As anyone used a COFFEE PRESS?

pdx107 · 09-09-09, 07:32 AM

you mean a french press?
never used one but a co-worker of mine swears by it as the only decent way to drink coffee

Fishhead · 09-09-09, 07:39 AM

Originally posted by pdx107

you mean a french press?
never used one but a co-worker of mine swears by it as the only decent way to drink coffee

Not sure, I reckon all presses are basically a French press...............not sure, that's why I'm asking.

I would like to hear from someone that has used them often and to give me pointers and/or reviews on using these "presses".

THx

MJFtheGenius · 09-09-09, 07:41 AM

not sure guy, sorry

empty · 09-09-09, 08:50 AM

It might not seem like a big deal but the cut of the beans (fine/rough) is very important. Fine is for expresso and rough is for presses. I'm a big fan of vietnamese coffee, it is just a press over a cup with ice and condensed milk in it. I don't know much about products but youtube is your friend if you want to learn how to brew it.

Fishhead · 09-09-09, 10:41 AM

Any other reviews would be very helpful.

jellobiafra · 09-09-09, 11:07 AM

What do you want to know? You put a couple scoops of coffee and hot water in the cylinder. You stir it around. The longer you leave the grounds in contact with the water, the stronger the coffee will be. Once you decide you are ready, you slowly press the filter down. As it moves from the top of the tube to the bottom, the filter catches most of the grounds and take them to the bottom of the tube. Once you have pressed the grounds to the bottom you pour a cup of coffee. If the beans are high quality, the coffee tastes really good. You will have a small amount of grounds in your cup though most likely.

They coast like $5 at Kmart. This isn't a major purchasing decision or anything.

RogueScholar · 09-09-09, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by jellobiafra

What do you want to know? You put a couple scoops of coffee and hot water in the cylinder. You stir it around. The longer you leave the grounds in contact with the water, the stronger the coffee will be. Once you decide you are ready, you slowly press the filter down. As it moves from the top of the tube to the bottom, the filter catches most of the grounds and take them to the bottom of the tube. Once you have pressed the grounds to the bottom you pour a cup of coffee. If the beans are high quality, the coffee tastes really good. You will have a small amount of grounds in your cup though most likely.

They coast like $5 at Kmart. This isn't a major purchasing decision or anything.

I couldn't have said it better myself, Jello. It's not difficult, although when you're used to just pressing a button on a coffeemaker it can seem like a hassle. I have one that I use when guests come over, kinda like using the good china, so I can make them the best coffee I know how to make. The major difference is that the oils from the beans are left in the water as opposed to being stuck in a paper filter in your traditional coffee maker. There is definitely an art to having the right grind and knowing just how long to stir the grounds in the water and then let them steep before pressing. If you really enjoy coffee, I'm sure you'll enjoy the process.

I do recommend getting one from Bodum, the company in France who popularized them. Their devices are still the gold standard in coffee presses, and well worth the $20-$30 you'll spend for one. It's like getting a flying disc from Frisbee or an actual Kleenex, these companies' names get associated with a product because no one has ever made a better one.

As a middle ground I use a Mr. Coffee most days but with a gold-mesh filter for the grounds as opposed to a paper filter. I still lose some of the oils that adhere to the mesh, but it definitely makes a difference as to the fullness of the taste/aroma you get out of your beans. Stay thirst, my friends.

Fishhead · 09-09-09, 01:32 PM

Where is the best place to buy one?

Seen these at Starbucks and they perked my interest.

THANKS

RogueScholar · 09-09-09, 02:19 PM

I believe Target has the best deals and they carry a couple models of the good ones by Bodum.

Fishhead · 09-09-09, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by RogueScholar

I believe Target has the best deals and they carry a couple models of the good ones by Bodum.

jellobiafra · 09-09-09, 02:32 PM

Fishy the main thing - as always with coffee - is going to be the quality of the beans. If you don't have a your own grinder, you need to purchase beans specifically ground for French presses. You need a little bit courser grind because the finer powdery type coffee will sift right through the screen. Just check the bag and it should tell you whether it's for a press or not. If you buy your coffee from Starbucks and tell them it's for a press they will grind the beans there for you in a little bit courser grade.

Fishhead · 09-09-09, 02:40 PM

Originally posted by jellobiafra

Fishy the main thing - as always with coffee - is going to be the quality of the beans. If you don't have a your own grinder, you need to purchase beans specifically ground for French presses. You need a little bit courser grind because the finer powdery type coffee will sift right through the screen. Just check the bag and it should tell you whether it's for a press or not. If you buy your coffee from Starbucks and tell them it's for a press they will grind the beans there for you in a little bit courser grade.

Ok, I have a grinder that I can set the level of courseness with.

But you say you can actually buy ground coffee just for presses? Is this at most stores?

jellobiafra · 09-09-09, 02:44 PM

I think they have coffee for presses on the aisles of higher end supermarkets at least - Harris Teeter where I'm at. I could be wrong. I don't recommend buying a bag of ground coffee if you have your own grinder though. Grind it fresh daily. Get some high quality beans and a french press and you will be enjoying world-class coffee every morning.

Sam Odom · 09-09-09, 02:46 PM

IMO, starbucks bulk coffee is overpriced. An upscale grocery store will have a do it yourself grinder & beans. Grind your own.

RogueScholar · 09-09-09, 02:50 PM

No, typically you will only see grounds specifically for presses at a coffee shop or other specialized retailer. And don't forget to empty the carafe within 20 minutes of pressing, otherwise your coffee will turn bitter.

Fishhead · 09-09-09, 03:16 PM

Perhaps we can get a quality PRESS in the SBR store!!!!

RogueScholar · 09-09-09, 03:34 PM

Seems like a silly thing to have in the SBR Store if you ask me. You don't want to have to spend the $30 on a good one, Fishhead? You're really not kidding about the dumpster diving, are you?