Ok, I've been reading about siphon brewing, after seeing that article on the front page of this site, and I'm getting reallly excited about them!! It is so romantic and that instantly appeals to me - I'm into the romance of coffee, and the sensory and visual aspects of the whole siphon brewing method is intriguing and exciting! But I've been looking around online, and I'm curious about a few things.
The Cona vac pots are much more aesthetically pleasing to me, than the yama models. And I also really like the tabletop versions, as opposed to stove-top - I like the idea of it, and also the look. The Cona models are a lot more expensive than the yama - is it because they are a higher quality? They also have glass filters (which is something I"ve never heard of before). Are they better than the cloth? According to the article on the front page of this site, cloth filters are the best. What does everyone else think? And could I just use cloth filters on a Cona vac pot?
Also, the butane burners seem like the most efficient option for a tabletop vac pot. However, the yama butane burner upgrade is too tall to use on a Cona model. The Cona models come with the alcohol lamp thing, which seems like it would be annoying to deal with and slow. Are there butane burners that are smaller that could be used with the Cona models??
Basically, I want to design my OWN vac pot!!! hahaha. I want the Cona model, but with a butane burner, and I want to know if cloth filters would be better, or if the glass ones are better. I need to know before I make the decision to buy one. :) I'd appreciate ANY input or opinions on anything about vac pots or any personal experiences you'd like to share! Thanks!
The Cona vac pots are much more aesthetically pleasing to me, than the yama models. And I also really like the tabletop versions, as opposed to stove-top - I like the idea of it, and also the look. The Cona models are a lot more expensive than the yama - is it because they are a higher quality?
The Cona's are indeed of higher quality, but I'm not sure why there is a 4x price difference. The Yama does have some skimpy cheapness to it-- the carafe handle is flimsy, there is no carafe lid-- but the basics of it are otherwise sturdy. Also, I have the stovetop version, and I don't know how much difference there is between that and the separate burner version. The Cona does seem to be made for restaurant drama with tableside coffee production.
Lady_Croft Said:
They also have glass filters (which is something I"ve never heard of before). Are they better than the cloth? According to the article on the front page of this site, cloth filters are the best. What does everyone else think? And could I just use cloth filters on a Cona vac pot?
Technically it's not a glass filter; it's a rod that the coffee grounds block against, but the liquid filters past. Sweet Maria's calls it a "drainer rod", which is a better description. Better? A subjective answer... perhaps I can give you pros/cons
rod pro: more elegant
rod pro: simpler setup, no chain hook
cloth pro: less finicky about grind
cloth pro: doesn't let grinds get by like rod can
Another difference, which may not be pro or con but a matter of preference: cloth gives a cleaner brew, while rod allows fine sediment by and potentially more hearty flavor; some like it one way, some the other.
Lady_Croft Said:
Also, the butane burners seem like the most efficient option for a tabletop vac pot. However, the yama butane burner upgrade is too tall to use on a Cona model. The Cona models come with the alcohol lamp thing, which seems like it would be annoying to deal with and slow. Are there butane burners that are smaller that could be used with the Cona models??
Uhhh... dunno. The Cona does seem designed for a relaxed pace here, but both brewer times can be greatly shortened by starting with pre-heated water. I don't like the idea of a propane burner myself as I don't keep any propane handy around the house.
I've tried both the cloth and the glass rod, and I think I prefer the cloth. The problem with the Cona is, I don't know if it can use anybody else's cloth filter. Perhaps you should get a Yama, which is relatively cheap, and then see if you want to upgrade to a much more expensive Cona? You can use both glass and cloth in the Yama, and both stovetop and burner for the Yama as well.
Thanks for the input, I will definately consider that. If anyone here owns a Cona, I'd be interested to hear if it's worth the extra money, because it if definately is, then I'd rather go straight for the better product and not spend the extra money to upgrade later, ya know? For now, I'm still researching and I dont have any money at the moment anyways! :)
I would second dv's advice and start with a Yama. I've owned two, the first one imploded (my fault). They are sturdy, work very well, and relatively inexpensive. I use preheated water because it would take a very long time to heat otherwise. The alcohol lamps for the Cona and other fancier ones (like Hario) would take forever I think. If you're doing this at dinner parties, the Cona would be nice, but if you're doing this in the AM to get your Java, go for efficiency with the Yama. You can also get all sorts of interesting vacpots on eBay, antique, imported, and otherwise once you decide to start collecting them. I found the cloth a bit of a pain and purchased a Cory glass rod off eBay for about $6 which I find much easier to keep clean and to use. Michael
I have a Cona, and I love it, for all the reasons you mentioned. It's gorgeous. It's solidly built. The design is sleak and functional. The glass is thick.
