| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 7:42:29 AM | I am quite dissatisfied with our regular drip coffee maker, and it's an expensive, programable, one.
I am considering buying an old time percolator or a Bodum press but maybe the infused drip is better after all.
Any experts on here about the best coffee making contraption out there ? | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 7:52:36 AM | Well, I'm no expert by any means. I started disliking Drip coffee machines about 10 years ago when I stopped smoking. I've used a Percolater ever since...and I switched to Breakfast Blend coffee (its milder). But I hear the Press is the best way to go. I've never tried it. Maybe someone else has and can respond?
Jazzy | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 8:18:18 AM | | Don't get a percolator; it's probably the worst coffee making method, as it boils away the aromatic oils while extracting bitterness. French press is the way to go. It gives great results, it's fast, easy and inexpensive. | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 9:32:42 AM | I'm going to have to disagree with feeniks- I've been using a stove-top perc for years, and done correctly (slow perc, NO boiling) the aromatic oils do not evaporate, and the coffee is not bitter at all. It does, however, take more time and care than either a press or infuser.
For any method, the coffee will only be as good as the roast and bean you get, no matter how you make it. For the perc, I start by heating the water WITHOUT the grounds, just before the water boils I take the pot off the fire, put in the basket of grounds, cover and turn down the flame to simmer and let it perc SLOWLY for about 5 to 10 minutes. Longer is stronger but past 10 minutes is about where you start getting a burnt flavor and that 'bitter afterbite' begins. Percs take patience and there's a ritual of using them- very zen-like as a process.
If you're just looking for a cup to get the morning started on the way to work, then a French Press is the way to go. You can get a travel mug/press combo thing at most of the cafe shops.
Whichever way you choose, filtered water (or tap water that has been given time for the chemicals to settle out), good quality well-roasted beans, the right grind, and NEVER-EVER-NEVER use soap on any of the coffee making goods after the initial fresh from the store wash.
Another method is to dump a pound of coffee grounds into a kettle with a gallon of cold water, put it on a fire for about 30 minutes. Stick a spoon in. If the spoon stands up by itself, it's ready.  | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 10:01:12 AM | ewww^^^ remind me to never drink his coffe if thats the way he makes his coffee with the spoon standing up....eeek....
i say perculator...i have had many machines an i always go back the the perk...the sounds of the perking an the smell of fresh coffee slowly brewing.....oh yeah baby!!! mmmmmmmmm | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 11:32:45 AM | Well the absolute worst possible way to brew your coffee is percolatation. All that does is constantly brew and re-brew the coffee. Definitely the last way you'd ever want to brew coffee.
The French Press or a Traditional Expresso maching are the two best methods. If you want really great coffee. Get a Vacuum Coffee maker. That and the French press will make the best coffee.
BUT!!!!!
You also have to make sure that you Grind your coffee correctlyl too. Get a BURR grinder, NOT a blade grinder. You can find the Burr Grinders online for about 20 bucks.
So, for the best coffee.
BURR Grinder
Vacuum Coffee Maker or
French Press....
Always make your coffee from beans, that you grind just before you brew.
Trust me, what I say is true. This is the best method period.
If you have any questions, just let me know, as I am particular about my coffee...
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 12:10:42 PM | I've tried all of them. The Bodum/French press is the only one that makes cofee that tastes like really good coffee in an expensive restaurant.
You may as well boil coffee in a pot on the stove as use a percolator. It's good if you like coffee that tastes like burnt transmission fluid.
The next quantum improvement in the taste is when you get good beans and grind them yourself. Hint: you won't get them at Starbucks (except for their occasional and overpriced "black apron" coffees).
The next quantum improvement in the taste is when you get a burr grinder. The blade type grinders impart a burned taste among other problems.
When you make coffee in the press you dump coffee in then put BOILING water in there, stir. In 30 seconds you'll find a bunch of coffee floating at the top in an almost solid mass. Stir again. Two minutes later stir again. You'll probably need to top up the water now. Do so.
