Joined Jul 2008
You can call me "Al"
Forum Thread
Coffee talk. Need advice on grinding, beans and brewers.
April 4, 2016 at
10:24 AM
Soooo we've been doing the Keurig thing for a few years now and after switching to decaf about 5 years ago, I gave it up altogether a few months ago. The k-cups just don't even taste like coffee to me anymore. 
I decided that I would like to try brewing my own using a French Press. I've researched them on Amazon but would like to know if any of you use one and if so, what brand is best?
Also, the grocery stores around me used to sell whole beans but not anymore. If you grind your own, where do you buy your beans? Which beans are best? If I go with pre-ground, do you have any suggestions on which type to try first?
All useful responses appreciated. All humorous and sarcastic responses will be judged and graded accordingly.
I decided that I would like to try brewing my own using a French Press. I've researched them on Amazon but would like to know if any of you use one and if so, what brand is best?
Also, the grocery stores around me used to sell whole beans but not anymore. If you grind your own, where do you buy your beans? Which beans are best? If I go with pre-ground, do you have any suggestions on which type to try first?
All useful responses appreciated. All humorous and sarcastic responses will be judged and graded accordingly.
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This is the one I have:
http://www.amazon.com/SterlingPro...e
This is grinder I have - always get a burr grinder!
http://www.amazon.com/Capresso-56...rr+grinder
dealgate speaks the truth.
Now, since you're currently residing in the swamp waters of Mississishitty, I strongly suggest you order coffee from my favorite flavor of home, Community Coffee [communitycoffee.com] in Baton Rouge (actually Port Allen, across the river from Baton Rouge.) I recommend their whole bean French Roast. [communitycoffee.com]
I wonder what size her k-cups are
http://www.amazon.com/SterlingPro...e
I wonder what size her k-cups are
Well done, sir.
for beans: as others have said, whole beans with a good grinder is the only way to go. which beans to buy is almost entirely up to personal taste: each roastery has their own way of doing things, and different roasts in their lines will taste completely different. i'd suggest simply buying the smallest bag you can get of anything that catches your eye and keeping track of what you like (light, medium, dark, certain regions, etc.). you might start out with flavors, but it seems most people end up going toward unflavored and adding sweeteners/creams afterward if desired. for me, the best beans i've ever had were three bags of small-estate i picked up on a Hawaiian vacation. the ones from Kauai Coffee Company weren't nearly as good.
again, i'll echo you'll want a decent burr grinder with the ability adjust the grind coarseness. i've had this [amazon.com] one for a couple years and have been much happier with it than the relatively cheap-feeling one [amazon.com] i started with. you can check out reviews on Amazon and coffee-centric sites like Seattle Coffee Gear and Prima Coffee to find one that looks like it will work best for you. i recommending removing excess grinds after each use: i at least blast some canned air through it each time and take the unit apart every 3-4 grindings to brush everything off. no reason to have old grinds find their way into your press the next time.
as for the press itself: i've been very impressed with the built quality of the Grosche models i've purchased (my current one [amazon.com]). there are a lot of low-end presses out there that have cheapo glass, will start to rattle after a while, or have a flimsy strainer. i've gifted some Grosche models over the years, and the recipients have commented how much better they were than their previous presses.
methodology is all over the place with pressing: i don't even know how many beans i put in my batches (my grinder's hopper is my point of reference). i steep mine for 4.5 minutes, but others claim more or less is better. i stir every minute or so while steeping while many let it sit the entire time. you'll have to mess with the coarseness of the grind to match the strainer on your press, but in general, it needs to be pretty far on the coarse side to keep down on sediment in your cup at the end.
Well done, sir.
You sure you don't want to keep me after school...maybe to "clean your eraser"?
I hand wash everything when done, it doesn't take much time and I can inspect the filter screens and make sure everything is tight.
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I decided that I would like to try brewing my own using a French Press. I've researched them on Amazon but would like to know if any of you use one and if so, what brand is best?
Also, the grocery stores around me used to sell whole beans but not anymore. If you grind your own, where do you buy your beans? Which beans are best? If I go with pre-ground, do you have any suggestions on which type to try first?
All useful responses appreciated. All humorous and sarcastic responses will be judged and graded accordingly.
The bleached paper filters make my coffee taste more acidic. A burr grinder allows me to set a medium grind that is consistent with my tastes and makes a very consistent pot of coffee.
K-cups should only be used in extreme emergencies, such as in asteroids in direct collision course with the earth where there is imminent death and no coffee available elsewhere, or some such extreme situations.
if you want to keep going along the drip route and prefer small batches, look at a manual pour-over setup. there are dozens out there (cones of various types, Chemex, bags, etc.), but i prefer my Walkure Beyreuth [walkuere.de] over the others i've tried. it's very well-made/sturdy, takes care of a lot of the variables of pouring, and has zero waste (other than the used grinds, of course). my French press is my daily so i can warm up multiple cups during the day without brewing again, but the Walkure makes the best cup of coffee in my kitchen. it's the first method i do with new brands/roasts.
also, as you get more involved and particular about your drip/press coffee, you might start wanting to explore other areas like espresso. there is a lot to be said for a proper 15-bar espresso machine with a good steam wand, but be prepared to put out a good chunk of cash for a quality unit (the one i nearly bought was over $400). an alternative is a moka pot, the most well-known of which is the Bialetti brand. i got one [amazon.com] a couple years ago, and with some experimentation (and a dual-screen manual milk frother [amazon.com]), i can turn out lattes and cappuccinos that are as good or better than some coffee shops'.
what comes out of the moka pot isn't technically espresso since it's only put through the grounds with about 1.5-2 bars of pressure (actual espresso is generally considered to be about 9), but it's a great place to start out. i'll eventually get a machine and start doing real steam frothing, but for less than $70, i can make really good drinks with my current setup.
good luck, and have fun!
A+!
Well done, sir.
Now I just buy Starbucks beans.