How To Make Coffee With The AeroPress :: Inverted AeroPress Video Tutorial

February 2, 2022 By Nate 22 Comments

How to Use the AeroPress (Inverted Method)

When I started this blog, the first two videos were How To Brew Coffee With The French Press, and How To Brew Coffee With The AeroPress. Admittedly, I was not on my game yet. I have learned much since that time, and I have previously updated the French Press Tutorial, and now it’s time to set the record straight on how to PROPERLY use the AeroPress coffee brewer. There are several techniques out there, but the one that I employ is easy for any Joe Schmoe to duplicate. It produces a rich, flavorful cup of coffee, and does not involve any crazy tactics that will discourage you from using it on a daily basis.

When I first tried the AeroPress, I wanted to see what all of the hype was about. People were, and still are, going crazy over this brewer. I mean, how good can a coffee maker that is manufactured by Aerobie be? These guys got famous by inventing a super duper frisbee for crying out loud. Well, I was kind of disappointed when it was all said and done. I strongly suggest chucking the included instructions into [Read more…]

Filed Under: Brewing Methods, Coffee Accessory Reviews, Coffee Brewer Reviews, Coffee Tips, Single Serve Coffee Tagged With: Aerobie Aeropress, Aeropress instructions, Aeropress tutorial video, coffee, how to brew coffee, how to use Aeropress, inverted Aeropress method, metal Aeropress filter

Nate’s #Coffee Gift Buying Guide!

February 25, 2019 By Nate 3 Comments

As the holiday season draws ever closer, most of us are scrambling to find unique, useful gifts. If you have some coffee lovers on your list, then you’ve come to the right place! I will give you several coffee related gift options, several of which, most coffee drinkers do not already own. Brewing better coffee doesn’t have to be expensive, and neither do the majority of the corresponding gifts. I’ve included exceptional coffee products, in every price range in this coffee gift buying guide, suitable for any occasion.

Coffee Brewers

It is a common misconception that one must purchase an extravagant, expensive coffee maker to enjoy exceptional coffee. The best coffee brewers are frequently the simplest designs. Sure, you can make an awesome cup of coffee from a $10,000 machine, but you can make a cup that is almost as good from a $40 french press! Here are a few of the coffee brewers that are simple to use, offer repeatable, high quality results, and are just about dummy proof.

Bodum Columbia French Press

The Bodum Columbia stainless steel french press, offers durability and excellent performance. After my family busted 3 glass press pots, I chose the Bodum (1308-16) Columbia press. Along with the ability to take a beating, the plunger assembly is much easier to clean than those found in the glass pots. The bottom of the plunger is a single piece, which contrasts to the 3 pieces of the glass Chambord. The 8 cup model is $70. Although the glass models are less expensive, I recommend the Columbia…especially if you have children!

Bodum Chambord French Press

The Bodum Chambord is the gold standard of french presses! This redesigned model features more chrome, which appears to aide with durability, as well as provide an attractive appearance. Brewing coffee with a french press is very easy to do, and provides a much more tastier cup, as opposed to automatic drip coffee makers. Cleanup is a bit more involved than with the Columbia model, but only takes a minute. Drip and other enclosed brewers collect mineral build up, which impacts the flavor of every cup. All of the parts of the french press are easily accessible and you can see the clean!

Bodum PEBO Vacuum / Syphon Coffee Brewer

The Bodum PEBO (formerly SANTOS) is one of my absolute favorite coffee brewers! It is an exceptional combination of practical coffee brewing and coffee theater. Its effective vacuum brewing method extracts all precious oils of your favorite coffee, while leaving the sediment behind. The syphon brewing process is practically dummy-proof with this product. You can brew between 4-8 cups in this 34 oz. coffee brewer. $80.00

AeroPress Coffee Brewer

The AeroPress may appear to be a piece of drug paraphernalia, but it is actually and easy to use, coffee brewer. Amazingly enough, the makers of the Aerobie Flying disc stumbled upon an exceptional way to brew coffee. Even the snobbiest of coffee snobs enjoy the affordable AeroPress brewer. I love this brewer, when paired with the metal DISK filter from Able brewing. It allows more flavor to enter the cup, instead of getting trapped in the paper filter. The AeroPress is about $26.00

Chemex Coffee Brewer

The Chemex is a classic coffee brewer, which looks like a glass pitcher with a funnel at the top. The filter is placed into the funnel portion, insert the coffee, then pour hot water onto the coffee. This method will highlight different aspects of the coffee, as compared to other brewers. It works best when paired with the Able Brewing KONE filter, but works well with the standard Chemex filters…provided they are thoroughly rinsed with hot water. This brewer is a must for any coffee nerd. The 8-cup size is about $40.

