French presses & coffee grinds...

[binary visions]

I just picked up Bodum's French press/travel mug.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21oLoiwedCL._AA260_.jpg

After making a couple cups of coffee with it, I'm hooked. This thing is awesome. Very easy to deal with in the morning when I'm in a hurry, and only one item to clean up when I'm done drinking it.

I've never owned a French press before, though, and typically buy my coffee pre-ground. This now begs the question: how do you go about making a coarse grind for the press? The last grinder I owned was one of those blender-style ones that you couldn't really control. You either had chunks of coffee beans or a fine powder. I'm not really into the idea of using the one at the store since it's been flavored by the coffee of a million other people.

Will a cheap grinder with a few settings like this one (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201630649&sr=8-3) or this one (http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-80374-Deluxe-Grinder/dp/B000A1FFOK/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201630649&sr=8-10) suffice? Any other suggestions?

[Serial Midget]

I have a Starbuck's labeled burr grinder that I rarely use... it has 10 different settings.

At my trailer in the woods I use a French press and fine grind coffee - the sludge settles before I pour my cup. I've tried course ground but found it took way to much to make coffee as strong as I like.

[Serial Midget]

Oh... and, no on both, you want a burr grinder - they last longer and have a more consistent grind that makes the most of your coffee beans. You'll use less beans and have a better tasting cup of coffee.

I have this one, it works fine. (http://www.amazon.com/Saeco-GT-1-Titan-Conical-Grinder/dp/B000V64IRO/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201631873&sr=1-17)

Amazon has a Black & Decker model for $25.00 but, I've never had good luck with black and decker anything. Ever. :monkey:

[binary visions]

At my trailer in the woods I use a French press and fine grind coffee - the sludge settles before I pour my cup. I've tried course ground but found it took way to much to make coffee as strong as I like.

Well with the travel mug, the sludge will be in the last sip which is what I'm trying to avoid.

RE: the Starbucks grinder, I'll pound my beans with a hammer before I spend a hundred bucks on something to grind coffee with ;). I'm sure it's good quality, just not willing to indulge myself in the cost.

The B&D seems to have universally bad reviews... Hmm.

[SkaredShtles]

What he said on a burr grinder. Check the other burr grinders on Amazon. There are some that aren't too expensive.

[Serial Midget]

I'm sure it's good quality, just not willing to indulge myself in the cost.

Yeah, just because I own it doesn't mean I use it, its a PITA to keep clean. I grind my coffee (for the French press) at the store.

There are manual burr grinders for around $20.00. :)

[Stray_cat]

Burr grinder is definitly the way to go. But it's hard to find a decent one for cheap. If you use the blade type you end up with chalky residue in the bottom of your cup.

[binary visions]

I grind my coffee (for the French press) at the store.

I've never used a store grinder. Does it flavor your coffee much?

The cheap grinders on Amazon all seem to have universal complaints of putting a lot of powder into the coffee.

[Stray_cat]

I don't think it's an issue of flavoring with a store grinder as much as freshness. With ground coffee your looking at 5~7 days before acid starts to form. With whole bean you have 3~4 weeks. So if your buying a pound of top dollar coffee at a time, I'd avoid the store grinders.

During one of my(our) 'poverty' phases we used to take a ziplock bag and hammer the crap out of it to grind the coffee. Due to static some of the powder would stick to the sides of the bag. I can't really reccomend this, with the exception of the fact it's darn good fun to hit stuff with a hammer at 7 in the morn.

[Serial Midget]

I've never used a store grinder. Does it flavor your coffee much?

The cheap grinders on Amazon all seem to have universal complaints of putting a lot of powder into the coffee.

I've been drinking foo foo coffee for a very long time... :)

I prefer a very dark roast with plenty of oil on the beans - I'll buy whatever bean looks the best to me, regardless of brand. I fill up my bag from whatever bin I like but always grind the beans at the grinder provided by the most expensive brand... in my experience, Seattle's Best coffee brand offers the best grinder. I have never noticed any unwanted flavor in my coffee - there are brushes and levers you can use to clean the grinder before you put your beans in.

