Friday, March 18, 2011 Bodum Chambord 8-Cup Press with Bonus Pavina Thermal Glasses Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Bodum makes some of the best french presses you can buy, and the fact that this one comes with 2 of their double-walled pavina glasses makes this a fantastic package.
For those who are unsure about french presses, the idea is that you place coffee grounds or loose leaf tea in the glass, add hot water, steep, and then place the press on top and "press" down to filter out the grounds or leaves. Simple as that.
It makes amazing coffee and tea. For the coffee, it allows some of the oils found in coffee beans to remain in the coffee, retaining much of the flavor that would not be found in normal brewing mechanisms. Loose leaf tea also tastes better in my opinion because of the distribution of leaves while steeping. Blossoms and leafs are allowed to soak in the hot water, open up fully, and release their true flavors, which often times a small steeping ball or bag will not allow. This Bodum french press is extremely well put together and easy to use as well.
As for the extra glasses, these have quickly become my favorite glasses I own, and I'm am going to purchase some more soon. They are a good size (about the size of a normal mug), and when using them for hot or cold beverages, your hands always stay separated from the temperature of the beverage. The vacuum seal allows no transfer of heat. I use them for everything from coffee and tea to soda now. The glass walls are thin and seem easily breakable, and it is cautioned against using spoons or stirrers that might scratch or damage the wall. I have never had a problem with it though.
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Product Description:
Making coffee with Bodum's Chambord French press is easy, and you'll enjoy your brew even more with this special gift set containing two 12-ounce Pavina double wall glasses. Because of its 8-cup capacity and elegant design, this French press is great for dinner parties, where you can now brew your guests' coffee right at the table. The Chambord press includes all the Bodum features you've come to expect: a polished stainless lid and holder, wide black handle and knob that stay cool, and a durable glass carafe. To use, simply measure out one rounded tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee per 4-ounce cup, pour in the hot water, wait a few minutes for it to brew, and slowly press down the plunger.
Uniquely designed, the two 12-ounce glasses are double-walled to resist heat and prevent condensation. So no matter what temperature the beverage is, the glasses remain comfortable to hold and safe for any tabletop.Crafted of borosilicate glass, which is also used to make scientific lab equipment, the pair is exceptionally strong, lightweight, and thermal. The scratch-resistant glasses are dishwasher- and microwave safe.
Editor's Note: Because the glasses are mouth blown, each one may have slight variations in height, thickness, and weight. Bodum recommends using care when placing ice into the glass to avoid fracturing the inner layer. Do not use metal spoons or place the glass into a crowded dishwasher.
Instructions for Use
1. Place pot on a dry, flat, nonslip surface. Hold handle firmly, then pull the plunger straight up and out of the pot.
2. For each 1.25-deciliter/4-ounce cup, put 1 rounded tablespoon or 1 Bodum scoop of coarse-ground coffee into the pot.
Caution: Use only coarse-ground coffee. Fine grind can clog the filter and create high pressure. Place coffee maker on a heatproof, nonslip surface.
3. Pour hot (not boiling) water into the pot. Leave a minimum of 2.5 centimeters/1 inch of space at the top. Stir the brew with a plastic spoon.
Caution: Metal spoons can scratch or chip the glass beaker and cause breakage.
4. Place the plunger unit on top of the pot. Turn lid to close off the pour spout opening. (Does not apply to the Brazil models.) Do not press down. Let the coffee brew for at least 4 minutes.
5. Hold the pot handle firmly, with the spout turned away from you, then using just the weight of your hand, apply slight pressure on top of the knob to lower the plunger straight down into the pot. Lowering the plunger slowly with minimal pressure produces best results. If the filter clogs or it becomes difficult to push down the plunger you should remove the plunger from the pot, stir the brew, and then slowly plunge again.
WARNING: Using excessive force can cause scalding liquid to shoot out of the pot.
6. Turn the lid to open the pour spout and then pour coffee.
7. Unscrew the filter assembly and clean the plunger unit after each use. All parts are dishwasher-safe.
Safety Instructions
Not for stovetop use.
Check glass beaker for scratches, cracks, or chips. Do not use a pot that is scratched, chipped, or cracked. Install a replacement beaker before using the pot again.
Keep children away while using. Hot water is a hazard to small children!
Do not allow children to use this coffeemaker.
Excessive plunging force can cause scalding hot liquid to shoot out of pot.
Do not plunge with force.
Turn lid to close spout.
Use only coarse-ground coffee.
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Thursday, March 17, 2011 Livietta T2 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This machine with an actual grinder does a very good job. Steam appears weak, but once you froth the milk you get this amazing micro foam. Great for fast mornings, since it heats up in like 2min. I'd call it: a little engine that could...
