plunger, rubber seal ring and skirt, moderate thickness safety glass body), so what separates that $20 press from Target/Walmart from the $100+ press that I can get at a specialty shop?
I literally looked both over, and other than semantics and aesthetics, it's all the same to my engineering mind. Is it just one is more durable?
Second thought, I looked all over the net, some coffee books, and here, but I never found a definite answer. How hot should the water be? Fresh off the boil, steaming hot but not boiling? Some websites were saying a full rolling boil, while others said hot but not boiling. Seems water that's too hot will kill some of the flavors.
Third, why the hell do I drink so much coffee?
:-)
[Reply]
mosesbotbol 12:04 PM 08-10-2010
The finishing of the mesh filters can be nice, along with whether it has the silk micro filter which I strongly suggest.
Other than that, it is the carafe the glass fits into and whether it is a designer like Starck or Alessi...
I have been using the same FP since mid 70's. I have had to replace the glass several times, but that's it.
[Reply]
mosesbotbol 12:05 PM 08-10-2010
Originally Posted by Silound:
How hot should the water be? Fresh off the boil, steaming hot but not boiling? Some websites were saying a full rolling boil, while others said hot but not boiling. Seems water that's too hot will kill some of the flavors.
Third, why the hell do I drink so much coffee? :-)
Off boil for sure. Pour a few oz's in, stir, let it bloom, fill to top and wait 4 minutes...
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JaKaacH 03:16 PM 08-10-2010
The separation factor is $80.00
:-)
I love my $20.00 Bodum from target.
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itzfrank 06:04 PM 08-10-2010
I got a $20 recycled one from Starbucks..
Tastes and works just as good as the $100 ones at our Local Chef Allan's.
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Mister Moo 06:46 AM 08-12-2010
I've had bad luck with off brands and, particularly, Bonjour brand (wire ends hanging out off the filter - makes it impossible to clean with a cloth or sponge); always good luck with Bodum brand. Perfect, mostly.
Bodum Columbia presses = 1 for life. Get the biggest and forgettabowdit.
[Reply]
mosesbotbol 06:48 AM 08-12-2010
Originally Posted by Mister Moo:
Bodum Columbia presses = 1 for life. Get the biggest and forgettabowdit.
I think Bodum is the "original".
If you are into design, Alessi makes several nice ones.
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