Amazon.com Review

Ideal for home or office, this French press coffeemaker doublesas an insulated thermos so coffee stays hot and fresh for up to twohours. The pot holds 34 ounces (1 liter), nearly seven 5-ounce cups,and can be used for brewing tea as well as coffee. It's made ofstainless steel polished to a mirror-finish, has a large, comfortablehandle, and is dishwasher-safe. The lid seals in heat remarkably welland turns to prevent heat from escaping through the spout betweenpours. The pot stands 8-1/2 inches high, including the plunger top.--Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe
• French press makes coffee directly in thermos
• Holds 34 ounces, nearly seven 5-ounce cups
• Keeps coffee hot for two hours
• Made of stainless-steel polished to mirror-finish

Reviews (25)

Mmmm, fresh coffee....
I purchased this press as a Christmas present for a coffee lover. We are both very pleased with it! In just 4 minutes it made excellent coffee with no grinds whatsoever in the brew. We used filtered drinking water from our cooler and fresh ground coffee and it was some of the best coffee I've tasted. We got about 3 big cups out of it and it did stay hot for quite awhile, although we drank it up too quickly to find out just how long it would stay hot. It was also easy clean-up, very few parts to clean out thanks to it's simple design. This will be great to travel and camp with as well as make great coffee quickly in the morning. Highly recommended for coffee lovers!

Outstanding French Press
I have been searching for a thermal french press to replace my coffee maker and this is it! It makes a perfect cup of coffee, stays warm, and looks really really cool. For the folks that complain about keeping coffee warm--the only way to maintain 200+degrees is to add heat from an external source which tends to ruin the coffee. A thermal pot is a compromise but works well if you drink the coffee in a reasonable amount of time. The pot is small enough to make 3 or 4 cups at a time and so easy to rinse out. You can make more by simply putting the kettle back on to boil when you're ready. Freshly made coffee is better than anything that has sat in a pot for an hour or more--duh!

Awesome Camp Coffee
We have travel trailer but often camp where there is no electricity. Stove-top percolators just boiled the coffee. The 8-cup pot gives me two+ big mugs of great-tasting coffee and the second cup is hot without being 'scorched'. If you have more than one or two coffee drinkers, I'd consider the 12 cup pot.

This is the French Press that will convert the doubtful
This is by far the best coffee making device I have ever owned. It keeps coffee hot, the plunger seals tightly to reduce sludge, and it's more than easy to clean. Plus...no more broken carafes.

My best coffee ever!
I got this press for Christmas two years ago and absolutely LOVE it! I've used french presses for almost 10 years and was only disappointed that the coffee didn't stay hot. Then this baby came along and solved that problem! The coffee stays fairly hot for a couple of hours if you make sure to turn the lid so it is shut (there is a little arrow that points to the spout when open and to the handle when closed). Also, because the plunger has a plastic seal around the rim, there is hardly any coffee "sludge" at the bottom of your cup. And because it is stainless steel it will not break, it is a cinch to clean, and it stays bright and shiny.

I highly recommend this pot to anyone who really loves coffee - it takes a tad more work, but what a difference! Plus, it is truly beautiful - how many coffee makers can say that? ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Just by looking, it's not hard to believe this automatic espresso machine won The Chicago Athenaeum's prestigious Good Design 2003 award. But, in addition to the sophisticated modern styling, the machine’s many innovative features make it easy to brew great-tasting espresso, cappuccino, and latte drinks. To take the guesswork out of making the perfect cup, the Granos offers a fully programmable control panel. Set it to accommodate individual preferences, or choose a single or double espresso by simply pushing a button. There's also the option of using either regular ground coffee or the popular pre-packed espresso pods. The Bodum Granos' ThermoBlock heating system ensures the correct water temperature for extracting the coffee's full flavor, while its unique water system expels used water rather than letting it flow back into the fresh-water reservoir. A 19-bar pump, dual-wall filter, and a stabilizing baffle in combination ensure a consistent, correct release of pressure. Its filter holder and handle are made of chrome-plated brass, and all internal and external components are made from metal and high-quality electrical parts. Additional features include a cup warmer, a steam wand for making cappuccino and latte drinks, and an adapter for attaching bottled water directly to the machine. A tamper and single, double, and pod shot filters are included. This espresso machine carries a two-year limited warranty. --Catie Unger ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty
• Single or double espresso at the push of a button; fully programmable
• Chrome-plated brass filter holder; 19-bar pump; ThermoBlock provides full-flavored coffee
• Cup warmer; water-bottle adapter; steam wand for making cappuccino and latte drinks
• Uses ground coffee or espresso pods; tamper and single, double, and pod shot filters included

Amazon.com Review

Bodum's French press makes it easy: coffee, water, wait, enjoy.Simply measure out one rounded tablespoon of coarsely ground coffee per4-ounce cup, pour in the hot water, wait a few minutes for it to brew,and slowly press down the plunger. Next comes the best part, as you getto enjoy a cup of rich and aromatic coffee. Because of its 8-cupcapacity and elegant design, this French press is great for dinnerparties, where you can now brew your guests' coffee right at the table.Bodum has been in the coffee business for decades, and the companycontinues to produce stylish, affordable, and reliable products.--Maile Rehbock ... Read more

Features

• All parts are dishwasher safe
• Brews 32 ounces of coffee; retains beans' oils for rich, complex flavor
• Sturdy, chrome-plated brass frame; easy-to-clean glass carafe
• Stainless-steel press mechanism; replacement parts available
• Turn lid to close spout; not for stovetop use

Reviews (29)

Best coffee I've ever had
I previously owned a (much) smaller version of this press, which made an excellent cup of coffee. But that was the problem. It only made a CUP of coffee. I usually have two, and what if others want coffee? It takes a while, going one cup at a time.

Needless to say, I upgraded to this larger press, which makes about 3 times more coffee. It makes the best coffee ever - I could never go back to a junky old drip coffee maker after this. Yeah, it's more work than a drip coffee maker, but really, would you rather have quick, easy coffee that tastes bad, or a delicious cup of coffee that takes 5 minutes more?

Using this is like steeping tea - you boil some water, grind some coffee beans (I hope you're grinding your own coffee beans!) and pour the water over the coffee grounds to let them steep for 4 minutes. Then you push the knob down, which filters delicious coffee into the water and leaves the grounds at the bottom of your pot. Then, voila! You've got about 3 cups of yummy coffee, depending on to what extent you water your cup down with cream and sugar.

If you're one of those people who just CAN'T WAIT for their coffee, you'd be better off getting a typical drip coffee maker. But if you love coffee, and want it to taste as good as it possibly can, you have to buy this press.

The Full Experience
I just got this one (Bodum Chambord 8-cup) yesterday and am very happy with the results. My first cup was with four scoops (included with press) of coarsely ground Starbucks Yukon Blend and about 14 oz of water for a four-minute steep. The result was a hair on the strong side, but without a doubt the most robust, flavorful cup of coffee I have ever had, with no harshness at all. Some sediment in the bottom of the cup from a minimal amount of coffee bean dust that got through the mesh plunger, but nothing too bothersome. Cleanup is no more difficult than with a drip coffee maker, and no more fumbling with paper filters. Not sure about the other models, but the glass carafe on this one is large enough to accommodate a hand and sponge, which makes it easy to clean. For entertaining, I would get the 12-cup version. Product seems well made, and plunger action is smooth and easy.

Consistently Excellent Coffee
Having just moved, my husband and I were recently deprived of our favorite coffee chain (which doesn't serve our area). All the local coffee houses have so far produced either inconsistent results, or their coffee was consistently of poor quality.

We purchased this unit as an experiment, because we heard good things about french presses. We have been extremely satisfied with the results. This little unit makes consistently excellent coffee, with an incredibly good flavor. We follow the same guidelines as those on the other reviews here: coarsely ground coffee, cooled-for-a-few-seconds-after-boiling water, and the coffee is served immediately after pressing it.

