Posted Thu Dec 28, 2006, 6:46am Subject: Best Method of brewing
Hello,
I am currently using a Presto Scandi drip machine but have wanted to kick it up a notch for a while. In the past I have used the French Press method but sometimes I find the coffee to be a bit to syrupy for my taste. Recently I was interested in trying out a Chemex pot, but also saw the Mokka, Kona and Technovorm methods.
I would love to hear some opinions on what could be considered the best way to brew flavorful, smooth and consistent coffee and in what vessel. I have read that the Kona pot is the best of the best, but sometimes I don't want to go through all of that trouble for a cup of coffee.
I greatly appreciate any help, even if it is for a new Drip Machine- Looked at a couple of the Technovorm's a while back but decided not to putll the trigger.
Thanks
"Duddly Dawson? Call me Booger!" -Revenge Of The Nerds-
Posted Thu Dec 28, 2006, 9:41am Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
I'm not sure anyone can say what is "best." It depends on what you like. Some swear by French press, but you didn't like it; so you'll just have to experiment. My grandmother used to absolutely love Maxwell House from a percolator with evaporated milk, but I don't think you'd find many takers of that combo here. It kept her happy, though.
Drip brewing is "best" when using water of sufficient temperatures (195-205F, not quite boiling), and when completed within a sufficient amount of time (4-6 minutes). For convenience and a smoother cup, you might try the AeroPress, which recommends lower temperature water (175F) instead of a vac pot. Chemex is really drip coffee with a special paper filter to reduce bitterness.
I can't say a Technivorm would be better than the Scandi-- isn't that the cheap but correctly-temp'ed brewer? As long as you like the brew, keep it. The main benefits of the Technivorm are simplicity, durability, and correctness. Moka pots are good for intense small cups or high-milk mixes, but it's used with a fine grind and is a different style from American drip coffee, more espresso-like. And I have problems using it on my gas stove, for some reason that I haven't figured out.
Posted Thu Dec 28, 2006, 10:22am Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
Just a thought ... if you are not already using a Swissgold filter in your Presto Scandinavian, give it a try. That will certainly kick you coffee experience up a notch and bring your brew closer to French Press as well.
ducey Senior Member Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 28 Location: NY State Expertise: Just starting
Grinder: work in progress Drip: Aeropress - French Press Roaster: B-B-Q drum roster
Posted Thu Dec 28, 2006, 2:46pm Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
most here would agree that there is no best coffee, only the coffee you like best. (although it might be easy to get a geek consensus on a worst coffee... there are a few mentioned regularly that are tantamount to a rallying cry. ".... REMEMBER THE FRAPPUCCINO!!!!")
the geek is in the tweak. find a method that gets close to what you look for in a cup and then work the variables. you mentioned the FP as getting you half the way there...but a bit syrupy. just work the variables (in no particular order)-
*find the bean you like then try it at different roast levels.
*brew a few batches, each time increasing the amount of water you use.
*brew a few batches with different infusion times.
any one of these could get you where you need to be...a combination may leave you wondering where the body went. it's always good to go to far and then retrace your steps.
when you settle on a process, what ever it may be, keep working the variables. from season to season, from day to night, what gets your attention in a cup will shift and the experiments will enable you to get where you need to be for any given whim. jd
Posted Tue Jan 2, 2007, 7:23am Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
i've a buddy with a scandi. great brewing! best method for me is hard to choose it's all how i feel and where i'm at. most days, i'm a manual drip or pour-over guy. if i'm exercising that morning, i toss some protein powder in whatever's available. new roasts, i try at least one french press batch. with pastries/breads it's moka. with asian it's caphe phin. with mediteranean, i sometimes use my ibrik. guests love to see the napoletana flip or vac pot in action. roughing it or working in the garage, i billy at times. during the summer, i toddy a lot. during the holidays, i even take comfort from cheap canned coffee in a perc-- reminds me of grandma's.
of course, after reading this i'm calling my pal with the presto. see if he'll make another pot before lunch.
Posted Tue Jan 2, 2007, 10:50pm Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
Once you go with a swissgold filter the main differences between the Presto and the Technivorm is the Presto might only last 3 months (been a lot of failures and is now discontinued) and the TV has been known to last 20 years! Presto dirt cheap now and Technivorm is an investment. Both make a great cup. I have and use both. Ed
Posted Tue Jan 2, 2007, 11:41pm Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
personally, i'd love to have a technivorm configured to use chemex filters (or use a metal filter if you want the 'french press' style )
i really like the chemex 'process'-- special filter that reduces bitterness + the conical concept. but its a PITA to boil the water, let it cool , then sprinkle the grounds. i want that automated.
xardoz Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2005 Posts: 141 Location: St. Louis, Missouri, USA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: KA Proline Grinder: KA Proline Vac Pot: Bodum eSantos Drip: Newco OCS-12 Roaster: UFO/TO
Posted Wed Jan 3, 2007, 5:05am Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
Personally, for drip I love my Presto Scandi, but lately I've gone back to using my Bodum eSantos vac pot. I'm getting a consistent brew somewhere between the Scandi and a French Press. Cleanup is a bit of a bitch, but it's a damn fine cuppa.
Brian
I'm an enigma - an enigma wrapped in a riddle, and smothered in secret sauce.
richedie Senior Member Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 615 Location: Pennsylvania Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Jan 3, 2007, 5:25am Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
Hey, wait a minute. LOL. I have had some good frappuccinos. We had a local specialty coffee shop that made strong flavorful frapps. The owner was a coffee nut like me and only used fresh roasted coffee, with no added sugar or powders........just tasted like a strong cappuccino blended with ice. I like it if it is done correctly......not the powdered stuff you get at bucks!
DEchelbarger Senior Member Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 416 Location: Negaunee, MI Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Solis SL-70 Grinder: Macap M 4, Rocky,... Vac Pot: Bodum Santos, Nicro Drip: pour over, Chemex, FR Press,... Roaster: RK Drum, I-roast, manual...
Posted Wed Jan 3, 2007, 6:16am Subject: Re: Best Method of brewing
In this Order: Melitta Pour over or Vac Pot Chemex Eva Press Pot Aero Press
I like all of the above a great deal -- with the exception of the Aero -- more on that in a second.
I think Melitta and Vac Pot are about the same and usually the vac pot produces a nicer cup -- but Melitta is a very good middle of the road brewer. I experiment with many coffees since I home roast and use all of the methods on each bean usually. Each method gives a different cup -- really very distinct. Whereas I may prefer a given bean in a brew method besides Melitta, I have never had a cup that I didn't like at all in the Melitta. The same cannot be said for other methods. I love the Chemex, but it kind of x-rays the coffee and pulls apart the flavors -- and because of that sometimes I prefer other methods on a given bean. As a result, if I could have only one method it would be Melitta.
The Aero is fine, but uses lots of coffee and rounds the edges off the cup. That's why many people like it, and if I find a Sumatra or very forward coffee with a bit of an earthy edge, for whatever reason, I use it -- but I think it sluffs off too many nuances. I home roast to experience the nuances.
So of all the methods above, I'd rate them all high except the areo and sometimes I like that.
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