Press pot vs. vac pot?

[k1ng]

Can the coffee freaks chime in? I'm looking to get into "good" coffee and was wondering pro's and con's of press vs. vac.. From what I gather both are pretty much the best and cheapest.

[sehrgut]

The press is the best and cheapest.

*grin*

Seriously, though, if I want my coffee brewed with boiling water, I use a moka. If I want it brewed correctly, I'll use a press.

[Beast]

Go with a press. Bodum makes some good ones, even Wal-Mart has a good sized press for about $20. Starbucks' presses are all purty and such, but they can get pricey.

I picked up one of these, a green and stainless Stanley Thermos (40oz), and have been enjoying HOT HOT coffee made from freshly roasted beans all day long.

And I am wiiiiiired.

[letterk]

I prefer the taste of the vacuum pot, but use both. The press gets snubbed at home a lot because my wife doesn't like sediment. But both are cheap and brew coffee as it should be brewed if used correctly.

[murchmb]

I would say a nice vac pot if you can get a good deal. Don't forget the Aeropress. I use one at work with microwaved water to avoid the dreaded Bunn spewing out that nasrty stuff from a can.

[boboakalfb]

It seems the only downside to the vacuum pot would be cleanup.

[ratcheer]

I use a French press, but I have never had the opportunity to try vacuum pot coffee.

Tim

[ouch]

Art is the K1ng.


Sorry, thought this was a poll.

[ouch]

I used to go to this filthy little hole in the wall in Chinatown on Bayard St, Mei Lai Wah (closed 5/08).

They had some great vacuum pot coffee, decent buns, and offered the quintessential old school grungy Chinatown experience.

[Scotto]

Get both, they're cheap.

Very different cups, but both superb.

[Churchill]

Scotto,what would you say is the difference is in the two as far as taste goes?

[ouch]

Scotto,what would you say is the difference is in the two as far as taste goes?

Considering recent history, you're a brave man.

[copperhead]

Considering recent history, you're a brave man.

:lol: Is there a similar smelling coffee bean? :lol:

[Churchill]

Uh oh,I'm fairly new to the brewhouse forum.Maybe I should do a little research?:redface:

[Scotto]

Hardy har har. I'll never live down that post.... Anyway:

The vacuum pot can really draw out the subtle nuances and acidity of delicate and light roasted coffees. IMO, there is nothing better for a Kenya or a dry-processed Ethiopia. Darker roasted or more low toned coffees are still very nice in a vac pot, but the difference is not as drastic. The vac pot is also an incredibly clean cup, and it may take some getting used to since there is really nothing to get in the way of the coffee.

French Presses of course tend to have some sediment and brew a thick, chewy cup. Nice for something like an Indonesian, for example. If you don't have a decent grinder, you can get the finer grounds over-extracting somewhat, which can be off-putting in a more delicate coffee.

As I said, try 'em both. Even the same coffee will taste a bit different brewed in each.

[k1ng]

How important is the grind in a vac pot?

[letterk]

How important is the grind in a vac pot?

If you use the cloth filter, less important than if you use a Cory rod.

[Monkeyboy]

Hardy har har. I'll never live down that post.... Anyway:

The vacuum pot can really draw out the subtle nuances and acidity of delicate and light roasted coffees. IMO, there is nothing better for a Kenya or a dry-processed Ethiopia. Darker roasted or more low toned coffees are still very nice in a vac pot, but the difference is not as drastic. The vac pot is also an incredibly clean cup, and it may take some getting used to since there is really nothing to get in the way of the coffee.

French Presses of course tend to have some sediment and brew a thick, chewy cup. Nice for something like an Indonesian, for example. If you don't have a decent grinder, you can get the finer grounds over-extracting somewhat, which can be off-putting in a more delicate coffee.

As I said, try 'em both. Even the same coffee will taste a bit different brewed in each.

I've always heard that the cup from a vacuum pot is the same as a press but without the sediment. Now you have me sold because ethiopian coffees are my favorite. I just put an order in for a yama pot and am anxious to try it out.

PS: If you use a cloth filter, how do you keep it clean? Do you just rinse it well with hot water and occasionally give it a soak in a diluted bleach solution?

[Scotto]

I've always heard that the cup from a vacuum pot is the same as a press but without the sediment. Now you have me sold because ethiopian coffees are my favorite. I just put an order in for a yama pot and am anxious to try it out.

PS: If you use a cloth filter, how do you keep it clean? Do you just rinse it well with hot water and occasionally give it a soak in a diluted bleach solution?

I rinse mine and keep it in the freezer! They'll last for months that way.

[GarageBoy]

Is the Bialetti a vacuum pot or is that something totally different

[Monkeyboy]

Bialetti pots are moka pots. They force steam through a pack of fine grounds much like an inexpensive espresso machine does. They make smaller pots of strong coffee.

They have two chambers like a vacuum pot but they are very different.

[GarageBoy]

Hmm, Starbucks used to sell a Vacuum pot but I dont see it anymore
How does a more expensive espresso machine work?

[e d o]

I very much prefer a Vacpot to a press. Better flavor and much less sediment. Cona rods are much better than corys too. But more expensive and harder to find. I don't like cloth filters. I also prefer the norrow neck vacpots to the wide neck versions. Easier to get a better seal. One critical thing with vacpots though, the tube needs to be close to the bottom of the lower bowl or you coffee will get too diluted. Corys are much too high. I use a Cona B bottom with a C top.

[billyjeff2]

I use a Hario vacuum pot and have been very pleased with it. Great design and great cup o' joe.

[zuhaib]

I like the press pot at home, I can pick up some locally roasted beans that are only a few days old (sometimes same day). And if I want a press pot coffee, i can always go for the Mother of all Press pots (or so they advertise)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2298/2228288136_15cfe2e963_b.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/zuhaib/2228288136/)

That is blue bottles 20k vacuum press setup. It was covered in NYTimes, i was there on their opening day (the photos is from a few days after).

[letterk]

I use a Hario vacuum pot and have been very pleased with it. Great design and great cup o' joe.

The Hario was what I originally wanted, but they're close to impossible to find. The place in Canada that had them seems to have reduce their line quite a bit and they no longer carry the model I wanted. I got the Yama instead and have been happy.

[Blue Moon]

If French Press puts you off because of the sediment, you can buy a nylon filter that will lessen the sediment. I got mine from sweet marias.