Archive for the 'French Presses Over $30' category

Frieling Stainless Steel French Press Review

Dec 19 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Over $30

Frieling Stainless Steel French PressSturdy and able to stand the test of time, the Frieling stainless steel French Press is the coffee maker that you want if you are looking for high quality construction and great tasting coffee in one. Many people that buy the Frieling stainless steel French Press are surprised at how sturdy it really is. The construction is high quality – the entire press is made out of stainless steel and has a double wall design. The double wall means that there are actually two walls that make the container, there is space in between these two walls so heat is insulated.

The brushed stainless steel gives this coffee press a classic look and feel so it will fit right into your kitchen. This is the type of coffee maker that you can leave on your counter at all times instead of putting away after every use. It really looks great, and best of all, it makes very good coffee. It is available in a variety of sizes ranging from 11 ounces to 42 ounces so you can pick the model that will give you the exact amount of coffee that you need every morning.

Frieling Stainless Steel French Press – How’s The Taste?

Of course, the thing that you are probably most concerned with about the Frieling stainless steel French Press is the taste of the coffee that it produces. You will the pleased to hear that most customers are delighted at the taste of the coffee that this press makes. This is not at all surprising, after all, the press is made by Frieling, one of the leaders in French Press devices.

If you have never experienced the taste of pressed coffee, you are in for a real treat. Since the method of preparation involves mixing coffee grounds and hot water directly inside of the press, more of the delicate flavors are able to be extracted from the grounds and make their way into the coffee. This method of direct extraction results in a much more bold tasting coffee. No, it isn’t bitter or acidic tasting like the coffee that you might get from an automatic drip maker. It really is a superior way to prepare coffee in the morning and anytime throughout the day.

Frieling Stainless Steel French PressThe Frieling Stainless Steel French Press Has Brushed Steel

One characteristic that really makes this French Press stand out from all of the others is the fact that it is composed of brushed stainless steel. There are several models that are very similar to this one that simply use a shiny stainless steel rather than the brushed version, but we much rather prefer the brushed metal. This gives the entire press an incredibly classy and mature look.

If you’re not familiar with the idea of brushed steel, it simply means that the Frieling stainless steel French Press has a beautiful shine at the top, but there is a slow and beautiful gradient to a duller and more flat looking steel towards the bottom. It really is a decorative and ornate look that makes this French Press stand out no matter where you put it in your kitchen. If you would like to impress all of your friends with your fancy coffee making ways, then this Frieling stainless steel French Press is certainly for you.

The Frieling Stainless Steel French Press Will Last For Years

Since we use our coffeemakers just about every morning, they tend to wear out rather quickly. But, the same is not true with the Frieling stainless steel French Press. Because it is composed of such high quality materials (even the plunger is completely made of steel), it will last a long time.

Many customers are happy at the quality of construction because many of us tend to be a little clumsy in the morning while we’re making our coffee. If you accidentally drop the Frieling stainless steel French Press onto the counter, or even onto the floor, it probably won’t be damaged much if at all. With many other press devices, you have to worry about broken glass and bent metal – but with the all steel construction of the Frieling stainless steel French Press, you have absolutely no worries.

Frieling Stainless Steel French Press

Smaller Frieling Stainless Steel French Press - 11 Ounce Model

Are There Any Complaints?

Even though this is a really good example of a high quality French Press, there is one complaint that we have about it. Keep in mind, however, that this is not a complaint that is exclusive to the Frieling stainless steel French Press. Rather, its a common problem among manufacturers of coffee presses. When Frieling describes their line of stainless steel presses, their measurements seem to be a little misleading.

Take for example the 42 ounce Frieling stainless steel French Press. Yes, the inside of the container will hold around 42 ounces of liquid, but there’s no way that you will be able to make 42 ounces of coffee at one time. To actually hold the entire 42 ounces, you would need to fill the press all the way up to the top lip. However, when you’re making coffee you need to leave some room at the top so it doesn’t overflow when you press down the plunger. So, in really makes a few ounces less.

This is a rather small complaint and as I mentioned before, it is not exclusive to the Frieling stainless steel French Press. You always need to make sure that you get a press that is large enough to suit your needs.