Click Here to see more reviews about: Livietta T2 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine
Product Description:
HMLVS Features: -Stainless Steel construction -15-bar -Thermoblock boiler that heats up in less than 5-minutes -Commercial size and style portafilter handle: 55mm, 2.28 in diameter -Steams and brews espresso simultaneously -Only one wear and tear seal in entire machine -High efficiency heating systems for energy savings -"Easy foam" tip with slow start steam for greater control and safety -3-way solenoid valve: relieves water pressure off coffee when switch is turned off -Cup warmer that holds up to 6 espresso cups -Works with E.S.E. espresso pods and ground coffee -1400 watts, 120 volts -Hot water dispenser -Easy to descale -Overall Dimensions: 12.25" H x 13.88" W x 8.5" D The Pasquini Livietta offers you a simple and straight forward product design. High quality heavy-duty construction, mostly stainless steel and metal. Outstanding performance in making excellent espresso that may exceed the performance of some of the more expensive high-end home machines. New thermoblock technology lets you steam milk and brew espresso at the same time?making it ideal for entertaining. Use with illy E.S.E. pods or ground coffee.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Spice Grinder Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This product is wonderful. There is nothing like fresh nutmeg to set off your taste buds. The product came to me on time and not damaged in any way. I will be ordering from this company again.
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Product Description:
Ideal for nutmeg, ginger, peppercorns, sea salt, and other spices. Conveniently store your ground spices in the grinder body. Comfortable, easy to turn handle.
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Tuesday, March 15, 2011 BonJour Hugo 8-Cup Unbreakable French Press, Black Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I owned two Bodum French presses and broke - and replaced - the glass
carafes for both of them. And then I broke them both again (always in the
sink, always trying to wash them quickly in the morning so I could just get
some caffeine into me!) So I thought I'd give this model a try because my
Bialetti is a pain first thing in the morning (but otherwise great for
impressing guests.) ;-)
Am I ever glad I got this! The BonJour is superior to my old presses in so
many ways:
First, obviously, it won't break when I wash it. I love the flat bottom -
none of that four-legged-metal-base tippiness in the sink or on the counter.
And the fat rubber ring on the bottom? It's removeable - it's just there to
insulate your pot and keep it stable on the table.
I was concerned when I read elsewhere that the filter on these models
couldn't be taken apart for cleaning. With my Bodum presses, grounds would
always get lodged between the screen and the metal frame that held it in
place - really icky if you didn't unscrew them and wash the plate, screen,
and stem each time (a major pain - probably why my dirty pot remained
unwashed until I needed it the next morning, and... well, you know where
that led.)
Well, on the BonJour, grounds never get into the screen - the plunger has a
rubber rim that keeps everything down below, where it belongs, and the edges
of the screen are sealed. A quick swish in soapy water and you're
finished... no reassambly required. (In reading the previous review, about
the plastic screen pins giving way, I'd just suggest using minimal pressure
when pushing the plunger down, and making sure the screen's rubber rim is
wet before inserting it into the pot, as the directions indicate - that'll
put less stress on those pins, I think.)
With my Bodums, the screen/plunger would remain about 1/2" above the base of
the pot when fully "plunged". Because of this, the grounds would all slosh
to the side of the spout when you were pouring, and a lot of coffee or tea
would remain in the base behind the dam of grounds. You'd have to roll the
pot from side to side to get the remaning coffee out, invariably spilling as
much as you gained. The BonJour's plunger goes all the way to the base, so
pouring is much easier - no dam of grounds to block the liquid.
The BonJour also has a fine sediment screen at the top of the pot (you can
bypass it if you'd like) which means NO floaties in your coffee or tea. And
I mean FINE - it's not like the silly, wide grate on the Bodum, which was no
help at all.
This is much lighter than the same-sized Bodum, and the handle is very wide
and comfortable to hold (it feels rubberized and won't slip in your hand).
And you can't beat the price.
If I ever DO break or otherwise damage this one (I have heard you can put
them in the microwave but I'm not taking any chances - similarly, I don't
put rolling-boiling water in, but add it just before it boils or wait for it
to cool a bit after, to avoid any melting problems), then for SURE I am
going to get another BonJour.
Of course, as with ALL French presses, when they say 8 "cups", they mean
espresso cups; this holds about 3 American mugs, or 32 oz. / 4 measuring
cups at the top of the black rim. Someday they'll get that standardized for
us!
Click Here to see more reviews about: BonJour Hugo 8-Cup Unbreakable French Press, Black
Product Description:
The BonJour Unbreakables... for those who are a little clumsy before their morning coffee!The Monet Unbreakable French Press is elegant and durable, perfect for patio, RV, boat or picnics.The carafe is made of polycarbonate that is unbreakable with normal use and care.The lid and frame are stainless steel as is the filter rod and assembly.Includes BonJour's filtering lid for less sediment in your coffee.
