jasadow Senior Member Joined: 7 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Location: West Hartford, CT Expertise: Just starting
Posted Mon Apr 7, 2008, 5:19pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
I just bought my first press and I really love it and want to learn more. This is a great site!! My question is... would it be tacky (or in some way dangerous) to heat the water in the microwave, right in the glass carafe of the press (stainless cage removed, of course)? I can find no mention of microwaving anywhere on the bodum website or instructions.
DavidBB Senior Member Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 170 Location: Alberta Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Vibiemme Domobar Super... Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: 8 cup FP Drip: Hamilton Beach Roaster: 5lb BBQ Drum, iR2
Posted Fri Apr 11, 2008, 11:41am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
jasadow... you may want to read this:
Subject: Safety Alert - Microwaving Water Importance: High The following information came from a member of staff and is worthy of note -
Subject: Microwaving Water to Heat it Up
I feel that the following is information that any one who uses a microwave oven to heat water should be made aware of. About five days ago my 26-year old son decided to have a cup of instant coffee. He took a cup of water and put it in the microwave to heat it up (something that he had done numerous times before). I am not sure how long he set the timer for but he told me he wanted to bring the water to a boil. When the timer shut the oven off, he removed the cup from the oven. As he looked into the cup he noted that the water was not boiling but instantly the water in the cup "blew up" into his face. The cup remained intact until he threw it out of his hand but all the water had flew out into his face due to the buildup of energy. His whole face is blistered and he has 1st and 2nd degree burns to his face which may leave scarring. He also may have lost partial sight in his left eye.
While at the hospital, the doctor who was attending to him stated that this a fairly common occurrence and water (alone) should never be heated in a microwave oven. If water is heated in this manner, something should be placed in the cup to diffuse the energy such as a wooden stir stick, tea bag, etc. It is however a much safer choice to boil the water in a tea kettle. Please pass this information on to friends and family.
"Once you wake up and smell the coffee, it's hard to go back to sleep".
sGooss Senior Member Joined: 11 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: S.I., NY Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sun May 11, 2008, 7:49am Subject: How to Use a Press Pot
I've used my press pot the way that you've described to do in your post, but the coffee always come out too weak for me - more like tea. Is a good strong coffee achievable with a press pot?
Posted Sun May 11, 2008, 8:10am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
sGooss Said:
I've used my press pot the way that you've described to do in your post, but the coffee always come out too weak for me - more like tea. Is a good strong coffee achievable with a press pot?
adjusting your grind should do the trick (you may be grinding a bit too coarse).
I found it also helps to roughly match the size of the press with the amount of coffee you're making.
For example, I usually make coffee just for myself. I measure 24 grams, grind between drip and coarse, and steep 14 oz. of water for 3 minutes in a Bodum which holds 16 oz. of coffee.
pix Senior Member Joined: 11 Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Phoenix Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Bodum 4 cup french press Grinder: cheap blade
Posted Fri Jul 11, 2008, 9:16am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
The BEST way to use a french press is to make your coffee by the cold brew method. All you need to do is use room temp water instead of hot and let it steep for 12 to 24 hours. Oh my goodness! It makes the best coffee you have ever had! Try it yourself and see what you think...
audree358 Junior Member Joined: 10 Aug 2008 Posts: 1 Location: fremont, ca Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Sun Aug 10, 2008, 10:35am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
a lot of rigmarole just to tell you: your coffee press "how to" was extremely helpful. for some reason i was told to press the coffee down and THEN let it steep for 4 minutes. that didnt make sense to me so i havent been doing it that way. but today i decided to get the straight scoop and your article was exactly what i was looking for. and i appreciate the extra info about grinders and beans. i didnt know all that. by the way, i like the sludge, too! thanks for the help!
Posted Fri Oct 10, 2008, 5:36am Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Nice Piece. Regarding grinders..............given the photos that include a grinder, is it fair to infer that the quality threshold is Saeco/Starbucks + ?? I had one of these and got pretty consistent grinds. It finally died on me and I replaced it with an interim model...a Cuisinart.....a generic lower cost machine marketed under a dozen or so brands. Boulder to dust is the order of the day with this thing. For fifty bucks it has lasted for a year. Need to get out and find a solid machine...any recommendations?
Posted Fri Oct 10, 2008, 9:20pm Subject: Re: How to Use a Press Pot
Heatgunroast Said:
IMO I'd prefer a blade grind just before brewing to a perfecto grind that sat for several hours or a day. I'm one of the odd sorts who actually likes a "thick" (some call it sludgy) cup, so the uneveness of the grind for press doesn't bother. There IS a difference between a well-practiced blade grind and my Mazzer grind, but I see it as a different coffee prep rather than an inferior one. Just got back from a 5-day stay in a hotel where I got by very well with a blade grinder and SwissGold. Good beans, well roasted, right temp water (Ibis Mini), yum. Grind is is crucial for espresso, but not the end-all for press.
Thank you for saying that. I think that is something many people overlook on this site: freshly ground is still better than stale. A blade grinder is not evil. It may not be sexy, it may not be as quick, consistent, or efficient as a burr grinder, but it is still very useful for people with budgets or in certain situations. I used a screen for sifting off the fines with my French press, then used them in my AeroPress to make a latte for my wife. The only suggestion I would make would be to possibly shorten the brew time a bit if it's a bit bitter.
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