Coffee Grinders

A proper coffee grinder is the single most important addition to any coffee drinker’s collection. No other purchase can make such a dramatic impact in the cup, as a grinder does. The typical coffee grinder that most people own, are those with the little blades in the bottom. It looks like a mini blender. These are NOT acceptable. The reason is due to the fact that each method of brewing coffee, requires a very specific, uniform size of coffee grind. The blade types cannot produce uniform sized coffee particles. They also create a lot of dust, and this makes your coffee bitter. What you need is a burr type coffee grinder. This is the only way to achieve the necessary uniformity and consistency in your coffee grind. It is not uncommon to invest more into a quality coffee grinder, than into a coffee brewer. In fact, it is typical. Here are some economical options of burr type coffee grinders.

Breville BCG450XL Conical Burr Grinder

The Breville BCG450XL is built a bit more sturdier than the Bistro, with more metal parts. The receptacle is made of plastic, but static is minimal. The little receptacle cover is somewhat susceptible to breaking at the hinges, so be aware of that. The unit will continue function just fine, but you’ll have to replace the lid with each use. I have owned or gifted 6 of these units, and have yet to get a negative remark. It is easy to maintain, just follow my tutorial. 🙂 Again, not recommended for espresso grinding, but this unit is great for daily brewing from Moka pot to Press Pot. Enjoy! $129.99

Hario Skerton Hand Coffee Grinder

Brewing espresso at home can require a significant investment into a grinder and an espresso machine. To make it easier, the Hario Skerton hand grinder may be a good fit for you. This unit grinds perfectly for espresso brewing, but will not set you back $500. This unit only costs about $40, but gets tedious if you are grinding for more than two shots at a time. The hand grinder is also an excellent option fro traveling, and brewing in your hotel or on the camp site wit your AeroPress!

Miscellaneous Coffee Gifts

If the person on your gift list is sufficiently equipped with a selection of brewers and an excellent grinder, hope is not lost in finding a great gift. These items are specifically chosen for coffee lovers at all levels, even super coffee geeks will be surprised at your informed purchase of one of these items!

Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle

The Bonavita Variable Temperature kettle is the hottest item in coffee brewing, this year. Specifically designed for brewing with a Chemex, French press, or pourover methods, the Bonavita’s gooseneck spout allows for precise pouring and exceptional brewing. This kettle also features temperature control, to allow the user to achieve optimal brewing temperatures without having to use an external thermometer. (No more steam burns!) $89.99

Bodum Stainless Steel Travel French Press

Great coffee on the go is a tough do! With the travel french press, you will enjoy great coffee no matter where you are. Just bring along some extra coffee, and acquire some hot water. You will no longer have to suffer the woes of drinking the swill at the local diner. Order your breakfast with a side of hot water. This model is stainless steel as well as vacuum insulated, to keep your beverage hot. $18

Coffee Storage Container : CoffeeVac

Fresh roasted coffee is packaged in sealed bags, with a one-way valve. This isn’t a vacuum seal valve, it is to allow the CO2 to escape the fresh roasted beans, while keeping the freshness killing Oxygen out! The same method is used with the CoffeeVac! It’s easy to open and close, and very economical. About $10, available in various sizes.

Planetary Design Double Shot Mug

Another travel french press, but this one is different. It also comes with a second lid, which is a traditional lid. It also features a secret compartment, in the bottom, where you can store an extra dose of coffee grounds. The mug is sturdy, and the customer service of the company is excellent. I had one of the older designs, and the handle fell off. I had owned the mug for 6 months, and they replaced it with the new version, no questions asked.

Find other products that I recommend in the CoffeeNate Shop!

Filed Under: Coffee Accessory Reviews, Coffee Brewer Reviews, Coffee Grinder Reviews, Gift Ideas Tagged With: buy coffee gifts, coffee gift ideas, coffee gift reviews, coffee related gift items, coffee stuff, unique coffee gifts, unique gift idea

Like Coffee? : The First Steps Towards Loving Coffee

March 12, 2014 By Nate 2 Comments

So, you like coffee?

