Making Great Coffee

[Rachel Perlow]

But for really great homemade coffee, does anyone use a vacuum coffee maker?

I've been using ther Bodum Santos automatic since I got it for Christmas.  When the proportions of coffee and water are right it makes very very good coffee.  It has taken me lots of trial and error to find out the right proportions.  I use more grounds than the 1 tbs per 6 oz. water, esp[ecially when I am making 6 or fewer cups.  8-10 cups, the ration is about 1.25 tbs per 6 oz. water.  But this can vary with the particular beans and roast I'm using.  It is not rocket science but it isn't automatic either.

Bodum Santos Vacuum Coffeemaker is currently half-off at Amazon, $40. There's also a little video you can watch showing how it works.

[chromedome]

Years ago, when I lived in Vancouver, a friend of mine was a vacuum-coffee fanatic. She'd keep her eyes open whenever she was in a thrift store, and would frequently find whole or partial vacuum units. She'd always have two or three on hand, so that when she inevitably broke the chimney on the one she was using, she could trot out a replacement immediately.

She did make damned good coffee.

[nixienox]

I too searched thrift stores for vintage coffee makers for what my husband called my "museum of coffee-making devices." Those vintage glass vacuum coffee makers are so beautiful, and good theater also.

[malachi]

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