The Icrontic Coffee Discussion

primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' BoopinDetroit, MI Icrontian
edited July 2013 in Food & Drink
So I got this for Christmas

Vacuum Siphon coffee pot

It's a vacuum siphon coffeemaker. I know a couple other Icrontians have them too (@djmeph and @buddyj). Those of you who went to the coffee cupping at Chazzano know what this is all about.

So far, it's my favorite way of making coffee. It solves the super-sensitive bitterness problem that comes from the French press and it's cheaper and less messy than hand-pour. You get a mellower cup from it, so it takes bold beans really well (I'm drinking Sumatra Mandheling right now and it's super smooth).
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Comments

  • BobbyDigiBobbyDigi ? R U #Hats ! TX Icrontian
    What is this wizardry? I am genuinely interested in what that beaker lookin thing does.

    -Digi
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    It boils the water, creating pressure in the carafe; pressure pushes the water up through the tube into the top chamber. The top chamber contains the coffee grounds and a filter at the bottom. The coffee brews in the top chamber. When you remove the carafe from the heat, the carafe cools, and the vacuum in the bottom sucks the coffee through the filter and back into the carafe. It's sort of like espresso in that it uses pressure to pull water through the grounds and the filter.
  • TeramonaTeramona Consulting Tea Specialist Best Coast! Icrontian
    It was fun gathering round to watch science in the kitchen.
  • RyderRyder Kalamazoo, Mi Icrontian
  • GargGarg Purveyor of Lincoln Nightmares Icrontian
    Hmm, less bitterness, you say? Maybe it's time to give it a try.
  • BuddyJBuddyJ Dept. of Propaganda OKC Icrontian
    Much less bitterness. It takes time to brew a pot but the end results are totally worth it. I highly recommend getting one and giving it a try.
  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    I like coffee, but I'm don't really mind what brand it is or method of preparation. This looks cool though, I'm looking forward to see it live someday.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    Oddly enough, I've never noticed excessive bitterness from the french press. How much extra time does this vacuum extractor take to brew a cup vs. the french press?
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    A few minutes more, but the cleanup takes a bit longer too. I clean mine thoroughly after every brew, otherwise coffee skank will build up in the top glass.
  • PirateNinjaPirateNinja Icrontian
    My friend's dad collects antique siphon pots from Mexico. They make the best damn coffee. It's so good.

    At the moment, I drink pre-ground Coffee Bean Columbia roast from a Mr. Coffee 5 cup dripper. I do make the coarse grind and use my french press about 6 times per year, special occasions really. Otherwise, Coffee Bean is the frigin stuff. Not sure if they exist in the east coast.
  • ZuntarZuntar North Carolina Icrontian
    Hmm sounds messy, but good!
  • ardichokeardichoke Icrontian
    edited January 2012
    A few minutes more, but the cleanup takes a bit longer too. I clean mine thoroughly after every brew, otherwise coffee skank will build up in the top glass.
    That coffee skank is essential oils. A little bit of build up can enhance flavors. You definitely don't want too much build up though or it may start to go rancid. Most places I've read suggest cleaning with vinegar water around once a week, but not after every pot.

    Also, I've never noticed bitterness with my french press... especially compared to drip coffee. I love my french press (and my AeroPress if I just want 1 cup of coffee on the quick).
  • IlriyasIlriyas The Syrupy Canadian Toronto, Ontario Icrontian
    Hmm sounds messy, but good!
    Scary but fun!

    I'm not a big fan of coffee, every blend I've had I've found to be far too bitter. Of course that considered I haven't tried coffee in several months so perhaps its time to give it a go again.
  • BasilBasil Nubcaek England Icrontian
    Bah coffee.

    Man up, drink tea.

    image
    Teramona
  • IlriyasIlriyas The Syrupy Canadian Toronto, Ontario Icrontian
    Bah coffee.

    Pony up, drink tea.
    ^FTFY

    Tried coffee, still hate it, I'm going back to tea.

