French Press Coffee Maker
Nov 18, 2017 08:13:05 #
Keurig.....the landfill filler. talk about expensive coffee.
cdayton wrote:
Used one for a few years and have a son-in-law who only uses a press and only with spring water. Then, he adds cream and sugar so it’s basically a waste of time. I use a Kuerig for my daily cup of unadulterated coffee.
Nov 18, 2017 08:16:18 #
Do you have any neighbors who are gardeners?? Coffee grinds are a good source of nitrogen. I put it in my compost.
jerryc41 wrote:
Great! Now I'll have to go out and buy dozens of plants! 
Nov 18, 2017 08:36:07 #
I used to use one but it became too much of a PITA. I just use a Cuisinart unit now (still grind my own bens though)
Nov 18, 2017 08:46:33 #
I have used a french press for 15 to 20 years, before that a Chemix filter. Coarsely ground coffee can be used, the hot water sits for a few minutes allowing the hot water to soak
into all the relatively large coffee particles, to give a more intense flavor. With techniques using very limited time and one pass through, a fine grind is needed. I read years ago that
water at 212 degrees extracts bitter oils from the beans and that waiting until the water "comes off the boil" drops the temperature to about 200 degrees, not extracting the bitter
oils. I like my coffee enough that it is a trial drinking other coffees. I also use a fine grind (from a local roaster, using a commercial mill), I enjoy chewing the dregs of the last cup!
into all the relatively large coffee particles, to give a more intense flavor. With techniques using very limited time and one pass through, a fine grind is needed. I read years ago that
water at 212 degrees extracts bitter oils from the beans and that waiting until the water "comes off the boil" drops the temperature to about 200 degrees, not extracting the bitter
oils. I like my coffee enough that it is a trial drinking other coffees. I also use a fine grind (from a local roaster, using a commercial mill), I enjoy chewing the dregs of the last cup!
Nov 18, 2017 08:48:05 #
I have used a French press for years. It makes some of the best tasting coffee.
Nov 18, 2017 09:02:18 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Do any of you make coffee using the French press m... (show quote)
I've tasted it, don't like, favorite, Sunday morning coffee, Chemex, a pour over, second, every day, ADC into a thermal carafe, summer in the country electric perc, I grind my own coffee, usually Trader Joe's , OK the perc gets Folgers, Bob.
BTW, besides composting, if you have a woodstove you can feed dry coffee grounds and the filters into it, one of the ways they recycle in some part of europe, england? Supposd to be a lot of oil still in the used grounds.
Nov 18, 2017 09:49:45 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
jerryc41 wrote:
I don't put my grounds in the trash, either, but I'm getting concerned about the 55-gallon drums sitting in the living room - filled with coffee grounds. 
It costs me $5.00 a bag to bring garbage to the "dump" (recycling center), so I recycle as much as I can.
It costs me $5.00 a bag to bring garbage to the "dump" (recycling center), so I recycle as much as I can.
If you're into plants or gardening, look into getting a worm bin composter. Some can be small or big, some can be easily homemade. They're a great way to get quality compost plus recycle kitchen waste, most anything but meat.
Nov 18, 2017 10:27:22 #
NJphotodoc
Loc: Now in the First State
I've lived a large part of my life in France (Loire Valley - Tours which is home to some of the best wines in the world!) Ironically most French drink espresso and don't bother with a "French Press" coffee maker. Plus they use very strong and freshly ground beans so you get the full effect of a fresh brewed cup.
However commercialism has swept over France so most homes have a Nespresso machine (not so much Keurig) so instead of grounds (which can be recycled in compost), you now have landfills full of plastic capsules.
However commercialism has swept over France so most homes have a Nespresso machine (not so much Keurig) so instead of grounds (which can be recycled in compost), you now have landfills full of plastic capsules.
Nov 18, 2017 10:54:28 #
I have a Keurig, and an Nespresso, but much prefer the coffee from my French press. I also use a burr grinder which I recently upgraded to from a small blade grinder. The burr grinder grinds the beans with much less “fines” and leaves less mud in the bottom of my cup. The Keurig makes OK coffee, the Nespresso does better, but the cartridges are too expensive. Part of the allure of the French press is the ritual, akin to a tea ceremony.
Nov 18, 2017 11:03:56 #
My wife loves her French press, but she only makes one cup at a time. I drink FAR too much coffee to waste that much time! My normal "cup" is a 22 oz thermal mug, that I'll fell at least once, sometimes twice or thrice, more in the fall and winter! The French press does make good coffee, but requires more fussing before, and cleaning after, making it!
Nov 18, 2017 11:29:47 #
Yankeepapa6
Loc: New York City
jerryc41 wrote:
Thanks for the input. Using coarse grounds would require grinding the beans, so that's a negative. I'd have to buy him a grinder, too. : )
Or...grind them in the store you are buying the beans from. In our neighborhood, the store has two large grinders and you set the level of grind you want. I like hot coffee. The first cup is OK. After that, I have to reheat the coffee in the microwave.
Nov 18, 2017 11:43:11 #
Nov 18, 2017 11:44:48 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Do any of you make coffee using the French press m... (show quote)
I used to, but now grind my Starbuck beans fresh and run them thru the metal mesh attachment on my Keurig. Virtually identical final product but much more simple to make. And nothing to throw away except used up grounds.
Nov 18, 2017 12:22:02 #
Nov 18, 2017 13:07:48 #
For us coffee addicts, the press is the way to go, along with a grinder where you can regulate the coarseness of the grind.
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