Archive for the 'French Press Reviews' 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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Bodum New Kenya French Press Review

Nov 29 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Under $30

Bodum New Kenya French Press

The Bodum New Kenya French Press is another product in a long line of high quality coffee presses available from one of the most respected companies in the industry. Bodum is the seller of some of the most popular French Press coffee makers on the market, and for good reason.

Features of The Bodum New Kenya French Press

This Bodum French Press follows in the line of other Bodum coffeemakers because it produces some great tasting coffee without much hard work at all. Beyond that, this specific French Press offers a modern design that will look great in just about any kitchen.

- Available in 3, 4, 6 and 8 cup sizes
- Uses a sturdy plastic frame to safely cover the mug
- Utilizes a modern look and design
- Gives you the smooth and bold coffee taste that you expect from any Bodum French Press
- Cleanup is a breeze

The Bodum New Kenya French Press Is Available In Four Different Sizes

One of the best things about Bodum is that they release every French Press coffee maker in a variety of different sizes. This helps to ensure that you can purchase the device that will prepare the perfect amount of coffee for your needs. So, you can get one of the smaller presses if you are a light coffee drinker or you can get one of the larger presses if you are preparing coffee for you and several other people. The Bodum New Kenya French Press is available in 3, 4, 6 and 8 cup sizes.

Keep in mind, however, that all of these cup size measurements are European cups. European cups are 4 ounces while American cups are 8 ounces. So, if you buy the Bodum New Kenya French Press in the 4 cup size, it will actually produce two American size cups of coffee. Bodum is not trying to oversell their products, this is just how French Presses are always measured.

The Bodum New Kenya French Press Uses A Safety Cover

Bodum New Kenya French Press

A close up of the safety cover surrounding the bottom of the press

When you are mixing the coffee grounds and hot water together in the beaker of the French Press, the glass can get quite hot. In fact, Bodum thought that this was such a safety issue that they have included a sturdy plastic safety cover on the Bodum New Kenya French Press.

Now, you don’t have to worry about burning your hands while you’re operating the press and you also don’t have to worry about burning your countertop. You can safely set the entire press on the countertop because the plastic also completely covers the bottom of the French Press.

The Bodum New Kenya Has A Brilliant Design

Most French Press coffeemakers look the same. They are simply a plastic or glass beaker with a lid. But, the Bodum New Kenya French Press has a modern look and a sleek feel. The manufacturer has utilized the plastic safety cover in a unique way to help it blend into a modern kitchen.

The Bodum New Kenya French Press is a coffee maker that you will not be a ashamed to leave sitting on your countertop. Not only does it look great, but you’ll be able to impress all of your friends with your fancy coffee making ways.

The Bodum New Kenya French Press Makes You a Great Cup of Coffee

Bodum is known for producing some of the highest quality French Press devices around. The Bodum New Kenya French Press is no exception to that rule. The taste is absolutely superior to anything that you could get from an automatic drip coffee maker. If you are one of those coffee drinkers that has never experienced the taste of French Press, you are in for a real surprise.

While a drip coffee maker produces a strong and acidic coffee taste, a French Press gives you a unique bold coffee flavor. This is because you stir coffee grounds and hot water together in the beaker and allow it to brew for a number of minutes. This causes a greater amount of flavor to be extracted from the coffee grounds into the water. Bodum French Press devices are thought by many coffee enthusiasts to be some of the best around.

Cleanup Of The Bodum New Kenya French Press Is A Snap

Bodum New Kenya French Press

The 34 Ounce Model of the Bodum New Kenya French Press

A lot of people stray away from using a French Press because they are afraid that cleanup is too difficult. This is simply not true. When you’re done using the Bodum New Kenya French Press, all you need to do is dump out the majority of the coffee grounds into the trash can or into a compost pile and then pour a little bit of water into the mug. Simply swirl the water around the mug and dump it out into the garbage disposal. That’s all there is to it!

Are There Any Complaints About The Bodum New Kenya French Press?

The only complaint that we were able to find about the Bodum New Kenya French Press is the fact that the glass beaker easily slides out of the plastic safety casing when you hold the device at a steep angle. Some people find it difficult to rinse out the Bodum New Kenya French Press while they are holding onto the plastic casing, because the beaker will slide out.

However, there is a very, very easy fix to this. When you are cleaning out your Bodum New Kenya French Press, simply take the beaker out of the plastic safety casing. There’s no need to keep the beaker inside of the casing while you’re cleaning it. As long as you do this, you should not have any problems at all. It’s actually kind of silly that people weren’t able to figure that out on there own.

Where can you get your own Bodum New Kenya French Press?