The only reason that I gave this product 4 stars is the usual: this does *not* make 8 cups of coffee by American standards. It makes enough for 1 large mug and 1 smaller mug of coffee. That is just barely enough for us, and it's excellent stuff, so I'm satisfied, but it's only 8 cups by European standards. We'll shortly be upgrading to the stainless steel larger version of this press.

It's OK, but not as it's hyped
After seeing a french press on TV and reading the reviews I wanted one of these things to get the "greatest cup of coffee ever". After following the directions and recommendations on using it for about a month I can say that I have not noticed any big difference from the drip coffee I used to make. The press does take an insignificant amount more of effort than a drip maker but it's not hard to make or clean. I just haven't noticed any more flavor, richness, or aroma in the coffee to justify the cost of the press. I'm going to go back to the drip coffeemaker for everyday coffee making and use the press only when I want to "impress" somebody. LOL

"Cowboy Coffee" for the 21st century
The Chambord brews your coffee right at your table. It's probably the richest cup of coffee you'll experience. It's made virtually the same way the cowboys made their coffee. The big exeception is that the grounds are pressed whereby all the coffee oils are present. It's as simple as making instant coffee, with 10X the flavor. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Most coffee roasters and tea buyers recommend using a coffee or tea press to enjoy the beverages at their best, but the devices have typically offered one major disadvantage--the brewed coffee or tea cooled quickly within the glass carafe. The Bodum Columbia thermal press overcomes this shortcoming with its double-walled stainless-steel construction, which insulates hot coffee or tea to keep it warm for up to two hours. The end result is a rich, flavorful beverage with perfectly extracted flavors and aromas.

To use the Columbia press for coffee, grind fresh beans to a coarse consistency, add 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water, then add hot water and brew for four to five minutes before plunging the press. Tea brews in the same manner, but with whole tea leaves instead. The press holds up to 48 ounces of liquid--enough for 12 small cups of coffee (4 ounces each)--and features Bodum's patented safety lid to keep the contents from spilling. For best results, users should dedicate the press to brewing one beverage only, as coffee and tea flavors tend to cross over when brewed separately in the same vessel. The Columbia coffee and tea press is dishwasher-safe. --Rivers Janssen ... Read more

Features

• Holds 48 ounces, enough for twelve 4-ounce cups of coffee
• Thermal coffee and tea press keeps beverages hot for up to 2 hours
• Double-wall stainless-steel construction insulates contents
• Safety lid keeps contents from spilling
• Dishwasher-safe for quicker cleaning

Reviews (4)

Haven't Had A REAL CUP OF JOE or TEA Until You Have A Press!
This product, along with my Bodum Assam tea press are the BEST purchases that I have made to date from Amazon. This thermal double-walled stainless-steel coffee & tea press insulates hot coffee or tea to keep it warm for up to two hours. The top part of the stainless steel filter has a closed position to keep the heat in & a strainer position when you need to pour. The end result is something that you can't get from an automatic, vacuum, drip, percolator, or tea bags. You get, instead, a rich, full, smooth, flavorful cup of joe or tea with perfectly extracted flavors and aromas. Since there isn't a paper filter to soak up the rich oils in coffee beans, the oils stay in the coffee where they rightfully belong.

The best practices for this press are the following: For a fine cup o' joe, grind fresh beans to a coarse consistency, add 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water, add boiling hot water and let the grounds brew for about four to six minutes, depending on how strong you like your coffee before hitting the plunger on top to stop the brewing method.

Tea brews in basically the same manner, but add 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of loose tea leaves for every 6 ounces of water, add boiling hot water for black & oolong teas and almost boiling (170 degrees) for green, herbal and white teas, let the grounds brew for about four to seven minutes, depending on how strong you like your tea, too much longer and you will get a bitter cup of tea, press the plunger and voila... a lovely spot o' tea!

I highly recommend this product! It is crafted of the best quality, is esthetically pleasing to look at & use and will last a lifetime!

I'm hooked!
I bought my Bodum coffee press before Christmas and quickly became "hooked" on the great flavor of the pressed coffee. The pot is very sturdy and cleans up great. I use it every day now.

I would definitely suggest this pot to any coffee lover.

nice design, great for guests
I own both the 8- and 12-cup presses, and recommend them highly. They're durable, easy to clean, heat-retentive and easy to use when serving. A few hints: do follow the mfg.'s suggestion and use each vessel either for coffee or tea, so there's no transfer of coffee oils to your other brews. Also, it helps to retain heat if you keep the lid turned so that the spout is closed between servings. I also find that a spritz of vinegar before a thorough washing keeps you quality coffee/tea tasting its best. Having tried all sorts of other steeping devices, I can say that this Bodum is a winner, and worth the money.

Fantastic
I have tried several types of brewing methods (drip & vacuum), but this coffee press is my absolute favorite. I am able to make hot and robust coffee. Since you control the brew time, water temperature, coarseness of the grounds, & amount of water, you can make your coffee to suit your tastes.

It took me a few pots to tinker with the variables mentioned above, but it was well worth it. It is a little more trouble than a drip machine, but I got much smoother yet richer coffee with this method.

The pot is sleek and easy to clean. It does a decent job of keeping coffee hot, although a lot of heat seems to escape through the top once you press the coffee grounds down. Also, it makes 12 FOUR ounce cups. Most drip machines are measured in SIX ounce cups, so choose your pot size with care. Occassionally a tiny amount of grounds get through the filter (common with this brew method), but for the most part I have been happy with the filter.

I would definitely purchase this product again! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Serious coffee lovers agree that the best way to brew everyone'sfavorite stimulant is also the simplest and quickest. The French press methodprevents scorching of the beans, and because there's no filter involved, all ofthe flavorful oils stay in your drink. Simply measure out one rounded tablespoonof coarse ground per 4-ounce cup, pour very hot (not boiling) water over it, letthe contents brew for at least 4 minutes, then slowly depress the plunger. Theresult is one of the richest cups of java you'll ever taste. This attractivelydesigned Bodum press is the perfect size for one person's morning fix. Becausethe carafe is glass, it's best to use a little care when handling the press inthe sink--but if it should break, don't panic: Bodum offers replacement parts.--Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• All parts are dishwasher safe
• Brews 12 ounces of coffee; retains beans' oils for rich, complex flavor
• Sturdy, chrome-plated brass frame; easy-to-clean glass carafe
• Stainless-steel press mechanism; replacement parts available
• Turn lid to close spout; not for stovetop use

Reviews (26)

For those who love Cafe Au Lait a great coffee press!
My sister bought this press for the house. This one works real well-- perfect for those coffee press users. Bodum is also a well known brand of coffee press, so you don't have to worry about a flimsy product. Also if it breaks, Bodum is pretty good with spare parts. As a comsumer, I always recommend you shop around for the best price.

When using a coffee press, or any other coffee machine, make sure you FRESHLY grind your coffee for optimal taste. I recommend all serious coffee drinkers to invest in a good burr grinder-- you really can taste the differnce. Also for a coffee press the ginds must be large and coarse in thickness, otherwise your pressed coffee will taste lousy-- do not use automatic drip sized grinds. I also recommend a quality dark/French roast when using a press.

Please note that this press makes 3 French-sized cups of coffee. In Paris cafes, you're served coffee in a press with a "bowl sized" cup half filled with steamed milk (Cafe Au Lait).

A Great Cup of Coffee
I just got the 3-Cup Press today and I'm sitting here typing this review with my first cup of coffee made using it.

I love getting lattes from coffeshops but I've never been able to make one at home, until now. This coffee press does a great job of brewing an incredibly delicious cup of coffee!

And for jmpkep from CT who asked about the occasional coffee drinker: I'm like you- I drink coffee maybe once a week, not more than one or two cups. Conventional coffeemakers are usually too big & bulky & hard to clean for me. This works great. Cleanup is easy too- Just rinse it out, or handwash... I don't know if it's dishwasher-safe or not, but I'll be handwashing mine, just to be safe.

