Coffee Snobs - Aeropress?
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drypowder
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So it seems French presses can be had in the same price range as the Aeropress. Which is the better option for someone who:
- only makes coffee at home (so portability is not a factor)
- uses ground coffee
- prefers to keep cleanup to a minimum
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I will admit that coffee tastes better out of a french press or aeropress. It definitely tastes better out of a percolator. I am just lazy. I did the grind my own beans thing for a while. Again, you can definitely tell a difference. Keurig coffee does taste like watered down crap, but it will do in a pinch. The best store bought coffee I have had though is this:
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FlatFender
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drypowder;n68425 said:
I just kind of set my hands on it, don't really even have to push.
I think cleanup with the aeropress is easier than my French press in that I can just eject the grounds into the trash, rinse it off and boom, done.
drypowder;n68425 said:
A chemex would give you better coffee, with easier cleanup(just pull off the paper grounds and throw away), for the same price. In fact, I have one in my attic, if you want me to mail one to you.
RockRiver
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drypowder;n68455 said:
You won't be disappointed. I used to use a french press when camping. The cleanup on the aeropress is way easier, as FlatFender said above. I was a bit leery at first because I didn't like the fact that you had to use filters with it. For camping I wanted something that the only disposable items were the coffee grinds themselves. After using it though, I much prefer that than the painstaking process of cleaning a french press. I also find that with the french press I would always get grinds in the coffee, the filter on the aeropress pretty much eliminates this. I know this can be avoided if you grind your own beans, because you can grind them coarser or finer as you please, but at the time I was just using store bought coffee. I am planning on getting the stainless filter for the aeropress to try out. I am almost certain though, that after using the disposable filters for a year, I will dump the stainless filter in the trash at least 5 to 6 times lol.
Everyone I have shown the aeropress to ends up buying one. Even my coffee snob friend who always swore by a french press. I mean for $30 its a no-brainer. Simple to use, easy cleanup, and great coffee. Filters are stupid cheap as well, I still haven't used up the original pack that came with it. Can't beat it. The only complaint I have is the volume of it. I really wish it would fill a 20oz tumbler, or they would come out with a larger version. I have played around with making it really strong in the aeropress and adding more hot water at the end, but I can't seem to get good results doing this. It's not a big deal at home, because it fills a regular coffee cup fine, and it's easy enough to make another cup if you have a kettle. But for taking it to work I would like a bit more coffee, I'm usually done with it by the time I get there on my 30 minute drive.
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TSheaffer;68442 said:I will admit that coffee tastes better out of a french press or aeropress. It definitely tastes better out of a percolator. I am just lazy. I did the grind my own beans thing for a while. Again, you can definitely tell a difference. Keurig coffee does taste like watered down crap, but it will do in a pinch. The best store bought coffee I have had though is this:
That is pretty decent coffee for the Aeropress due to the grind size.... Can usually get it at Target on sale sometimes... I like the one in the can with the Italian flag the best.
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drypowder;68425 said:
Every French press I have had has met a unfavorable demise.... Aeropress for durability.
It helps with even the cheapest ground coffee.
Cleanup is super easy....
I broke one mug using the Aeropress.... When I first got it, it was one of the square styled with a narrow base, press was off center and kicked it out onto the floor.
And Aeropress customer service is top notch, I had a issue with the rubber plunger, sent them a email and got 2 in mail with a bunch of filters.
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pinkbunny;n68458 said:
The chemex looks like a better alternative to a press. I just looked it up and you just put a standard cone filter in and pour water from a kettle in on top? Is that it?
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TSheaffer;n68621 said:
Basically, yes.
Probably more steps with a pour over than with a press, differing opinions on the rate at which you pour the water, temperature, etc... You have to take your time pouring the water or you'll just get a mess.
Some people swear by pour over, some people swear by press.
It all tastes better than Starbucks swill.
Right. Chemex sells their own filters, which are a little heavier, but it looks like a #6 filter should work well, and a #4 pretty well.TSheaffer;n68621 said:
drypowder
Les Deplorables
Aeropress delivered this evening. I dug out the electric kettle I haven't used in years only to discover I don't have the base. Probably left it at my folks place when I moved down south. If I can't find it next time I head up north, that may provide an excuse to splurge on a temperature controlled kettle. Guess I'll be microwaving the water for coffee for a while.
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FlatFender
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drypowder;n69550 said:
Nuke it till boiling, add a quick splash of cold, and you'll be right in the range.
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FlatFender
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drypowder;n69829 said:
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"https:\/\/imgur.com\/xVTwsLP"}[/IMG2]
RockRiver
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So what electric kettles do you guys recommend? I have one, but you can't set the temperature. I've been looking at the Cuisinart CPK-17, it seems to have good reviews. Has different settings for temperature:
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ
- Delicate (160°F)
- Green (175°F)
- White (185°F)
- Oolong (190°F)
- Herbal (200°F)
- Black (Boil – 212°F)
- French Press (200°F)
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CPK-17-PerfecTemp-1-7-Liter-Stainless/dp/B003KYSLNQ
I have one of these http://www.technivorm.com/products/brewers_for_home-use/kbg_741_ao_polished_silver/ and grind beans every morning. It makes coffee and only coffee, no clock no timer no adjustments it is JUST a coffee maker
drypowder
Les Deplorables
I started looking at temperature control kettles. Not sure why the one you linked to at $79 is worth the premium over these lower cost options:RockRiver;n69903 said:
Adagio, $51: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A5NFQA/
Epica, $48: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G7OL9ZW/
Aicok, $46: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018Z6Q9A0/
Ivation, $40: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019J0A092/
Ovente, $25: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXOSQZZ/
If anyone has insight on these, please chime in.