No doubt you’ll be able to pick up the Bodum New Kenya French Press at a number of different coffee shops around the country. However, the price will be much cheaper if you shop online. We have found that you can get are really good deal on this Bodum French Press if you shop on Amazon.com – in fact, as of this writing, the Bodum New Kenya French Press is available at a discount of 26%. On top of that, Amazon is also offering free shipping on eligible orders.

Click here to check the current price of the Bodum New Kenya 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 Brazil 1-liter French Press Review

Oct 26 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Under $30

Check out our original video review
If you need an inexpensive way to make some really good tasting coffee, then you need to check out the Bodum Brazil French Press. It is inexpensive, well built and does its job exactly as it is supposed to. It makes a strong tasting cup of coffee without the bitterness or acidity that you get from a drip coffee maker. It was the first coffee maker designed by Bodum and it represents everything that the company stands for – quality taste, ease of use and reliable construction.

What Are The Highlights And Features?

This Bodum 1 liter French Press makes 34 ounces of coffee and the beaker (where you mix coffee grounds and hot water) is made of a heat resistant, ultra-light borosilicate glass. It also has a sturdy polypropylene handle and base. The device is made by Bodum, one of the leaders in French Press devices, so you already know that it makes a superior tasting cup of coffee.

A Special Mesh Filter

Bodum Brazil French Press

If you’re not familiar with how a French Press works, you first mix coffee grounds with hot water in the container and allow it to brew for about 4 minutes. Then, you push a metal filter from the top of the device down to the bottom which pushes the coffee grounds down so you are free to pour the brewed coffee into your cup. The Bodum Brazil uses a specially designed three part wire filter that helps extract all of the fine aromatic oils from every bit of coffee bean.

This special filter is one of the reasons that this Bodum French Press creates a great taste. The special filter also ensures that coffee grounds don’t make their way into your cup of coffee. That’s one thing that many French Press users are quite displeased with – however, Bodum has solved this problem with their special filter. All of the coffee grounds will remain at the bottom of the press while you pour your coffee into your cup.

A Safety Lid To Prevent Splashing

While you press the filter, or plunger, down to the bottom of the device, you can rest assured that no coffee will splash out over the top because this press uses a special safety lid. This lid has been designed to ensure that the liquid doesn’t escape from the top of the container while you’re pressing the coffee. That means that you don’t have to worry about burning your hands.

The Bodum Brazil Is A Huge Value

BodumBrazil French PressThe best part about this Bodum French Press is that it works just as well as the more expensive presses that you have seen. If you shop onine, you can pick up this model for less than $20 and it still makes a cup of coffee that will stand up to the most expensive French Presses that can cost hundreds of dollars. This is one of the reasons why the Brazil has become incredibly popular since it was first designed by Bodum it in the early 1980′s.

The Bodum Brazil French Press In Summary

What’s not to love about this French Press? It will make 34 ounces of fresh coffee every morning, just about enough to fill up three or four good sized cups. It’s easy to use so you can have your coffee ready in less than 5 minutes. Plus, when you’re ready to clean up – it’s a snap. Just turn the press upside down over a trash can to dispose of the used coffee grounds, then fill the press up with some hot soapy water and swirl it around a few times before dumping it down the sink.

Where Can You Get Your Own Bodum Brazil?

Since this was the first coffee maker designed by Bodum, it is very popular and widely available in stores. However, shopping online can land you a huge discount. We’ve looked all over and found that the best price is on Amazon.com – in fact, as of this writing, Amazon is offering the Bodum Brazil French Press at a discount of 36%. If you act fast, you might be able to purchase this French Press for under 20 bucks!

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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 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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Nissan Thermos French Press 34-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless-Steel Gourmet Coffee Press Review

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

Check out our original video review

If you are sick of automatic drip coffeemakers, the Nissan thermos French press is a great choice.  Not only does it make great tasting coffee, but the container is specially designed to keep it warm for hours to come.  The design of this Nissan stainless thermos makes it a coffee lovers dream.  It holds 34 ounces of your favorite drink and is vacuum sealed to ensure that there are no spills and no messes.

What do I really like about the Nissan thermos French Press?

  • It easy to use
  • It keeps coffee warm after it’s made
  • It cleans up well
  • It can work as a travel coffee press

The Nissan French Press is simple to use

It seems like a lot of the French press machines that I review have a rather complicated system.  Luckily, the Nissan coffee press sticks to something very simple.  Pour in boiling water and spoon in some coffee grounds, then place the lid on with the plunger in the up position.  Let it sit for about 4 minutes and then push down the plunger and out comes some great tasting coffee.  It doesn’t get much more simple than that.  In fact, I think that operating the Nissan stainless thermos is easier than operating an automatic drip coffee maker.