A superb cup of coffee
I'm quite the lover of good coffee, and I hadn't ever owned a coffee press until buying this particular item.

The use of it is simple. I keep coarsely ground coffee in a tupperware in the fridge at work. I pour two scoops into the bottom, pour hot water on top, and push the press down. Ten minutes later, out comes terrific pressed coffee.

The flavor is different than traditional drip-and-filter coffee makers, but difficult to describe; subtle and yet more full-bodied.

It really is a terrific cup of coffee. Note, that it is a single standard-mug sized cup of coffee. The "3-cup" title is ... misleading at best. However, it is really convenient to not have to brew an entire pot of coffee, and it is also very convenient to have a press for brewing a cup at work.

Highly recommended.

Too tiny
I personally think this coffee press is too small to be functional. It holds about 10oz. It's easy to clean and is useful if you are traveling, but not very suitable for use at home.

There is no better cup of coffee
This thing is awesome. So easy to use. Just put some water in a kettle. Pour it over your freshly ground coarse coffee. It is delicious. So simple, I always use this when I entertain. It is awesome. ... Read more

Features

• Unique vacuum brewing process
• Auto shutoff
• Built-in nylon filter for fresher taste
• Durable polycarbonate construction
• 1200 watts

Reviews (24)

Great product!
After my uber-negative review of the Cuisinart Grind & Brew, I did what I said I'd do and purchased the Bodum.Wow!The coffee tastes great, it's piping hot and the machine is an absolute delight.Washing the pot itself is a little unnerving because of the electric components in the base, but cleaning the coffee hopper is a no-brainer.Plus, it's pretty fun to watch the brewing process - a mini science experiment in the kitchen every morning!My husband and I are both very satisfied with this, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others.

A Lovely Mess
We are of two minds - my wife and I - over the relative merits of the Bodum Santos electric vacuum coffee pot. I see an evocative design that's equal parts mad-scientist chemistry set and Frank Gehry angular assemblage. Herself sees... a mess.

Granted, the eSantos doesn't have the drop-dead convenience of one of those push-button pod machines. And it's not the grinding, measuring and filling thing... we're more than used to that. It's the post-brew mess that herself frowns at.

Like a great many vacuum pots, the eSantos has a permanent filter. [Okay... semi permanent. Bodum recommends replacing it every so often.] This filter is a very fine mesh screen; it allows dissolved coffee solids and oils through, making for an exceptionally flavorful cup with lots of body, and it does so without choking on coffee finings, a problem that I nearly always experienced with my vintage Cory glass vacuum pot and its permanent glass filter rod.

The net effect is - of course - a mess. No denying it. There's no paper filter to toss in the trash bin [or compost heap, if you're of the composty ilk]. Instead, after the brewer has cooled it's necessary to rinse the coffee grounds out of the brew globe, and then to wash it. Yes, wash it. By hand, no less. Matter of fact, if you've brewed especially fresh coffee that wasn't roasted to death [and you are, aren't you?] you'll find a lovely, oily frothy mess left behind.

Want convenience? Get one of those push-button things. But if you want really great coffee it's hard to beat a vacuum pot. Bodum's update on the classic vac is about as good as it gets.

better, faster, cheaper, and easy on the eyes
this coffemaker is absolutely the best affordable coffee brewing technology on the market. 20 ounces of water in; 20 ounces of coffee out. for my money, i use a lot less coffee per cup than with drip. i've heard complaints that the mini santos is difficult to use at first, but it took 3 minutes to read the instructions and 6 minutes later i was enjoying my first cup. cleaning is easier than a french press, and because everything is plastic, no cracked or broken beekers. what i admire most about the santos is the simplicity and economy of design, which matches the technology perfectly. no frilly ornamentation or chrome switches. the integrity and integration of technololgy, design, materials, and price tag are what home appliances should all be about. bodum delivers on this promise.

Sleek, Good-looking, and Affordable model it is, but...
I was impressed the first time this baby brewed the coffee.It is fun watching the vacuum process, but no fun to clean up.To get a decent strong cup, you have to pour in more coffee than average and this makes me stop more frequent at the coffeeshop.Unfortunately,my unit performed great the first time, but it failed later on and just spilled the coffee all over my kitchen (I guess it had something to do with temp-controller inside that heats the water way too hot)..That's why I gave it 3 stars.

High maintenance, and worth it
I've had my mini-Bodum for over a year now.It has functioned perfectly; the only defect was that the flip-top lid broke off some time ago.Since it's pretty much superfluous, it doesn't bother me: as soon as the coffee is brewed, I transfer it to a thermos anyway.Who needs a lid?

As has been noted, there is a good bit of fuss involved in preparing and operating this coffeemaker.The coffee, however, is sensational - assuming you start with good quality beans.(Garbage in, garbage out is a principle that holds for coffeemakers as well as for computers.)

So count me another satisfied customer - with a unit that has worked well, day in and day out for about fifteen months.I wish it were easier to use, but I've never had such good coffee at home, outside of a French press.

(And by the way, to the person who complained about cleaning: all you have to do is, once a month, toss in a little baking soda after you've rinsed the pot, and let it sit for an hour.The buildup will rinse right off; there's no need to scrub.) ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

As beautiful as sculpture, as fascinating as chemistry, and asentertaining as theater, this coffeemaker from Switzerland converts theordinary process of brewing coffee into an artful performance. And itmakes six 5-ounce cups of full-flavored coffee while it entrances. Thecoffeemaker fits together like this: water goes into the carafe, afilter fits into the mouth of a tube in the top globe, ground coffeegoes into the globe (a scoop is included), the globe fits atop thecarafe with the tube extending into the carafe, and the carafe goesonto the stovetop with a trivet or heat diffuser between it andelectric or gas heat. (This is all much simpler and quicker than itsounds.)

Water boils up through the tube into the globe and brews the coffee.When brewing is complete and the carafe has been taken off the stovetopand set into its accompanying sculpted trivet, the coffee drainsthrough the filter into the carafe. The globe can then be lifted offthe carafe and set on its stand, and coffee can be poured from thecarafe, which has a stay-cool handle. A stopper for the carafe keepssecond cups warm while the first cups are sipped. Fully assembled, thecoffee maker stands 11-1/2 inches high. It's made of heat-resistantglass and durable, gleaming nylon, and all parts are dishwasher-safe.--Fred Brack ... Read more

Features

• Measures 9-1/4 by 6 by 11-1/2 inches
• Theatrical, entertaining method of brewing six 5-ounce cups of coffee
• Made of heat-resistant glass and durable, gleaming nylon
• Carafe with stay-cool handle and a stopper keeps coffee warm
• Dishwasher-safe; includes coffee scoop and resting stand

Reviews (90)

Bodum Santos Vacuum Coffee Makers
I cannot rave enough about this treasure made in Copenhagen. I have used every conceivable type of coffee maker in the past, but this one is simply the best I have ever used. It is beautiful to look at, very easy to use and clean, and makes the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted. I ordered the electric version of this brand, but when it arrived, it had a defect, so I returned it immediately. I am so happy I didn't order the electric one because it was twice the amount of money that I paid for the non-electric one. I am going to tell all my friends about it--unfortunately you can't buy it in any stores, only through Amazon.com. Congratulations on carrying this absolute gem of a coffee maker!! Joanne Evens, Granite Bay, CA

Bodum Santos Vacuum Coffeemaker
I've had this marvelous coffee maker since October, 2001, and would never own another coffee maker. It is a miracle, blends the best coffee ever, is easiest to clean out. I broke the bottom unit due to carelessness, ordered another from Bodum, and since then, haven't ever broken it again. The older drip electric units used to be impossible to clean out due to hidden parts that got clogged up, this you can wash in a minute by releasing the filter spring in the top unit, removing filter, and placing upper unit in sink disposal hole, then spray with hot water from the faucet, using a dishcloth to clean, then put back the filter and store it in the upper unit plastic holder.

