Posted Sat Oct 27, 2012, 9:12am Subject: Brazen versus Krups Moka Brew?
I'm a long time daily user and lover of the Krups Moka Brew. Of the automated brewing methods I've used it's my favorite. Unfortunately I've seen the recent posts re: the Behmor Brazen, and have been tossed into that dizzying space of a new, potentially better gizmo that could change my world. I wake up thinking about it. So, the question is anyone have both, and able to offer comparisons? Does controlling the temp and pre-soak make up for the extra pressure extraction of the Moka Brew? Can the Brazen really deliver the deep body and richness I crave? I know it's quite early in the Brazen era, but it seems clear it's a game changer. I welcome all input and observations.
Posted Sat Oct 27, 2012, 10:53am Subject: Re: Brazen versus Krups Moka Brew?
I do the roasting in the family and I have a Krups Moka Brew. My son has a newly acquired BraZen.
Last week I went to his place to ...maybe find a good starting point with the BraZen. We checked out his Baratzaa grinder and selected a grind two 'notches' coarser than kosher salt. He found the end of an old bag of Costco beans roasted ...who knows when... for a trial run. He had done the calibration run previously, so we ground up 65g of beans and filled 1.2 litres of water, set it at 204F, and let it brew.
The result was: the best cup of coffee i have ever experienced. It was absolutely better than my best, 5-day from roast beans.
While the Krups Moka Brew is good, I find it to be very fussy in coffee/water ratio. I weigh in 36 oz of water and 45g of coffee and get a pretty decent cup. But not great (like the BraZen). If I put 5g more coffee in it is a bit too strong. If I put 5g less it loses it's body. The glass carafe cools too quickly and must be decanted to an insulated one. Cleanup is complicated.
I'm not trying to be critical of the Krups Moka Brew. It serves me well.
Posted Sat Oct 27, 2012, 11:26am Subject: Re: Brazen versus Krups Moka Brew?
Thanks very much. Just the kind of info I'm seeking.
I totally agree the Moka Brew is very sensitive to the coffee/water ratio. Early on I got a .1g scale I use for each brew, and have to adjust each time I use a different bean. Once dialed in I really like the results, but the search for coffee nirvana is endless.
I've seen a couple of those "best coffee I have ever experienced" posts about the Brazen. But it's always hard to gauge someone else's frame of reference. You've helped a lot. I'm seeing temp, pre-soak, and altitude adjustments in my future. Thanks again.
Posted Sat Oct 27, 2012, 3:38pm Subject: Re: Brazen versus Krups Moka Brew?
Ha! Anything like "pleasant" from Maxwell House I'd consider a miracle.
I just can't resist the temptation of the Brazen controls any more. Just ordered one.
I've dreamed about an automated brewer with precise, adjustable temp control, but hadn't thought of altitude and pre-soak. It is amazing. Can't wait to start tweaking.
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