Coffee Machine: French Press. Drip. Metal Pot. Which to use?

[JeffersLos]

I like a nice cup of coffee after lunch, our 10 year old coffee machine started leaking badly this morning, it's this style of machine.

 

 

It might be time to try something different.

 

I believe the other options are a metal pot that you cook on the stove.

 

 

I don't know the official name of it. Or if it would balace on our gas stove element. 

 

But I'm interested to learn about them.

 

 

A French Press.

 

 

I don't really like these, as the seal becomes less airtight and the ground coffee starts getting up into the coffee you'll be drinking. Maybe a decent brand name would be different.

 

 

Paper Filter Drip Machines.

 

 

 

 

In my experience the coffee has lost a lot of temperature by the time it's fully poured.

 

 

Which one is best? 

[Jan Dietz]

'Best' is in the eye of the beholder. They all serve different purposes.

 

You had an espresso machine, so in your case the 'Italian style' Mocha pot will probably make something similar. It comes in a lot of different sizes, so surely you will find one that will balance on your stove.

https://shopee.co.th/Aluminum-Coffee-Maker-Pot-Machine-Mocha-Espresso-Percolator-Moka-Pot-3cup-6cup-9cup-12cup-Stovetop-i.250487524.3648507758

 

French Press will always have some coffee grounds in your cup. To use is properly, get a more coarsely grained coffee (and use a bit more). 

 

The traditional filter machine will make a luke-warm black water. Some Americans call this 'coffee'.

 

[Jingthing]

Yeah, for me its gotta be French press.

My current one is a bit different though:

COFFEE PRESS HOOP MONO – RIVERS CO.,LTD

[BritManToo]

Moka pot for me, french press the coffee was always luke warm ...... no good, it's  gotta be burning hot.

Filter machine was OK, that had a heater under the glass jar at the bottom so was always hot.

[JeffersLos]

1 hour ago, Jan Dietz said:

so in your case the 'Italian style' Mocha pot will probably make something similar. It comes in a lot of different sizes, so surely you will find one that will balance on your stove.

 

I think I'll go with that style.

 

This one has it's own element, but wonder just how hot it gets, and probably just another thing that could break. 

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/moka-pot-3-cup-i1686024686-s6152966732.html?exlaz=d_1:mm_150050845_51350205_2010350205::12:1498579383!58089999096!!!pla-294682000766!c!294682000766!6152966732!277008220&gclid=CjwKCAjwx6WDBhBQEiwA_dP8rbIv4dtPdiYIs0Baj1RcsaEusDn0Qa1ByVArYrb_0kT-KS3flm5ZgxoCaDIQAvD_BwE

[onebir]

Worth checking out an Aeropress style device; the extra bit of pressure and ability to control the brewing time help & they're actually pretty easy to use (especially with a metal filter).

[Jingthing]

I used one of those Italian thingies in my 20s. I associate them with beatniks. Don't ask. I would never go back. I think the coffee flavor is much better in a French press. As I drink it black I actually need to let it cool after brewing. For French press you should let the boiled water cool for one minute and brew for four minutes. Then experiment with grind, amount of coffee, and brewing time for personal taste.

[Kwasaki]

11 hours ago, JeffersLos said:

 

I think I'll go with that style.

 

This one has it's own element, but wonder just how hot it gets, and probably just another thing that could break. 

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/moka-pot-3-cup-i1686024686-s6152966732.html?exlaz=d_1:mm_150050845_51350205_2010350205::12:1498579383!58089999096!!!pla-294682000766!c!294682000766!6152966732!277008220&gclid=CjwKCAjwx6WDBhBQEiwA_dP8rbIv4dtPdiYIs0Baj1RcsaEusDn0Qa1ByVArYrb_0kT-KS3flm5ZgxoCaDIQAvD_BwE

why not fix the one you have.

Our machine started leaked and was fixed by Boncafe'.

[stevenl]

55 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

why not fix the one you have.

Our machine started leaked and was fixed by Boncafe'.

Yes, some new O-rings can do wonders.

[KannikaP]

Ground coffee into plastic jug (2 tbsp). Boiling water onto it for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Filter through kitchen roll paper in a tea strainer into a cup. Squeeze it a bit at the end. Done.

[KhunBENQ]

12 hours ago, BritManToo said:

 

Filter machine was OK, that had a heater under the glass jar at the bottom so was always hot.

Better have one with a thermos jug.

The heater models let the coffee deteriorate quickly.

[Speedo1968]

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

I used one of those Italian thingies in my 20s. I associate them with beatniks. Don't ask. I would never go back. I think the coffee flavor is much better in a French press. As I drink it black I actually need to let it cool after brewing. For French press you should let the boiled water cool for one minute and brew for four minutes. Then experiment with grind, amount of coffee, and brewing time for personal taste.

I agree, water for coffee should not be boiling, for tea yes.

[ubonjoe]

Several posts commenting on spelling and etc have been removed.

Forum rule.

"3. If possible please proofread your post first, poor grammar and spelling can make the post difficult to understand. However be aware that not every member is a native English speaker and excessive posts regarding others spelling and grammar not only hijacks the topic but is poor netiquette."

[cooked]

I use an "Italian style thingy" https://www.lazada.co.th/products/bialetti-moka-pot-express-i1409124605-s4755754095.html?exlaz=d_1:mm_150050845_51350205_2010350205::12:1498579383!58089999096!!!pla-294682000766!c!294682000766!4755754095!256535548&gclid=CjwKCAjwx6WDBhBQEiwA_dP8rQ58a5EHdxfgOC2TR1_XbXk5b0y5VvlaKc05b0hQsxuBi3b_RCVVwRoCzwEQAvD_BwE every day, bought it 50 (yes..) years ago and still working, replaced the rubber ring once after I forgot to put water in the night before. They don't need extra filters but are a little awkward to clean. 