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Bodum French user here...exclusively with Hawaiian Kona. I recommend Coffee Bean Direct. Excellent place to get what you want...especially if you're a coffee snob. I recommend the Kona, or Jamaican Blue Mountain blend.
RockRiver
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drypowder;n69932 said:
I don't know either, probably just the name brand? It seems to be the most popular on amazon with a good rating, which is why I linked it. I just noticed though, that all of these just stop at selected temperature. I would rather it go to boiling and drop to selected temp.
drypowder
Les Deplorables
I created a separate thread on electric kettles: https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.c...91-temperature-control-electric-water-kettlesRockRiver;n70072 said:
drypowder
Les Deplorables
This morning I brewed one cup of coffee with the Aeropress and one cup (my last) with the drip coffee maker. Same store bought coffee grounds for both cups.
The aspect that stood out most was how much more bitter the drip coffee was. The Aeropress coffee is considerably 'smoother', and apparently the acidity level is a lot lower, though I can't say I notice that aspect of it.
With drip coffee and store bought coffee grounds, you're getting the same taste every time. With the Aeropress, the flavor changes depending on how hot the water is, how long you let it steep, how much you push at the end (when you can hear the air being pressed through the filter). So definitely a lot to play with to fine tune the taste. And that's with pre-ground coffee. Obviously buying beans and grinding them adds more variability.
Cleanup with the Aeropress is a snap, which is an important consideration for me. So far, it certainly seems lower cleaning/maintenance effort required for the Aeropress relative to the drip coffee maker.
I said earlier in this thread that "ignorance is bliss" in sticking with drip coffee, but now that I've tried the Aeropress, sometimes ignorance is just ignorance. Thanks to FlatFender for starting this thread. And keep us posted if you end up getting a burr grinder.
The aspect that stood out most was how much more bitter the drip coffee was. The Aeropress coffee is considerably 'smoother', and apparently the acidity level is a lot lower, though I can't say I notice that aspect of it.
With drip coffee and store bought coffee grounds, you're getting the same taste every time. With the Aeropress, the flavor changes depending on how hot the water is, how long you let it steep, how much you push at the end (when you can hear the air being pressed through the filter). So definitely a lot to play with to fine tune the taste. And that's with pre-ground coffee. Obviously buying beans and grinding them adds more variability.
Cleanup with the Aeropress is a snap, which is an important consideration for me. So far, it certainly seems lower cleaning/maintenance effort required for the Aeropress relative to the drip coffee maker.
I said earlier in this thread that "ignorance is bliss" in sticking with drip coffee, but now that I've tried the Aeropress, sometimes ignorance is just ignorance. Thanks to FlatFender for starting this thread. And keep us posted if you end up getting a burr grinder.
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FlatFender
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drypowder;n71466 said:
Bought one. It's a hand crank, takes about 65 spins of the handle to get enough for a run of the aeropress. I might should have went electric.
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FlatFender
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drypowder;n71488 said:
Uhhh... Baletti or something? It does a good job, but takes a minute.
RockRiver
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FlatFender;n71485 said:
I bought a small hand operated one at first, with the intent of taking it camping. Since I immediately fell in love with the aeropress and the coffee beans I got from https://www.yankeeprepper.com/, I was using it every morning. Let me tell you it takes a WHILE. I ended up buying an electric grinder yankeeprepper recommends on his youtube channel. So far (little over a year) it's been perfect. I usually grind up a few days worth at a time, and leave it in the catch bin. Although there is noticeable difference in the froth that forms upon adding water when you grind it immediately before use, I haven't really noticed a huge difference in taste.
There is also a video on his youtube channel that shows you how to sharpen the cast burrs on this particular model, which I have yet to do. According to him it will make a difference, but I haven't seen a need to do it.
For $50, I don't really think you can beat it.
https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-Su...id=1485365244&sr=1-3&keywords=Cuisinart+DBM-8
drypowder
Les Deplorables
If you can remove the crank arm, thread a nut on there, then use a socket, hex shank socket adapter, and drill to add a bit of automation.FlatFender;71490 said:
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FlatFender
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drypowder;n72154 said:
It's actually got a hex shank... I wonder if I could slip my impact on it.
BRB, running to the garage.
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FlatFender
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drypowder
Les Deplorables
Nah, just lazy.FlatFender;n72285 said:
Let us know how it goes. If it works well, I might get a manual burr grinder and do the same rather than spend quite a bit more for an electric burr grinder.
Though as I mentioned earlier, an impact may be overkill and a variable speed drill might work better.
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FlatFender
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drypowder;n72524 said:
There's not enough torque to actually make it impact so it works great.
drypowder
Les Deplorables
I wouldn't think it would impact, just that it would spin too fast. Just checked my Ridgid impact driver - with trigger fully depressed, it spins much faster than I imagine I'd want a coffee grinder that was designed for hand grinding to spin. I guess you could keep the trigger partially depressed, but I'd opt for a drill on a lower speed so that I could keep trigger fully depressed and not have to finagle with it.FlatFender;n72549 said:
Glad to see it works though - definitely a lower cost option than a proper electric burr grinder.
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TSheaffer;n68442 said:I will admit that coffee tastes better out of a french press or aeropress. It definitely tastes better out of a percolator. I am just lazy. I did the grind my own beans thing for a while. Again, you can definitely tell a difference. Keurig coffee does taste like watered down crap, but it will do in a pinch. The best store bought coffee I have had though is this:
What store did you find that coffee? I'm ready to try some.
