BODUM Chambord Coffee Maker

There are myriad reasons why I chose to finally invest in this strange little product that I had heard so much about from coffee experts on the web. First of all, like many other reviewers here, I only have a small number of coffee-drinkers in the household (in my case, my father and I). Most drip makers are built to hold MASSIVE quantities of our beloved go-go juice, and therefor, take up a great deal of counter space, which is of no use to us at all. Also, many of the el-cheapo drip makers that we had bought in the past worked great...for about three weeks, then broke down (The Melitta "Take Two" and the Hamilton Beach Brewstation are great machines, but they didn't prove to be very durable for us.) And finally, to be frank, we've recently had a bit of a roach problem localized to our kitchen, and Dad was paranoid that one of the little pests might sneak into and contaminate a drip-pot, as there's very rarely any kind of seal on them to prevent such occurences. But I was unwilling to let any of these setbacks stand in the way of my favorite, and by far most delicious morning ritual, so my mind drifted back to the French press pot, that low-tech contraption from Bodum that has been around, in the same exact design, since the 1930's. That got me very, very interested. I consider myself somewhat of a Luddite, and I thoroughly believe that many things were just done better back in the old days, and that, in the Modern Age, we've traded quality for convenience and charm for instant gratification. In fact, only the massively galvanizing rush to the cerebral cortex produced by the coffee I just drank has motivated me to crank my newfangled computerola machine into power and set my electronic tele-type mechanism to stamping out a product review! Now if I can just find where to lay the stone tablet. Hehe. OK, enough with the levity. Let's get down to what you really want to know. Is this a good product? YES! It's everything I expected and more. First of all, this thing isn't just low-tech, it's NO-tech. It's made of glass with a metal frame and a steel filter. You never have to SEE another paper filter again, and best of all, no electricity required, and no computerized parts or timers to malfunction after three weeks of moderate use. This baby is as rugged and ready for adventure as almost any kitchen implement you could think of. In fact, I may finally be able to have coffee on my camping trips, which is a very thrilling thought. There are a few reviewers who have suggested that the task of boiling water in a separate vessel is a bit of work, and this may be true if you like your coffee really, REALLY hot. I don't need to boil water. I just get a heavy-duty pyrex measuring glass and pop it in the microwave for three minutes! You may want to wear an oven mit when removing it from the microwave, but it should be plenty hot for you, plus if you use a measuring glass, you have the added advantage of eventually learning the precise amount of water to add for your own perfect cup, as it's quite a subjective thing. Remember when I said that there were only two coffee-drinkers in my family? Well, that's yet another detail that makes me think that this press pot thing was created specifically with folks like me in mind. Not only are there not many coffee-drinkers in the house, but neither of us are multiple-cuppers. I never have more than one good stiff mug a day, because I'm too much of a whimp to handle the caffiene (oh the shame!) This press is perfect for two people to enjoy large mug-sized portions, or for one coffee-drinker to have a tall tumblerful for a hectic day at school, the office, or just wherever. This would be ideal for a studio apartment or dorm room. Oh, and did I mention that this thing is BEAUTIFUL?! I don't know what it is, but it looks like a charming antiquity, something that you might see on a civilized British club-car aboard a dignified old passenger train, being passed around for serving among several avuncular-looking gentlemen with grey hair, handlebar mustaches, three-piece suits complete with vest-fobs, and monocles. Sometimes, I don't know whether I should brew coffee in this thing, or polish it and put it in my china cabinet. But don't let the piece's dainty appearance give you the idea that it's a nere fragile curio, to be protected in a velvet-lined box and fussed over. The Bodum Chambord Press Pot is made of heat-resistant laboratory-grade glass. You can brew with it until Doomsday, and it'll stay in tip-top shape. And if it doesn't, Bodum offers replacement parts by mail. Now that's a company that's confident in their product! A word to the new-age folks out there who just want to be able to flip a switch and have coffee on demand. This machine probably isn't what you're looking for. Some people would say that it's more work, but really, I think it's just more fun. It's like going to a grocery store to buy a candle as opposed to the old-timey way of dipping one yourself (which I did on a tour of a North Carolina plantation some years ago.) The old way is more "work", but it's more play as well, and there's a certain level of pride in knowing that you took part in such a time-honored and historical ritual yourself. I read a lot of Amazon reviews before finally deciding to try the product, and I was terrified at all the comments warning how difficult this little gizmo is to clean. Once I got one for myself (and I'm a fairly lazy guy, to be honest with you), I was shocked. What are y'all talking about? This is ridiculously simple to clean, and there isn't even any of that nonsense with having to run vinegar through it once a month like with those pesky drip-makers. All you need is running water and a steady hand. Maybe you could use a little scrubber brush every week or so, but this thing is surprisingly low-maintenance. Don't be daunted by the comments stating otherwise. OK, now for the best part. The coffee made with the Bodum Chambord Press is some of the most heavenly, mild, even, smooth, and full-bodied coffee I've ever enjoyed from ANY source/brewing technique. And, having been accustomed to convenience store coffee for the last several months, the step up was like that of a music listener going from Lindsay Lohan CD's to Billie Holiday on glorious vinyl. Once you've been to the mountaintop of richness, texture, quality, and substance, you won't want to go back to the valley of blandness, lack of depth, and thorough mediocrity. No offense to Lindsay Lohan fans. They're not bad, they (like instant coffee drinkers) just don't know what they're missing out on. ;-)