I bought another Bodum Santos (brand new still in box) at a local thrift store for [$$] which I will keep in case I ever have to replace a part). I can't rave enough about this coffee maker.

Joanne Evens, Granite Bay, CA

the best coffee
Although this takes time compared to an electric drip maker or French press, the wait is worth it, even when groggy and in need of that first sip of caffeine in the morning. But then, I was one of the last holdouts to give up my Chemex.

But it reminds me of that rhyme about the little girl with the curl. When it's good it's very good...but.... When the coffee refuses to drip down, the end result is no longer the best coffee I've ever tasted. Taking the advice of one reviewer to make sure the water comes to a boil before putting on the top part helps, but every now and then it balks and doesn't progress. Other than that, the results are pure pleasure for any coffee addict who cares about taste in addition to getting that important caffeine fix.

I wouldn't call it easy to clean unless one has a dishwasher, and I hope the filter is inert when in contact with boiling water (the coffee tastes as if it is), but I highly recommend this maker because the end result, when it works, is out of this world.

Update: now that I pay more attention to the grind (making it coarser, as for my French Press pot), it works perfectly and quickly every time.

Great coffee, great theater!
First, a word of warning. The two glass "globes" in this coffeemaker are fragile. You can easily crack one by tapping it a little too hard against the edge of your sink, or by allowing the bottom vessel to boil dry. Treat them with care. This is not an appliance for a household with small kids.

However, this vac pot makes outstanding coffee! I fill the bottom pot to the 8-cup level (that's only 30 ounces of water) and use 40 grams of coffee beans ground medium-fine. (That would be roughly 5 coffee-scoops of grounds. Experiment to see what you like.) The coffee rivals the best French press coffee I've ever had, and exceeds it in that the coffee is clear and free of the sediment that the press leaves. It's hot, too, and that's something that I miss with both French press and drip coffee.

Use freshly-roasted coffee beans and good water, watch your pot so that it doesn't boil dry, pour the coffee into a good thermos container to keep it hot, and enjoy. It makes terrific coffee.

Coarse grind revisited
This is David with the coarse grind problem, or rather the fine grind problem. I have a solution for those having the same problem. I bought some expensive finely ground coffee and it was getting clogged in the plastic filter. So I ordered a Hario cloth filter and some extra cloths. It looks similar to the bodum in that it has a circular disc connected to a spring and a dangle pull chain. It hooks to the lower lip of the top bowl's stem just like the Bodum and is the correct diameter and spring length. And the stainless disc is covered by a circular cloth, denser than a cheesecloth but lighter than canvas. The first time I used it the Hario worked better, but still became clogged. I was disappointed but kept at it. But now after several uses it works fantastic. I clean the filter under the faucet with a small nylon brush. I gently scrub and I think this has "seasoned" the filter to work better by opening the pores between the fibers. Also, I have found that filling the bottom pot WAY past the 8 cup mark makes it work better. I leave just a little air in the bottom. This leaves just enough room for the water to expand while heating and for the top bowl's stem to fit in without squeezing out a mess of hot water. I tried a diffuser since I have a gas stove. But it took way too long to come to a boil. So now I just fill the bottom just shy of the top(just above the red Bodum sticker), put it directly on the gas stove after a quick wipe to get external water drops off, bring it to a near boil, stick the Hario containing top bowl on with a little wiggle, turn the heat down, and let the coffee steep for about 1 - 1 1/2 minutes starting my counting once all the water makes its way to the top bowl.

The coffee comes out perfect. Delicious, full-flavored, and NO BITTERNESS!!!! Filling the water to near the top makes a greater vacuum and helps pull the coffee back down once it's off the heat. Since I enjoy a second, and often a third cup I find it is perfect. I haven't tried my new Hario cloth setup on a half pot yet but I suspect that now it is draining properly this should not be a problem. I wash the cloth and upper bowl immediately after brewing....yes it's hot but I have asbestos fingers. And I rinse out the pot immediately after the last cup is drawn.

Now I have perfect coffee every time. The taste is amazing. Starbucks burnt garbage can't even compare.

Now my only beef with the Bodum is the cheap plastic handle on the bottom pot. It gets very hot while brewing and it always feels like it's about to snap when I lift that hot, topheavy system off of the heat. I may try to replace that handle with a higher quality chemistry flask clamp or something similar.

Anyway, hope it helps somebody out there. FYI the filter setup was like $7 and the extra cloths about $5 a pack of five. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Who knows more about tea than the British? When the British Tea Council asked Bodum to develop a new way of brewing tea, the result was this unique press that's almost as much fun to look at as it is to use. Simply fill the strainer with tea leaves and add boiling water--a slow process, but well worth the time. (You could also use tea bags, but why would you want to?) The clear jug lets you see the tea as it's steeping, allowing you to customize its strength to your taste. When the tea is strong enough, slowly depress the plunger to stop the brewing. You won't have any tea leaves to read at the bottom of your cup, but there's no mess and no need to remove the strainer before you pour. But be forewarned: the Bodum press doesn't retain heat quite as well as a traditional teapot, so you might want to use a tea cozy if you're not drinking the whole pot in one sitting. It's a shame to cover up such a beautiful design, but that's the way the tea leaf tumbles. --Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• Heat resistant borosilicate glass, stainless steel lid, polycarbonate strainer and plunger
• Brew tea without removing the infuser
• 48-ounce capacity
• All parts are dishwasher safe
• Designed for the British Tea Council

Reviews (10)

EASY TO USE, GREAT TEA!
This tea press is very easy to use, and makes great tea. You just need to add the appropriate amount of tea to the basket, add boiling water, let the tea brew for about five minutes (black tea), and press the plunger, which isolates the tea leaves in the bottom of the basket preventing excess brewing. This way you never get bitter tea! This pot is big enough to make a thermos of tea.

Easy to use, makes a great cup of tea, dishwasher clean up
I bought two of these in the personal and large size a few years ago. It is very easy to use. Scoop loose tea in the plastic bucket. Pour in boiling water. Put the lid back on. When the tea is the right color, push the plunger connected to the lid. The tea becomes compressed below the holes in the plastic bucket stopping the brewing process. When done, I rinse the loose tea into the garbage disposal, then put the pot, lid and bucket into the dishwasher where it comes out unstained and ready to use. Its great.
Two small downsides. On the smaller model, you have to hold the lid onto the pot when pouring from a really full pot. It may leak a little otherwise. I don't have this problem with the larger model. The other thing is if you use a tea with a very large leaf, like some of the green teas, it takes the water some time to drain through the holes in the bucket, possibly two or three fills before the pot is full. But that's not really a big deal in my book.

Those Brits Just Rock When It Comes To Tea Prep!
I just ordered and received this 6 cup Bodum Assam tea press and I LOVE IT! It is my very favorite Amazon purchase thus far!

It used to be such a pain to fill a little stainless steel strainer tea ball to make loose tea, nevermind the pain in the 'tocks in regards to clean up involved but THIS TEA PRESS is great, easy to clean, and makes a nice cup of tea. I can usually down the whole pot by myself without the tea loosing heat. I don't like to drink my tea BOILING hot either... I highly recommend this tea press.

Another thing I love about it is that it is clear glass and you can see just how strong & dark your tea is steeping.

If you care to have your tea stay BOILING HOT, Bodum also makes a little candle tea warmer to sit your tea press on, item #B0000U6PUE that you add a tea light to. VERY QUAINT!

Also, as an aside... DO NOT WASH this tea press. Just rinse with hot tap water. The stains on the plastic insert and the glass make tea taste better. Don't believe a YANK? Ask ANY BRIT!!!

