Coffee help: Bodum or Frieling STAINLESS french press?

[Bullfrog]

Well I know a lot of you guys are nuts over your coffee just like me so I figure this is the best place to ask!

Broke my 4th glass beaker for my 12 cup Bodum french press and as I've now spent more than a stainless press would cost, I'm thinking I'm just going to take the plunge and go stainless...

Just wondering - looks like Bodum and Frieling are the two major players in the stainless french press world - do any of you guys have a preference?

Is there anything I should be aware of or am overlooking with regards to a stainless press? Should I just suck it up and buy ANOTHER replacement glass beaker for my Bodum?

Have been very happy with the french press so not looking for someone to convince me to go perc or drip - have (and love) an aeropress when I just want a single mug, but I drink a lot of coffee...

Thanks!

[derfyled]

I think that the original is still the best so stick with Bodum. These models are available in 3, 8 or 12 cups size. Best of all, they are insulated so they will keep your coffee hot for a long time. Let's also mention they are nice and that the filter is available as spare.

http://www.coffee-makers-espresso-ma...fee-maker.html

I know you don't wanna change the way you make your coffee but still, have you ever tried these kind of coffee maker ? I used to be a Bodum fan untill I tried a coffee made from this:http://www.coffee-makers-espresso-ma...sso-maker.html

I don't think I could ever switch back to bodum even if it's a good way to do coffee.

[Bullfrog]

Thank you very much for the advice - I'm thinking I will just stick w bodum.

As for the Bialetti, I have a very old one - was my fathers - that I had used, but seems to have vanished and I hadnt even though about a newer version. Looks very good and I might give it a shot! One question - when it says makes for cups - are they talking a standard 5oz coffee cup or is it 4 cups if espresso?

[Kaichu Dento]

Bullfrog, hope you don't mind my posting the question as to which one would be best for someone without a stove to Derfy?

Is there such a thing as a stovetop type espresso maker that is travel friendly and can be plugged in for the stove-deprived user?

[derfyled]

One question - when it says makes for cups - are they talking a standard 5oz coffee cup or is it 4 cups if espresso?

I guess they are talking about espresso cup. Divide by 2 the number of cup would give you a more accurate number of standard cup.

Kaichu, you might try this: http://www.handpresso.fr/ I own one and love it for camping. You don't need boiling water, just hot water since the pressure does not come from steam but from the hand pump. It's a very high quality gadget. Only drawback, you can't make double espresso, the amount of water is not sufficient. You have to do it twice for a double.

[Kaichu Dento]

Kaichu, you might try this: http://www.handpresso.fr/ I own one and love it for camping. You don't need boiling water, just hot water since the pressure does not come from steam but from the hand pump. It's a very high quality gadget. Only drawback, you can't make double espresso, the amount of water is not sufficient. You have to do it twice for a double.

That looks interesting and just knowing that you have one suggests that it's pretty user friendly? If I get one I think it'll be the one that will work with regular ground coffee, which would probably assure that I would use it more often.

Thanks Derfy!

[derfyled]

That looks interesting and just knowing that you have one suggests that it's pretty user friendly? If I get one I think it'll be the one that will work with regular ground coffee, which would probably assure that I would use it more often.

Thanks Derfy!

It is very user friendly. Pump, put the water, put the coffee, pour, enjoy. That's it.

Yes, forget about the pods. You are then limited to what is available in pod. With ground coffee, you can choose whatever you like and put the amount you want. If you like a real strong espresso, you can buy separately another portafilter with smaller hole, so the coffee is richer and stronger.

But this solution is really for espresso (1 once). If you want a larger cup, then go with a Bialetti, or any other brand. You can do it on a stove, a fire, a camping stove such as a MSR multi-fuel, or any butane or propane stove as a Coleman. The most important thing about that kind of coffee maker, avoid aluminum like plague ! Stay away from Zanzibar brand. They oxide very quickly and they are getting pointed as a possible cancer cause. Aluminum should never be used for cooking gear...

[sithjedi333]

I moved from Bodum to Frieling stainless after breaking many of the glass beakers. I have a 2 cup and a 4 cup and am very happy with them. Very easy to maintain, still keep their finish under rough use.

[Casper507]

Stainless can/will change the taste of coffee vs. Glass. Glass imparts NO taste.

Don't wash stainless with anything but brush, pure water and no soap or you will experience worse taste change.(I worked in food industry while in college.)

Insulated decanter gives better taste over keeping coffee on heat source.


Even though you don't want to change method you may consider that French Press/perk WILL increase your cholesterol and drip does not. (Something about being filtered by paper changes coffee so cholesterol doesn't rise. After varied study results a look at Finland which uses almost exclusively drip caused study which showed difference between drip/perk/press)

[Sigman]

The Handpresso sure looks interesting! Count me in on the group buy!

[glockboy]

Me too.

The Handpresso sure looks interesting! Count me in on the group buy!

[wechnivag]

Does stainless really change the taste of the coffee?? I mean theoratically i can understand, but can you really taste the difference?

I agree with the part about using no detergent. I always try to rinse stuff out with hot water to get rid of the horrible detergent scent.

[Evan V.]

Every moring I make a french press... having grown up in a coffe shop and worked at Starbuck back in the day, it truly is the best way to go.
It sucks when the glass breaks; However, glass is the best way to go.
There is a new glass now that is more durable than the older Bodums which I will get next time mine gets dropped.
Just don't get a fancy one like mine, it has rosewood handles/accents and has a copper top and frame... it has to be hand washed which is a real pain.. but it looks cool: (allready broke the timer)
http://www.corebrewing.com/wp-conten...4/DSCF1287.jpg

[gerok]

I am very satisfied with our Bodum french press.

[perfor8]

I've used nothing but a Bodum for my family for about 10 years. Did break the beaker once; bought a new one and drove on. Great coffee.

[Snareman]

I've always used Bodum. I had a $12 cop of coffee at The Mandarin hotel in NYC overlooking Central Park. It was served to me in a french press which I thought was pretty cool. I think is was $3 for the coffee and $9 for the view of central park. Other than steel not breaking like glass, are there other advantages?

[legtu]

just to add in this old thread, i also prefer bodum. glass is the way to go for me but if i do come to a point where costs come into play due to frequent breakage, only then i might consider stainless.

[Sherwinius]

I'd stick with the original Bodum Chambord. Out of curiosity, is the glass cracking? I've heard of people pouring warm water in first to heat the glass before pouring boiling water.

[Ev52]

I'd stick with the original Bodum Chambord. Out of curiosity, is the glass cracking? I've heard of people pouring warm water in first to heat the glass before pouring boiling water.

I have used both but my favorite is made by planetary design and is 40oz.

[Halifaxxx]

Old topic, but here're my 2c anyway: Personally I'm a glass-guy all the way, so I can't help you in regards to the material. I have a long-standing and loving relationship with Bodum however, so they definitely get my vote as a company!


All the best, - Thor