I was always very curious about the french press method of brewing coffee, but never really got into it. Being away from my espresso machine, I really wanted to try something that was simply better than drip. I thought about getting the aeropress, but decided instead for the french press. Boy am I happy. So why is the french press method than drip you ask? Quite simple... *No paper filter! Coffee has a lot of natural oils in it that carry a lot of flavor. Using a paper filter traps those oils, so they never get expressed in the cup. The french press method produces a coffee that is much richer and fuller in body than any drip coffee I have ever had. I feel like I'm drinking coffee instead of cream and sugar. *Complete control over the brewing process. You control the grind, you control the temperature of the water and you control how long the water is contact with the grinds. *Steeping vs. Drip. Using a drip, the water goes through the grinds and out. Very little prolonged contact with the water. Also, it's very common to see channels develop in the basket which leads to underextraction. With the press, all the grounds are completely submerged within the water for however long you decide. Better extraction, just don't let them sit in there too long. Sometimes you hear of people complaining that there are too many grinds left in the cup using a press. Here is some good advice: "Don't skimp on the grinder". Toss your whirly-blade away (or relegate it to spices) and get yourself a burr grinder. I use a rocky with my french press, but you don't have to buy a $300 grinder for french press. You'll probably want to spend no less than 60. I've heard good things about the antiqua from bodum, the infinity from capresso and pretty much anything in the baratza line-up. Why such an expensive grinder you ask? Well you need to grind your own for any method of coffee brewing you use (throw the folgers out the door), but you need a fairly consistent grind. Whirly-blades will give you a lot of dust and coffee boulders; neither are very good for coffee brewing. Also, if you think that there is any possibility you might one day venture out into the world of espresso, go for no less than the gaggia mdf, or better yet a rocky. Nothing below those two will give you a grind for espresso. (End grinder tirade) Using a good grinder, the amount of grinds in the cup will be exceptionally minimal. You do get a little bit of coffee dust into the cup, but it's hardly noticeable and usually settles out into the very bottom of the cup. The filter on the press does a very nice job of keeping the grounds out. I read somewhere in one of the amazon reviews that the press doesn't go down far enough to really press the coffee. I'm not sure how much coffee this person was using, but I use slightly less than the recommended amount and I am able to press the grounds quite firmly. This particular 3-cup model will make about 8-10 oz of brewed coffee. You can't quite get all 12oz of water in with the grounds, and some of the water gets soaked up in to the grounds. This is the perfect amount for me, since I only drink one cup-a-day, but if you drink more, go for a bigger model. Make sure not to leave the brewed coffee sitting in the press. Pour out any you don't drink immediately into some kind of thermal carafe to keep it warm. The unit itself solid enough. Obviously the glass is breakable, so don't go bouncing it off the floor. Cleanup is pretty easy. I rinse out the press, put some soap in the bottom, fill with water, and plunge up and down a few times and let it set while I drink my coffee. Make sure you keep the press clean, previously brewed coffee grounds are very good at ruining your coffee. As far as how to brew french press, check out the guide over at coffeegeek, but also look at the Illy method of preparation as they detail on their site. Decide which one you like better. The only improvement I would like to see would be some sort of thermal insulation to keep the coffee warm while it brews. The coffee is still hot when I'm ready to pour into the cup, but it would still be nice. Make sure to preheat your press with some how tap water. Bodum does make thermal french presses, but they come at a higher price point. Overall, great little brewer that comes at a very affordable price-point. Pair this with a good grinder as some freshly roasted beans (you're not still using folgers are you?), and you've got a recipe for excellent coffee.