For the dismayed reviewer: It's a TEA PRESS, not a kettle!
It's really funny to see that people do not read the descriptions of things before they buy them and get angry about their own incapability to use whatever they bought. This Bodum teapot is called a Tea Press, but even if it was called just a teapot every tea lover would understand that it is not a kettle and is not supposed to be used on a stove.
Great teapot! I had one for 4 years. Recently it broke while I was washing it in a sink and hit it with a heavy platter, so a dishwasher is a good idea.
As for staining, books about tea making will tell you not to clean the stains - just rinse a teapot with cold water. These stains are part of good tasting tea!

Looks pretty, but not practical or useful
The only thing that can be said for this pot is that it holds alot of water and looks nice. I was dismayed to find it cannot be used on stovetop. Why buy a teapot if you have to have a separate pot to boil water in? It also must be handled carefully with hot liquid, as the warning on the bottom says. The surface does not insulate well so that it is dangerous to touch when hot and does not hold heat for very long either. As for it's other claim to convenience, the see-through steeping, it's nothing that I couldn't already do with my clear pitcher and a tea ball. This just isn't what I was looking for. ... Read more

Product Description

The Pavina highball glass is the winner of the European iF Design Award. This set consists of two highball glasses, each one with a 12-ounce capacity. Mouth-blown, the highball glasses are double-walled which help insulates hot or cold beverages. With this unique design, your beverage appears to float inside the inner layer of clear glass. Dishwasher-safe. ... Read more

Features

• Winner of European iF Design Award
• Set of 2 beer glasses; 11-ounce capacity each
• Mouth blown, double-walled borosilicate glass construction
• Beverage appears to float inside inner layer of clear glass
• Dishwasher safe; double walls insulate hot or cold beverages

Reviews (2)

Nice glasses
Other people who have reviewed Bodum glassware elsewhere in Amazon have complained that ice cubes cause these glasses to break.But these double-wall glasses are made of borosilicate glass, which is highly resistant to sudden changes in temperature.But the glass walls are as thin as a lightbulb, so they are very lightweight and must be treated with a LOT of care.Dropping ice cubes into an empty Bodum glass will give you the same result as dropping a rock into it.A little common sense is called for;sudden temperature changes will not break borosilicate glass.

I ordered mine through Sur la Table, and they arrived VERY well protected.When I first unwrapped them I thought they were made of Lexan polycarbonate or some similar material because they didn't feel or sound like glass.

I find that hot beverages don't stay hot longer in these double-wall glasses than in any other glass or mug, so I gave it 4 stars rather than 5.But they DO have a unique appearance.

WONDERFUL TO LOOK AT DELIGHTFUL TO HOLD, BUT IF IT BREAKS...
we don't want to know. These glasses are way to fragile for practical use. There were a number of reviews where they were broken on arrival. Mine arrived alright and seem to be fine for coffee but do not use them with ice. One ice cube will break the inner glass and you will not know it while drinking as the very thin inner glass and the drink fall into the remainder of the glass. You could easily swallow some glass. You do not realize the inner glass is broken until you swallow some glass or finish your drink and see liquid still in the space between the broken part of your glass and the outer wall.

I wrote the Bodum Company explaining the situation but got no response. I use other Bodum products and have never had a problem but these glasses and their customer service are unsatisfactory. ... Read more

Product Description

Winner of the European iF Design Award, these highball glasses come in a set of two. Each holds 12-ounces. The double-walled design helps insulate both hot and cold beverages. ... Read more

Features

• Winner of European iF Design Award
• Set of 2 glasses; 12-ounce capacity
• Mouth blown, double-walled borosilicate glass construction
• Beverage appears to float inside inner layer of clear glass
• Dishwasher safe; double walls insulate hot or cold beverages

Reviews (4)

Too fragile for daily use!
My first order for these glasses arrived with one broken glass. Amazon quickly sent a replacement. I was initially thrilled with them as I had been looking for insulated drinkware that was a step up from plastic. But, my enthusiasm quickly faded. After a week or so, the bottom of one glass cracked simply from being filled with ice cubes. Then, a week later, the second glass cracked in the dishwasher. They're simply too fragile for everyday use. I sent Bodum an e-mail with my comments but they never replied. Great idea, poor execution.

Delicate!
I really love these glasses, however, getting them to arrive safely can be quite a chore. Two of three sets arrived shattered (two seperate shipments). In both shipments they were packaged in the same manner that Amazon packages books - works fine if you ARE a book, but it doesn't cut it for things this fragile. I'm giving them a 5 star because they are unique and attractive, but beware: the glass is EXTREMELY thin and will very easily break.

Beautiful, but very, very, very delicate!
Just as the first reviewer indicated, these glasses are not packaged very well by the manufacturer.To make matters worse, they are made of very, very, very thin, weak glass.The larger the glass, the greater the chance it will arrive broken.I'll be giving mine away as gifts, if they last long enough.

Great Glasses
I bought these glasses and thought I would have to wait a month for them to come in stock. I didn't they came about 2 weeks after I ordered them. They are great! I have some of the plastic cheap type and used them all the time. When I saw that Bodum had the real glass I thought they would look much better then my plastic that is getting to look bad. These glasses will not sweat so you can sit them on a table without a coaster. I love using them for icecream too! Go into the dishwasher great!
One down side in the shipping process. One set was broken. They don't package them good at all in shipping. Have to send one back and cross fingers for the next set not to be busted up! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Bodum’s Brazil press utilizes unbreakable polycarbonate for its carafe, which makes this model an excellent choice for campers, students, or travelers who like to make fine coffee on the road. The press method is considered by many aficionados to be the best way to make a perfect cup of coffee, since no paper filter absorbs and removes the essence of the flavor. To make coffee with the press, remove the plunger/top ensemble, add coarse ground coffee to the glass carafe, add hot (but not boiling) water, stir with a spoon, and position the top and plunger in place. Allow the coffee to brew for about four minutes before slowing pushing down on the plunger. Pushing too hard or too quickly may cause hot liquid to squirt out. The domed lid features a slotted spout cover for pouring. To clean, simply scoop out the used grounds and pop the entire unit into the dishwasher. This 32-ounce model makes eight four-ounce dessert cups of coffee. Made in Denmark, the press measures 8-3/4 by 5-1/4 inches and comes with a plastic coffee measuring spoon. --Ann Bieri ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe
• Unbreakable French press is great for travel
• 32-ounce polycarbonate beaker
• Heat-resistant top, handle, and base
• Special filter reduces sediment

Reviews (5)

What's the big deal?
After reading elsewhere how wonderful these French Press coffeemakers are, I have yet to understand why. I bought one at Target like this one & made coffee, carefully following the enclosed directions. I didn't like having to wait for the boiled water to cool since you're not supposed to use boiling water. Then, once poured, waiting for the coffee grounds to steep. With an electric coffeemaker you just make the coffee, push a button and when it's done, it's done, no interim steps and waiting around. The coffee from these presses also isn't that great, kind of strong but watery mud, and not very hot, my main complaint. Then....cleanup time! Yuck! What do I do with all those sloshy grounds if my disposal isn't working?...which it isn't. The time it takes to make, the luke-warm quality of the coffee, and the messy cleanup, make this coffeemaker a bad idea.

Great
Ok I used this thing for a year on and off and it works fine. I don't know what you people are talking about. Just be careful with the thing and don't break it. I never wash it in the dishwasher so maybe that's what cracks it? Take care of it and it will take care of you.

I live to serve my master and his name is Coffee.

--Certified Coffee Addict

You Get What You Pay For
I don't know where they get that this product is "unbreakable" because ours developed a crack in the bottom even though it was never dropped or banged around. It was really convenient while it lasted, but think of it as more of a temporary item than something that will last.

Useless
I have had great luck with other Bodun french press coffee makers, but this press lasted less than a month. Very poorly made!