Where Can I Get My Own Frieling Stainless Steel French Press?

Frieling coffee press devices are available all over the place. However, the brushed stainless steel model can be a bit difficult to find so we recommend that you try shopping online. The lowest price that we have been able to find is at Amazon.com – a large and highly trusted online retailer. As of this writing, the various sizes of the brushed Frieling stainless steel French Press for sale on Amazon range at a discount of 2% up to around 20%.

Check The Current Price Of The Frieling Stainless Steel French Press

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Frieling French Press Ultimo 25-Ounce Review

Nov 01 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Over $30

Frieling French PressIf you’re looking for a good cup of French pressed coffee, it would be hard to find anything better than this Frieling French Press. This particular press has a 25 oz capacity and uses a specialized double walled stainless steal design that will keep your coffee warm and toasty for as long as you need to keep it in the press. Of course, most French Press users will tell you that it is best to transfer the pressed coffee into a different container once it is prepared (so it doesn’t continue to over-brew). But, this stainless steel French Press creates great coffee and will last you for years and years.

Frieling French Press Specifications

Capacity: 25 ounces (3 US cups)
Construction: Double walled stainless steel
Dishwasher Safe: Yes (all parts)

What’s So Good About This Stainless Steel French Press?

This Frieling French Press is just about all you need to create some wonderful tasting pressed coffee. Let’s just get down to the basics that make this Frieling French Press great. First of all, it uses a double walled stainless steel construction which means it will last for a long time. It also means that it will keep the water inside of the press warm for a longer time. Yes, you’ll probably still want to transfer it into a different container after pressing, but it is good to know that the press is well insulated.

Better yet, the stainless steel means that you will never have to worry about breaking it on accident. Other French Press devices are made of glass and you have to be very careful while using and washing them. But, that’s not a concern with this stainless steel coffee press – you can be pretty rough with it, and even throw every single part into the dishwasher when you’re ready to get it clean.

What Kind Of Coffee Taste Does This Frieling French Press Make?

Frieling French PressThe taste that comes from the Frieling Ultimo French Press is different from anything that you have tasted if you have only used automatic drip coffeemakers. When you make coffee with a drip machine, the water is boiled and then spit out over a bunch of coffee grounds before filtering through a dense paper filter and falling onto a heating plate that basically burns it. The paper filter sucks out a lot of the essential oils and delicate flavors from the coffee grounds – so these flavors never end up in your cup.

That’s just not the case when you use the Frieling French Press. You will mix hot water and coffee grounds together inside of it and let the mixture brew for about 4 minutes before using a special piece, called a plunger, to push all of the coffee grounds down to the bottom of the mug. Then, you are free to pour out your freshly brewed coffee, while the plunger keeps all of the coffee grounds safely at the bottom of the mug so they don’t flow into your cup.

This method of brewing creates a much more bold coffee flavor. Now, don’t be afraid if you are not a huge fan of dark coffee – a French Press does not necessarily produce a dark coffee flavor. The coffee is just stronger because you are capturing much more flavor from the beans. However, the flavor is not bitter or acidic like you would expect from a strong or dark coffee made in a drip machine. It’s really something that you need to try if you are an avid coffee drinker.

Where Can You Get Your Own Frieling French Press?

Frieling is a well-known company and their French Press devices are widely available across the country. However, if you visit a department store, they may only have one size of the Frieling Ultimo French Press available while there are four different sizes made. Shopping online is really the only way to ensure that you get the best variety to pick from. In fact, Amazon.com offers every size of the Frieling Ultimo French Press and you can land an incredible deal. As of this writing, you can pick up the 25 oz model for just $50, a savings of 28% off the retail price.

