17oz Chambord French Press Coffee Maker, High-Heat Borosilicate Glass, Polished Stainless Steel – Made in Portugal

I was always very curious about the french press method of brewing coffee, but never really got into it. Being away from my espresso machine, I really wanted to try something that was simply better than drip. I thought about getting the aeropress, but decided instead for the french press. Boy am I happy. So why is the french press method than drip you ask? Quite simple... *No paper filter! Coffee has a lot of natural oils in it that carry a lot of flavor. Using a paper filter traps those oils, so they never get expressed in the cup. The french press method produces a coffee that is much richer and fuller in body than any drip coffee I have ever had. I feel like I'm drinking coffee instead of cream and sugar. *Complete control over the brewing process. You control the grind, you control the temperature of the water and you control how long the water is contact with the grinds. *Steeping vs. Drip. Using a drip, the water goes through the grinds and out. Very little prolonged contact with the water. Also, it's very common to see channels develop in the basket which leads to underextraction. With the press, all the grounds are completely submerged within the water for however long you decide. Better extraction, just don't let them sit in there too long. Sometimes you hear of people complaining that there are too many grinds left in the cup using a press. Here is some good advice: "Don't skimp on the grinder". Toss your whirly-blade away (or relegate it to spices) and get yourself a burr grinder. I use a rocky with my french press, but you don't have to buy a $300 grinder for french press. You'll probably want to spend no less than 60. I've heard good things about the antiqua from bodum, the infinity from capresso and pretty much anything in the baratza line-up. Why such an expensive grinder you ask? Well you need to grind your own for any method of coffee brewing you use (throw the folgers out the door), but you need a fairly consistent grind. Whirly-blades will give you a lot of dust and coffee boulders; neither are very good for coffee brewing. Also, if you think that there is any possibility you might one day venture out into the world of espresso, go for no less than the gaggia mdf, or better yet a rocky. Nothing below those two will give you a grind for espresso. (End grinder tirade) Using a good grinder, the amount of grinds in the cup will be exceptionally minimal. You do get a little bit of coffee dust into the cup, but it's hardly noticeable and usually settles out into the very bottom of the cup. The filter on the press does a very nice job of keeping the grounds out. I read somewhere in one of the amazon reviews that the press doesn't go down far enough to really press the coffee. I'm not sure how much coffee this person was using, but I use slightly less than the recommended amount and I am able to press the grounds quite firmly. This particular 3-cup model will make about 8-10 oz of brewed coffee. You can't quite get all 12oz of water in with the grounds, and some of the water gets soaked up in to the grounds. This is the perfect amount for me, since I only drink one cup-a-day, but if you drink more, go for a bigger model. Make sure not to leave the brewed coffee sitting in the press. Pour out any you don't drink immediately into some kind of thermal carafe to keep it warm. The unit itself solid enough. Obviously the glass is breakable, so don't go bouncing it off the floor. Cleanup is pretty easy. I rinse out the press, put some soap in the bottom, fill with water, and plunge up and down a few times and let it set while I drink my coffee. Make sure you keep the press clean, previously brewed coffee grounds are very good at ruining your coffee. As far as how to brew french press, check out the guide over at coffeegeek, but also look at the Illy method of preparation as they detail on their site. Decide which one you like better. The only improvement I would like to see would be some sort of thermal insulation to keep the coffee warm while it brews. The coffee is still hot when I'm ready to pour into the cup, but it would still be nice. Make sure to preheat your press with some how tap water. Bodum does make thermal french presses, but they come at a higher price point. Overall, great little brewer that comes at a very affordable price-point. Pair this with a good grinder as some freshly roasted beans (you're not still using folgers are you?), and you've got a recipe for excellent coffee.

The french press is a staple in any coffee lover's setup of makers or brewers. This timeless piece of engineering creates a great, full-bodied cup without all the hassle of perfecting pouring techniques or needing a large budget or space with more elaborate setups. All that's needed is the french press, a decent scale, beans along with the grinder (to control your grind size), and a way to heat water. This is usually a coffee lover's gateway into brewing cups other than instant coffee at the supermarket. It's not too difficult to use, and the cups are usually consistent and end up being less frustrating in the long run compared to pour-overs. It would be advisable to stick with darker or medium roasts with a french press since you're aiming for full-bodied cups which contain more oils and fines. A super expensive grinder is not necessary, which makes an entry-level grinder such as a Hario with ceramic burrs, or a pentagonal stainless steel burr hand grinder (i.e. Timemore C2, Hario Smart G Pro) decent options. This plays into the affordability factor, though a more expensive burr hand grinder is always welcome. After all the frustration as well as fulfillment that goes along with pour-over coffee equipment, as well as brewers, it's great to go back to more simple methods. Paper filters are also not necessary, which makes one less thing to worry about. The cups are great to drink with its high temperature and full-bodied flavor. Clean up isn't too bad with this french press either. It also makes a great cup of tea if you're using loose-leaf. Aside from the functionality, it looks amazing on your kitchen counter.