We learned the difference between “like” and “love” in junior high (at least we thought we did). You walked your sweaty-palmed self to the object of your affection, and s/he proceeded to stomp your guts out. Hopefully, your story ended better than mine. The point being, there are millions of people who “LIKE” coffee, but they don’t love it. They may think it’s love, but really they’re just fooling themselves and it’s puppy love. So how does one develop a deeper understanding of the coffee world? Just like everything else, you can learn through trial and error, or my personal favorite, learn from the mistakes that others have made!

Taking the First Step

If you’re already a specialty coffee connoisseur, then this message isn’t for you, but it may come in handy when you want to point someone to an introduction to better coffee. If, however, you’re currently drinking grocery store coffee, or subjecting yourself to $5 coffee drinks, this message is made especially for you. If you’re the latter, you probably do not realize that you are spending almost $2000/year. If you’re the former, do you realize that you are drinking a rancid beverage? The first step is admitting your need of help. Even if you think you are perfectly happy with your current situation, there is always room to improve upon it.

It’s All in the Grind

Most people don’t know that the coffee grinder is actually the most important element to brewing a perfect cup of coffee. Sure, you must start with great beans, and you need to have a decent brewer, but those things will be all for nothing, if you don’t have a suitable grinder. The popular home coffee grinder is a cylindrical looking appliance, with blender looking blades at the bottom. If you are currently using one of these, then you are needlessly drinking a poorly brewed beverage. All home brewing folks need a reliable, burr grinder. Why? There is only a percentage of the coffee bean that is soluble, and an even smaller percentage that you want in your cup. For this reason, each brewing method requires a specific, uniform coarseness of the coffee grounds. The blades on the cheapo models cannot possibly be made to create a uniform grind. A poorly ground batch of coffee will see many fines (coffee dust), as well as chunks, leading to too much of the fine particles being dissolved, as well as not enough of the chunkier pieces. Conversely, a properly ground batch of coffee for your brewing method, will result in the optimal amount of the coffee being dissolved into the beverage (extraction).

If you are going to brew regular coffee (non-espresso), then the most economical grinder that I can confidently recommend is the Baratza Encore ($129). To most of you, this may seem like a huge price to pay, but there are grinders that cost thousands! You will also realize an overall savings by having a well constructed grinder that lasts for years, allowing you to brew better coffee at home than in most coffee shops. Additionally, you will also be able to save on the brewer, as most people think that the bulk of their budget should be spent on the brewer. This is simply not the case. If you have $150 for your overall coffee equipment budget, I will tell you to get the grinder and recommend a $20 brewer. If you are strapped for cash, but you don’t mind a bit of an arm workout, I can recommend a $40 manual grinder, The Porlex. This grinder is a great choice for non-espresso folks, and its sturdy construction makes it a great travel grinder too.

Choosing the Right Coffee Maker

There are probably hundreds of different ways to make coffee, but most people opt for the automatic drip coffee maker. While not producing the optimal beverage, it is easy to use. The drawbacks to the auto-drip are internal cleaning/descaling, which is vital to maintain the internal parts as well as providing the best possible taste. Also, many of these brewers do not sufficiently heat the water to attain proper extraction. Personally, I stay away from any brewing system that is enclosed. If I can’t see that the parts are clean, then there is always a nagging voice in my head that is telling me that it’s dirty. Another advantage of manual brewing options, is the level of control over the entire process. I know how hot the water is, I know the equipment is properly cleaned, and I know how long the water is in contact with the ground coffee.

Here are a few options of coffee brewers that are perfect for the beginner, not requiring a great amount of learning, while only requiring a small amount of time and effort.