Check Out The Current Price Of The Frieling French Press

 

 

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Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot Review

Oct 20 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Over $30

Bodum 1308-16 Columbia Press PotBodum is definitely one of the most well known makers of French Press devices, and for good reason. They are the leader in double wall insulated French Presses! The Bodum 1308-16 is no exception to this line. It is a sturdy press pot that makes 8 cups of great tasting coffee. Believe me when I say that this press pot stands out from a lot of the others that are on the market right now – that’s for a few reasons…

  1. It has a special suction filter that ensures that no grounds will get into your coffee
  2. It uses a special double walled Stainless-Steel insulation to keep your coffee piping hot
  3. The taste is consistently highly rated

The Bodum 1308-16 Columbia Uses A Special Filter Process

If you are familiar with the French Press, then you understand how the process works. You mix coffee grounds and hot water together inside of the pot, then allow that mixture to brew for a few minutes. Then, you put the lid on and press the plunger (filter) down to the bottom. This pushes all of the coffee grounds to the bottom of the pot and leaves the coffee on top ready to be poured out.

The drawback to many French Press devices is that coffee grounds usually make their way onto the top of the filter when you press it down. This means that coffee grounds and other particles make their way into your drink. That’s definitely not what you want to taste in the morning.

But, the 1308-16 Columbia creates a vacuum seal when you press the filter down. The secret is that the filter is lined with a rubber ring that creates the airtight seal. So, you don’t have to worry about coffee grounds and particles getting on top of the filter and finding their way into your cup of coffee. I’m not sure why no one thought of this vacuum seal process before.

The Double Walled Stainless-steel Insulation Keeps Coffee Hot

Bodum Columbia 1308-16With most French Presses you must transfer the coffee out of the pot as soon as you’re done making it, because it will not stay warm. Bodum has solved this problem by creating the Columbia French Press out of stainless steel and using a double walled construction. That means that the press is constructed almost like a thermos. The outside wall and the inner wall of steel don’t actually touch each other – there’s space in between for insulation.

The result is that your coffee will stay warmer for longer, even if you leave it in the press pot. Of course, you won’t want to leave it in there for too long, since the coffee is still brewing. But, you won’t have to be bothered by transferring the coffee into a different container right away.

Bodum Delivers On Taste

Bodum makes many French Press pots and they are consistently rated very highly as far as taste is concerned. But, this particular pot creates a wonderful taste that is probably the result of this double walled stainless-steel insulation in combination with the vacuum sealed plunger processs. These 2 ideas are pretty unique to this pot, so it creates a unique tasting cup of coffee.

In fact, after reading through tons of consumer reviews, many people commented that this French Press makes the best tasting cup of coffee around.

Are There Any Complaints?

The one complaint that I do hear consistently is that this French Press is advertised as making 8 cups of coffee. You need to keep in mind that those are eight European cups. European cups are 4 ounces where as North American cups are usually considered 8 ounces. So, you will be able to create about four full mugs of coffee from one round of pressing using this device. As long as you understand that, you should have no complaints.

What Are Other People Saying?

  • “The filter part of the french press is perfect. Makes a suction sound as you press it down because the fit is so precise. Virtually no coffee grounds make their way into your cup.”
  • “That’s it, you’ll be amazed at the results.”
  • “I’ve been drinking French Press coffee for 7 years now, and have tried at least 10 presses on a regular basis. This one is by far the most superior.”
  • “Bodum Columbia is the best french press on the market. Since I discovered it, five of my friends have purchased one and we all couldn’t be happier with it.”

A Few Final Thoughts

The Bodum Columbia 1308-16 is a little bit more on the expensive side, but you definitely get what you pay for. If you are a true coffee enthusiast, you will see the value right after your first cup.

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Bodum Chambord Coffee Press Review – 32 Ounce

Sep 22 2011 Published by under French Presses Over $30

Check out our original video review

Since coffee drinking is such a big part of many people’s lifestyles, it makes sense that coffee drinkers seek out ways to make the best tasting coffee. Coffee enthusiasts agree that the Bodum Chambord coffee press is definitely among the methods that create the absolute best coffee in the world. Since Bodum began creating coffee presses in the early 1980′s, they have delivered some of the highest quality devices that make some of the best coffee that you can find.

This 32 ounce model delivers a great tasting cup of coffee every time whether you have used a French Press before or not. Don’t just take my word for it – in 2004, the American Culinary Institute awarded the Bodum Chambord coffee press as the best French Press available on the market. Professional chefs and coffee lovers alike agree that Bodum knows how to make coffee.