  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    I'm a firm believer that anyone who hates coffee has just never actually had good coffee. And it's easy to do that: bad coffee is EVERYWHERE. You cannot possibly have a good cup of coffee at 95% of coffee shops, chain stores, etc.

    There are only a few coffee shops who understand the true art of making a good cup of coffee—one that tastes like it smells.

    Luckily, we have a few around here. I would challenge ANYONE who doesn't like coffee to attend a cupping with me at Chazzano. It will change everything.
  • IlriyasIlriyas The Syrupy Canadian Toronto, Ontario Icrontian
    Luckily, we have a few around here. I would challenge ANYONE who doesn't like coffee to attend a cupping with me at Chazzano. It will change everything.
    Might also have to do with the fact that I'm drinking coffee the same way I drink tea, straight.

    Also if EXPO is near Chazzanos then bring it on.
  • robinhoodrobinhood
    I looooooooooooove coffee
  • UPSLynxUPSLynx :KAPPA: Redwood City, CA Icrontian
    Chazzano is real talk. Changed my life. @Cherplunka and I couldn't stand the crappy beans and $10 grinder we were using after we got home from the Chazzano coffee cupping. I had to upgrade:

    image

    Capresso Burr grinder - worth every single penny spent on it. The grind makes a world of difference, and this thing grinds to perfection.

    I import my coffee from Detroit when I can (When I get a new job, I'll be buying Chazzano exclusively). Meantime, I've found Clock Tower roasters here in the Bay Area to be awesome. I've got some of their Sumatra blend right now. Tasty stuff.

    At Chazzano, we tasted french press and siphon methods side by side. I preferred the french press, though the Siphon was a very, very close second. I don't mind the bitterness in french press (If I even notice it at all).

  • JokkeJokke Bergen, Norway Icrontian
    edited January 2012
    Might also have to do with the fact that I'm drinking coffee the same way I drink tea, straight.
    The only way to drink coffee, IMO.

    Also if EXPO is near Chazzanos then bring it on.
    I'm in for that, if I can attend.


  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    I'm going to have to start trying to create the Expo schedule beginning in January this year, aren't I?
  • UPSLynxUPSLynx :KAPPA: Redwood City, CA Icrontian
    You're already too late.
  • Cliff_ForsterCliff_Forster Icrontian
    Has anyone here given cold brewing a try? I've been curious to try it because I have some stomach issues, but despite myself, I can't seem to give up coffee. I understand some cold brewing techniques remove about 50% of the oils and acid content without a negative impact on flavor, but I've always been a little skeptical about it.
  • SonorousSonorous F@H Fanatic US Icrontian
    ZOMG! Just got a french press... What coffee do you guys buy? I want to try all of it.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    http://chazzanocoffee.com is pretty much the pinnacle, as you'll discover at Expo ;)
  • mertesnmertesn I am Bobby Miller Yukon, OK Icrontian
    Sonorous said:

    ZOMG! Just got a french press... What coffee do you guys buy? I want to try all of it.

    Since Chazzano is nowhere near me, I go through Green Mountain Coffee for whole beans.
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    mertesn said:


    Since Chazzano is nowhere near me, I go through Green Mountain Coffee for whole beans.

    But Chazzano has a website and ships Priority Mail.... :)

    primesuspect
  • SonorousSonorous F@H Fanatic US Icrontian
    I'll just order from both!
  • AnnesAnnes Tripped Up by Libidos and Hubris Alexandria, VA Icrontian
    I'm with @primesuspect. We were members of the coffee club there for a year, tried to switch to another, supposedly "better", coffee club and promptly said "lol, ok" and switched back to Chazzano.
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    I've only had Chazzano at Primesuspect's place (the Warren one), and have ordered coffee for him, but they were efficient and nice to me when they were out of coffee they said so, and said when they would have it to ship and then shipped. When they had it they shipped right away, like same to next day.
    Ask Prime what his favorite is.....
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