The French Press – This brewer has been around for a long, long time, and with good reason. Even the most snobbiest of coffee snobs will brew via French Press. The ease of use, repeatability, and the tasty beverages it produces make it an excellent choice. (CoffeeNate’s French Press Tutorial) The press that I use is stainless steel, but aside from the durability, I really love the single piece filter of this press. Most French Presses use a filter screen, which is held in place between two plates at the bottom of the plunger. The con to this is the tendency for the coffee grounds to get stuck between these plates, often requiring disassembling to properly clean. My press, the Bodum Columbia, costs about $79. That is nearly double the price of a quality glass press pot, but it was well worth the investment to me. The single piece filter makes cleanup a breeze, plus my kids were constantly breaking the glass ones. I spent $79 on the Bodum Columbia, and $200 on the cheaper glass ones. 😛
Moka Pot – Also known as a ‘stove top espresso maker’, this brewer makes a powerful cup of coffee. If you don’t enjoy the concentrated beverage, simply add hot water to taste. You can also add hot milk. The nice thing about the Moka Pot, is that you don’t need to bother with measuring the amount of coffee you use (although it will help with consistency and reduce waste). You simply fill the chamber that holds the coffee, put it on the stove, and when it’s full, you’re ready to enjoy. (CoffeeNate’s Moka Pot tutorial)
Chemex – This method is rather easy to use, but will require a couple of tries before you achieve your desired results. Once you get it down, it will be second nature, and you won’t even think about it. This brewer looks like a glass pitcher with a glass funnel attached to the top. A filter sits inside of the funnel, and you simply pour the hot water onto the coffee. This method typically uses a paper filter, so the resulting brew will be quite a bit smoother than the previous methods mentioned. A brewer that uses a metal filter will allow much more flavor to enter the cup, while the paper will trap it. Which is better? It’s subjective, but I tend to prefer the metal filters. I sue a KONE filter for my Chemex, and I works fabulously. (CoffeeNate’s Chemex tutorial)
V60 – This method is another pourover style brewer, and is perfect for brewing single cups of coffee. At about $17, the price is also right. The style is similar to the Chemex, except you only get the funnel portion. You can use the paper cone filters, or use a metal KONE.

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You NEED Good Coffee

The Coffee Olympics : #Coffee #Sochi2014

February 10, 2014 By Nate Leave a Comment

The Coffee Olympics

Every time the Olympics are held in a distant country, I find myself staying up all hours of the night to watch “just one more event”. I’m sure I’m not the only one, but when I do this I have to consume twice as much coffee the following day. I guess it’s a win/win. 😉

The Coffee Nate Gold Medalists

In the Olympic spirit, I have awarded medals to the best coffee grinder, brewer, and top piece of home coffee brewing equipment.

Best Coffee Grinder

Capturing gold for “Best Coffee Grinder”, is Baratza. Rather than bestow this medal to a single grinder, I’m giving it to the company. This is because different types of coffee brewing will require a different grinder, and Baratza provides the best of both. From the entry level Encore to the espresso specialist Vario-W, there is something for every serious coffee nerd. Why Baratza? This company’s sole focus is producing quality coffee grinders. They don’t make 100 appliances and happen to also make coffee grinders, they specialize in producing top of the line coffee grinding machines. I’ve said many times, the single most important piece of coffee brewing equipment is the grinder. No other product has the potential to positively impact your coffee, more than the investment in a high caliber coffee grinder. You can have the world’s finest coffee and the most cutting edge coffee brewer, but if you don’t have a decent grinder, you’ll drink a poor cup of coffee.

Gold: Baratza Vario W

The gold standard for home espresso enthusiasts! The Vario-W is also able to grind for other brewing methods, but it isn’t recommended as you’ll constantly be losing your espresso sweet spot.

Silver: Baratza Virtuoso

Perfect for versatility. Capable of producing a suitable grind for espresso, as well as press pot and other brewing methods.

Bronze: Baratza Encore

Great for brewing methods, other than espresso. Excellent entry level burr grinder for maximum results with least investment.

Best Coffee Brewer

Here’s where it gets a bit subjective. I prefer different types of brewers for different coffees. On top of that, I also prefer different brewing methods depending on the time of day, the amount of time I have available, as well as what kind of mood I’m in. Here are the winners…

Gold: Bodum Columbia French Press

This press claimed gold based on the ease of use, the quality of its components, as well as the convenience and repeatability. French Press coffee is enjoyed by many a coffee snob, and it is surprisingly affordable. While the traditional glass versions are more than adequate (if you purchase a quality one), the Columbia is stainless steel, which makes it kid-proof. Also, the plunger of the Columbia is a single piece. Most plungers have a screen filter that fits between two metal plates at the bottom of the plunger. These are horrible to clean, because the coffee grounds get stuck between the screen and the plates. In order to properly clean, you have to take it apart every time. Nobody does this, and you end up with rotten coffee grounds in your fresh brew. Nasty! The Columbia features a single piece filter that is a breeze to clean. It also has a small silicone ring around the outside, providing an excellent seal to keep the coffee grounds out of your drink.