What Do I Like About The Bodum Chambord Coffee Press?

- It is one of the most popular presses in the world
- It has a classic look unparalleled by other French Press devices
- It costs less than most automatic drip makers

The Taste Makes It One Of The Best

Bodum Chambord Coffee PressWith coffee, it is all about the taste. If you have never tried French pressed coffee, then you are missing out on a full bodied flavorful experience. When you use an automatic drip coffee maker, the paper filter extracts some of the most essential oils from the ground up beans. The result? An uneven balance of flavor without the richness that you really deserve.

Using a French Press is the best way to extract all of the flavor from each and every ground in your mix of beans. You actually pour hot water and coffee grounds into the French Press and allow them to sit together so all the flavor is extracted into the water. Then, just put the plunger at the top of the device and push it down to the bottom. This forces all of the coffee grounds to the bottom and the liquid left on top is some of the best tasting coffee that you’ll ever have the pleasure of drinking.

The Bodum Chambord coffee press is known throughout the world as one of the best models available. Its simplicity means that you don’t have to go through a big hassle to get a great tasting cup of coffee – and believe me when I say, it is the best tasting coffee that you have ever had. The bold flavor is not at all bitter or too harsh, it’s just right. Much different than anything that you have tasted if you are using drip coffeemakers.

The Classic Look Of The Device Sets It Apart

Take just one look at this French Press and you’ll know that it looks great on any kitchen countertop. It really is a contraption that will impress your friends and family. Instead of having that tired old looking drip coffee maker sitting on your counter, you could have an interesting and classy French Press instead.

Bodum Chambord Coffee PressThe body is made of a shatter resistant glass and the components are made of stainless steel. The legs that hold up the body are made of chrome plated brass – all of these materials go together to create one incredibly sturdy device. The best part? Each and every part of the French Press is dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze. Just dump out the excess coffee grounds into the trash or into your compost pile and then throw each piece of the press into the dishwasher.

The Price Is Less Than Most Auto Drip Coffee Makers

Many people think that a Bodum Chambord coffee press will be very expensive. After all, how much are you willing to pay for a device that gives you the best tasting coffee that you’ve ever had? Well, you might be surprised to hear that if you shop online, you can get the Bodum Chambord for less than $40. This might come as a big surprise to you considering the fact that most automatic drip coffeemakers cost more than that.

So, if you have avoided using a French Press because you think that the price will be too high, you no longer need to worry. Even though this press is made out of high quality materials and gives you some great results, it costs just about the same as (or less than) an inferior drip coffee maker that will give you nothing but bitter and acidic coffee.

Are There Any Complaints?

Since coffee drinkers are so enthusiastic about their morning drink, it would be impossible not to have a few complaints about this device. The most common complaint that you will hear is the fact that the Bodum Chambord is advertised as having an 8 cup capacity. However, it is important to realize that that is 8 European cups – which measures out to 4 American size cups. However, that’s still 32 ounces, which is no small amount.

I have also read several users commenting that they dislike the fact that the body of the French Press is so fragile. Just keep in mind that it is made of glass, so it definitely is fragile. But, the glass is tempered and shatter resistant, so they do not break very often. However, you should still exercise caution. Luckily, you don’t have to wash the glass by hand because you can just throw it into the dishwasher.

What Are People Saying About The Bodum Chambord Coffee Press

Reviews on consumer websites are generally very positive. Here are some excerpts from reviews written by real customers that have posted their thoughts online…

“This press produces the best coffee I have ever had at home, and it truly rivals or surpasses coffee I’ve had at coffee houses. It’s slightly more involved than using an automatic maker, but not difficult at all. The unit itself is pretty sturdy, and looks lovely.”

“A french press is one of the best methods of brewing coffee at home. I have never liked the “drip method” machines like Mr Coffee which, in my opinion, produce a very bland cup of coffee. Some reviews have mentioned the extra effort involved in comparison to a drip machine. This really is not a big issue. You have to boil the water separately and remember to press the plunger down when the coffee has finished brewing. The clean up is about the same.”

