Bodum Chambord 8-Cup Press with Bonus Pavina Thermal Glasses
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Bodum Chambord 8-Cup Press with Bonus Pavina Thermal Glasses
Customer Review: So far...so good
Summary: 5 Stars
This is long, but I thought it was a nice favor to the community to give you all the information that I didn't have in my initial search for a quality coffee maker. Let me address the thermal glasses first and get that out of the way: they are nice, sleek and highly effective...but they are fragile...handle with care. As for the coffee press, it works great! It is a very basic, manual, old-fashioned approach to making coffee...no power controls, no fancy bells and whistles, no percolation...just mix water and ground beans, and then press. So, if you don't mind the manual work required (it really isn't that bad), you will definitely appreciate the taste and quality of the output. If you would rather use processed coffee and push a button, this product is not for you. You should stick with an automatic coffee maker or at least something more automated than this. But, if you are concerned about plastic or rubber taste/contamination that are associated with most "convenient" automated coffee makers, then you might want to consider this product. This coffee press is glass and stainless steel...that's it. The lid is plastic, but it doesn't come in contact with the coffee. The press apparatus has three components: a top frame, a mesh filter and a bottom frame that are sort of "sandwiched" together...and all stainless steel. It is very simple, which also makes for a straight forward clean-up. Just dispose of the coffee grounds and rinse the glass carafe and steel components. As a note, I'll usually go a week or two (or three or four!) with just rinsing with hot water and drying on a rack, and then occasionally throw everything in the dishwasher for a thorough wash. The only potential problem I foresee with the device is the bottom frame of the press. Its design could result in a little rusting in one particular joint, but I haven't had a problem yet. If you keep it clean and dry, though, it may not be a problem. A replacement component would be cheap anyway. So, here is the process: I can boil my water and grind my beans (about 3 minutes...the grinder by the way is not included with this product), mix/stir/brew the water and ground beans in the carafe (about 4 minutes), pour my cup, and rinse the components (a few minutes) and put them on the drying rack...done in about ten minutes. It really isn't much slower than an automatic maker, and it is a much better tasting cup of coffee than any other maker I've used (I've tried them all). Additional tips: use a wood spoon to stir the coffee grounds in the carafe and to scoop the grounds out afterwards (the carafe is made of a fine, delicate, laboratory-like glass)...don't worry about breaking it otherwise, because it sits in a sturdy, protective metal frame. Also, don't grind your beans too much, and you will have very little to no grit at the bottom of your cup (and you'll still have plenty of flavor). Also, I recommend working with Amazon and the third party vendor, Liquid Planet, as both parties were helpful when my initial order got lost in the mail. I reported it, and within a day, I received the package. Plus, they reimbursed me the total shipping cost, and I didn't even ask them to do that. Great service and a great product! I highly recommend Bodum products! Go get yourself a good coffee bean, and you will come to realize how much better (and cheaper!) this is, BY FAR, than that one place we've all heard of...I think it's called Barstucks.Customer Review: First French Press - better to be lucky than good
Summary: 5 Stars
With dozens of reviews in place, some from those with years of experience with a variety of French presses, there probably isn't much to add...
However, as a first time owner, here are a few tidbits that might push fellow newbies over the edge:
- It's easy to use - Really! ;) Put in the ground beans, add water, stir for 10 seconds, wait for 4 minutes, plunge, pour, done.
- You'd really have to try to screw it up - I was a bit worried with all the talk of scalding hot liquid squirting everywhere. Yes, it's certainly possible... if you get all gorilla like with the plunger. But if you just press down reasonable, the plunger slides easily & readily, the air escapes, and all is well. No fuss.
- The coffee really is better - day to day, and in the rush of hectic mornings, we're all k-cups. On the weekend, when we have more time and want -better- coffee, we use the french press. I actually look forward to the whole ritual.
- The included cups really work - Yes, you need to be a bit careful if you stir with a metal spoon, but wow do they make a difference in keeping the coffee warm. Without adding cream there's still steam coming off the coffee 10 minutes after pouring it into the cups. That makes a big difference in enjoying the coffee without having to rush (or drinking it lukewarm). By the way, this is probably obvious, but if you like to 'lighten' your coffee, consider using cream or half 'n half vs. milk; because you need so much less, you don't dilute the flavor as much, the extra fat content complements the coffee -and- your coffee will stay warmer longer because of the lower volume of cold liquid infused with the coffee; win, win and win
- Clean up isn't that bad - I pretty much just rinse the filter (without unscrewing it)/plunger and vessel in hot water for a minute or two, then leave it to air dry; no problems thus far.
If you're a doubter like I was, I strongly encourage you to give it a shot; I think you'll be as pleasantly surprised as we've been!
Customer Review: Good product, terrible packaging.
Summary: 1 Stars
I wasn't expecting quite the hassle related to this product's packaging, but color me unimpressed. The first set arrived with one of the bonus glasses shattered; I contacted Amazon and they were quick to overnight a replacement to me. The second set arrived in even worse condition as both the glasses and the press were completely shattered in the box. Generally speaking, that's an awful lot of broken glass to deal with in two days.
As it turns out, the bonus thermal glasses - beautifully designed, based on one of the four that actually arrived intact - are extremely delicate. There's little in the way of protection or padding inside the product's box apart from a little flimsy piece of cardboard and some bubble wrap that ostensibly separates the press and the glasses from each other. In my case, these bits of protection were not enough to get the job done and the contents were able to shift around and bang into each other. Maybe I just have bad luck, who knows.
Regardless, I point my finger squarely at Bodum and not Amazon, as both product boxes individually arrived with plenty of cushiony plastic air pillows. It's clear that this particular box set needs something more substantial inside to withstand the rigors of transport. Needless to say, I called Amazon again and was offered a full refund.
Not wanting to chance another damaged shipment, I went to a local store and picked up the exact same French press, sans bonus glasses, and am enjoying a delicious cup of coffee as I write this review. The press works quite well and is - amazingly! - still in one piece. Kudos to Amazon's awesome customer service for picking up Bodum's slack, and I guess kudos to Bodum for making an easy-to-use press when you can find one that's not broken. Now just invest some R&D in better packaging.
Customer Review: Great for loose leaf tea and coffee. Bonus cups are fantastic too.
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Customer Review: Very Happy Verry Good Deal
Summary: 5 Stars
This Bodum French Press comes with 2 of their double-walled Pavina glasses (12-ounce ) makes this a Great deal in my opinion!
First I am not much of a coffee drinker and absolutely no expert. I started drinking coffee at the age of 56 trying to get my energy levels back up after a series of cancer surgeries. Previously I drank tea and diet sodas as my main source of caffeine.
Before purchasing this Bodum French Press I used an inexpensive "M. Coffee" style coffee maker. And I still add lots of "French Vanilla" creamer to my coffee because I really don't like the taste of black coffee...
The package arrived with Amazon's usual timely delivery and it was well packed with no breakage.
I made coffee right away with no complications (used a fresh ground specialty bean) and it tasted like... well like coffee;-) I wanted to see if this would change my mind about the flavor of coffee. Maybe time will change my tastes.
For me this product works great, it's simple, relatively quick and cleans easily! The big surprise for me was how much I like the two Pavina glasses! This press makes about two and one half of the glasses worth of coffee. The glasses are comfortable to handle and do an excellent job of insulating the fluid.
I actually purchased this press and glasses package for less than some vendors where selling the press alone and I got free shipping. Thanks Amazon for a Great Deal!