Silver: The AeroPress

The AeroPress could very well be a gold medal contender, but it does require a bit more involvement, as well as more ways to screw up the beverage. On the other hand, it does create a unique brewing experience, as well as an exceptional cup of coffee. How the makers of a flying disc stumbled upon this device is beyond me, but this product is really quite awesome.

The AeroPress is perfect for people who want to brew a single cup, but don’t want to go the expensive route of the Kcup brewers, which also produce some of the poorest quality coffee known to man. Also, if you like an intensely strong brew, the AeroPress is a must. The final product is a concentrated cup of coffee, which you can add hot water or milk to suit your strength preference. If you don’t mind going through a few steps, the AeroPress is your best bet. At first, you may find it to be a bit labor intensive but, like anything else, practice makes perfect. You will quickly find yourself brewing like a barista, once you go through the steps a few times. It isn’t as intimidating as it appears, and you can follow my step by step video to get you started.

Bronze: The Chemex

While I struggled with choosing a third brewer, I went with the Chemex. This brewing method allows you to brew a single cup or as many as 13 cups! I have an 13 cup Chemex, which I use when we are entertaining. I can brew up a large number of cups, rather than kicking out 1 cup at a time, for the entire evening. You can also brew a single cup, without sacrificing the quality of the brew. The construction of the Chemex is quite simple. It is a glass container, with a funnel at the top. Insert the filter into the funnel, add the ground coffee, then slowly add the water. Once you get the grind right, you will find this method very simple, and the finished product is a tasty cup of coffee.

Overall Coffee Brewing Equipment

Gold: Bonavita Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle

This was an easy choice, for several reasons. Reason number one, control. The gooseneck design allows for precise, slow pouring, while the function of the kettle also allows you to set the desired temperature of the water. The optimal water temperature for brewing coffee is between 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit. (NOT BOILING) At this temperature range, the perfect amount of the coffee bean is dissolved by the water. If your water isn’t hot enough, it won’t dissolve enough, too hot and your coffee will taste bitter, because too much was allowed to dissolve. This kettle provides two important functions in a single device, saving you time…which is reason number 2.

Silver: Able Filters

I simply love the metal filters produced by Able Brewing Company. The first is the standard screen, reusable filter for the AeroPress. This metal AeroPress filter allows more of the flavorful oils to enter your cup. Paper filters work perfectly fine, but they make the brew too smooth for my personal taste. If you enjoy a flavor packed cup, then you MUST get the reusable Able filter for the AeroPress.

I always use the Able KONE filter for brewing with my Chemex. For the same reason as with the reusable AeroPress filter, the KONE allows more flavor to enter the cup, while keeping out the sediment found in French Press brewing. Another benefit of using the KONE, you are able to use a finer grind for the Chemex, without clogging the filter. The traditional Chemex paper filters are excellent, but you must use a coarser grind in order to keep the coffee flowing. Again, the paper filter provides a smoother tasting cup, but removes much of the flavor that the KONE allows into the cup. If you’re like me, you’ll prefer the KONE filter.

Bronze: Hario Digital Scale & Timer

An essential element of brewing exceptional coffee is repeatability. If you measure your coffee grounds by the ‘scoop’, you’re not getting it. Measuring coffee by mass offers you the consistency that is crucial to producing a repeatable process with ease. Coffee beans can vary in density and size, but if you always measure your coffee with a scale, you will always use the proper amount. Otherwise, you’re simply guessing. The Hario scale is superior to cheaper models, because it offers a large surface area, easy to read display, and it also has a built in timer. The larger surface area allows for more stability for your brewer. After adding your coffee, you can put your brewer on the scale, tare it, then measure your water by mass as well. If you don’t already do this, it may sound like more work, but it actually creates less work in addition to giving you maximum control and a simple, repeatable brewing process.

Here are more products that I love…

Find other products that I recommend in the CoffeeNate Shop!