“I encountered the Chambord version of the Bodem coffee press on our honeymoon overseas at a very luxurious resort. We used an electric water kettle and the Bodem coffee press 3 times a day, twice for coffee, and once for loose leaf tea in the evening. It has a sleek design that fits well with modern decor, and the 32oz was large enough to pour two American coffee mug sized cups, plus a third cup for my new husband. It became an immediate must-have.”

Where Can You Get Your Own?

Finding the Bodum Chambord coffee press is as easy as jumping online. Yes, you could shop department stores or specialty shops in your hometown, but to get the best deal you should check out prices on the internet. I have looked all over the place and found the best price to be on Amazon.com. Not only do they offer free shipping on this French Press, but they consistently offer it at a discount of around 25%.

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Bodum Logo Travel Press Review

Aug 18 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Over $30

Bodum Logo Travel PressOK, if you’re looking for an easy way to quickly prepare and drink pressed coffee, then the Bodum logo travel Press might be a good choice.  It’s really a neat little design.  Imagine a travel coffee mug with a plunger on top so you can prepare pressed coffee.  After you are done pressing the coffee, you can just drink it right out of this travel French press.

  • Interesting and quaint idea?  Yes!
  • Fun to use?  Yes!
  • The best design out there?  No, but it has it’s uses!

Three reasons why you might want to check out the Bodum travel press

Even though it is not the best press out there, it still might be a convenient addition to your everyday routine.  If you like to drink pressed coffee, but find yourself in a hurry, then a travel French Press like the Bodum logo travel press might be your answer.

  • it can be taken just about anywhere – most convenient little press around
  • it’s incredibly easy to use
  • it is a great addition to your coffee drinking arsenal

The Bodum travel press might be the most convenient thing you own

If you like to take coffee with you on the way to work, you have a few choices.  First, you could make automatic drip coffee – which can take forever to prepare and is usually of sub-par taste.  Second, you could use a traditional French press and prepare an entire pot.  Chances are good that you’ll only drink about a mug full of this and just waste the rest.  Third, you could use the Bodum travel press and prepare the perfect amount of coffee that you need.  Then, as you jump into your car and head off to work, you can just throw the travel press into the cup holder and enjoy your drink along the way – it becomes a mug!

The best thing about the Bodum travel press is that it goes with you absolutely anywhere.  Can you imagine taking a full size traditional French press with you as you travel to work?  It’s an absolutely ridiculous idea.  However, this a little travel French press looks a lot like a regular coffee mug and is easy to carry wherever you go.  You don’t have to worry about transferring the prepared coffee into another container because the press has a spout on the top so you can drink right out of it.

If there was one thing that would really sell most people on the Bodum logo travel press, it would be the fact that it is extremely convenient.

The Bodum travel press is very easy to use

There really isn’t much to the design here.  The press itself is just like a travel mug with a plunger on top.  You just throw in hot water and some coffee grounds, let it sit for a while and finally push down the plunger.  After you have pressed down the plunger, you can lock it into position and take the travel French press anywhere you go.  When it comes time to clean it, you can just throw every part of it into the dishwasher.  All of these reasons go together to make a very simple device that gets the job done.

A great addition to your coffee drinking arsenal

Like I’ve said throughout this review, it is not the best press in the world.  But it is very, very convenient when you are in a hurry or you’re traveling.  For this reason, it is a great addition to your kitchen, even if you don’t use it every day.  People who own this travel French press will find that they use it about once a week when they are in a hurry.

Any problems with this travel French Press?

Okay, here are my concerns with this little mug.  First of all, this small press is made of plastic – which has advantages and disadvantages.  It does have double wall insulation so the coffee inside of it stays warm for a pretty long time.  Plus, the durable plastic material makes the press virtually indestructible.  However, plastic does wear out over time and with daily use, I don’t see how this travel mug could last more than a few years.  But at the cost, it might well be worth it.

