The product looks great and works great.

The burner is inadequate, order a butane burner replacement as mentioned in other reviews or shop for one while you wait for the pot. Comes with a plastic spoon/stir stick, buy a better one to match pot. Do not overbuy filters... consider spending < $10.00 for a Cory Glass Filter off eBay, works as well as paper but it's permanent.

While first glance (and perhaps second etc) it looks great, there are overall too many "cheap" points about the package. I would gladly pay (and ended up paying) more for a "10" qaulity+aesthetics package, namely a decent butane burner, a quality measuring/stir stick and a bit more quality in the "handles". Also would be nice to have a cover for the bottom container.

This product is my introduction to coffee geekdom. Well this plus my new freshRoast plus. I've been meaning to track a syphon pot down since being in Japan in the late 80s where this was a common preparation method. It's just cool, retro, and makes a great cup of coffee.

Suggest buying the 5 cup if you are a coffee drinker or would be sharing. My coffee mug holds the 3 cup mark on the container.

Again, avoid disappointment and wasting money on ethol alchohol etc, buy the burner right away. Only buy a minimum of filters and try and get a glass filter. It's hard to believe it does the same job as the paper filter but it seems to.

The experience... Yes, this becomes a ritualistic experience, and unless you're a slob/sloth, cleanup isn't that bad (easier than a press IMO) and is part of the ritual.

Despite others opinions, I use this daily at work. It gives me a reason to take a break away from the computer, and starting off with hot water from the water well means it doesn't take that long to brew. It's also better overall than going across the street and spending $$ for a mediocre cup.

Bought it over the xmas holidays, so had to wait for them to get back to work but otherwise the online buying went smoothly. Same for a used 1940 Cory glass filter off ebay.