However when searching for rubber rings etc I saw that they would no longer be making these things and that the Chinese reproductions were rubbish. 

I might still buy one even so, if my old faithful ceased working.

[JeffersLos]

2 minutes ago, cooked said:

They don't need extra filters but are a little awkward to clean. 

 

Thanks. How often do you clean it? 

[cooked]

Just now, JeffersLos said:

 

Thanks. How often do you clean it? 

I scrape around the inside of the pot when I see lime deposits forming, which is maybe not a problem everywhere, every 10 days or so. Steel wool.

[soi3eddie]

Fresh grind and cafetiere "French Press" for me. Easy and quick. No grounds in the cup. I was doing a motorcycle tour of Northern Thailand with my American buddy CJ in September 2020 and he was always ribbing me about my need for coffee each morning. I made this film for him some time ago. Now using Doi Chang medium roasted beans from Siam Roastery. Can buy on Lazada. The cafetiere is BODUM brand. Bought it in the UK but expect it can be bought here in Thailand too. 

   

 

 

[Jingthing]

Yeah, definitely need to grind the beans at home as needed. 

 

Once you go French press,

Your coffee ain't a hot mess

 

Cafetiere, ma belle

These are the words that go together well

My cafetiere

 

I love you, I love you, I love you
That's all I want to say
Until I find a way
I will say the only words I know that
You'll understand

[petermik]

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

 

 

I love you, I love you, I love you
That's all I want to say
Until I find a way
I will say the only words I know that
You'll understand

Try it with the Songtaew drivers here in Patts JT....they`ll love it ????

[HarrySeaman]

 

Percolators like the metal one you show burn the coffee so it is usually the most bitter.

 

Paper drip coffee, either from a coffee maker or one of those funnels you put on top a cup and hand pour hot water into, has the coffee oils removed so it is the smoothest and least bitter.  The coffee from the machine will be hotter than with the plastic funnel on a cup.

 

Espresso machines like you have use steam, not hot water, to extract the coffee flavor, never overheating and burning the coffee and leaving behind a lot of the oils.  It is usually stronger than filter, press, or percolator coffee but still smooth and you just just dilute it with hot water if it is too strong.  A bonus is that they can froth milk for a cappuccino.

French presses leave a few grounds in the bottom of your cup but the coffee is full flavored.  It does get a little cooler than with the espresso machine or the drip coffee makers.

 

If you like the coffee you have been drinking then either get your current machine fixed or buy a new one of the same type.

 

 

 

[Jingthing]

Removing all the bitterness from coffee is like removing its soul.

[allanos]

I have tried all of the various coffee-brewing devices over more than 40 years but settled on a "french press" a number of years ago. Quick and easy and makes delightful morning coffee for me.

 

The cafetieres I use are cheap Chinese makes which do not, however, detract from the quality of the coffee or its taste. Also no sticker shock when I need to replace one if I have broken the glass whilst washing it.

 

I boil filtered water (more for the sake of eliminating any bacterial residue) and first use a small amount to warm the glass press. The water in the kettle has now "come off the boil" sufficiently to pour over the measured amount of coffee grounds I have place in the press. I pour hot water from the kettle into my cup, to warm it.

 

I make a first stir of the coffee in the press almost immediately.

 

I empty the hot water from the cup, and put in the small amount of fresh milk that I like, which will itself now warm up a tad.

 

I make a second vigorous stirring of the coffee in the press to extract maximum taste from the grounds, let it sit for two minutes,  use the plunger, and then pour.  

 

About 5 minutes all in all, for a perfect cup of coffee. It is plenty hot.

The grounds sit in the bottom, so never a problem with any floating to the top.

 

 

[ChrisKC]

The "best" coffee is in the beholders eye but tell me of a coffee shop that makes coffee in other than a dedicated coffee machine.

 

In my life I have drunk instant coffee, from a French press and drip coffee and nothing compares with a proper coffee machine that I have now been using for 4 years, comparing very well with  bought coffee from any decent coffee shop. I use only coffee beans and grind as required.

 

I bought a Di Longhi Vintage from Homepro. My friends, visitors and we love the coffee I make. And when its worn out I will buy another one.

[hkt83100]

After more than 20 years I am still happy with my Saeco. It had some repairs, mainly gaskets, but the coffee is still great.

[JoePai]

For my everyday cuppas I now use the Clever Dripper - 'cause it's (virtually) idiot proof  ????

[Kwasaki]

4 hours ago, Speedo1968 said:

I agree, water for coffee should not be boiling, for tea yes.

Yes I don't drink coffee much but I do like the bean grounded coffee now and again.

I drink tea mainly is much better for your health. 

[JeffersLos]

The steamer that froaths themilk for a latte still works fine, so can use that, and then either a Moka pot or French press. 

 

Is there a decent brand of French Press that has decent, reliable seals on it? 

[CLW]

Drip coffee it is for me.

I'm using a permanent metal screen filter. 

Fresh ground coffee is IMO important for good taste.

It loses a lot of flavor and gets this musty stale smell after a while. 

Those who wrote about a lukewarm brew, you must rinse and pre heat the filter and pot. 

Then your coffee is hot. 

[mrfill]

A vote for the Viet coffee pot here. Buy lots - they're cheap and bend easily...

 

[KannikaP]

5 hours ago, Speedo1968 said:

I agree, water for coffee should not be boiling, for tea yes.

How hot is the steam in an Espresso machine?