Something else that a few people have mentioned is that it may begin to leak after a while.  However, you will find that cleaning the plastic container by hand, instead of throwing it into the dishwasher, will drastically improve its shelf life.  You can still feel free to put the plunger and the lid into the dishwasher, but the intensely hot water might crack and warp the plastic container, so it is recommended that you wash that part by hand – otherwise the lid won’t fit on correctly after a number of washes in the hot dishwasher.  Other people have mentioned that the mug does not drip unless you screw the lid on too tightly.  Most people that have problems with dripping must be screwing the lid on as tight as they can.  If you just turn the lid until it stops, you should not have any dripping problems.

What are people saying about the Bodum travel press?

- “I bought this to use in the car if I’m running late and don’t have time for coffee at home, but I love it so much I use it all the time. The coffee is great, the coffee keeps very hot, there are no leaks”

- “Must-Have Item for Coffee Lovers!”

- “Perfect. Even less steps and clean up. I had no problem with the lid leaking and it kept the coffee nice and hot. Once the press was down there was no leakage back into the main cup, my main concern. I even turned it over once I finished my coffee to test the seal and the press kept all the grinds and liquid in place.”

Where can you get your own?

This really is a unique product that serves a specific niche, so I would recommend that you buy it online.  If you don’t want to shop online, you might search for hours and hours in department stores and other shops before you even find it.  Right now, Amazon.com gives you a great price on this little mug.

Final thoughts

If pressed coffee is something that is important to you, the Bodum logo travel press is a great purchase.  You can take it just about anywhere – to work, to the store, on vacation, anywhere!  It is incredibly convenient because it presses the coffee right in the travel mug.  If convenience is one of your necessities, you should really think about getting a Bodum travel press.

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Frieling French Press Review – USA Ultimo Stainless Steel

Jul 12 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Over $30

Frieling USA UltimoIf you like to serve a lot of coffee, or if you just like to make a large batch for yourself, then the Frieling French press (specifically the Frieling USA Ultimo Stainless-Steel French Press, 35-ounce) is a great choice.  What we really enjoy about this press is that it makes preparing your coffee enjoyable.  It gets you involved in the whole process so preparing coffee becomes almost like preparing part of the meal instead of the normal ‘set and forget’ of a automatic drip maker.

What Characteristics Of The Frieling French Press Do We Like?

There are a few specific things that we really enjoyed about the Frieling USA Ultimo Stainless-Steel French Press, 35-ounce…

  • It prepares a good amount of coffee at one time
  • The pot both prepares the coffee and keeps it hot
  • It has a stainless steel finish that looks great
  • It’s dishwasher safe

It Prepares A Good Amount Of Coffee At One Time

If you have ever used a French press before, perhaps you agree that one of the main problems is that they only prepare a small amount of coffee at once.  Most of the time, you’re lucky if you can get more than one large mug’s worth before putting in more beans.  With the Frieling press, that’s not a problem.  It prepares 35 ounces at a time, which is just over 4 US cups.

So, if you have steered clear of using a French press because you don’t want to make just 1 cup at a time, your problem has been solved.  If you are drinking coffee by yourself, this press can make enough to last you a while.  If you are preparing coffee to serve to others, it still makes enough for several people.  If you ever have a bit of coffee left over in the pot you will appreciate the next characteristic…

The Pot Both Prepares The Coffee And Keeps It Hot

The pot is made of a durable stainless-steel that is not only interesting to look at, but has a double wall design which keeps the coffee hot for a long time.  So, if you end up making more than you want to drink at one time you can just leave the remaining drink inside the pot and not have to worry about it getting cold.  This is something that you do not see in other French Presses — usually they are small and not at all insulated.  You would never dream of leaving extra coffee inside one of them and expecting it to stay warm.

On the same note, the Frieling USA Ultimo Stainless-Steel French Press, 35 ounce is versatile because it can be used as a serving pitcher for other drinks as well — if you decide to serve something cold, the double wall stainless steel pot is insulated enough to keep your drink at a very cold temperature.  Of course, most coffee drinkers would never makes other drinks into their French press, but it’s good to know that you could.

The Stainless Steel Finish Looks Great

One of the best things about a French press is that they have a classic look.  This Frieling French press has a unique design with a stainless steel finish.  The mirror finish makes it look like something that you could leave on your counter top and not be ashamed of.  It would look well with other stainless-steel appliances, or just about any other decor that you might have in your kitchen.

