espressoDOM Senior Member Joined: 1 May 2003 Posts: 2,188 Location: Bay Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: WEGA Lyra (vibe) Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: (no more coffee equipment) Drip: French Press Roaster: Hot Top Roaster; Fresh Roast...
Posted Tue Nov 11, 2003, 9:54am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
It was a great read. A colleague at work gave me a 1 or 3 cup presspot for free. So I began to try it out and man it is like night and day from regular drip coffee. I love it... I love it so much now that I use it for making TEA also....YES Mark evil geniuses drink Tea also...hahaha
I am selling my Silvia and I am going to have some down time before I get a new machine so press pot is going to be my best friend for a while so thanks for the how to....
DOM...evil genius ...Up to no good in espresso at all times... VIVA la parts de Espresso
baristaboy Senior Member Joined: 4 May 2003 Posts: 24 Location: Georgia Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Tue Nov 11, 2003, 12:21pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Using a press may seem a basic, easy form of brewing, but it is often messed up. The article is well written and very informative. I enjoy reading How-To articles because they often offer tips that I may have never considered in my persuit of coffee nirvana.
Camchatka Senior Member Joined: 10 Nov 2003 Posts: 15 Location: Toronto, Canada Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Rancilio Silvia Grinder: Rancilio Rocky Vac Pot: Bodum Drip: Bodum single cup filter Roaster: Hearthware Precision
Posted Tue Nov 11, 2003, 2:27pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
I've been using a press pot (Bodum) for about 7 years now and I learned more in the 5 minutes it took to read the article than in all the years up to now. I've learned a lot of what was recommended by the tried and true trial and error. It's tried and true, but man I wish I would have had this article 7 years ago to save me on a lot of mediocre coffee.
One point of contention (or addition): I like using freshly ground beans. In my experience it does make it a little more of a challenge to press, but if one is careful it won't be too difficult. I don't know what it is, but freshly roasted beans add a spark to a press pot that I notice much more than with drip coffee. Maybe it's just me, but I like going with fresh.
Having said that, I find the press pot is also a forgiving way to roast coffee as well. Unlike other methods, you can control the strength of the coffee with relative ease and, if you like to experiment with some international alternatives such as adding chickory or cardamom, then the press pot should definitely be in your coffee tool kit.
onocoffee Senior Member Joined: 5 Sep 2002 Posts: 733 Location: Towson, Maryland Expertise: Just starting
Espresso: La Marzocco Linea 2AV, 3AV &... Grinder: 4 Mazzer Major Autos, Compak... Vac Pot: That crazy Bodum eSantos Drip: Bunn CWT Twin, Bunn Water... Roaster: Petroncini The Crumb
Posted Tue Nov 11, 2003, 4:30pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
v2 and the articles just don't stop flowing - this is what I'm talking about!
Mark- Enjoyed the article tremendously but I wanted to ask a question and offer a suggestion.
As someone who is relatively inexperienced with press pots, I'd like to get a better idea of the proper grind and the proper amount. It seems that the suggested amounts I've heard are all over the board. For example, Bodum's suggested ratios for the 32oz. Eileen equals about 2.5oz of coffee. This is as much as I use for a 64oz. Bunn drip machine!
I've been experimenting with using 1oz. of grinds for the 32oz. Eileen and am enjoying the quality of the coffee produced at 3min steep.
So, how fine/coarse should the grind be? An espresso lecturer once described the espresso grind to me as "fine with a slight grit when rubbed between two fingers, leaving behind coffee residue." Of course, he told me this in person and demonstrated but can you offer a description of the grind for a lay person like myself?
And speaking of steeping, should the timing start the moment the water hits the grinds or after you have filled the pot and stirred the mixture?
heatgunroast Senior Member Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Posts: 360 Location: NYC Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Dalla Corte Grinder: Mazzer Mini; Zass, Baratza... Vac Pot: Royal Balance Brewer (wanna... Drip: Various press and pour-overs Roaster: Heatgun, Dogbowl
Posted Tue Nov 11, 2003, 4:47pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Nice article, Mark. Helpful. Regarding your words, "Personally, as someone who cups coffee, I don't mind a bit o' sludge and grit in my cup. Well, that depends. If I find it in my filter drip coffee, it bothers me. But in a Press Pot brew, I can deal with it.":
Press is by far my favorite non-espresso drink. Perhaps you or others can say a bit more about getting that rich and heavy taste (call it sludge and grit). Also, haven't read much about favorite varieties and blends that are most suited for press. I generally brew whatever I've roasted for espresso. Since I'm always testing how light I can roast for espresso, and often miss, these roasts, in particular, get drunk as press. Martin
bish Senior Member Joined: 24 Mar 2003 Posts: 203 Location: Bellport, Long Island, NY Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Giotto Premium Grinder: Mazzer Mini & Maestro+ Vac Pot: No counter space left!!! Drip: Technivorm MoccaMaster Roaster: Gene Cafe, FrankenRoaster
Posted Tue Nov 11, 2003, 5:38pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Mark, first comment... great pictures.. clear & precise... exactly as "how to..." pictures should be. I've been using a French Press for years (various Bodum units), but hadn't unpacked it since my last house move (to be honest, I couldn't find the damn thing anywhere). Your article inspired me to redouble my efforts, and I'm back in business! I agreed with every word, but you didn't cover the hard bit... cleaning the filter after use! :)
IMAWriter Senior Member Joined: 4 Jul 2002 Posts: 5,464 Location: Brentwood, TN Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Nothing at the moment Grinder: Vario-W,Preciso-Esatto/KyM... Vac Pot: Adcraft SS, Yama 8 cup Drip: Brazen.Chemex, Hario, Clever... Roaster: Behmor 1600, CO/UFO combo
Posted Tue Nov 11, 2003, 9:22pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Well, well...after reading this, it's good to know I've been doing SOMETHING right!...thanks..oh.. by the way, I've been using the SwissGold replacement filter on my beautiful Bonjour 6 cup...works terrifically, and cleans up much easier...I even reviewed it!...Robert Jason
Posted Wed Nov 12, 2003, 9:41am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
I'll second high praise given to the SwissGold filter. I got one to try out and ended up using it exclusively! Highly recommended.
Also, I'd like to say that even though the high bloom of very fresh coffee is harder to deal with, the taste is MILES above even a few days older coffee! Everyone should try it at least once.
espressotweek Senior Member Joined: 13 Aug 2003 Posts: 117 Location: Florida Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Francis Francis X5 Grinder: Rocky - doserless
Posted Thu Nov 13, 2003, 10:10am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Hey gang,
How abot proper temperature for the water? I have used a press pot before and always got burnt or luke warm coffee. Any ideas? also, what is the best brand of press pot out there?
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