It's sort of hard to explain what makes the Chambord the de-facto modern french press. It makes good coffee, but then again, of course it does: It's a glass container you put ground coffee and water into. We figured out these things 200 years ago, it's not rocket science. What makes the Chambord special is everything involved in the process of using it. Parts are good quality; they're durable and feel good to handle. If anything does break, finding replacements is easy and not very expensive. The assembly is extremely modular too, meaning it's easy to clean thoroughly and you probably won't have to worry about it gunking up over years of use. It lacks the amenities some other brewers will try to sell you on, such as advanced filtering systems or quick cleaning methods, but in my opinion these gimicks rank from unnecessary to actively detrimental. The Chambord is the french press the same way we've been doing it for the last 200 years, and it works just fine. There's also something to be said for the way it looks. It might sound silly, but this is something that's presumably going to be out on your kitchen counter every day, so it should matter if you like looking at it, and I think the design of the Chambord is the sort of classy that doesn't age. When I make coffee in the mornings, I place it on my counter, and the way the sun hits the glass makes my coffee look so good, I'm almost certain contributes to it tasting better once it's in my cup. Again, it sounds silly, but I think that alone is enough of a reason to spend the tiny bit more than it costs compared to other brewers. Can't go wrong with a french press. Can't go wrong with the Chambord. It just works.