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Monday, March 14, 2011 Vaneli's Stainless Steel/ Rosewood Tamper 55mm--2.17 inches (2 3/16") Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)The picture does not do just for the product.This tamper had deep cherry color, and is heavy enough to give a good pressure by itself. Excellent.
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Product Description:
The high quality stainless steel rosewood design ensures precise, careful hard packing of the coffee grounds to ensure even saturation of the coffee particles. It is this even saturation that gives you the most flavor from your coffee. PLEASE MEASURE INSIDE DIAMETER OF PORTAFILTER BASKET TO ENSURE A PROPER FIT!
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Sunday, March 13, 2011 Vaneli's Stainless Steel/ Rosewood Tamper 53mm--2.09 inches (2 1/8") Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I did not believe that a good tamper can make a big difference to the quality of espresso untill I tried this one. I purchased size 53 mm for my starbucks barista machine. It looks very nice. The stainless steel is a mirror like finish. The wood handle is a perfect size and finish. It fits exactly the portafilter of my machine. When I use it I can prepare amazing esprsesso each time. Highly recommended.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Vaneli's Stainless Steel/ Rosewood Tamper 53mm--2.09 inches (2 1/8)
Product Description:
The high quality stainless steel/ rosewood design ensures precise, careful hard packing of the coffee grounds to ensure even saturation of the coffee particles. It is this even saturation that gives you the most flavor from your coffee. PLEASE MEASURE INSIDE DIAMETER OF PORTAFILTER BASKET TO ENSURE A PROPER FIT!
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Saturday, March 12, 2011 Bodum New Kenya 17-Ounce Coffee Press, Black Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased this coffee press in both the 4 cup and the 8 cup models. Both, like the other Bodum coffee presses, make a great cup of coffee, so if you have never tried coffee made this way, I would recommend getting one of the New Kenya models while Amazon has them at a reduced price. However, I would like to caution you about one thing.
One day after receiving the 4 cup press, I broke the glass carafe! Because these units have outsides that are made entirely of plastic (unlike other Bodum models which have holders and/or handles made of stainless steel), the fit around the glass beaker is very tight. The carafe and the plastic holder do need occasional separating while washing, because sometimes during the rinse process, coffee grounds become lodged between the two. I wash mine by hand.
If you are going to separate the two, please do not do so while you are washing them with the dish soap! I had to pull rather hard to get the glass from inside the plastic, with soapy hands, and, well, you can imagine what happened. They did separate, but the glass beaker went flying into the bottom of my sink and then totally shattered...
At the cost of the replacement carafe with the shipping charges, it was just cheaper for me to order a new one! I did do that, but purchased the Bodum Chambord model instead (which does cost more), with the metal holder, and the glass and holder separate very easily for cleaning (much easier than the plastic holder)! Which, by the way, now always occurs before the dish soap is applied!!!
The 8 cup version of the New Kenya press works just fine and the glass is intact, as I separate the components of that model sans dish soap, also. I thought I would share my experience so that perhaps there might be one less person out there saying to themselves, "What was I thinking!?".
Click Here to see more reviews about: Bodum New Kenya 17-Ounce Coffee Press, Black
Product Description:
The French press coffee maker is accepted worldwide as one of the best methods for brewing coffee and our New Kenya coffee press is sure to deliver not only gourmet coffee flavor, but modern design.The durable and heat-resistant glass beaker is partially encased by the black plastic frame of the New Kenya coffee maker.The frame covers a part of the sides and bottom of the beaker, making it safe for the tabletop without using a trivet or coaster.Simple to use, the French press is a proven method for brewing flavorful and balance coffee.Coffee is measured in 4 oz. cups, so our 4-cup press will brew 17 oz., serving one to two people.The small size makes it great for the home or office, anytime you want just one cup of coffee - plus maybe a little "top off".For best results, use coarse ground coffee.Just add the appropriate amount of ground coffee to the beaker (we recommend one 7 gram scoop per 4 oz. of water).Fill the beaker with hot water (just off of a boil).Leave about an inch from the top of the beaker.Give the coffee a stir with a plastic or wooden utensil to mix it completely with the water.Set the plunger and lid unit in place with the safety lid in the closed position.Allow the coffee to brew for 4-minutes and then press.Turn the safety lid to the open position, serve and enjoy.Clean up is easy too - just scoop out the grounds with a rubber spatula, and rinse the beaker and filter.There is no paper or additional filter required.The 3-part stainless steel filter system is built right into the press.The stay cool handle is built right into the sturdy New Kenya frame.All parts are dishwasher safe.The New Kenya is also available in 3, 6, and 8 cup sizes.
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