Bodum Chambord 34-Ounce 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker with Insulating Coffee Coat

This is the way to drink coffee.

Got this for Christmas and am on my fifth day of use. I’m a fully converted french press freak and will never use my drip machine again except for social occasions where I need a bigger brew.

This press works great. It’s easy to press the plunger (even though I have not yet acquired a good grinder to give consistent coarse grounds…my grinder is about as crappy as you can get), it’s easy to clean and the coffee tastes great (richer, thicker and more smooth)…much better than a drip. I asked for the Bodum because of its reputation for quality and so far, I’m impressed.

I typically make enough coffee to fill 2 typical mugs (about 16-20 oz of coffee) and the unit appears about 2/3 full. I’ve not tried to make a full 34 oz, but it doesn’t appear to really hold that much. We’ll see.

The thermal sleeve is a bit of a waste, though. You really shouldn’t leave coffee in a french press to sit because the flavors will continue to extract to the point of…

Best tasting coffee with one design concern

I already own a 3-cup Bodum press, but I was interested in this one because of the insulating coat. As always, the Bodum press makes rich, thick, delicious coffee that leaves a bit of sediment in the bottom of my cup, which I swirl into my last sip, like espresso. French press coffee far surpasses the brew any drip machine makes; it is simply the best coffee you can make without a plumbed machine. As for the grind, I put a pound of beans through the most coarse setting at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s and it works perfectly.

Unlike the previous reviewer, I love the neoprene sleeve. I drink a full pot for myself, which makes two large cups, plus a little extra. (In the summer, I’ll use the excess to make ice cubes for iced coffee.) On work days, I drink one cup right away and pour the remainder into a large thermal stainless mug, but on weekends when I have more time to relax, I leave the coffee in the pot and take my time drinking it. The coffee has gone as long as 45…

Beautiful!

Superbly made in Portugal of Pyrex, Stainless steel, bakelite, chromed brass, and chromed steel. When was the last time you saw something made out of brass? The quality is first class, and it’s a pleasure to use.

The beaker is made of thin Pyrex glass, it’s not a football. I fully expect to break it sooner or later with daily use and very careful handling, hey it is first thing in the morning when I’m usually cleaning it! That’s life, and I don’t consider it a flaw in the materials, design, or workmanship. If I’m lucky it won’t break for a long time… knock wood.

Warning: if you get used to french press coffee, all other coffee will seem sub-standard, lacking body and flavor!

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