Even if you would not plan on leaving the French press out on the counter, it is refreshing to see and interesting design on a device that is so useful.  At least the design does not utilize glass like many other presses do.  So, you can expect that the stainless steel will last you a long time.

It Is Dishwasher Safe

Some people avoid using a French Press because they are worried that bits of coffee grounds would get caught in the filter and make it impossible to clean.  Frieling has fixed that by making each piece of this press dishwasher safe.  After you are done using it, you can simply rinse each piece off and throw them into the dishwasher.  When cleanup is easy, you will certainly use your coffee maker much more.

Are There Any Complaints?

The biggest complaint that we could find is that some people say that they have had liquid come out of the top of the spout while they have been preparing coffee with the Frieling French press.  There is an incredibly easy fix for this problem — don’t push the plunger down too fast!  This seems to be a relatively close off problem that not too many people have, only people that get into too big of a hurry.

There are also a few reviews floating around the internet complaining about the amount of coffee that this press can hold.  Many people seem to think that the Frieling USA Ultimo Stainless-Steel French Press, 35-ounce only holds about 23 ounces of coffee.  Frieling makes a 25 oz stainless steel press as well, so we can only guess that some people thought they were purchasing a 35 oz model when they were actually buying a 25 oz model.

What Are Customers Saying?

This model has just about 255 star reviews on Amazon.com so it does not take long to find comments like these…

 ”Way Better Than Bodum”

“All metal construction of the plunger assembly means everything stays together and aligned. Polished stainless steel looks great. Coffee stays acceptably hot for up to 45 minutes!”

“Worth Every Penny”

“FABULOUS!!! I purchased this as a gift for relatives who are very highly educated, worldly, well traveled, serious chefs, who’ve enjoyed coffee brewed all over the world (even Antarctica!). Needless to say, gift buying for them is tricky! When they got this, their Bodum decanter had just broken, so the timing was perfect…they love this model! Use it daily! In fact, they’re so impressed, that they now order it from Amazon.com & give it as a wedding gift to newly married couples in their social circle.”

Where Can You Get Your Own?

Even though you might be able to find a Frieling French press in coffee shops or department stores, we would recommend that you take a look at Amazon.com because it is consistently offered at a low price.  Plus, Amazon allows customers to post reviews about their purchases so you will be able to read comments made by hundreds of people that have used the Frieling USA Ultimo Stainless-Steel French Press.  Plus, when you order, they will probably give free shipping which is always nice.

Final Words

If you truly enjoy coffee, then you need a fine French press.  If you want to set yourself apart from the everyday coffee drinker that uses an automatic drip coffee machine, the Frieling USA Ultimo Stainless-Steel French Press, 35-ounce is a great choice.  Not only will it prepare a unique and bold coffee, but it will also impress your house guests the moment they see it on your counter.

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Bodum French Press Review – Red Coffee Maker

Jul 12 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Over $30

Bodum Chambord French PressThe Bodum French press is one of the most reliable coffee makers around today.  Coffee enthusiasts really enjoy how easy it is to use, but they appreciate the taste even more. The Bodum Red Chambord 8-Cup Coffee Maker uses some very high quality equipment to create a bold and rich tasting drink that you will surely enjoy.

What Did We Like About The Bodum French Press?

There were three main qualities that we really liked about this Bodum coffee maker…

  1. The plunger adds no extra taste to the drink
  2. The device is solid enough to last
  3. It’s a great choice for new and experienced users of french presses

The Plunger Adds No Extra Taste At All

One of the best things about using a French press is that it uses no paper filter.  Rather, a mesh filter is used to strain water directly through the coffee – the best quality of this Bodum coffee press is that the mesh filter and the plunger piece that you use to push down the coffee grounds is completely tasteless.  By that, we mean that it adds absolutely no taste to your coffee.  After reading through tons of reviews about this Bodum French press, it is obvious that customers love the fact that they are tasting the most pure coffee possible with no extra added flavors or ‘tinny’ taste from the machine that was used to prepare it.