I'm not sure what brands you have in your location... good coffee is like good beer, lot's of variety. :)

[Serial Midget]

So if your buying a pound of top dollar coffee...

Meh. I'm well known for my coffee snobbery; price is no indication of superior flavor and, the cool thing about bulk coffee beans, you don't have to buy more than a few days worth at a time. :)

[syadasti]

This one (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealtime-kitchen-20&linkCode=asn) seems to be a decent cheap one...

edit: WTF "Availability: Usually ships within 4 to 7 weeks."

They have white in stock (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS75-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B0001O2WYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201634228&sr=1-1) though

[johnbryanpeters]

I like the dark oily roasts too. We use a couple of ancient Hobart burr grinders at home - one for dark roast, one for ordinaire. I proportion them about one to three for filtered coffee on weekdays and just use the dark roast for espresso on weekends.

I have a couple of glass French presses that I use camping, races or whatever, and just let any sludge settle out (or whirl the coffee around and drink it). I don't worry a whole bunch about grinding exactitudes.

I don't use store grinders usually, so I don't worry much about cross-contamination.

[OGRipper]

I also grind my beans at the store. A lb. of coffee lasts a week or less around my place. I've done taste tests in the past and don't find a difference big enough to justify the hassle. Plus I really hate the sound of a coffee grinder first thing in the morning - especially before I've had my coffee.

[Serial Midget]

Plus I really hate the sound of a coffee grinder first thing in the morning - especially before I've had my coffee.

:clapping: Yeah - the little b tards are noisy!

[Stray_cat]

I've been forever spoiled by working for an organic coffee roaster. Forced taste test, and free drinks have left me pretty scared.

[Serial Midget]

I've been forever spoiled by working for an organic coffee roaster. Forced taste test, and free drinks have left me pretty scared.

What causes the onset of this fear? Folgers? Hills Bros? What?

[binary visions]

This one (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealtime-kitchen-20&linkCode=asn) seems to be a decent cheap one...

That's the one I linked in my first post :)

The question mostly arose because I found some awesome coffee in Costa Rica when I visited, so I was wondering about grinding beans that would be shipped to me... thus coffee selection isn't really an issue and because they'd be shipped, I wouldn't be ordering a week's worth at a time, more like a month's worth.

Trying to keep things easy and inexpensive.

[syadasti]

The question mostly arose because I found some awesome coffee in Costa Rica when I visited, so I was wondering about grinding beans that would be shipped to me... thus coffee selection isn't really an issue and because they'd be shipped, I wouldn't be ordering a week's worth at a time, more like a month's worth.

Trying to keep things easy and inexpensive.

I only saw the $99 and BD one mentioned.

I like but I can't drink coffee regularly as I have GERD. I do drink it more often in CR - for some reason I don't get it while I'm there.

My sister lives in CR and supply my parents with tons of CR coffee but they just drink the grinded stuff and store it in the fridge after they open it. I don't think they'd notice the taste difference vs. whole bean as they drink coffeemate instead of milk/cream :ban:

[Stray_cat]

What causes the onset of this fear? Folgers? Hills Bros? What?


Hehe, I would say my fear stems from negligent spelling. That was supposed to be scarred.

[Serial Midget]

they drink coffeemate instead of milk/cream.

Uh, yeah. They're not going to notice. :twitch:

[narlus]

i just ordered a $90 burr grinder and pissed off my wife.

[binary visions]

You can send it to me if it'll make her feel better.

[syadasti]

Just cover the whole beans in dark chocolate and eat them instead :banana:

I'm sure you got assaulted by Britt reps at the San Jose airport handing out free samples :D

[spocomptonrider]

Check out those coffee pods. I think they are made for single cup coffee makers but it keeps the mess minimum. Just let em brew a few minutes longer.
imo.

[Serial Midget]

i just ordered a $90 burr grinder and pissed off my wife.

