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I now own two of these. Broken so many of the glass ones I figured why not invest in a quality product.Couldn't be happier.
The only positive is that it is pretty to look at. Overall, I would not purchase another one. I am rather disappointed in this pot. It does not keep the coffee any hotter and now that I have used it for a month, the fit of the plunger has loosened and I get coffee grounds in my coffee.
I add the left over water, very quickly stir and wait another 3 minutes (total of 4). It doesn't look like someone used it before, so it is brand new with scratches and dents. I also pour hot water in the thermos prior to pour the coffee, it puts it warm especially when I keep it in my kitchen cabinet that gets cold during water time.I will consider to increase from 1 start to ~4 stars in a few months -- but I first want to see if other people will get "bad" exterior finish unit.PB All we know, its Made in China.
On mine at MANY places I see surface scratches and a few tiny small dents. First time I did have coffee in my pot but not anymore.IF I would have had received the first unit in perfect condition I would have give this french press 4 stars (due to the long sproud).At 70$ a piece, next time I will consider to get an excellent glass french press and buy a stainless thermos to transfer the coffee in it. UPDATE FROM REPLACEMENT=======================This is my 1st review :Some people might not like my reviews, perhaps yours was made in a great country but mine is Made in P.R.C = People's Republic of China = Made in CHINA. Paying 70$ for such a "beautiful" stainless-steel item, you would imagine the finish would be PERFECT. If I first knew this was made in China, I would have NEVER pay 70$.This is my UPDATE. its not the same stainless.
I tilt the french press on the opposite side of the sproud, slowly insert the plunger and once its below the sproud I can bring back the french press sitting perfectly on the table and I firmly press down. were they both made in the same factory. The 2nd one that I receive is 99% perfect -- there's 1 little imperfection, I can live with it.As other stated, if you put too much water grinds will get in your coffee but I found a trick.*** Simply tilt your french press in the opposite way of the spout. less chance you get grins in your coffee.I poor ~ 75% of the water in the pot, wait 60 seconds then stir the grinds & water together -- this gets rid of the "co2" stuck in the grinds. I received the replacement from Amazon (same exact model). It will lower the water level on the spout side. Well, it is not - it is full of imperfection.
We might never know the answer. OMG -- the stainless is NOT the same color, i.e. The worst is a +1 inches surface scratch (deep enough I can fell it with my finger). I had the two Frieling next to each other.
Very nice. I wanted to keep it. This was more than I asked for. I didn't want to give it for a gife.
However, the main plunger filter is much finer than my 10yo chamboard (and I think the finer filter makes the coffee taste better). Perhaps the flavor lock works by holding back the coffee about a second, so the over brewed coffee pours last. But the shinny top lid is a little tarnished (cant tell if its stainless, or that plastic coated with something that looks like metal). Combined with the filter design (the mechanics will not allow the filter edge to follow the slight oblong curve).
I don't know where mine was manufactured. Th filter plunger would stick at the top. The only reservation I hold out for this gimmick to actually work is for people who fill the pot all the way (so maybe water pressure on both sides helps keep the over brewed coffee below the lock). Again, more non functions gadgetry adding more stuff to clean). These look much better in person than the picture suggests. The manufacturing quality is high.
DOUBLE WALL:At this time I cant say if the double walls really make the brew taste better (by keeping the brew temp higher during the brew minutes). I have had a classic Chamboard for over 10 years. Without the plunger, these look like those old fashioned plastic water pitchers (but these will very likely break if you drop ice cubes down). Its still a pain to try to turn the knob to engage the lock. brew cycle is probably a personal subjective taste thing (not a right / wrong thing). Maybe I have been lucky to not break it.
The bonjour has the flavor lock gimmick. FRIELING:Gave it 2 stars because of grounds getting into the cup (and polished stainless steel would be a better edge to run a filter against, than brushed). The glass pots have no detectable smell or taste. In any case if you pour out all the liquid into the last cup, you will get every drop of over brewed coffee. except for. I strongly feel eggshell thin and delicate glass should not have metal clamped down on it.