Stir again and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Now you can press it.
DO NOT force it! When the coffee is ready the press will go down easily. You CAN force it down but half the time it'll shoot scalding water and coffee grounds everywhere. And it can break the glass cylinder. For some reason the large presses brake more often than the small ones.
Be very careful when you stir it. You don't want the spoon to hit the sides. I've seen them crack (but not break oddly) doing this.
What you can do too that's kinda fun is to use a decent amount of strong coffee. Half fill a coffee mug with whole milk. Microwave for about a monite or so till it froths up to the top of the mug - you'll need to watch it. Add the strong coffee. | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 12:22:45 PM | | French Press! I have had 2 Bodums--My personal favorite is an older, camp-style one that is unbreakable plastic--it is foolproof and superior results. The glass carafes break too easily because you are always cleaning them. I keep a small fine-screen strainer to catch grounds when rinsing. You pour the old slurry out of the carafe with lots of water through the strainer. TAP THAT (the strainer) against edge/inside of trash can -- no wear and tear on the carafe. Honestly, I don't think aside from a very good espresso maker/water mix (American0) you can do better. Want the REAL secret? Get FRESH ROASTED BEANS and a grinder--I don't mean the commercial grocery store beans--I mean buy them from a local roasting cafe or distributor---WAY BETTER results. I lived in Northwest 7 years--they are SERIOUS about coffee. I love the stuff. :) | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 12:28:05 PM | I agree totally with a burr grinder and fresh beans, grind them when you boil water.
I am going to try a good quality french press, for the money you will invest less and have better coffee than any other form of maker. If you want to spend a LOT more money, get an espresso machine.
Burr grinder, french press, for about $50-$75 for both is a great value.
Next, select a supplier of FRESH roasted beans, not your normal commercially available brand names. There is a LOT that the big name brands don't want you to know about the freshness and roast of their products... They just sell the "name." | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 1:03:03 PM | I love my perc. Mine is electric,not stove top,with a perforated cover over the basket so that all the coffee grounds are covered by water. I've had several different drip-throughs and always come back to the perc.
Coffee should be made a little stronger. I find one level teaspoon per 5 or 6 ounce cup of water is about right. | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 7:35:31 PM | I am a real coffe fanatic. I love everything coffee ... and I even collected coffee related items for a while, though silly me ,I got rid of most of the great stuff. I am sure some of you will cringe when you read this...
I gave out :
a 1930's working order silverware perc art deco style.
a woderful two tier glass ball vacuum perk with a cotton disc for filter.
a mini 2 cup electric drip travel coffe maker-transformer style that could fit into a mug
I still own 4 ginder though  , how do I know if they are burr or blade ? | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 7:53:56 PM | French Press for sure! I used to sell them, and once I started using one myself, I sold about 5 a day. No burnt taste, since it's not on a burner! But, if you are the only one drinking it, I suggest wrapping a teatowel around the carafe after your first pour, so that when you go for your next cup, it's still nice & warm.
I think there are some stovetop ones... but really, it doesn't even have to be a Bodum. Mine was probably $15-$20 at Stokes... my advice, forgo the "Bodum" buy a cheaper French Press, & better coffee!
I liked it so much that I brought one to work for awhile, & would make my own pot at work as well. I can put up with the drip one if I'm away from home, but it's a really good reason to wake up at home!
... think of it like kissing, it's kind of hard to get all worked up over a little peck, once you've gone French | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 7:57:12 PM | | Percolators work great and have excellent flavor if you keep them at a lower heat. If you get it to a boil then it end's up tasting like crap. I use a press quite a bit when I am camping and certainly recommend them | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 9:33:50 PM | | i have an antique coffee grinder here somewhere that i inherited from my dad who inherited it from his dad...it dates back to the late 1800's...and it still works!...big cast iron crank on top of a little dome thing that you slide open...put the beans in and grind away...the grounds fall into a little drawer at the bottom...i just keep it as a display item now tho | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 9:56:13 PM |
how do I know if they are burr or blade
A blade type looks like a mini food processor. You can see the blades.
