I only just discovered this concept called a vacuum coffee maker. How do they compare with making coffee in a plunger? Is the Bodum Santos good to look at? Are they expensive?
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Ive got a Santos, never use it, they look ok and the process certainly impresses dinner guests.Originally posted by 6B7A76746E756F1B0 link=1287231231/0#0 date=1287231231I only just discovered this concept called a vacuum coffee maker. How do they compare with making coffee in a plunger? Is the Bodum Santos good to look at? Are they expensive?
However I dont like the coffee they produce, thin and insipid (if you like espresso vacuum may not suit you) others reckon its the bees knees.
Theyre a real PITA to clean up as well.
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
If that is what flavour profile you are getting then you or the person making it is doing somthing wrong! Espresso roasts in Syphon Coffee makers dont generally work and there is a whole lot of other variables at play like making a good Espresso.Originally posted by 7F434A5247260 link=1287231231/1#1 date=1287234143insipid
Sugguest you have a good read of the manual brewing section on how to and what is available. Some of mine have been under $20 delivered and others over $100, all make a great coffee with the right grind/dose/steep etc. For comparison to Plunger, far less muddied in the flavour profile but more body and oils than a paper pourover.Originally posted by 56474B49534852260 link=1287231231/0#0 date=1287231231I only just discovered this concept called a vacuum coffee maker. How do they compare with making coffee in a plunger? Is the Bodum Santos good to look at? Are they expensive?
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Agreed bf,Originally posted by 7E797D727A706575727B1C0 link=1287231231/3#3 date=1287262453Espresso roasts in Syphon Coffee makers dont generally work and there is a whole lot of other variables at play like making a good Espresso.
Conversely, I am over third wavers who think that syphon roast is best used in an espresso machine. I have experienced some positively awful acidic, underdone, green stuff served through Synesso, Slayer and LM of so called 5 star establishments....
Nothing wrong with roast for purpose I reckon. Lets drink the light stuff using equipment which makes it shine... :-?
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Agreed that some of the places around Melbourne in particular are roasting a bit lighter than ideal especially for straight Espresso, the milk most drink it with masks the acidity a bit but not always. There is one or two of the "Top 10" whose house blends can be flat and to mild too.
This Thursdays (maybe Fridays too) mission is to go find out what has changed in the last 6 months
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Morning BF, have had this discussion before on CS, Ive owned the Santos for about 8 years and experimented with it quite a bit during the early days.Originally posted by 0007030C040E1B0B0C05620 link=1287231231/3#3 date=1287262453If that is what flavour profile you are getting then you or the person making it is doing somthing wrong!
Never had a brew from it that I liked, as I said, I dont like syphon coffee, I find it weak and insipid and dislike the mouth feel.
Its a bit like the sugar no sugar thing, I know what I like and dont like, and I dont like syphon coffee, this is my opinion so please respect it.
It gets a little annoying when after expressing an opinion you get a group of zealots trying to tell you that your doing something wrong or have an uneducated palate, it pretty much amounts to being told publicly your a dill and dont know what your doing, these are simply my opinions/preferences and I aint going to change them.
Mind you in the unlikely event that we ever cross paths I would be more than happy to try one of your syphons, who knows I may even change my mind, but dont bank on it.
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Hi Jon
I for one respect your opinion.
"Stir clockwise 9 times" and, "allow to brew for 55 seconds" were phrases that for a long time turned me off the idea of even trying a coffee made from a syphon. Simply too much noiseand voodoo from some individuals!
Ive heard it said that syphon can produce the nicest, and the worst, coffee ever tasted, though often, its the latter. For me, the theatrical aspect of the syphon is certainly fun - the clean up a bit of a chore.
As a recent convert, I do enjoy it when the stars align, though I think espresso will always remain my favourite as I think it is far easier to get a consistency good shot. Then again, I love a good plunger, stovetop, cold drip, pourover, and pretty much every and any way you can make coffee. Its such a versatile food!
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Thanks for that.Originally posted by 7C6A6F6F7E7C7079797A7A1F0 link=1287231231/7#7 date=1287280706I for one respect your opinion.
Have to agree with that, as I said in my first post in this thread, never fails to impress the dinner guests.Originally posted by 7C6A6F6F7E7C7079797A7A1F0 link=1287231231/7#7 date=1287280706For me, the theatrical aspect of the syphon is certainly fun
Certainly is, and of course your always worried your going to break the thing, i.e. hit it on a tap or roll of the sink etc.Originally posted by 7C6A6F6F7E7C7079797A7A1F0 link=1287231231/7#7 date=1287280706the clean up a bit of a chore.Even an average cup of coffee what ever method used is better than no coffee at all.Originally posted by 7C6A6F6F7E7C7079797A7A1F0 link=1287231231/7#7 date=1287280706Then again, I love a good plunger, stovetop, cold drip, pourover, and pretty much every and any way you can make coffee.Its such a versatile food!
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Nothing wrong with not liking your coffee one way or another but the word "insipid" was the problem as it is universal and condemning of the process entirely and that is just not correct. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/insipid
As I mentioned above get the right beans and technique and you can get plenty of body in the cup to match an espresso based long black which is the fairest comparison for mouthfeel and style.
Any time your in this neck of the woods will pull down a syphon and see what you reckon.
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
I chose the word insipid BF because thats exactly how I find it (tasteless, bland, flavourless, watered down, watery, wishy-washy , unappetizing, perhaps its something to do with my old and jaded palate.Originally posted by 4740444B43495C4C4B42250 link=1287231231/9#9 date=1287281910Nothing wrong with not liking your coffee one way or another but the word "insipid" was the problem as it is universal and condemning of the process
Not condemning the process, as I said in my first post in this thread "others think its the bees knees)Be careful of what you offer, I may well take you up on that, get over that way now and again, where in SW Vic are you?Originally posted by 4740444B43495C4C4B42250 link=1287231231/9#9 date=1287281910Any time your in this neck of the woods will pull down a syphon and see what you reckon.
Cheers,
Jon.
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
Originally posted by 21303C3E243F25510 link=1287231231/0#0 date=1287231231How do they compare with making coffee in a plunger?
This was the original question: and whilst some espresso lovers may find syphon coffee insipid- people who enjoy french press may not...
Personally- I think if you find the coffee insipid it must be either that you only really like the thickness/body of espresso- or you are doing it wrong... If it is watery and weak- perhaps you are under-dosing?
for those with broader palates- the syphon can easily produce great coffee- and to my mind better than a french press to which it is closely related. The water stays at a higher temperature during the brew- and the fine cloth filters tend to deliver a much cleaner extraction than most french presses. I have found that older people who are accustomed to the french press, percolator or (God forbid) instant coffee- the syphon provides an interesting and improved option.
It is very different than espresso- and can produce larger serves of coffee- more like making tea than modern espresso. A clear and long brew- that can be enjoyed in a large mug.
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Re: vacuum coffee makers
You could try the following locations depending on where you are based but I am sure there are others. First Pour Abbotsford, St Ali Sth Melbourne, Seven Seeds Carlton, Sensory Lab at David Jones in the CBD,Originally posted by 77666A68726973070 link=1287231231/13#13 date=1287310284Is there any coffee shop in Melbourne that serves coffee made from one of these?
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