Invest in a better model
My husband and I purchased this press at Target for $10. We didn't want to spend a lot on our first press because we weren't sure how often we would use it or if we would use it at all. We did end up loving having our coffee made this way, but the press broke after only 1 week. We followed the directions very carefully and made sure not to use fine ground coffee. The plastic screw cap for the press pieces wasn't well made and the threads stripped. Now the press pieces (the filters) come apart and it's useless. ... Read more

Features

• Replaces all Bodum 8-cup coffee press beakers
• Constructed of glass; lip to facilitate pouring
• Dishwasher-safe

Amazon.com Review

Who knows more about tea than the British? When the British Tea Council asked Bodum to develop a new way of brewing tea, the result was this unique press that's almost as much fun to look at as it is to use. Simply fill the strainer with tea leaves and add boiling water--a slow process, but well worth the time. (You could also use tea bags, but why would you want to?) The clear jug lets you see the tea as it's steeping, allowing you to customize its strength to your taste. When the tea is strong enough, slowly depress the plunger to stop the brewing. You won't have any tea leaves to read at the bottom of your cup, but there's no mess and no need to remove the strainer before you pour. But be forewarned: the Bodum press doesn't retain heat quite as well as a traditional teapot, so you might want to use a tea cozy if you're not drinking the whole pot in one sitting. It's a shame to cover up such a beautiful design, but that's the way the tea leaf tumbles. --Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• Heat resistant borosilicate glass, stainless steel lid, polycarbonate strainer and plunger
• Brew tea without removing the infuser
• 32-ounce capacity
• All parts are dishwasher safe
• Designed for the British Tea Council

Reviews (7)

a lovely product if you are using it for what it's made for
I bought this with the bodum tea warmer (the electic one they sell here) and use it every morning at work. It is WONDERFUL, as I can brew up tea or just have hot water on hand for teabags or my chai tea mixes. There's a hot water tap at work from the coffee maker, so it's simple to fill up. If I had this at home, I'd get a 4-cup pyrex cup so I could microwave that much water at once.

CLEANING:
You use a scrub brush every few days if needed. One of those yellow sponges with green scrubbies on them. The infuster does NOT hold on to flavor unless you are simply not washing it. The infuser is plastic, so if you don't actually wash it off but just run water over it, yes it will retain odor/taste. You have to have a semi abrasive action to take off whatever hangs around. Really not an issue if you aren't a completely lazy bum. Takes me about 30 seconds to run a scrubby sponge around the inside and outside and I only need to do that if I've left it sitting around for hours on end with strong tea leaves inside.

The plunger does NOT get stuck unless you are a complete weakling or have a defective product. There's suction at work once you've pushed it all the way down, so of course it won't glide up smoothly with a light tug. I probably use more strength opening a jar of jam than I do lifting the plunger.

Combine this with the warmer and you've a GREAT product. You can have tea on hand for hours and sip your mornings away.

They also sell a 2 cup and a 6 cup model. Judge how much you might drink and then pick the one that suits you best. I sometimes wish I had the 6 cup one instead, as I find that if I have that much tea on hand at my desk, it's very easy to drink and suddenly find it all gone without thinking about it. I love it.

plastic infuser absorbs odors and tastes from flavored tea
I recently purchased this pot from Amazon, and also ordered a variety of high grade specialty teas from another internet company. One of the teas was a cranberry tea, which had dried cranberries in the blend. I cleaned the infuser well after brewing the flavored tea, but found my next brew of oolong tasted like the cranberry! The plastic infuser apparently absorbs odors and tastes very easily... and these flavors are difficult to remove without long-term soaking. Overall, the pot itself works very well, but be careful if you like a variety of blends and flavors.

You can See!!!
I received this tea press as a present and I love it. It is easy to clean and easy to see the strength of the tea brewing. In the time it takes to heat the water, you can fill the basket with your favorite loose tea, take your cup and saucer from the cabinet and put some cookies on a plate. And did I say how easy it is to clean? I take my tea leaves and feed my plants with them, then I simply rinse and wash the parts.

Stuck plunger
The idea is nice, and I did not have a problem with leaves escaping. However the leaf container is annoyingly difficult to clean, and worse, after you set the plunger, it gets stuck and is difficult to remove. I ended up using a normal infuser and drip tray.

I expected more from Bodum
I purchased a 4 cup Bodum teapot as a christmas gift and sent it directly to the recipient. Recently, during a visit I tried to use the teapot. I found that the cover was flimsy and fit the teapot only when the tea basket was in place. The cover fell off when the pot was tipped. The teapot arrived, I learned, with a broken positioning flange on the tea basket. I was disappointed to have given this as a gift. I expected more from Bodum. ... Read more

Product Description

The Pavina double old fashioned glass is the winner of the European iF Design Award. This set consists of two double old fashioned glasses, each one with a 7-ounce capacity. Mouth-blown, the double old fashioned glasses are double-walled which help insulates hot or cold beverages. With this unique design, your beverage appears to float inside the inner layer of clear glass. Dishwasher-safe. ... Read more

Features

• Winner of European iF Design Award
• Set of 2 double-sized shot glasses; 7-ounce capacity
• Mouth blown, double-walled borosilicate glass construction
• Beverage appears to float inside inner layer of clear glass
• Dishwasher safe; double walls insulate hot or cold beverages

Reviews (1)

Awesome! functional and striking design
We just got these glasses and we love them!The double wall provides hot and cold insulation without heat transfer between the layers.You can drink hot tea or coffeewhile still handling them comfortably, and iced drinks stay cold a long time.My husband and I do not agree on style very often, but we both love the look and feel of these glasses. Highly recommended.
Twenty years from now, these will be considered classics! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Bodum’s Brazil press utilizes unbreakable polycarbonate for its carafe, which makes this model an excellent choice for campers, students, or travelers who like to make fine coffee on the road. This 12-ounce model is ideal for making just enough coffee to fill a commuter mug. The press method is considered by many aficionados to be the best way to make a perfect cup of coffee, since no paper filter absorbs and removes the essence of the flavor. To make coffee with the press, remove the plunger/top ensemble, add coarse ground coffee to the glass carafe, add hot (but not boiling) water, stir with a spoon, and position the top and plunger in place. Allow the coffee to brew for about four minutes before slowing pushing down on the plunger. Pushing too hard or too quickly may cause hot liquid to squirt out. The domed lid features a slotted spout cover for pouring. To clean, simply scoop out the used grounds and pop the entire unit into the dishwasher. Made in Denmark, the press measures 8-3/4 by 5-1/4 inches and comes with a plastic coffee measuring spoon. --Ann Bieri ... Read more

Features

• Dishwasher-safe
• Unbreakable French press is great for travel
• 12-ounce polycarbonate beaker
• Heat-resistant top, handle, and base
• Special filter reduces sediment

Reviews (1)

simple and convenient java
A lot of my travel takes me to places where good coffee just isn't found (particulary a lot of former British colonies...). This little device is the solution. As easy to use and clean as almost any french press, although the filter screen does not unscrew from the plunger rod. In a perfect world you wouldn't brew coffee in plastic/polycarbonate, but this carafe stands up to the banging around of travel, and you don't have to worry about finding broken glass shards when you open your suitcase upon arrival. Should be great for camping, too. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This 4-cup coffee press is so handsome, you'll want to display it frontand center on the kitchen counter, not hide it away in a cabinet. Its strikingmodern lines are a fitting tribute to Eileen Gray, the Irish designer andarchitect who adopted the cafés and salons of Paris as her home. Theelegantly patterned stainless-steel frame is easy on the eyes but also protectsthe glass jug within, and the squared handle is easy to grip even when the pressis full of boiling water. The French press brewing method prevents scorching ofthe beans, and because there's no filter involved, all of the flavorful oilsstay in the drink. Simply measure out one rounded tablespoon of coarsely groundcoffee per 4-ounce cup, pour very hot (not boiling) water over it, let thecontents brew for at least 4 minutes, then slowly depress the plunger. Thisparticular press even includes a coffee scoop and a timer to make the brewingprocess easy. --Mary Park ... Read more

Features

• Includes scoop and timer for a perfectly brewed pot of coffee
• Easy-grip santoprene handle
• Makes 4 cups of coffee
• Striking stainless steel patterned frame
• All parts are dishwasher safe

Reviews (3)

Very good, but not quite great.
This product makes very good coffee, and is probably the most attractive "press" style coffee maker out there. The metal surrounding the glass bottle is pretty, and is also meant to protect it against accidental breakage. It also adds to the price.