It's sort of hard to explain what makes the Chambord the de-facto modern french press. It makes good coffee, but then again, of course it does: It's a glass container you put ground coffee and water into. We figured out these things 200 years ago, it's not rocket science. What makes the Chambord special is everything involved in the process of using it. Parts are good quality; they're durable and feel good to handle. If anything does break, finding replacements is easy and not very expensive. The assembly is extremely modular too, meaning it's easy to clean thoroughly and you probably won't have to worry about it gunking up over years of use. It lacks the amenities some other brewers will try to sell you on, such as advanced filtering systems or quick cleaning methods, but in my opinion these gimicks rank from unnecessary to actively detrimental. The Chambord is the french press the same way we've been doing it for the last 200 years, and it works just fine. There's also something to be said for the way it looks. It might sound silly, but this is something that's presumably going to be out on your kitchen counter every day, so it should matter if you like looking at it, and I think the design of the Chambord is the sort of classy that doesn't age. When I make coffee in the mornings, I place it on my counter, and the way the sun hits the glass makes my coffee look so good, I'm almost certain contributes to it tasting better once it's in my cup. Again, it sounds silly, but I think that alone is enough of a reason to spend the tiny bit more than it costs compared to other brewers. Can't go wrong with a french press. Can't go wrong with the Chambord. It just works.

I'd heard that a french press makes the best tasting coffee but put off buying one for years. To be honest if I had some peer pressure to influence me I'd probably not have resisted for so long. I only know one person who uses a coffee press and they swear by it. The reason I finally bought this was that my last two drip coffeemakers broke in month thirteen, right after the warranty ended. Small plastic parts broke and I took the plunge to try this french press which is mostly glass and metal, figuring the simpler construction might ensure it would last longer (and it's less expensive too). One thing I like about the Chambord is the glass beaker is a separate piece. This is unlike Bodum's Brazil model which has the plastic fused onto the glass. I know replacement glass pieces are sold separately in case mine breaks. I liked the look of the Chambord which is sleek and has a shiny silver metal and black plastic for the holder and cap. I looked at the Bodum Chambord side by side with other coffee presses (like the Bodum Brazil) in a store and could see that this one looks more sophisticated and classy. I also like the 32 ounce capacity of the Chambord. Easy to Use The coffee press is so easy to use. I boil the water then wait two minutes, as the manufacturer says not to use boiling water. I put the coffee grounds in it then fill it with 32 ounces of water. I stir it with a wooden chopstick then place the lid on and wait four minutes. Then it is pressed very gently and slowly. The coffee is ready to serve. My one complaint about the glass container is there are no marked lines for various measurements. If you want to make coffee in a certain number of ounces, such as to make an 8 ounce cup, you will have to heat the water and measure it in a heat-safe measuring cup then pour it in. I note the manufacturer has legal warnings in two languages which fill over two inches of space on it so it is clear that Bodum wasn't leaving markings off to have a clean design look. Since this uses no electricity and is small I am taking it with me when camping. I am thrilled to be able to have great tasting coffee while camping or staying in cabins without electricity but with access to open fire or portable camping stoves which can be used to boil the water. Best Tasting Coffee I have two favorite coffees which I've been drinking for over two years using a drip coffeemaker. I was shocked at the superior aste of the coffee made with the same pre-ground beans from this coffee press. There was no bitterness! I'd thought the bitterness was supposed to be there and had accepted it. (This idea is now funny to me. I also note when reading reviews of my former coffeemaker - made by Mr. Coffee - some customers said it produced a bitter brew. I now know that to be true. ) I have never tasted home-brewed coffee that tasted this good. 32 Ounces Bodum says this makes 8 cups of coffee. In America 6 ounces is the standard so that's a bit confusing to this American coffee drinker. However many people now drink 8, 12, 16 or more ounces in one "cup" of coffee. What you need to know is the Bodum Chambord makes 32 ounces of coffee. Cleaning I find this easy to clean and have no complaints. With anything you use there is usualy some cleaning, even a drip coffeemaker has parts to clean. Making Coffee in Volume My Mr. Coffee drip coffee maker took nearly 15 minutes to make a 12 cup pot so I have no complaints on the time it takes to make coffee in a coffee press. To me flavor is more important anyway; I'd rather have a coffeemaker for daily use that produces superior coffee every day and have a bit of inconvenience when company is here. If I have to, when company is visiting, I will use an insulated coffee pot if I need more than 32 ounces of one kind of coffee. It will actually work out fine as some of my family usually wants decaf while others want caffinated coffee, so I've always had to brew two pots and use an insulated carafe when I brewed with a drip coffeemaker anyway. The Cost This cost me less than half what a drip coffeemaker costs and much less than those one-cup coffee makers. I'm happy with the low cost. As I said earlier if the glass beaker breaks I can buy a replacement for a low price. In Conclusion This makes fantastic tasting coffee. It may be a different process than you have done before but it is easy. This is an inexpensive item with a simple process with little room for mechanical failure. Don't hesitate like I did!

