Vacuum or press

[Thebigspendur]

So which is the best way to brew coffee? I have a Kona vacuum maker and though its a pain to use it makes the cleanest and greatest coffee I have ever had. Most of the time though I use my technivorm because its easy to use and the quality of the coffee is really very close to the Kona. The neat thing about the Kona is that its all glass. The coffee never touches any metal.

So you think a press is one better than the vacuum?

[JBHoren]

So which is the best way to brew coffee? I have a Kona vacuum maker and though its a pain to use it makes the cleanest and greatest coffee I have ever had. Most of the time though I use my technivorm because its easy to use and the quality of the coffee is really very close to the Kona. The neat thing about the Kona is that its all glass. The coffee never touches any metal.

So you think a press is one better than the vacuum?

For me, the PITA-factor holds a big place in the batting order... especially when (as you wrote) "its easy to use and the quality of the coffee is really very close to the Kona."

I'll stick with my Bodum French-press.

Hey! Thanks for not only posting the question, but also your own answer!!

[letterk]

So which is the best way to brew coffee? I have a Kona vacuum maker and though its a pain to use it makes the cleanest and greatest coffee I have ever had. Most of the time though I use my technivorm because its easy to use and the quality of the coffee is really very close to the Kona. The neat thing about the Kona is that its all glass. The coffee never touches any metal.

So you think a press is one better than the vacuum?

It seems we have similar tastes. I prefer the vacuum but use my TVorm more due to convenience. I put the taste of the press right in between. All make a great cuppa.

[Monkeyboy]

In terms only of the quality of cup they both produce I think it depends partly on what type of coffee you like best.

A press produces a rich, full-bodied cup so it is suitable for powerful, earthy coffees like a sumatra mandheling or for dark roasts.

A vacuum produces a crystal clear, clean cup so it's suited best for delicate, well-balanced clean coffees like a Guatemala Huehuetenango.

I've been using a Yama vacuum pot and it doesn't require that much more cleanup than a press. The only thing I don't like about brewing in a vacuum is that you have to brew a full pot. With a press you can brew however much you feel like.

[Bertilak]

The only thing I don't like about brewing in a vacuum is that you have to brew a full pot. With a press you can brew however much you feel like.

I use the Yama 8-cup and quite often brew only six cups. Seems to work as well as eight.

[expatCanuck]

Never used a vacuum pot. It looks sufficiently like a PITA to even want to try.

My presses get a thorough workout both at home & at work.

[letterk]

Never used a vacuum pot. It looks sufficiently like a PITA to even want to try.

My presses get a thorough workout both at home & at work.

I don't think it's more of a PITA than the press. It's about the same for me.

[Bertilak]

Never used a vacuum pot. It looks sufficiently like a PITA to even want to try.

Fair enough, but the same could be said for wet shaving.

Bob

[expatCanuck]

Fair enough, but the same could be said for wet shaving.

BobUmmm ... touché.
Check and mate. :redface:

[Ciaron]

how does the vacuum and press stand up against the drip type, there's a filter drip coffee maker shaped like an hourglass I've seen, anyone know its name?

[Bertilak]

how does the vacuum and press stand up against the drip type,

Not sure exactly what you mean by "stand up against" but my preference is in the following order:


Vacuum (aka siphon) pot -- best coffee but makes small batches and requires much attention.
Drip -- simple. good if you need to serve a bunch of people.
Press pot -- too muddy. also makes small batches.



there's a filter drip coffee maker shaped like an hourglass I've seen, anyone know its name?

Chemex.

http://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com

[expatCanuck]

Press pot -- too muddy. also makes small batches.Hmmm ... many folks like it. Personally, I like a 'thickish' cup.

And the sediment is where all the vitamins & nutrients are stored. :biggrin:

[dustin]

Hmmm ... many folks like it. Personally, I like a 'thickish' cup.

And the sediment is where all the vitamins & nutrients are stored. :biggrin:

Haha. Agreed. I can hardly stand the 'thin' stuff from drip brewers anymore.

[andrew98]

I use a Bodum french press, but the Bialetti makes a great cup too. 1 or 2 oz of that added to 6 or so oz of hot water. Makes a nice Americano (long black if you're Australian).

[Rfury]

My Favorite way to make coffee, is French Press...I have yet to try a Vacuum coffee maker.

When I am more pressed for time, or serving more people...I use the Capresso CoffeeTeam Therm. I love the coffee made form this machine, it is piping hot, and the thermal carafe holds the heat for hours.

I have to admit, since I have read this, I may have to get me a Vacuum coffee maker.. it is just another toy for me to try.

[Jasonian]

Siphon (aka, vacuum), hands down.

But more specifically, a highly precise siphon brewer like my Hario TCA-2 that was a gift from my friends at Barismo about a year and a half ago.
http://beancrazy.myweb.hinet.net/images/hario-TCA-2s.jpg

But, ditch the alcohol burner and go with an adjustable butane burner.

Precise: You can be exact with your brew water temperature
You can be pretty dang precise with your dwell time (with the smaller ones.. no larger than the TCA-3)
It produces a very clean, aromatic cup when performed correctly.

In short, I love all brew methods, but the best is most definitely my TCA-2.

And don't be fooled into thinking that manual drip pourovers are "simple". There is a whole lot of room for fluctuation, and changing technique can drastically change the final cup.

French Press is just as complex when viewed through the proper lense.

For convenience, I'll tend to prefer a manual pourover. When I want to get really intimate with a coffee (strange wording?) I pull out the siphon.

[Ru4scuba?]

Oops! Guess I should have read farther before posting my original thread!