I'd heard that a french press makes the best tasting coffee but put off buying one for years. To be honest if I had some peer pressure to influence me I'd probably not have resisted for so long. I only know one person who uses a coffee press and they swear by it. The reason I finally bought this was that my last two drip coffeemakers broke in month thirteen, right after the warranty ended. Small plastic parts broke and I took the plunge to try this french press which is mostly glass and metal, figuring the simpler construction might ensure it would last longer (and it's less expensive too). One thing I like about the Chambord is the glass beaker is a separate piece. This is unlike Bodum's Brazil model which has the plastic fused onto the glass. I know replacement glass pieces are sold separately in case mine breaks. I liked the look of the Chambord which is sleek and has a shiny silver metal and black plastic for the holder and cap. I looked at the Bodum Chambord side by side with other coffee presses (like the Bodum Brazil) in a store and could see that this one looks more sophisticated and classy. I also like the 32 ounce capacity of the Chambord. Easy to Use The coffee press is so easy to use. I boil the water then wait two minutes, as the manufacturer says not to use boiling water. I put the coffee grounds in it then fill it with 32 ounces of water. I stir it with a wooden chopstick then place the lid on and wait four minutes. Then it is pressed very gently and slowly. The coffee is ready to serve. My one complaint about the glass container is there are no marked lines for various measurements. If you want to make coffee in a certain number of ounces, such as to make an 8 ounce cup, you will have to heat the water and measure it in a heat-safe measuring cup then pour it in. I note the manufacturer has legal warnings in two languages which fill over two inches of space on it so it is clear that Bodum wasn't leaving markings off to have a clean design look. Since this uses no electricity and is small I am taking it with me when camping. I am thrilled to be able to have great tasting coffee while camping or staying in cabins without electricity but with access to open fire or portable camping stoves which can be used to boil the water. Best Tasting Coffee I have two favorite coffees which I've been drinking for over two years using a drip coffeemaker. I was shocked at the superior aste of the coffee made with the same pre-ground beans from this coffee press. There was no bitterness! I'd thought the bitterness was supposed to be there and had accepted it. (This idea is now funny to me. I also note when reading reviews of my former coffeemaker - made by Mr. Coffee - some customers said it produced a bitter brew. I now know that to be true. ) I have never tasted home-brewed coffee that tasted this good. 32 Ounces Bodum says this makes 8 cups of coffee. In America 6 ounces is the standard so that's a bit confusing to this American coffee drinker. However many people now drink 8, 12, 16 or more ounces in one "cup" of coffee. What you need to know is the Bodum Chambord makes 32 ounces of coffee. Cleaning I find this easy to clean and have no complaints. With anything you use there is usualy some cleaning, even a drip coffeemaker has parts to clean. Making Coffee in Volume My Mr. Coffee drip coffee maker took nearly 15 minutes to make a 12 cup pot so I have no complaints on the time it takes to make coffee in a coffee press. To me flavor is more important anyway; I'd rather have a coffeemaker for daily use that produces superior coffee every day and have a bit of inconvenience when company is here. If I have to, when company is visiting, I will use an insulated coffee pot if I need more than 32 ounces of one kind of coffee. It will actually work out fine as some of my family usually wants decaf while others want caffinated coffee, so I've always had to brew two pots and use an insulated carafe when I brewed with a drip coffeemaker anyway. The Cost This cost me less than half what a drip coffeemaker costs and much less than those one-cup coffee makers. I'm happy with the low cost. As I said earlier if the glass beaker breaks I can buy a replacement for a low price. In Conclusion This makes fantastic tasting coffee. It may be a different process than you have done before but it is easy. This is an inexpensive item with a simple process with little room for mechanical failure. Don't hesitate like I did!

This is one of the nicest French press coffee makers I've ever had! The glass is extra thick and feels less vulnerable to breakage than my old Bodum French presses, which seemed to break so easily. I love the copper casing, the filter (which glides easily and creates a very smooth cup of coffee), and the press system. The entire item feels durable and quality. Really impressed! I've had a lot of French press coffee makes over the years (at many different price points ranging from $15-50) and this is by far my favorite. Great value for the cost.

