A great product that I will have for myself and sell to my customers.
Positive Product Points
Easy to use, easy to clean, nice looking, inexpensive, simple
Negative Product Points
Plastic.
Detailed Commentary
I had looked at other brewing methods. I love french press, Chemex, V60, etc. Most live up to the hype. I own a coffee shop and are always looking at other products to offer to my customers that I would want myself. I look for simple, a good investment, and some thing that will last. I believe that the Clever Drip Brewer will fit that bill well.
The brewer its self is made of rather strong looking plastic. I was told that it does not contain the chemical in plastic that has been linked to cancer. It is simply a brewing chamber, a valve and a coaster. The way it works is quite "clever." You have to buy some number 4 cone filters (it may come in other sizes, but I'm not sure.). I'm using the Melitta filters available at the grocery store. You put your ground coffee in the filter, pour in the water, wait 3 min, and simply place the brewer over a coffee cup. It takes about a min to fully drain directly into the cup. The coffee is clean and stays warm enough. But that depends on the brewing temp you are looking for.
We use 10 ounces of 180 degree water and about 20 grams of freshly ground coffee. I have a rather cheap timer that I set for 3 min. Now, I have read that some people stur the coffee slurry at this point. I have done it, and gotten mixed results. The cup is a little stronger. But not sturing results in a great cup too.
The good points. Simple. Easy to work. Set it up, walk away. No babysitting like a Chemex. Nothing to break like a glass press pot. While I wish it was glass, the plastic doesn't steal heat. Nothing metal or that can corrode. Nice lines. And it is tented a little pink. Better than bright white and allows you to see into the process. A wonderful clean cup of coffee. It doesn't leak in the least. Amazing!
The only bad point. It's plastic. It would cost a lot more if it were glass and would be heaver and more likely to break. But I really like the feel and idea of glass.
Buying Experience
I ordered my Clever and some green coffee a few days before Easter and UPS delivered them on the Monday after Easter. Sweet Maria's has always delivered a wonderful product for a good price.
Three Month Followup
I've sold over 2 cases and only had one report of it leaking. But even that was easily fixed by cleaning it carefully. I have used one most every day and still love the product. I have sold more Clevers than Chemex and french presses combined.