Filed Under: Brewing Methods, Coffee Accessory Reviews, Coffee Brewer Reviews, Coffee Events, Coffee Tips, Lists Tagged With: best coffee brewer, best coffee equipment, best coffee grinder, coffee medals, coffee olympics, olympic coffee event

Reviews of Exceptional, Affordable Coffee Makers

March 16, 2013 By Nate 1 Comment

The majority of people believe that making exceptional coffee requires an expensive collection of equipment. In most cases, the saying “You get what you pay for”, is accurate. This isn’t necessarily the case with coffee brewers. If we were talking about coffee grinders, it would be another story, but today we are going to focus on a selection of my recommended coffee brewers, and most of them are less than $100. Some of them are even less than $30! If you already own an outstanding brewer, you should consider adding to your collection. Every brewer mentioned, will highlight different characteristics of the same coffee. This truth is one of the reasons that I fell in love with the art of making coffee!

Brewing the best coffee in town requires 3 components…

A quality coffee brewer
A burr type coffee grinder (uniform coffee particle size)
High quality, fresh roasted coffee

While all three are vital to the brewing process, we are going to tackle numero uno, ‘A quality coffee brewer’. When you choose any of the following coffee making devices, it ensures that you are using one of the most reliable and repeatable coffee brewing methods. This is important because there are other outstanding coffee brewers out there, but the level of involvement and preparation required to use them properly, is more than the typical coffee drinker is willing to invest in. If you want a simple method of creating the perfect cup of coffee, then the following coffee maker recommendations are perfect for you!

You will notice that all of my recommended coffee brewers have something in common, no internal/inaccessible components. The reason is simple, TASTE! Water contains several minerals, and the build up of these minerals causes poor brewer performance, inadequate brewing temperatures, and plain ole’ bad tasting coffee. In addition, coffee consists of oil. These oils cling to surfaces, and quickly turn rancid. Choosing a manual coffee maker will provide you with piece of mind, knowing your equipment is clean, as well as control of the brewing process. Here we go…

Bodum Columbia French Press Review

The Bodum Columbia stainless steel french press is my absolute favorite french press, for two particular reasons. 1) I have children 2) The filter/plunger quality. While you will pay a bit more for this press, when compared to the fragile glass/silicate versions, the Columbia is extremely durable. I first bought this, based solely on durability. Between my wife and children, we went through 3 glass ones within a 6 month time period. Now that’s expensive! The second reason I love this french press, is the single piece filter design. Most press pots have a multi layered plunger assembly, with two metal plates and a wire mesh filter screen between them. Coffee grounds get lodged between the plates and the screen, necessitating the user to disassemble the entire plunger unit after each use. Most people fail to do this, resulting in old coffee grounds and oils being infused into the fresh brew. Not good for flavor or your stomach. The Columbia is currently available for $79.95.

Need to know how to properly use a French Press? Check out my easy to follow French Press Brewing, Video Tutorial!

Bodum Chambord French Press Review

If you aren’t clumsy, and don’t mind a couple of minutes of extra cleanup time to save $30, the Bodum Chambord is an excellent option. This press is the gold standard of French presses! The redesigned model is enhanced with more chrome and BPA free, plastic spout. It is important to select a high quality press pot, such as the Chambord or Columbia (above). There are cheaper models, and even more expensive ones, that simply cannot do the job. The lesser quality versions have faulty filter/plunger components, which do not create a proper seal, allowing the ground coffee to enter the finished product. This is unacceptable, not to mention frustrating. The Bodum Chambord is available in 3, 4, and 8 cup sizes (12, 17, 34oz), priced at $40, $45, and $50 respectively (free FedEx ground shipping). I recommend the 34oz size, as you can always brew the amount you need. If you purchase a smaller version, you will be brewing multiple batches when company comes over (which they will, due to your great coffee).

Need to know how to properly use a French Press? Check out my easy to follow French Press Brewing, Video Tutorial!