Having discovered French Press coffee a year ago I bought the Bodum Columbia Insulated French Press, which I love. However spare parts are not readily available for that line yet. So I started shopping for a press that I could get spare parts for. I have also read that a glass press can produce a slightly more complex flavored cup of coffee because the coffee will cool slightly while brewing. So I picked this press out based on my past happiness with Bodum products. I am the only coffee drinker in my house so I decided that I did not require a large 12-cup press. I also knew that I would not drink all that coffee before it became too cool. This is my first 8-cup press. I will spare you a review filled of reasons why you should use a French press to make coffee and instead tell you why you should buy this French press to do it! So here I go. Durability- This press is composed of a glass beaker that lifts out of the metal-banded handle assembly. It has a metal lid that is polished to a beautiful mirror finish. Also has a metal plunger rod, metal filter and metal filter ring and cross filter base. However it has a plastic shoulder nut (my one complaint, although I was able to get a metal replacement from Bodum at no cost). The way the plunger assembly goes together is simple and can be assembled easily by hand. First the plunger rod is fitted through the hole in the lid. Then the shoulder nut is screwed onto the rod. Then the large metal ring with round holes and a spring around the edge goes on. Beneath that the fine metal filter then beneath that the cross filter base. The rod screws into the cross base and secures everything up against the shoulder nut. This description may seem somewhat complex however it is very simple in practice and fool proof. The plunger lid assembly is quite sturdy and durable. The metal-banded handle assembly, which holds the beaker, is also sturdy and polished. The handle is a very hard plastic and comfortable to grip and hold. Fully assembled you have a durable (for glass) press that can easily stand up to daily use. I use mine daily with no problems at all. Ease of cleaning- This press easily disassembles by hand and can be completely cleaned with little effort. I soak mine in hot soapy water after every use then rinse clean and towel dry. Proper cleaning is critical to maintaining consistent coffee flavor. A dirty coffee maker will taint coffee with bad tastes. This press cleans very easily, much easier than my old drip machine did! Ease of use- This press is used as any French press. Drop your grounds in, add water off of boil, let grounds steep for 4-5 minutes then slowly press the plunger down. Pour and enjoy. If you make more than you will drink right away then pour it into a separate insulated thermos. I leave my coffee in this until I have it drank. With the lid turned to close the spout this coffee stays warm enough for me for a half hour. Face it; the first cup will be too hot to drink right away. The second will be hot but drinkable. The third will be warm. This makes 2-3 coffee mugs. Great for a single drinker who likes 2 or 3 mugs at a time, like me. Or great for 2 light coffee drinkers (a mug and a half a piece). Coffee will always be best the sooner is it consumed after brewing is completed. In this press or any press/coffee maker. Overall quality- For around $30 this is a fantastic value. Like I said above I was leery of the plastic shoulder nut which could wear after multiple assemblies and disassemblies, but I was able to get a metal replacement at no cost making this a much better value. All in all a great investment in better coffee drinking and piece of mind. I also like the ability to get spare parts if I should ever need them. In closing I really love this press it holds up to daily use and maintains it great classic looks. Makes great coffee and is perfect for a single coffee drinker who likes 2 or 3 mugs of coffee as I do. It's smaller size than my 12-cup press makes for easier cleaning and handling. I am very happy with this purchase and for $30 you cannot go wrong. I recommend this to you highly! Whether you are new to French press coffee making or like me wanted a smaller easier to clean daily coffee press. I still love my 12-cup for parties, but this press is my personal daily coffee maker of choice. I love it!

The french press is a staple in any coffee lover's setup of makers or brewers. This timeless piece of engineering creates a great, full-bodied cup without all the hassle of perfecting pouring techniques or needing a large budget or space with more elaborate setups. All that's needed is the french press, a decent scale, beans along with the grinder (to control your grind size), and a way to heat water. This is usually a coffee lover's gateway into brewing cups other than instant coffee at the supermarket. It's not too difficult to use, and the cups are usually consistent and end up being less frustrating in the long run compared to pour-overs. It would be advisable to stick with darker or medium roasts with a french press since you're aiming for full-bodied cups which contain more oils and fines. A super expensive grinder is not necessary, which makes an entry-level grinder such as a Hario with ceramic burrs, or a pentagonal stainless steel burr hand grinder (i.e. Timemore C2, Hario Smart G Pro) decent options. This plays into the affordability factor, though a more expensive burr hand grinder is always welcome. After all the frustration as well as fulfillment that goes along with pour-over coffee equipment, as well as brewers, it's great to go back to more simple methods. Paper filters are also not necessary, which makes one less thing to worry about. The cups are great to drink with its high temperature and full-bodied flavor. Clean up isn't too bad with this french press either. It also makes a great cup of tea if you're using loose-leaf. Aside from the functionality, it looks amazing on your kitchen counter.