I doubt very much that you'll find any butane burner that will fit with the Cona. There just isn't much clearance there. The alcohol burner really doesn't bother me though. Yes, it does take longer to brew coffee in the morning. But if you preheat the water in a kettle, it doesn't take that long. And if you want romance, just imagine ending a cangle-lit dinner with a Cona pot brewing right at the table, flame and all. Even in the morning, I look forward to my ritual of lighting the flame and waiting with anticipation while I read the paper and grind the coffee. Ritual is important to me, and what's better for ritual than a candle flame?
A couple of practical considerations. The glass rod is a cool concept, but it is fussy. With some practice and good technique you can usually avoid a stall, where the coffee sits up north and never comes down. Even with the best technique, however, the glass rod drawdown can be somewhat slow. I've had far too many times when it takes two minutes or more for the coffee to go south, and the result is overextraction, which ruins the whole experience for me. I've been finding it really hard to get timing right with the rod. I've gone to using a cloth filter in the Cona. Not quite as elegant, but not bad, and much easier to use.
Another consideration is size. The Cona C and D sizes brew more coffee than I can consume by myself within the time that coffee stays fresh. The Cona C and D sizes are best if brewing for two or more. Trying to do a half pot doesn't work very well in a vac pot. I've ended up using a 3 cup Hario when brewing just for myself. The Hario Nouveau can still be bought from Avenue18 in Canada. (The only place outside of Asia, I think.) It is the Cona's equal in terms of design elegance, and is worth considering if you want a smaller size. I would say the only thing I love more than the Cona is the Hario. It's also considerably cheaper than the Cona.
Ok, I've been thinking a lot about all of your input, and researching some more online. But now I'm all confused! I've read things that say the Cona is the best, etc., but then I've read other reviews that the shape of the bottom glass thing isn't ideal, and it causes excess dilution of the final brew, and that it's not the best. I've read bad reviews about the Yama, too, which makes me wonder if it's cheapness has a reason. What the conclusion of one syphon fanatic (i think it was on coffeekid.com ....or maybe it was chriscoffee, i forget now) is that the Hario Nouvaeu is the best, and is about 1/2 as much as a Cona, and still beautiful. It also could have a butane burner upgrade. So I was looking to buy it, but unfortunately, at least at the website for Avenue18 in Canada, where he said you can buy Harios, they've discontinued the 5 cup version of the Nouveau. So I can't decide if I should get it because I'd be brewing for 2.....although sometimes I would be brewing for one, but STILL, why on earth would they discontinue the larger version!? Arrrrrgh this is so frustrating!
I use a Yama 5-cup stovetop model from Sweet Maria with a Hario paper filter purchased from Avenue 18. The paper filter is easier to clean than the cloth, because you replace it each time, and it's more reliable than the glass rod. I'm getting very good coffee.
Vacuum brewing is a completely manual experience. You control the temperature of the water (I like about 192F), the grind and the amount of brew time. The paper filter (cloth too) gives you a very repeatable experience; the glass rod, not so much.
My recommendation is that you start with the Yama, at $35 or so, with either the cloth or paper filter, and see how you like it. If you decide ultimately to invest in a Cona you'll have one for fancy and the other for fast.
But if you decide you don't like the cup character of syphon coffee, you won't be out too much cash.
Ok, now I found a review from this site, and the review claims to have bought his nouveau deco from Hario in California, at hariousa.com for $80 or so. But apparently hariousa.com no longer exists because I can't find it anywhere - and when I put it in the address bar, it says it could not find domain, or it doesn't exist, and then I get a virus attack! It's like some big conspiracy to make sure I can't get the syphon brewer I need!!
I think there has been some shifting in the siphon-brewer-sales landscape, and the only vendor I know of in North America is Avenue 18, a Canadian outfit.
Shipping might take a couple of days longer than you'd be used to from a U.S. site, but it'll arrive in good shape. You'll find them at www.avenue18.ca.
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