291452 Sat Jan 04 20:54:19 -0800 2003 10 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1585938 are there any coffee makers on the market that are significantly ahead of the herd in terms of the quality of the coffee they produce?? Sat Jan 04 20:54:19 -0800 2003 0 mark grossman 1 1585949 There are a couple of "vacuum" models out there (one stove top and one electric, that I know of) but aside from the novelty, they don't seem to offer much difference in the coffee they brew. As for drip models, Krups has a model out that steeps the coffee and water for a minute or two before letting the water drip through; that and a hotter temp for the water allow for a more complete extraction of the coffee flavors and oils, so you end up with something between your regular drip coffee and french press coffee. We've been using it at work and I was pleased enough with the brew that I'm getting one myself. I don't know if other manufacturers have similar products, but it might be worth looking into. The Krups (called "Aroma Control") is priced at about $100 for the version with the regular thermal carafe; a stainless steel carafe adds $30 to the price. Sat Jan 04 23:46:14 -0800 2003 1585938 0 Janet A. Zimmerman 2 1585953 My wife and I have always thought that the vacuum method made stronger flavors. We had a stainless steel stove top model for many years, but eventually did give it up for the convenience of the electric drips. A couple of years ago, we saw the Bodum electric vacuum and bought it right away. It brews excellent coffee, and is as convenient as a drip (you don't have to stand there and take it off the heat once the water is pulled up). It's available at Starbucks and the Herrington catalog (see below). Link: http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/hs475.html Sun Jan 05 07:56:39 -0800 2003 1585949 0 applehome 3 1585959 I am such a throwback...I rely on a kettleful of boiling water and my trusty Chemex (the wooden part is held together now with a clean shoelace, to give it that ever-so-raffish touch), and some freshly ground dark-roast homegrown coffee from the Mexican state of Michoacán. I keep it at drinking temperature on a little Salton hotplate that I bought...lordy...25 years ago. Best in the world IMHO. Sun Jan 05 14:14:34 -0800 2003 1585953 0 Cristina 3 1585966 Just thought I'd throw in a dissenting opinion on this coffee maker. This coffee maker requires that you use a staggering amount of coffee to make a cup that doesn't taste like dishwater. Even so, the water doesn't stay in contact with the grounds anywhere near long enough to brew a really full-flavored pot. I'm much happier with a simple, standard french press. I thought perhaps my first machine was defective, so I sent it back and got another one. Same problem. Customer service eventually told me that many other folks had been reporting the same problems. It does put on kind of a neat show but, in my opinion, is nowhere near worth the outrageous price. Sun Jan 05 16:50:13 -0800 2003 1585953 0 BGrey 4 1585968 I use a French Press too - a one cupper for after dinner in lieu of getting the Espresso machine dirty or when I just don't want to make a full pot. I use one rounded measure (about 1 1/2 TBsp) of whole bean for the cup of French Press and get a very dark rich cup of coffee. I use 6 measures to make the 10+ cup pot on the Bodum and get a coffee that is certainly not as rich, but very flavorful and good for mornings. We use the Starbucks roasted by Meredian coffee found in Costco - a very flavorful dark roast. The measures are no different than what we were using for the drip or the previous stove-top vacuum unit. This is an expensive unit - but we weren't happy with any of the drips, and the pain of having to watch the pot to do vacuum on the stovetop had gotten to us - so we're really happy with the unit. It's lasted over 2 years now. Sorry to hear it hasn't worked as well for others. Sun Jan 05 17:08:57 -0800 2003 1585966 0 applehome 4 1586006 We have mostly retired the electric vacuum Bodum machine because it very inconsistent; though good for a show. A couple times we got excellent coffee, but usually it is weak. This is our third machine, and we've tried all the experiments with it - the one that worked best was using a wedge under the control panel to tilt it back so more water stays over the heater: it brewed longer. We've done our experiments with a stop watch and thermometer and this contraption is very inconsistent. Adding more coffee didn't help because the brewing time was too short and temperature too low. Mon Jan 06 13:38:57 -0800 2003 1585966 0 StuartM 1 1585970 Melitta. Make one cup at a time for perfect coffee every cup. And roast your own, if you really care about quality brew. Link: http://www.sweetmarias.com Image: http://www.sweetmarias.com/freshroast.gif Sun Jan 05 18:07:20 -0800 2003 1585938 0 ironmom 1 1585979 I became a fan of the French press about three years ago and won't use anything else now. It's a Bodum and we got it at Peet's, but now they are available at Target! Mon Jan 06 00:52:55 -0800 2003 1585938 0 Barbara 2 1585981 I can't think of a reason to use anything else either. There is a coffee shop in Portland, OR which makes their house coffee in huge french presses (Stumptown Coffee). The ultimate in gourmet. Link: http://www.stumptowncoffee.com/ Mon Jan 06 01:22:54 -0800 2003 1585979 0 BigLizard 1 1586051 I almost always use a French press, but a few years ago while in Brussels I happened upon a cafe that used a very lovely vacuum pot that is made by a guy nearby and that they sell at the store. He also sells the pots on eBay, and since I found it so beautiful and interesting, I ended up buying one. It's a brass contraption that looks like an antique chemistry set, and it never fails to elicit comments when I bring it out at a dinner party. Tue Jan 07 21:40:55 -0800 2003 1585938 0 James G