Two down with one blow. Impressive. :)

[binary visions]

I'm sure you got assaulted by Britt reps at the San Jose airport handing out free samples :D
No, but we stayed at the Tabacón resort and our room was stocked with Britt every morning, meals were served with Britt each day, and the gift shop had Britt in every form you could conceive of.

The Tres Rios Valdivia was :drool: :drool: :drool:

Check out those coffee pods. I think they are made for single cup coffee makers but it keeps the mess minimum. Just let em brew a few minutes longer.
Did you, uh, miss the whole part at the beginning about needing it for a French press?

[syadasti]

Check out those coffee pods. I think they are made for single cup coffee makers but it keeps the mess minimum. Just let em brew a few minutes longer.
imo.

Are you kidding me - those coffees are put out by the likes of Mars Candy Co. plus higher cost and the huge waste it produces:disgust1: Hell you could probably buy ultra high-end organic fair trade coffee and high end equipment and still save money...

[syadasti]

No, but we stayed at the Tabacón resort and our room was stocked with Britt every morning, meals were served with Britt each day, and the gift shop had Britt in every form you could conceive of.

I've been there for the hot springs/spa/food but stayed at a lodge right across the bridge up on a hill - forget it name...

[H8R]

I like those travel presses but I prefer the glass ones for everyday use.

Using a coffee mill w/ a press is easy. Pour in the beans, count to three while you press the button. Check the grind. Too fine? Count to two next time. To coarse? Count to four, five, etc.

Burr grinders aren't really critical. Rotary mills are just fine. The little bit of silty particles only add flavor. The joy of a french press is that little bit of mud at the bottom of the cup.

[RenegadeRick]

The Tres Rios Valdivia was :drool: :drool: :drool:

My old man lived in Costa Rica for a while. Lives in Panama now.

Anyhow, I second the Tres Rios, but liked the Tarrazu even better.
The Cafe Britt was good, but it is kinda like the McDonald's of Costa Rican Coffee.

We picked up some stuff at the supermarket that was even better. Del Oro and 1800 come to mind. They were way cheaper too. I seem to remember spending around 80 cents for coffee for the entire week.

We also did Tabacon and stayed overnight at Arenal. It was way cool and they had awesome seafood everywhere in the country. There were awesome sunsets every night and I remember the one at Ocotal (http://www.ocotalresort.com/) in particular. It was incredible.

http://www.renegadesrendezvous.com/rendezvous/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103.0;attach=176;i mage

In Panama it isn't nearly as pretty and it is way more urban, but Cafe Duran is good and cheap. It is always ground though. :hmm:

[syadasti]

There were awesome sunsets every night

I like this sunset from the Pacific Coast

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b398/syadasti/misc/sunset.jpg

My sister never buys Britt either...

[binary visions]

I had a couple different Costa Rican coffee types. I had both the Del Oro and 1800.

I know that Britt is rather commercialized, but hey, we all have different tastes :)

[narlus]

I know that Britt is rather commercialized, but hey, we all have different tastes :)

i'm gonna have a bud light w/ my bagged cheese tonight.

[binary visions]

i'm gonna have a bud light w/ my bagged cheese tonight.

I think it's more like having a Harpoon instead of a more boutique microbrew IPA... but what do I know? I've got three bags of shredded cheese in my 'fridge :busted:

[H8R]

i'm gonna have a bud light w/ my bagged cheese tonight.

Do they make pre-unwrapped individual American slices? Taking all that plastic wrap off takes so much time and energy...

[syadasti]

Do they make pre-unwrapped individual American slices? Taking all that plastic wrap off takes so much time and energy...

My grandmother always has that at her house, we call it dog cheese;)

[TreeSaw]

This one (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BRLXUI?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=dealtime-kitchen-20&linkCode=asn) seems to be a decent cheap one...

edit: WTF "Availability: Usually ships within 4 to 7 weeks."

They have white in stock (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS75-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B0001O2WYM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201634228&sr=1-1) though

It's pretty good and you can get it at Target for about $20.

[syadasti]

It's pretty good and you can get it at Target for about $20.

It must have gone up because Amazon lists Target as another buying choice on the page on the right side of the page.