Works well as a classic should. Four stars for some sloppy manufacturing. The bands holding the carafe are so loose the glass carafe will fall out if the bottom is inverted (say while cleaning or pouring out the last bit of the morning's brew).

Having discovered French Press coffee a year ago I bought the Bodum Columbia Insulated French Press, which I love. However spare parts are not readily available for that line yet. So I started shopping for a press that I could get spare parts for. I have also read that a glass press can produce a slightly more complex flavored cup of coffee because the coffee will cool slightly while brewing. So I picked this press out based on my past happiness with Bodum products. I am the only coffee drinker in my house so I decided that I did not require a large 12-cup press. I also knew that I would not drink all that coffee before it became too cool. This is my first 8-cup press. I will spare you a review filled of reasons why you should use a French press to make coffee and instead tell you why you should buy this French press to do it! So here I go. Durability- This press is composed of a glass beaker that lifts out of the metal-banded handle assembly. It has a metal lid that is polished to a beautiful mirror finish. Also has a metal plunger rod, metal filter and metal filter ring and cross filter base. However it has a plastic shoulder nut (my one complaint, although I was able to get a metal replacement from Bodum at no cost). The way the plunger assembly goes together is simple and can be assembled easily by hand. First the plunger rod is fitted through the hole in the lid. Then the shoulder nut is screwed onto the rod. Then the large metal ring with round holes and a spring around the edge goes on. Beneath that the fine metal filter then beneath that the cross filter base. The rod screws into the cross base and secures everything up against the shoulder nut. This description may seem somewhat complex however it is very simple in practice and fool proof. The plunger lid assembly is quite sturdy and durable. The metal-banded handle assembly, which holds the beaker, is also sturdy and polished. The handle is a very hard plastic and comfortable to grip and hold. Fully assembled you have a durable (for glass) press that can easily stand up to daily use. I use mine daily with no problems at all. Ease of cleaning- This press easily disassembles by hand and can be completely cleaned with little effort. I soak mine in hot soapy water after every use then rinse clean and towel dry. Proper cleaning is critical to maintaining consistent coffee flavor. A dirty coffee maker will taint coffee with bad tastes. This press cleans very easily, much easier than my old drip machine did! Ease of use- This press is used as any French press. Drop your grounds in, add water off of boil, let grounds steep for 4-5 minutes then slowly press the plunger down. Pour and enjoy. If you make more than you will drink right away then pour it into a separate insulated thermos. I leave my coffee in this until I have it drank. With the lid turned to close the spout this coffee stays warm enough for me for a half hour. Face it; the first cup will be too hot to drink right away. The second will be hot but drinkable. The third will be warm. This makes 2-3 coffee mugs. Great for a single drinker who likes 2 or 3 mugs at a time, like me. Or great for 2 light coffee drinkers (a mug and a half a piece). Coffee will always be best the sooner is it consumed after brewing is completed. In this press or any press/coffee maker. Overall quality- For around $30 this is a fantastic value. Like I said above I was leery of the plastic shoulder nut which could wear after multiple assemblies and disassemblies, but I was able to get a metal replacement at no cost making this a much better value. All in all a great investment in better coffee drinking and piece of mind. I also like the ability to get spare parts if I should ever need them. In closing I really love this press it holds up to daily use and maintains it great classic looks. Makes great coffee and is perfect for a single coffee drinker who likes 2 or 3 mugs of coffee as I do. It's smaller size than my 12-cup press makes for easier cleaning and handling. I am very happy with this purchase and for $30 you cannot go wrong. I recommend this to you highly! Whether you are new to French press coffee making or like me wanted a smaller easier to clean daily coffee press. I still love my 12-cup for parties, but this press is my personal daily coffee maker of choice. I love it!

If you're making your own private cup of coffee, this french press is great. I pour boiling water over grounds, stir with wooden coffee spoon and let sit for 3-4 minutes for a good strong cup. Press down and pour the rich brew into a mug. After rinsing out the glass chamber, I add enough hot milk to fill about 1/4 full and then using a repeating rapid plunging motion, froth the milk and add it to the coffee. It's the perfect latte. The glass and plunger is dishwasher safe. No need to wash the metal holder (It will rust.) Only replaced once when I accidentally dropped the glass container.

After comparing all my options, I decided to go with the tried-and-true brand, Bodum, and I am very happy that I did. The 34oz size is perfect, as I can use it for myself, and it also has enough capacity if I have a guest and want to serve coffee. I opted for the gold option because I prefer a touch of over-the-top opulence. I have zero complaints. It's beautiful, easy to use, and has a quick cleanup after. I prefer this method to the stoptop method I was using to brew espresso in the past. It's priced very fairly for what you get. Considering how much it costs to buy coffee out these days, making it yourself ends up saving a ton of cash in the long run.