philsav Senior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Boston, MA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Thu Mar 13, 2008, 5:35pm Subject: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Capresso 500, Newco OCS??Cholesterol
Ok simply. Got into the French Press routine in the last year. Love it. Flavor, aroma, consistency and simple to make. However, recent check up showed my cholesterol levels about 20% higher than I EVER had in my life. They have always been very low and optimal and have been a coffee drinker. No changes in routine except the FP coffee. 10 cups a day.
So after reviewing this site and google, there " may be " a correlation of higher LDL levels with unfiltered coffee. Why take a chance - mid 50's and in great health. SO:
I want a great flavored cup of coffee. Don't like it terribly hot. Just strong in body and flavor.
But I want to use a paper filter ( supposedly takes out LDL oils ) , no hot plate, just thermal caraf. Make a pot in the AM and another before I go to work in the afternoon.
TV intrigues me but may be a little too much work when in a rush. Capresso 500 - reviews are from great to it leaks if not set up perfectly. Newco OCS 12 - sounding good but seems likes its just a pitcher, pouring 200 degree h2o over some grounds and into a bottle.
Can it be that good?
Been using my wife's Cusinart single serve DC12 for a week. It's a really fine machine, but I just can't get the taste right. UGHHHHHHHHH!! Got to buy something quick!!!!!!!
Posted Thu Mar 13, 2008, 6:42pm Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Capresso 500, Newco C??Cholesterol
An Aeropress might be a good work a round for you. There inexpensive and do a great job and also use a paper filter and your not out much like $25 - 30 bucks?
Posted Thu Mar 13, 2008, 9:23pm Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? - Cholesterol
I think pilgrim5's suggestion is a good one. I really love French press and I do have an Aeropress as well.
I think the Aeropress does a good job but I'm not convinced that I like it as much as the French press.
One of these days I am going to have to do a "brew-off" between the two of them.
If you have your mind set on a dripper and a 4 cup will fill your needs, I really like the Melitta BCM-4. It was a freebe given with Gavalia (SP?) coffee. It is no longer made but they come up on e-bay frequently. I got one for $10 + about $12 shipping. The word is out on these things since I have seen them go for as much as $70. They brew at the correct temperature and they have a good shower head. They do use a glass carafe and a hot-plate. I believe the hot-plate is also the HX for heating the brew water so you can't disconnect it. My work around is to fold a paper towel and place it between the hot plate and caraffe and turn the machine off as soon as the brewing is complete.
By the way if you switch away from the press please report on your next cholesterol test. My cholesterol is a bit high taking a bunch of potent statin drugs (Zocor) and would be on the roof unmedicated.
I had to trim the subject line to get my post accepted. The forum must like you better than me.
christiang Senior Member Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 43 Location: Berkeley Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Mini Gaggia Grinder: Mazzer Super Jolly,... Vac Pot: Yama Drip: Ceramic Cone, Bodum Eileen,...
Posted Thu Mar 13, 2008, 9:43pm Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Cholester
What about just a simple cone filter? You can get a great ceramic one for $10 or so. You control the water temperature and there's some real artisanry to it. Just do a search on youtube - there's some terrific Japanese videos on water pouring. If you feel like shelling out the dough, you can always get a stainless steel rack (usually $2-400) for multiple cone filters.
philsav Senior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Boston, MA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Mar 14, 2008, 7:51am Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Capresso 500, Newco OCS
Wow - thaks for all the replys! Sort of new to this!
areo press -( have one T too much work as is single serve ).
Drip filter cone - (thought about it - but still time consuming)
My patience factor is limited except for weekends.
What I have been doing is Whole bean grinding in a Capresso burr grinder, Sweet Maria's method in a Bodum french press with 195 - 200 degree hot water from an In Sink Areator Hot water dispensor and finally to a thermal caraf. Whole process 6 Min.
I still am gravitating towards the TV ( I do like the look, not the price). pros: Can adjust the drip for a stronger brew and Temperature from what I have read. cons: No Auto Off - OK if I forget I guess the left over water will protect the heater but if its left on regardless of ruining the element could it start a fire? I could put a simple 10 min timer onto the AC walljack. Newco Pros - durable, no fuss no mess:, price is right Cons: No brew flavor adjustment
Capresso: Way too many conflicting reviews.
Primary Objectives in order.
Quality tasting coffee No big fuss in making - labor intensive. Paper filter.
ps - Testing Cholesterol in 3 mo. Never heard of FP raising LDL till started googling. For the life of me, that was the ONLY change in life style. Coffee consumption the same just FP with sediment intake.
Posted Fri Mar 14, 2008, 9:08am Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Capresso 500, Newco OCS
I have read about the rise in cholesterol too but only drinking 1-2 cups a day I am not really worried about it. I can see that drinking 10 a day could possibly cause a rise but I would still be wary as to whether or not that is the only cause. Please report back to us the next time your tested.
Seeing as how you want a quick easy way to brew coffee I would have to recommend the TV. Auto Drip machines are by far the easiest to use and clean and the TV is one of the best.
If you want to save money I would recommend a pour over method. It is only slightly more labor intensive then French Press and should yield very good results. I haven't used one myself but the chemex pour over systems that sweet marias sells claim to allow more flavor to pass through then a standard paper filter.
velojunkie Senior Member Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 26 Location: SoCal, USA Expertise: I love coffee
Grinder: Capresso Infinity Drip: Technivorm, SS Press Roaster: HG/DB
Posted Fri Mar 14, 2008, 9:32am Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Capresso 500, Newco OCS
I still am gravitating towards the TV ( I do like the look, not the price).
I really love my TV. I too was using a press pot but wanted less work in the morning so spent hours (too many hours, actually) researching drip machines. I finally went for a thermal carafe TV. It makes great coffee in about 6 minutes and you can interact (stir, swivel basket) if you want or just let it do its thing. I got a great deal on eBay, too. I will warn you though - it does not produce the flavor and nuances of a press pot, but it does brew a GREAT pot of coffee.
philsav Senior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Boston, MA Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri Mar 14, 2008, 11:37am Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Capresso 500, Newco OCS
Yes - toall - I wonder about this cholesteral thing also. But again - really was my only lifestyle changer, so we will see in a couple of months. I'm determined to use the paper filter if this thing about excess oils raising LDL may have merit.
TV - I've read some really great in depth write ups on this site and Sweet Maria's and was gravitating to it then heard about the Newco OCS here.
Seems everywhere reviews state the TV makes great coffee. Well to do so you need great coffee and water to begin with.
Would anyone justify the price over the Newco? Main reason I'm leaning towards it is the adjustable brew.
Posted Fri Mar 14, 2008, 2:25pm Subject: Re: Need to switch from French Press to ? TV, Capresso 500, Newco OCS
I do not know much about the Newco. My drip brewer is a Presto which I bought for 40 dollars. It is a fantastic coffee machine which is unfortunately is no longer produced. What makes it a good machine is that the brew temp reaches the ideal temp of 200 degrees. Most drip brewers don't reach this temperature which is why they make sub par coffee. If the Newco reaches the ideal 200 degree temperature and is significantly cheaper then the TV I would say go for it.
However, when you get a TV you are assured a great quality machine. A thermal carafe is an excellent addition to any drip machine and the TV should keep working and producing good coffee for years. The 40 dollar presto didn't come with a thermal carafe, is made mostly out of plastic, and is known to break after a year or two. It is up to you if you think the extra features and solid construction or worth it on the TV.
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