However, the metal absorbs heat, so the coffee does not brew as hot as in Bodum's own 8-cup model. This diminishes the delicious flavor a bit.

This is the press to get if you want looks and good flavor, but the 8-cup model is for you if you want the very best flavor. I own both, so I am confident in making this comparison.

Excellent product
The Bodum Eileen 4-cup Coffee Press is the perfect way to make just the right amount of coffee for one or two people. In regards to the other review, I don't agree that the heading is misleading. I have never seen a coffee pot or maker that listed the number of cups based on the 8 oz measuring cup. In coffee terms a cup is usually 4 or 5 ounces per 'cup'. The number of cups is really the number of regular servings not fluid ounces. And with that in mind this product is perfect for making great coffee with out brewing a full sized pot which most of sits to long to enjoy.

Mislabeled size
The 4-cup coffee press is in actuality just 2 cups. The number of ounces is not listed in the sales blurb... What we wanted was 4 cups at 8 ounces each. The 4-cup coffee press is just a bit over 16 ounces. While it says so on the lid of the box it came in, the ounce-capacity is not in the Amazon listing. ...So we returned it... ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Many products are touted for their uniqueness, or how they're revolutionizing this or that, but few live up the hype. Bodum's Santos coffeemaker is different, as it really is unlike other coffeemakers on the market. First off, it uses an electric vacuum brewing process, and secondly it lets you watch the whole thing. Fill the jug with cold filtered water, and place it on the power base. Then twist the funnel onto the jug. Next, add fresh coffee (a handy scoop is included) to the funnel and press the start button. As the water heats up to boiling, the vacuum created between the two parts moves water up the funnel, where the hot water and coffee mix together. Once the correct brewing time has elapsed, the heat turns off and the coffee drains back into the carafe through a nylon filter (nylon doesn't affect the taste of the coffee like paper filters).

In this system, coffee and hot water mingle for the optimum time, providing the best-tasting coffee possible. The process takes around 4 minutes for up to 5 cups of coffee. The jug and the funnel are both made of sturdy polycarbonate, and the funnel is dishwasher-safe. (Clean the jug by hand, as it's not submersible.) Neither the bottom of the jug nor the top of the power base gets hot during brewing, because the heating element is in the middle of the jug's base.

There are a couple of things to remember when using the electric Santos. Always use fresh coffee, ground medium, for best results (stay away from using coffee from a can or powdered coffee), and use one level scoop of ground coffee per cup. So, for a full 5-cup pot, you'll use 5 scoops. After testing, if the coffee is too strong, begin tapering off the number of scoops. Also, remember that there will always be a small amount of water left in the coffee pot during the brewing process. This is a normal safety feature.

When cleaning the Santos, don't scrub the nylon filter clean--it should be rinsed under warm water. The coffee grounds from the upper section can be scooped out into the garbage can or compost using a common kitchen spatula.Then, simply wash the top section with dish soap and warm water. Also rinse the coffee pot with warm water as soon as you are finished drinking coffee.After rinsing, leave the lid open and let the coffee pot air dry. Every so often, clean the pot with a basic de-liming agent.

The original 12-cup Santos won a prestigious gold Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA) in the consumer products division. Award-winners are selected by the Industrial Designers Society of America. There were 1,260 entries from around the world in the contest, and only 44 gold awards were given. --A.J. Rathbun ... Read more

Features

• Measures 7-1/2 by 13 by 14 inches
• Unique, electric, vacuum brewing process
• Built-in nylon filter provides better coffee
• Brews 5 cups of coffee in 4 minutes
• Easy to assemble and quick to clean

Reviews (17)

Excellent Coffee that can't be made using Auto-drip machine
This is an awesome coffee maker. The coffee it brews is top-notched and free of undesirable sourness. In order to lengthen the contact time in the upper compartment, one has to tilt the coffee maker by putting 2-3 US quarters in the 12'o clock position given that the handle of the maker is considered to be the 6'o clock position.Doing so can delay the automatic shutoff by the machine by 40 sec, which is a very significant increase in contact time.It just be the brew stronger and better.

I am so please with the quality of the coffee it makes.I am sure you will too.

Cheers,

Kelvin

Makes great coffee and a sight for sore eyes!!
My old coffee maker was pretty beaten up after I had used it for almost 3 years, so I decided to get a new one. Only this time, I decided to buy it myself rather than waiting for the next Christmas. I was browsing around and I stumbled at Santos. My coffee maker was the dripping kind, so I wasn't sure at first that I wanted to get a vacuum coffee maker. But hey, what's the harm, I like to try new stuff. So, I finally decided to give it a try, especially it got a lot of good reviews.

Santos coffee maker is just like a dream comes true. If, you are dreaming about coffee maker. It makes a really good coffee, they are just steaming hot and you can taste the coffee flavor right on your lips. It is heavenly. Besides that, it's aesthetically pleasing. They have different colors you can choose. If you're a practical person, they have the regular clear one, and it's not less than the color ones. It's very compact, so it doesn't take a lot of space in your kitchen. My old coffee maker was taking more space and it was just too big. I don't have problem pouring the water in the Santos cause the water is hold in the carafe/pot on the bottom and it's removeable. Regular dripping coffee maker, you have to pour the water from the top and it cannot be seperated. If you have small kitchen and there is no enough space between the cabinet and the counter, this coffee maker will have even more bonus point, simply just because not every kitchen is custom made. Another good thing about this coffee maker is you can clean the whole thing. You just have to rinse it with warm water, except for the carafe/pot you can't let the bottom part wet. Regular dripping coffee maker is just yuck after a while.

However, even though this is a really good coffee maker, there are several things you want to consider before you buy this. First, do you really want to spend $80+shipping for a coffee maker? You can get cheaper with still not-so-bad quality. Second, it doesn't really make more than 2 or 3 mugs worth of coffee at a time, depends with how big is your mug. So, if you have company more than 2 people, please make sure they don't mind to not get their coffee at the same time. Third, this type of coffee maker takes more maintenance and time to clean. Fourth, you need to use this coffee maker properly. Exactly like the manual said. If you don't put the funnel tight enough or the lid not really close, then you will have some coffee on the floor, on the counter, or on you! From my experience, make sure the filter is on. Let's just say we all want to drink coffee without holding a retainer. There is one more thing, which I think it is not really a drawback from buying Santos. If you like to re-heat your coffee, then this is not the coffee maker for you. However, true coffee lover should know that coffee isn't supposed to be re-heated cause it will decrease the coffee essence and at the same time, it will aslo extract bitter tasting chemicals in the coffee. Same result with letting coffee on the burner for more than 2-4 hours.

Those are things you can consider to make sure if Santos is the right coffee maker for you, but for me, all those things are worth it! This coffee maker is just the best!

Great Coffee - Poor Quality (unfortunately)
Update #2:You can read the info below and see my concerns.You will also note that we replaced the smaller unit with the larger one, even with the quality concerns.So as a quick update on the larger one, the same seems to be the case - great coffee, but questionable build quality.We have used the unit now for about 5 months and we do use it daily.The tabs on the lid have broken as they did on the small one.So far, that is the only thing, but it is one of those frustrations that can result in coffee everywhere if someone does not know it and fails to keep a finger on the top when pouring!Perhaps the other issues will not surface, but a quick failure of a simple thing like the lid, twice in two units, does not inspire confidence.(I need another cup of coffee!)


I regret that my first online review must be negative, but . . .