Mmmmmh...Smooth & Rich java. I read all the reviews on the 8 & 12 cup stainless steel models, plus all the reviews on the glass model. I put "French Press Coffee Maker" on my Christmas list, and based upon my inability to choose between the 8 & 12 cup stainless presses, Santa brought me both. Unbeknownst to me, my daughter got me the glass version...so now I have all 3! Although I thought the stainless models would be preferable for both their insulating & unbreakable properties, now that I have all 3, the glass model is my favorite, because it's gorgeous! The chrome plated stainless steel housing is gleaming, the glass has a clarity and delicacy that is just stunning, and overall it's lighter weight, and just plain more comfortable, in my opinion, for the feminine hand. Plus, you can see how the coffee is brewing (color) during the 4 minute brew process. The downsides of course are 1) probable eventual breakage of the glass carafe, but they're readily available, and easily replaceable, and 2) that there's no insulation...but French Pressed coffee (or any for that matter) is best consumed as immediately as possible. I love the stainless models too, because (of course) they do keep the coffee very warm and*or borderline hot, depending upon your individual interpretation of those terms, for at least 30 minutes to an hour, they're virtually unbreakable, and they are also stunningly beautiful...very contemporary, and at the same time, timeless in design. All 3 models come with a measuring scoop (8 cup models take about 8 level scoops, and produce about 3 large mugs of coffee, or perhaps 4 more conservatively sized (smaller) cups. The 12 cup model is 50 percent larger, so figure approx. 5 or 6 cups with the larger stainless model (good for company where you want to serve more people at once). I also got a very inexpensive Procter Silex electric kettle to super heat the water superfast, it works great! Also, Santa brought me the matching sugar & creamer set. It etails for $20 for the set, go ahead & splurge...you'll own your French Press for perhaps a lifetime, and the sugar*creamer set makes for a stunning table display. It matches perfectly with both the stainless and the glass models. Tips...water is supposed to be "just off the boil", and I found the electric kettle just perfect. Secondly, this is hot stuff, keep away from children's reach! Thirdly, after emptying the grinds, a simple rinsing and soft cloth drying is all that's needed after use. Lastly, you do need fresh ground coffee. Trust me on this. When you see and taste that delicious, smooth, cup'o'joe with a very fine oil slick on top (fresh oils from the freshly ground beans!), you'll never be happy with canned, drip brewed, stale coffee again! I find the French Presses equal in ease of use to my old Drip coffee maker (which, incidentally, is in perfect working order, and is now in the garbage). I'll post this review on all items mentioned (8 & 12 cup Stainless Steel French Presses, Glass Carafe French Press *called the "Chambord", and the matching sugar*creamer set. Happy shopping!

Dawniej produkty marki Bodum były wyśmienitej jakości. Teraz niewiele różnią się od tańszych zamienników. Minusem jest to, że filtr fusów szybko się odkształcił. Część filtra zawija się w górę, a część w dół. Mimo to trzeba przyznać, że zaparzacz działa prawidłowo i pozwala przygotować aromatyczną kawę.

La compre ya hace meses y no ha dado ningún problema. Esteticamente preciosa y fina. Fácil de limpiar. perfecta tanto para café como para tes o infusiones. Deciros que sobre la cantidad de café que se puede hacer dicen que 8 tazas y supongo que se refiere a cafés de taza de cafetería que son de varios tamaños y en general bastante mas pequeños que las de casa. Así que calculad que si os llenáis una taza de casa (la típica con forma de "vaso" con asa) os dará más o menos para unas 4 o 5 tazas tranquilamente.

Mon ancienne cafetière était juste un peu trop petite. Celle-ci me convient beaucoup mieux, même si je n'ai pas encore trouvé le bon dosage. Encore quelques jours et l'infusion sera parfaite.

Excelente produto- recomendo

Für eine Tasse Kaffee bestens geeignet und auch gut zu säubern. Gut durchdachter und ebenso verarbeiteter Artikel der seinen Zweck erfüllt und optisch auch recht ansprechend ist.