mswanson Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Des Moines, IA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: S1 Vidaldi 2 Grinder: Mini Vac Pot: I have one Drip: Nope Roaster: Heat gun!
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 8:26am Subject: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
Not to start a "best brewing method" war, but I have been using the french press and vac pot for a number of years and I have a certain taste that I like.
Assuming that the drip machine is of high quality and brews at the proper temp...
A drip has the possible advantages that it's:
Easier to operate (also, easy for non-experienced)
Easier to clean up (maybe)
Larger amounts of coffee can be brewed
Can be brewed right into a thermal pot
The disadvantages are:
Cost of machine
Cost of filters
Electricity
So, my questions are, can a high quality drip machine compete with a vac pot in taste? Is there any other disadvantages that I'm missing?
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 10:14am Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
I am very new to highend coffee. I have been using a Presto Scandinavian (1.5 months) & roasting my own beans (2.5 weeks) and loving the taste. 1 week ago switched from an inexpensive DeLonghi burr grinder to a Capresso Infinity and that made a big difference in the flavor.
Yesterday I found a Bodum french press at a thrift store brand new for $3.00 and thought I would try it. I just finished drinking my first attempt with the Bodum and the difference is amazing. I may only use the Presto in an emergency.
I'm not sure about the Presto vs. the Technivorm, I think they are close by all I've read here. I only know that I was bidding on a Bosch Porsche coffee maker on eBay this past weekend and am very happy someone out bid me at the end.
Today I am ordering a Bodum Santos vac pot to try.
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 11:18am Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
The Melitta Clarity is an excellent brewer that is the neck to neck equivalent of the Technivorm Mocca Master CD, that lists for $199 US for a fraction of the price! The prices have ranges from a blowout price on QVC of $16.34 & their regular price of $36.25 to $19.95 - $27 from Chefs, to a high of $59.99 from Apex Stores]., but they are all gone/sold out from all 3.
Sometimes the odd one or 2 trickle back into stock at QVC due to cancelled orders, checks not clearing, not suitable for that person, etc.
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 11:55am Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
can a high quality drip machine compete with a vac pot in taste?
That completely depends on your personal taste and preferences. Each brewing method has it's own distinct flavor profile. You won't find a drip machine that matches the particular flavor of French press or vac pot, but there are some very good drip machines.
As far as the closest drip to vac pot I would strongly recommend you consider the Krups Moka Brew. A search on these forums will turn up many posts on this machine, and there's also a complete Coffeegeek review.
Of all the drip machines I've tried it produces by far the richest, most complex, satisfying cup. A bit of tweaking of the grind and coffee amount is often necessary to get the very best results, but it's well worth the effort.
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 12:06pm Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
cafedj Said:
Of all the drip machines I've tried it produces by far the richest, most complex, satisfying cup. A bit of tweaking of the grind and coffee amount is often necessary to get the very best results, but it's well worth the effort.
Hi D,
The Krups Moka Brew isn't a drip machine, but a pressure brewer under 1.2 bars. It works on the same principal of say a Bialetti moka pot. I have one also & it's an excellent machine with its own flavor profile. Sort of a combination of drip, vac, moka pot, kinda hard to explain.
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 1:56pm Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
I certainly agree that the Moka Brew is not technically just a standard drip machine, and also that it's got its own flavor profile.
To my taste though it produces a cup that is closer to a vac pot brew than to what I get out of my Bialetti Brikka moka pot.
For someone seeking the very best drip coffee, and particularly coming at it with the long press and vac pot experience described in the original post, it's definitely worth considering.
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 3:08pm Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
cafedj Said:
For someone seeking the very best drip coffee, and particularly coming at it with the long press and vac pot experience described in the original post, it's definitely worth considering.
mswanson Senior Member Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Des Moines, IA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: S1 Vidaldi 2 Grinder: Mini Vac Pot: I have one Drip: Nope Roaster: Heat gun!
Posted Wed May 4, 2005, 3:15pm Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll check out the suggestions.
BTW, I didn't mean for my post to sound like I had alot of experience, the opposite is the truth its just that I am ready to try something new, and I didn't want to drop $200 on a really good drip if it wouldn't compete with what I have been use to
Posted Thu May 5, 2005, 9:47am Subject: Re: Can a high quality drip brew as good as a french press/vac pot
mswanson Said:
...I have been using the french press and vac pot for a number of years and I have a certain taste that I like.... ....So, my questions are, can a high quality drip machine compete with a vac pot in taste? Is there any other disadvantages that I'm missing?
I think that the direct answer to your question is that a high quality drip machine can compete with a vac pot or french press but there is a tradeoff. Leaving the coarse grounds immersed in the high-temp water for 3-4 minutes extracts flavors that just aren't extracted by the flow-through drip process. You'll notice the difference but it's not like the difference between fresh and stale coffee (or low-temp drip). Drip coffee from a high quality machine is still good coffee (assuming fresh, properly ground and roasted beans). All else being equal, French Press or VacPot is a small step up from good drip and Espresso is a large step up from Drip, FP or VP.
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