On that note, the mesh filter is so fine that you can use incredibly well ground coffee and not worry about little chunks of grounds getting into the mixture.  All of this goes together to create some superior tasting coffee.  In fact, after reading through comments made by people who have used this press, it is easy to see that the taste is incredible.  These comments were taken directly from reviews written specifically about the Bodum Red Chambord 8-Cup Coffee Maker…

- “it was THE BEST coffee I’ve ever made. I’m using this Bodum until the day it dies, then I’ll buy another.”
- “Way better then[sic] any drip coffee.”
- “Once you’ve tried French press coffee, you will never go back”
- “Best tasting coffee you’ll ever have at home, period”
- “makes GREAT tasting coffee with none of the bitterness of a dirty Mr. Coffee”

The Device Is Solid Enough To Last You Years

Another great advantage of using a French Press is that they tend to last longer than drip coffee makers.  This Bodum French press maker, however, is made very well and will surely last you years.  There are many different models to choose from when you’re looking for a French press, but a lot of them are made from several different pieces put together.  This is a recipe for disaster after just a year or so of use and cleaning.  However, this Bodum coffee maker has a very solid design that is uncommon among many presses.

That is not to say that you can throw it around and not worry about anything breaking.  You still need to be careful when using it and cleaning it.  But, the plunger is made of a stainless steel that should last you a long time.

A Great Choice For New Or Experienced Users

This red coffee maker is a unique looking piece that will sit well on the counter of someone that is brand new to the French press, but will still satisfy an experienced user.  It is a powerful and precise enough to extract all of the hidden and subtle flavors of your coffee, but it is still easy enough to use that a first timer could figure it out in minutes.

You can go from pulling out the press to drinking your freshly prepared coffee within about 4 minutes.  The micro-mesh filter on the bottom of the plunger makes it easy to operate so even a new user will not get frustrated — they will be able to prepare great tasting coffee in moments.

Are There Any Complaints?

While reading reviews for this Bodum coffee press, we read a few things that might be considered complaints.  First of all, the description of the product uses the phrase ’8-Cup’, but many people say that it only yields this much by the European standards.  By American standards, 8 cups would mean more.  However, it still creates enough coffee to fill up one large mug and one small mug.

A few people have also complained about the fragility of the glass.  There are a few things that we have to say about this, first of all – duh!  Glass is always fragile unless you use some kind of tempered material which would skyrocket the cost.  You might hear a few people say that they would rather use a French press that uses a plastic tube instead of glass, but remember that plastic erodes and wears out very quickly.  Using glass is the best way to ensure that your Bodum French Press is around for years – just be careful with it.

What Are Users Saying About This Bodum Coffee Press?

“Despite being a daily coffee drinker (of the muddy variety the office’s Bunn machine churns out), one cup from the french press has knocked me into the stratosphere, and that alone is worth giving this product 5 stars.”

“The first time I had coffee from one of the these, I put my automatic drip pot away for good. It’s true that you have to actually boil the water and then pour it over the grounds, but if you’re enough of a grown-up to drink coffee I think you’ll be able to handle it.  I have seen several other makes of coffee press and bodum is by far the most satisfying to use.”

“I *love* this press, and I say that as an unabashed coffee snob. French presses make coffee that’s just better than using a drip machine. Yes, it’s more effort than flipping the switch on your Mr. Coffee or giving the barrista your order, but less effort than, say, toasting a bagel. Put grounds in. Dump water in. Stir. Go about your business for five or six minutes. Plunge. And then, let the guzzling begin. I was using an individual filter before this, and I think using a press is way simpler–no filter to mess with, no having to refill it with hot water”

Where Can You Get Your Own?

There are several places that you could purchase a Bodum Red Chambord 8-Cup Coffee Maker.  However, we recommend that you take a look at Amazon.com because they have a consistently low price.  As of this writing, they are offering the Bodum coffee press at a 25% discount and with free shipping to your home.

Final Words

We all know that a French press is not about making coffee easier or faster — it’s about taste.  If you want great tasting coffee that you could not get from a automatic drip maker, then you might want to get into the world of the French press.  This Bodum French press is a great first step.

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