Bodum PEBO Coffee Brewer Review

This is starting to look like a Bodum commercial, but they truly have designed some high caliber coffee making equipment. The PEBO is no exception. Many people believe the French Press is the oldest type of coffee maker, when in fact it is predated by the syphon brewer (also known as the vacuum brewer). Most syphon brewers have a separate heating element, containing fuel. You can also take out a second mortgage to get a halogen element, but the PEBO is a stove-top version. Despite its funky look, it is very simple to use! You put the water in the bottom pot, ground coffee in the top. When the water is heated, the pressure from the steam produced, will force the heated water into the upper chamber. When you remove the heat source, the effect is reversed, and the brewed coffee ‘falls’ into the lower chamber. There is an included nylon filter, which allows the liquid to pass through, while retaining the grounds in the upper chamber. It is fascinating to watch, and it never gets old! The character of the coffee it brews, is stellar. If you like the flavor of the coffee produced by the French Press, but you would rather do without the sediment, the vac/syphon brewer is for you. The included filter is easily washed and reused hundreds of times, but you can alternatively purchase a glass filter rod, which can be reused forever (these can be found for $7-$10, on eBay by searching for “Cory Glass Filter”) The PEBO will brew 4-8 cups, and total brewing time is between 5-10 minutes. You can buy the Bodum PEBO coffee brewer for $79.95 (free FedEx ground shipping). There is a cheaper stove top vac brewer, made by Yama, but I prefer the PEBO, because I found the rubber seal of the Yama to be too stiff. This caused inconsistency in the results, due to an improper seal. I hate wasting good coffee…and time!

Need to know how to properly use the Bodum PEBO? Check out my easy to follow Bodum PEBO brewing, Video Tutorial!

AeroPress Coffee Brewer Review

The AeroPress coffee brewer (also incorrectly titled, “espresso maker”) is a shockingly outstanding coffee maker. The AeroPress is constructed with three, BPA free, plastics; copolyester, polypropylene, and thermoplastic elastomer. Each of these materials are approved by the FDA, for use in contact with food. It may resemble the property of Austin Powers, but it is a highly acclaimed coffee maker. There is even an annual “World AeroPress Championship” competition, where several of the most prominent coffee professionals face off! The AeroPress brews a single cup of concentrated coffee, which can be adjusted by adding hot water or heated milk to the finished product. Traditionally, the AeroPress utilizes paper filters, which produces a super clean cup of coffee (‘clean’ describes a coffee that has little or no aftertaste). It also tends to mellow the character of the coffee. I especially love the AeroPress brewer, when it is paired with the metal DISK filter from Able brewing. The metal filter allows more flavor to enter the cup, rather than those flavors getting trapped in a paper filter. Paper filters can also inject undesirable flavors into your brew. If you choose the paper AeroPress filters, be sure to thoroughly rinse them with boiling water, prior to use. This will lessen the negative impact. You can purchase an AeroPress for as little as $26!

Chemex Coffee Brewer Review

The Chemex coffee brewer is a must for any coffee lover. This brewing method is simple, yet refined. 😉 It’s single piece construction, consists of a glass pitcher, and a glass funnel on the top. Here are the basic steps; the filter is placed inside of the funnel portion, add ground coffee, then slowly pour hot water onto the grounds. It takes some trial and error to get your timing/grind size/dosage to their optimum levels, but within a few attempts, you will be an expert brewer. I’ve created a Chemex coffee brewing instructional video, to get your started. There are special paper filters for the Chemex, but I find it works best when paired with the Able Brewing, KONE filter. Can you tell that I’m not a fan of paper filters? Haha! Using paper is perfectly fine, if that is what you prefer. I enjoy coffee that’s flavor is influenced by the way it is cultivated and roasted, and experiencing that in the least obstructive way. That is why I favor glass and stainless steel, neither of which have any impact on flavor. The Chemex is versatile, in that it can also be used as a serving pitcher, or as a decanter, to cool your coffee. The Chemex is available in various sizes, the popular 6 cup version costs about $37, while the hand blown, 13 cup beast that I own, will run you about $90.

Moka Pot Review

The Moka Pot, often referred to as the ‘Italian Stovetop Espresso Maker’, has a similar brewing style as the syphon/vac pot. Put water in the bottom, the ground coffee into a funnel piece, which is between the top and bottom chambers. The top chamber has small holes in the center of the bottom, which acts as the filter. The water is forced from the bottom, through the bed of ground coffee, and through a spout in the top chamber. The finished product is a rich cup of deliciousness. Most of these pots are made of aluminum, and are quite durable. You do have to purchase the proper size, as you must brew the maximum capacity, each time. You can find single cup ones, but these are ‘demitasse’ sizes. A one mug size is actually 3 cups. A 9 cup Moka Pot can be usually be snagged for under $25.

Need to know how to properly use a Moka Pot? Check out my easy to follow Moka Pot Brewing, Video Tutorial!

Affordable Coffee Maker Reviews

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