Pros:
>Great cup of coffee.We found that changing the filter every month, even if not broken, keeps the flavor at its best.No matter how you clean the filter, a new one, for some reason, clearly improves the taste.
>Quick and relatively easy to use.Clean up is more work than a traditional machine, but the coffee flavor makes it worth it.

Cons:
>Unfortunately, the quality does not yield longevity.We bought ours in April 2004.Since then:
a) The lid tabs broke so if you forget and simply poor a cup, you have coffee everywhere as the lid pops off.
b) By January 05, there is coffee leaking around the bottom of the pot.Clearly the plastic body is failing and it looks like we will need to replace this unit soon.

For the record, we have used this almost daily as our primary coffee machine but everything has been cleaned by hand (no dishwasher cleaning which is not recommended).So we are sure that we have used it as intended, but the construction quality simply was not up to the daily usage in our experience.

Now for the hard part:Finding a replacement that brews as good a cup as this, but one that will last!

ADDENDUM:(Or Addendumb?)Okay, so it is roughly one week later and now the handle to the coffee pot has broken off entirely.A third problem in less than a year!I plan to contact Bocdum so we will see what they say, but it wouldn't seem too unreasonable to expect a coffee maker to work once daily for more than 9 months, right?And to make matters worse, not having found a suitible replacement based upon all my research, we are now awaiting delivery on our new 12 cup Bodum Santos!God help us!

excellent product

I was looking for a smaller coffee maker since I need to brew a travel mug full for my wife and then another one of decaf for myself. With a normal auto drip coffee maker, brewing such small batches does not give enough extraction from the beans and you end up with rather poor quality coffee. So it's either that, or brew a full pot and throw it away. I was almost resigned to going with one of the el cheapo single serve brewers like the Black & Decker brew n go when I discovered the mini santos.

The coffee from this maker is fantastic and a 3 cup batch is the perfect amount to fill a travel mug with no waste. Of course it is also fun to watch. I don't find it difficult to assemble, the moisture on the top of the carafe from filling it with water is enough to allow the top to easily seat. I also really like the fact that it's simple, no filters needed and only one button to push. My only suggestion for an improvement would be to use a thermal carafe instead of the plastic carafe, but since we usually pour it right into a travel mug, that's not a big deal.

As for cleaning, I've read a lot of reviews that suggest it's a pain to clean. I haven't found this to be the case at all. Obviously cleaning the carafe is the same as any other coffee maker, just don't submerge the base with the power plug. For the top, all you have to do is turn it upside down and run the faucet through the tube. This rinses almost all the grounds out. Pop out the filter and rinse the rest of the top and you are done. I recommend this as opposed to the cleaning instructions because if you remove the filter without first trying to rinse out the grounds, you'll get coffee everywhere. The advantage to this is that unlike a drip coffee maker, you can easily rinse and clean the entire maker. Ever look in an auto drip coffee maker's water storage compartment after it's been used for a while? You're not going to have the dirty smelly building in the maker like you get with those.

Even better than the real thing
I bought this after having owned (and broken entirely through my own clumsiness) two traditional glass stove-top Santoses (Santi? Santa? Santes?)I was very glad, for the sake of my nerves, that this machine is made from extremely durable polycarbonate. The water in Paris is very hard, so it remains to be seen how badly it scales up, and how effective descaling treatments will be.

It was a bit expensive, but the simple fact is that the vacuum method makes the best coffee you can realistically make at home.

The electric Santos is easy to use, fast and makes fabulous coffee. It's a little harder to clean than a regular drip machine would be, but then the coffee tastes so much better that it's worth it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

The Chambord is Bodum’s original coffee press design, which the company began to mass produce in 1982 after acquiring a small factory in Normandy where craftsmen made these presses by hand. Bodum takes great care to instill the same quality in craftsmanship and the result, according to coffee purists, is a brewing machine that produces a superior taste and aroma to any electric coffeemaker. The secret is that the grounds are able to steep in boiling water for about four minutes before they are pressed with the plunger, producing a richer, full-bodied flavor.

The glass carafe on this Chambord model holds a maximum of 48 ounces or 12 cups of brewed coffee or tea, making it a useful size for entertaining or for all-day-long drinkers.The chrome-plated brass frame and lid and stainless-steel plunger are durable and will hold up to years of brewing. For easy cleaning, the carafe and all its parts go right into the dishwasher. Replacement parts are available from the manufacturer. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Features

• All parts are dishwasher safe
• Brews 48 ounces of coffee; retains beans' oils for rich, complex flavor
• Sturdy, chrome-plated brass frame; easy-to-clean glass carafe
• Stainless-steel press mechanism; replacement parts available
• Turn lid to close spout; not for stovetop use

Reviews (14)

Great Coffee Press
I have used my Bodum Coffee Press for years. It also makes great tea when using loose Teas. I have never had a problem with the glass Canister. I however always fill it with hot tap water while boiling my water for the coffee. I wouldn't trade it for any other mechanical coffee maker.

Don't grind your coffee so fine.
I hope people realize you are not supposed to "press" the plunger down. You are just supposed to "push" it down.

If you are "pressing" too hard you are using too "fine" of a grind and it is clogging the strainer putting pressure on the glass. French presses are made for a very coarse grind of coffee.
They are not designed for drip coffee grounds.

If you are running pre-ground coffee (especially out of a "can") then you probably don't need a french press anyway. You are generally wasting your time.

Excellent Value!
I am very pleased with my coffee press. I bought it as a house warming gift for my boyfriend and we probably use it twice a day (whereas before we would often not bother with the regular coffee machine simply because of it's bulky size and poor tasting coffee). This press looks great on the counter and is very easy to clean. Form AND function for forty bucks! You can't go wrong.

A Classic European Staple
I remember the first time I saw one of these, it was Stowe VT, approx. 1984, and the savy worldy friend educated me that she had experimented with many methods of coffee making and this was her favorite. How right she was. I have been hooked ever since and have only replaced my Bodum once......due to divorce, not distruction. I recommend heating the water by using an electric kettle that sits on a seperate base(Target has Philips Electric Kettle HD4651). I agree with fellow reviewers on not using boiling water (I let the kettle sit a bit) and with swirling a bit before a slow plunge. To keep coffee warm while brewing in the Bodum, use a cozy (an insulated fabric cover) or a dish towel wrapped around, I let sit approx. 5 minutes. Lastly, always avoid soap/dishwashing liquid. If you just use hot water to rinse clean there is no need of soap. I learned this trick in Ireland. (They also never wash tea pots in suds) Coffee grinds are safe to go down the sink, my Dad said that the local plumber told him that it is good at exfoliating the pipes. Ask your own plumber to be sure. So clean up is as simple as just rinsing in hot water, no need for messy filters or grinds everywere. Not only in my own home, but in castles and bed and breakfasts all over Europe, the French Press is a staple way of serving coffee. ENJOY

Better coffee through science
I've had this press for almost two years and it has served me well. The glass beaker IS fragile, but if you take a few precautions it shouldn't break on you. 1) NEVER use boiling water. First of all, it doesn't make good coffee. Second of all, the cool air on the outside and the boiling water inside the beaker will cause it to break. The proper water temperature is at or below 200 degrees F. I spent about 20 minutes one day with a pyrex measuring cup, a thermometer, and my microwave, so now I know exactly how long to nuke the water to get it perfect every time. 2) Preheat the beaker and let it air-cool. The lady who wrote that she filled the beaker with hot tap water before she brewed coffee in her press had it right. Slowly warming the glass will keep it from breaking. Also, after brewing you should let it sit in the frame until it cools. Putting a cold water in a hot beaker or even setting it in a cold sink may cause it to crack. 3) Stir before you plunge. The coffee grounds in a french press make a crust you should break by stirring or swirling. That way the water can pass through the grounds freely and your pot doesn't explode from too much pressure. Oh yeah, and don't drop it. :D ... Read more