Target
$24.99 + $6.23 shipping

[TreeSaw]

It must have gone up because Amazon lists Target as another buying choice on the page on the right side of the page.

Yeah, I couldn't remember exactly how much it was and I thought about $20, but it may have been on sale too.

[narlus]

Do they make pre-unwrapped individual American slices? Taking all that plastic wrap off takes so much time and energy...

you're supposed to take that stuff off?

[Jeremy R]

Hey BV,
Those travel presses are cool if you are on the go. I have one myself.
But you have got to get a regular glass Bodum French Press.
The taste is way better.
Also, if will pay off if you go ahead and get a burr grinder.
I have a Solis one that I have had for years.
It will grind fine for espresso and really coarse for a french press.
I have been using my Bodum French Press everyday for about
8 years now.:D

[Jeremy R]

Meh. I'm well known for my coffee snobbery; price is no indication of superior flavor and, the cool thing about bulk coffee beans, you don't have to buy more than a few days worth at a time. :)

Totally agree.
I am ashamed to say that the coffee I have settled on is a 40 ounce bag that I get from Sam's Club. Dark greasy french roast, 40 ounces and $11. I really like the flavor as well.
I can't remember the brand, but it comes in a dark brown bag.

[binary visions]

I have a nice hand-blown glass Chemex drip coffee maker for when I'm at home, and I like the variety in the flavor between the French press and the drip style - both good, for different reasons.

This is convenient because I never have much time in the morning (or, really, any time) and one less item to clean makes it easy - get to work after my early classes and I can wash out one cup and have it ready for the next day.

Looks like I'll just put off getting any grinder until I can justify a decent burr grinder to myself :)

[SkaredShtles]

Totally agree.
I am ashamed to say that the coffee I have settled on is a 40 ounce bag that I get from Sam's Club. Dark greasy french roast, 40 ounces and $11. I really like the flavor as well.
I can't remember the brand, but it comes in a dark brown bag.
I've found an Italian Roast at Cost Plus that comes in a 24oz bag for $8. Just the right size bag - lasts about 1-1/2 weeks. Nice and greasy. :drool:

[xy9ine]

Looks like I'll just put off getting any grinder until I can justify a decent burr grinder to myself :)

definitely worth investing in a good burr machine (assuming your planning on maintaining your coffee habit for a while). you can get a couple reasonable models at the sub $150 pricepoint (starbucks barista, solis maestro) that will get the job done, though they're still mostly plastic, with questionable longterm durability & grind stability. after a good bit of research, i ended up with a rancilio rocky ($300) - a good compromise between the disposable plastic machines & the (cool, but big / expensive) commercial hardware. its compact, but has a burly steel chassis & massive motor (weighs 17lbs). consistently great uniform grind from espresso to french press, and will most likely last a lifetime.

http://www.coffeemakersetc.com/images/rocky_nodose.jpg

[Transcend]

I just picked up Bodum's French press/travel mug.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21oLoiwedCL._AA260_.jpg

After making a couple cups of coffee with it, I'm hooked. This thing is awesome. Very easy to deal with in the morning when I'm in a hurry, and only one item to clean up when I'm done drinking it.

I've never owned a French press before, though, and typically buy my coffee pre-ground. This now begs the question: how do you go about making a coarse grind for the press? The last grinder I owned was one of those blender-style ones that you couldn't really control. You either had chunks of coffee beans or a fine powder. I'm not really into the idea of using the one at the store since it's been flavored by the coffee of a million other people.

Will a cheap grinder with a few settings like this one (http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Coffee-IDS77-Electric-Cleaning/dp/B000BRLXUI/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201630649&sr=8-3) or this one (http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-80374-Deluxe-Grinder/dp/B000A1FFOK/ref=pd_bbs_10?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1201630649&sr=8-10) suffice? Any other suggestions?

I actually have 2 of these, a big one and a small one. I absolutely love them.

[binary visions]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qf7_6NL_j0&feature=related

That's how they served it to us during dinner at a couple restaurants in Costa Rica... It was all in glass so you could see the process and I thought it was really cool, had never seen it before.