Burr grinders were the old original ones and have two iron ridged disls that crush the beans when thet get inbetween them. If it's old it's a burr grinder. The kind with the little wooden box at the bottom is not uncommon and can be a century old but will still work very well. | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/16/2007 10:24:53 PM | ahhh good thanks, mine are burr and luckily I got 3 lol
I used one on spices so two are good for coffee
thanks for the tips | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/17/2007 6:12:53 AM | | I should have double-checked my post above. I meant to say,use one level TABLEspoon per 5 or 6 ounce cup of water. | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/17/2007 7:20:00 AM | Well, my personal view is that the best tasting coffee BY FAR is produced by a good Espresso machine (not necessarily an expensive one, but one with a pump), with really good coffee, proper grind, producing only one ounce in twenty to thirty seconds, etc. (you know, the Barrista story). This is because the richest coffee flavour is in gas form, can only be extracted under pressure, and is captured in tiny bubbles which collect at the top in the Crema (yellow golden froth). Aside from the richer flavour, the other bonus for me, is that there is LESS caffeine in a properly made double Espresso than in a cup of drip coffee - contrary to what most people think. Many people say Espresso tastes too strong, but that is easily taken care of by adding just enough hot milk to achieve the perfect intensity - but the amazingly complex flavour remains, including a hint of almond. For me, the magic formula is two ounces of Espresso, about 6 ounces of hot milk, for 8 ounces of perfection .... ahhhhhh, delightful.
The second best way is with the French Press, having to do with the fact that the water passes only once through the grind, and capturing some of that gaseous flavour in bubbles again, so this is a good strategy for when there is no electricity around, like at the top of Kilimanjaro, for example. But personally, if it's not properly prepared Espresso, I would rather drink tea or hot cocoa, which can be made to perfection anywhere. | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/18/2007 8:08:59 PM | Oh I lOVE the expresso, and latte, love them to bits, just can't afford the machine.
But will try the french press, thanks all
btw a 200 year old grinder that still works....they don't make them like they used to hey ! | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/18/2007 11:14:33 PM |
not necessarily an expensive one, but one with a pump
You're right about the flavour, but... there's a not-expensive machine with a pump? Where? | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/19/2007 5:55:57 AM | | Definitely French press. I have several, including a 1-cup size for when it's just me in the morning. Look for inexpensive ones at TJ Maxx or World Market. | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/19/2007 9:20:06 PM | hey all those fancy coffee presses are for people in a hurray, hey you can buy them for a dime anywhere.
Cowboy coffee is the way to go, if you like to enjoy a real coffee. you know like our grandparents, before all this fancy coffee houses etc.
you know light the campfire or wood stove , boil water, add your real coffee grinds..... | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 4/23/2007 7:24:05 PM | | I did see a cheap cowboys perc for 2.99 at a trift store, but it was aluminium so I didn t buy it. I will look into the presses now... | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 6/21/2007 7:41:32 AM | Hey Danie,
What did you ever do about your coffee brewing situation?
I -finally- got a burr grinder (walmart $28) and a french press!
Used some Asia/Pacific Sulawese beans this am, this is totally ONE CUP ADDICTION!
It made some of the best coffee I ever tasted! I'M HOOKED!! | |
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| Percolate, Infuse or Press ?
Posted: 10/26/2007 10:54:43 AM | Anyone used one of the Bodum Santos electric vacuum coffee makers?
They make a non-electric stovetop model too but I'm very interested in the electric model and think I will get one. Just wondered if anyone here uses one and how they like it?
Also thinking about a home roaster as well, since I live out in the sticks here and the choice of whole bean coffee is near non-existant, limited to just a few Starbucks varieties that who knows how long has been on store shelves? | |
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