If you have never used a French press before, then the Nissan thermos French press is a great first choice.  You can go from having absolutely nothing to having great tasting coffee in just about 5 minutes.  And believe me when I tell you that pressed coffee is so much better than drip coffee.

The Nissan French Press keeps the coffee warm

After you press your coffee, you’re certainly not going to drink it all at once.  It creates enough for about four large mugs – so, unless you drink unreal amounts at one time, you need a way to keep it warm.  Some people transfer their freshly pressed coffee into a different container.  But, with this insulated French press, you don’t have to worry about transferring it into something else to keep it warm.  The Nissan coffee press is insulated enough to keep it warm for hours.
Thermos Nissan 34 Ounce
Now, this comes with just a quick word of caution.  The product description from the company says that your coffee will stay warm for about 4 hours.  Let’s be completely honest, after your coffee has been sitting in a thermos (even a well insulated one) for 4 hours, it will probably only be lukewarm.  However, I have read many reviews by people that use the Nissan French press and say that their coffee stays warm enough to drink for about 2 hours.

It is able to keep it so hot because the thermos is vacuum insulated.  That means of that no outside air can get in to spoil the temperature of your coffee.  It really is a great idea that works pretty well.

The Nissan stainless thermos cleans up easily

One thing that I really like about this stainless steel coffee press is that it is not made of glass.  A glass press can easily shatter when you’re trying to clean it.  But, with the Nissan coffee press you don’t have to be careful while you’re cleaning.  In fact, I’ve read a lot of reviews from users that simply throw it into the dishwasher.  Although, the manufacturer says that it is not dishwasher safe, so I would still recommend hand cleaning.

The Nissan thermos French press works great for travel

This is where I was really sold on the Nissaan coffee press – since it is a hand operated French press and it is vacuum insulated, you don’t have to have any electricity to make your coffee or keep it piping hot.  That makes it the perfect choice for travel.  Tons of people use this stainless steel coffee press while they are camping.  All you need to do is boil some water over the fire and mix it with some coffee grounds.

I’ve also read that some people prepare coffee in the press before they head off on a trip.  When they leave their home, they can just take the insulated thermos with them and continue to pour hot coffee into their cup for a few hours to come while they travel.

Are there any complaints?

The biggest complaint about the 34 oz Nissaan French press is probably the amount of grounds that might get up into your drink.  Of course, this is a common complaint with almost every French press that you’ll ever see on the market.  There are numerous ways to avoid getting grounds into your coffee as you press it.  The easiest way to avoid this is to fill up the pot only halfway before putting in the plunger.  Then, after the plunger has been placed into the coffee pot, pour the rest of the water in ON TOP of the plunger.  This way, grounds will not splash their way over the screen as you put it in.

In all honesty, the only other complaints that I was able to find or about the screen.  A few customers said that they had a problem with the screen (or filter) when the press was first shipped to them.  However, most of them said that the company quickly replaced it without any complaints once they gave them a call.

What are customers saying?

- “My press pot has been used daily and it is as good as new. I don’t under stand why people buy the glass pots”

- “I bought this coffee press about two years ago and I love it. Makes a great cup of coffee. Easy to clean”

- “Sure enough, this thing has bounced around with me for thousands of miles, been banged off rocks in mountain streams, dropped, kicked and stepped on, and it still works as well as when I bought it a couple years ago.”

Where can you get your own?

You could definitely check out department stores or outdoors stores around town if you’re interested in getting your own Nissaan French press.  However, Amazon.com is currently offering this French press at a pretty good discount and with free shipping.  As of this writing, it is also eligible for their ’4-for-3′ promotion, which means you might be able to get it for free if you buy other merchandise at the same time.

Final thoughts on the nissan thermos french press

For the price, it is hard to find a better product.  If you want to spend less than $30, then this may be the press for you.  However, if you are very concerned with getting absolutely all of the coffee grounds out of your drink, you might want to consider a more expensive coffee press.

However, for one or two people that are casual coffee drinkers, this could be a great way to start pressing your coffee and moving away from those nasty automatic drip machines.  Also, if you plan on traveling or camping anytime soon, the Nissan Thermos is a great way to prepare coffee and keep it warm while you are away from electricity.