But my comments for this review are about coffee performance. I am hoping I will like the double wall pots I bought even more. Some reviewers complained of grounds in the coffee. It does have a tendency to spurt liquid out when you plunge. I hate to , but I returned this item (hard to believe all the great reviews on this pot). It is beautiful, heavy (no glass / all stainless steel), shiny, almost a work of art (materials and workmanship quality is high. Both the bodum chamboard, and bonjour maximus (similar pots) are double wall pots in a metal frame.
I will add an update if I ever figure it out. I have always liked the pot. I feel confident these bodum and bonjour double wall designs will break eventually due to this stress. For people whom coffee temperatrue is a priority, I dont think you will be happy even with an insulated pot (it does indeed cool off a bit even with preheating). The filter engages all the way around immediately below the spout flare out (unlike the Frieling). And I got grounds in my cup too. I only used it once, but Im confident it can be controlled (for me it would have been a pain when washing it, because I put water in and plunge hard to clean the filter). bobbler
Lots complained about grounds in the pot. The problem is that the glass is locked into the frame so tight I feel like the glass may break if I try to turn it. I tend to brew at slightly cooler temperature anyway (tried 180F to 205F). The oblong nature of this pot looked like I needed to leave water 3" from the top, because the oblong shape extended the flare of the spout down maybe another inch. The glass feels better made and more rugged than other double wall glass I have seen (but probably still very fragile). And the flavor lock system adds stuff to clean (I would have preferred less to clean). I love this pot so much, I am going to try and find a new top knob, and maybe replace the top with wood (mesquite is beautiful and very water resistant).
Its pointy, so you have to grasp it carefully to plunge (or it will hurt your hand). Don't really care because it doesn't touch my coffee. I make two cups at a time, and when I pour my second cup later, about half the coffee for this cup is stored "below" the flavor lock still brewing (but it then pours thru the "lock" into my cup). I don't like the knob on top. Many people use a regular coffee maker, but Mate needs 170F water. I found the same with stainless steel water bottles, and the smell and taste went away gradually (I was wondering if I simply got used to the taste, but now I taste it again, so it does go away).
We got rid of plastic, and there are no known problems with stainless steel on health (unless one is sensitive to nickel). The "easy" perfect fitting filter screen has a down side; the cap can come off wghen pouring and bang the metal rod into the delicate glass (happened to me; I fely lucky it didnt break). I bought the bonjour maximus too, but am returning it (I only wanted to try the flavor lock, which came unannounced in the rhone pot). BODUM CHAMBOARD:I have had this pot over 10 years.
And just bought two different models of the new double walled press pots. Here is why: I estimate these 8 cup versions actually make 3 cups. They are elegant, simple timeless design. I am not sensitive about having the second cup piping hot. see below).
This is my review / comparison of the Bodum Chamboard, Bodum Rhone (ribbed glass pot), and the stainless steel Frieling (below) ADDED THIS SAME REVIEW under all 3 pots in amazon. The flavor lock gimmick is not functional IMHO, and adds stuff to clean. FLAVOR LOCK:The flavor lock is useless IMHO, but possibly I am wrong (Many bonjour models have tghis feature; the rhone and maximus does). The handle is slightly rubberized (feels nice, but may not hold up over time). And you cant get a grip on the knob to tighten the filter enough to engage the flavor lock mechanism (although you can engage it to the lock position because that tries to tighten it). Or if the taste is some manufacturing chemical rather than the steel itself. And people even do cold brews, so keeping the temp high for the 4 min. The press pots are fantastic for making Yerbe Mate (actually makes it similar to the traditional brewing method).
BONJOUR RHONE (RIBBED):Love this pot / gave it 5 stars / nothing is perfect reasoning (complaints below). No grounds whatsoever (and I am picky). Maybe I got a good one. I expect it to be similar to the chamboard version. There was an obvious stainless steel taste, even after washing it 3 times. YERBE MATE:I am a big green tea, Yerbe Mate, and coffee drinker. Long story short, I found it slightly oblong at the top.
BONJOUR MAXIMUS:I wanted a new double wall pot the same design as my 10 year old plus chamboard, but there is a problem. But I have noticed the double wall pots keep the coffee definitely warm enough for my second cup. The little filter in the top cap is non functional because the coffee routes under it when you pour. I think everyone knows you cant fill a press pot too full, or the grounds will float in where the spout flares out. Or. Timeless (simple) design.
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