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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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Single Cup Coffee Maker – Aerobie Aeropress Review

Jul 07 2011 Published by under French Press Reviews, French Presses Under $30

Aerobie AeropressThere are a number of different ways to make a good cup of coffee.  You can choose the old fashioned drip method which can result in a bitter taste, you can try the traditional French Press method or, if you are a real coffee enthusiast, you can try a new method with a unique single cup coffee maker called the Aerobie Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker.  The unique design completely immerses fine coffee grounds in water to make a smooth tasting rich and flavorful blend that isn’t your regular cup of coffee.

What do we like about the Aeropress Coffee Maker – what will we cover in this Aerobie Aeropress review?

While researching the Aerobie Aeropress, we found a couple different features that we really liked.  Some of them deal with the process that it uses and others deal with the design.

-  The entire design is unique among other presses, makes a unique taste
-  The coffee is made quickly so you capture all of the flavor
-  The coffee that results is very concentrated, so you can make espresso, Americano or latte among others
-  Cleanup is uniquely simple

Let’s take a closer look at each of these characteristics so you can get a better understanding of what we need.

A unique design for a single cup coffee maker

The Aeropress coffee maker uses a design that is the reverse of most traditional presses.  The first big difference is that you press your drink directly into a mug.  So, the whole device sits on top of your cup as the plunger pushes a mixture of water and finely ground coffee beans through a micro filter directly into your mug.  This unique process makes a unique taste.

At the bottom of the device is a micro filter that ensures even the finest grounds will not make it into your cup.  A problem with traditional French presses and even drip brewing machines is that even coarse grounds can sometimes make their way into your drink.  But, after doing tons of research on this single cup coffee maker, it is obvious that customers are very pleased with the filter that this press uses.  The coffee that you get is smooth and with absolutely no grounds — even though you use very finely ground coffee to get the unique taste.

The fastest single cup coffee maker we have ever seen

When you use the Aerobie Aeropress, you can go from putting the grounds into the device to drinking your fresh coffee in less than a minute.  There are a few benefits to this, but the most important is that preparing your coffee quickly preserves the flavors that are ususally lost.  So, if the grounds are filtered through water very quickly, you’re able to capture all of the flavors that you have been missing.  If you have never had coffee that has been pressed quickly, you have never tasted all of the flavor!

Think about an espresso machine, the heat works quickly and the espresso is prepared in seconds instead of minutes.  That is why espresso has a uniquely rich flavor and the Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker creates a similar taste.  But, the Aeropress has one extra benefit — you don’t use steam or boiling water, instead your coffee is prepared with very hot water.  When you use boiling water or steam, a great amount of acid and bitterness is transferred from the beans into the water.  When you use hot water, the resulting taste is smooth, full and unlike any other cup of coffee you have ever had.

Besides the benefit of making better tasting coffee, the ability to make your drink quickly is very convenient.  The Aerobie Aeropress can make enough coffee to fill up a standard carafe in less time than it would take to drip brew a pot.  Plus, you can control the amount that you make simply by changing the amount of grounds and water that you put in, so you can make several servings or just one single cup.

The Aerobie Aeropress creates a versatile drink

Since this single serve coffee maker delivers a result that is smooth, even and free of loose grounds, it can be used to make just about any coffee drink that you can think of.  You can quickly create a double espresso, Americano or add a shot of hot milk for a latte.  Or you can put very hot water into your mug before you start the entire process, this will dilute the resulting coffee to give it a more traditional taste.

Since the coffee is so pure and particle free, it does not develop a bitter or stale taste if you don’t drink it right away.  In fact, you can even store it in your refrigerator and warm it up a few days later!

A quick cleanup

The Aerobie Aeropress is unique among single serve coffee makers because cleanup is a snap.  With most presses, you have to dig out coffee grounds to get the device clean.  But, with the Aeropress you simply unscrew the bottom cap and push the grounds out of the tube with the plunger.  Then, just rinse off the tube and plunger.  The micro filters at the bottom are disposable so you don’t have to worry about cleaning them.

Are there any complaints?

Since coffee drinkers are so passionate about there drink, it would be impossible to get away without any complaints.  While reading through reviews, we were able to find a few reviews that mention some problems.  The first is that the process uses more coffee beans and then some people expect.  But, it’s important to remember that the resulting drink is pretty concentrated.

We also read a few people who mentioned that the plunger was difficult to push down.  After reading a little bit more into this, we discover that they were not using the micro filters correctly.  You always need to remember to use a new micro filter every time that you use the Aerobie Aeropress.  Since you use such finely ground coffee, using a filter more than once could cause it to get clogged.

Where Can You Get One?

Even though the Aeropress is an impressive little device, it is actually quite difficult to find unless you shop online. We would suggest that you look at Amazon.com because they usually have the lowest price. You might even be able to get free shipping.

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