Here is a little coffee place down under that does things a little different than in the states.  This place looks like its in someone’s kitchen, I’m not really sure what’s going on here but I would definitely check it out next time I’m in Melbourne.  Visit the Link for more…..

Technorati Tags: bar, coffee, vacuum coffee maker

I have been getting a lot of requests for information about the best vacuum coffee maker for the beginner.  If you haven’t already, please take the time to visit the vacuum coffee maker buyers guide for a description and some of the pro’s and con’s of three of the most popular vacuum coffee makers. 

As a beginner, I highly recommend the Bodum Santos.  This recommendation is the result of the fact that the Bodum vacuum brewer is readily available here in the United States; its glass is durable and negotiates changes in temperature well, its easy to clean and simple to operate. 

Simplicity is the last reason I really like the Bodum.  What I mean is the Bodum is a stovetop vacuum coffee maker.  This means no need for spirit lamps or butane burners; you can use the stove you already have. 

If you looking for a quality vacuum coffee maker, that functions well without a lot of fuss, that’s durable and easy to clean then be sure to order a Bodum Santos.

ORDER The Bodum Santos HERE

Technorati Tags: bodum santos, order, vacuum coffee maker

When I first starting using a vacuum coffee maker I found I was making one fatal mistake and not even realizing it.  It wasn’t the coffee it self; I had fresh beans, ground with a quality bur grinder.  I was also using clean water I had filtered with my Brita Water Pitcher, so it wasn’t the water. 

Actually it sorta was the water, but specifically the temperature of the water I was brewing the coffee with.  You see the issue with a brewing coffee in a vacuum coffee maker is if not done correctly your water will be too cold for optimum extraction of flavor from the ground beans.  Earlier I talked about he importance of using clean filtered water for brewing in your siphon coffee maker; but that’s not enough.  If you want to achieve the best results possible its important to get your water temperature right, from the very moment it makes contact with the beans.  

How does this happen you ask?  By sealing the top container with the coffee to the bottom container with the water before it has had a chance to heat to 198 degrees.  If you make the seal before this, water will be pushed up at lower temperature points, around 175 degrees or so (coincidentally this is the temperature your typical drip coffee maker brews at).  Brewing your coffee with cooler water results in bitterness.  The whole reason we like using vacuum coffee makers is to avoid bitterness and brew at the optimal 198-degree temperature also know as “just prior to boiling”.  Doing it at colder temperatures defeats the purpose and the coffee may as well be brewed with a drip coffee maker because that’s what it will taste like. 

How do I determine the temperature of my water?  Well you could use a thermometer, and I would actually suggest you do until you get a handle on how the water acts at the correct temperature.  With my setup I already know by watching the water when the correct temperature is, remember it is just before the water starts boiling.  When the water reaches 198 degrees I seal the top to the bottom and the water will quickly rise to the top as the brewing begins.  Temperature is important.  Keep your temperature in mind and your vacuum coffee is just going to be that much better.

Technorati Tags: drip coffee maker, optimum, temperature, vacuum coffee maker, vacuum coffee makers, water

Yet another Japanese video where they are brewing vacuum coffee with a halogen bulb.  I believe these can be found in the US by Hario but they seem pretty hard to come by.  Most places that offer them online are sold-out or have limited quantities of these Hario Siphon Halogen heaters.  This may be something that changes as they become more popular, more are sure to be imported.  They are pricey though, in the neighborhood of $400 from what I’m seeing.  Many will argue they aren’t necessary, true, but they do have the “cool” factor that appeals to many.  I like the idea of being able to use them at your work since you would not need a stove or an open flame to heat your vacuum coffee maker.

Technorati Tags: halogen, hario, import, siphon coffee maker, vacuum coffee maker

Photo from Flickr

The Blue Bottle Coffee Co. is a local favorite in San Francisco.  Recently, Blue Bottle Coffee Co. has opened its splendid cafe, opening up on an alley at Mission and 5th.  The new cafe’s soaring high ceilings and tall and tall windows create a delightfully airy feel as one waits in line not only for coffee but for a whole host of delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches, soups, and pastries.

At first, you coffee options might feel a little overwhelming here.  Besides your standards, you can get something called an SG-120, which is basically a latte but comes in a glass tumbler.  But the real attraction to the Blue Bottle Coffee Co is its one of a kind state of the art vacuum coffee bar.

When you choose the vacuum coffee, you also get to choose from one of three types of beans being offered at the moment.  Your chosen beans are then measured, ground, and poured into the top globe of a vacuum coffee maker.  Unlike traditional vacuum coffee makers that use an alcohol flame, this vacuum coffee bar uses special halogen lamps to heat the water to a boil.  Once boiling, the water is pushed up into the ground coffee beans for a few moments, before taken away from the heat where the coffee filters back down in the form of freshly brewed coffee.  Your coffee is then brought out to your table and poured directly from the vacuum coffee maker into your waiting cup.

If you have never visited Blue Bottle Coffee Co. and its vacuum coffee bar then you’re really missing out.  If you’re serious about great coffee, or just enjoy really good food in unique atmosphere Blue Bottle Coffee Co. is a must visit.

Technorati Tags: blue bottle coffee co, halogen, san francisco, vacuum coffee bar, vacuum coffee maker

Examiner.com’s Los Angeles Bureau wrote a nice review of Piece of Cake Cafe in their Desert Column.  Besides a delectable menu of Asian inspired deserts, Piece of Cake Cafe offers a wide variety of coffees, including custom Japanese-Taiwanese roasts.  As you may have guessed, the coffee is brewed in a vacuum coffee maker so automatically I’m a fan of this place. 

And if the deserts and vacuum brewed coffee aren’t enough, how about 3 hours of free Wi-Fi?  If your out in LA, head on over to examiner.com for the full review.

Technorati Tags: los angeles, piece of cake cafe, vacuum brewed coffee, vacuum coffee maker

I came across this article that has a wonderful description of how exactly a Vacuum Coffee Maker makes coffee, and why the coffee it makes is so superior.  

They also have some suggestions of what precautions to take while using your Vacuum Brewer, such as making sure to fill the globe all the way.  Letting the water boil down too low and you could risk breaking your glass vacuum coffee maker.

There are a couple of other tips I think will be useful for anyone who wants to start vacuum brewing their coffee

For a better description and more tips visit vacuum coffee maker.

Technorati Tags: glass vacuum coffee maker, vacuum brewer, vacuum coffee maker

Vac pot, siphon coffee maker, and vacuum brewer are just some of the many names used to describe a vacuum coffee maker.  Originally invented in Berlin, Germany in the early 1800’s by Loeff, the invention of the electric coffee maker in the mid 1900’s all put replaced the vacuum maker in many American households.   Recently though this unique coffee maker has been making a strong comeback.

The vacuum coffee maker has 4 basic part to it:  Top globe where you put the coffee; Bottom globe where you pour fresh water; Siphon tube between the globes; And a filter in the tube that filters out the hot fresh brewed coffee from the coffee grounds.  Science plays the key roll in brewing with the vacuum coffee maker; the water vapors expansion and contraction create the vacuum effect.  When the water is heated in the bottom container, water vapor is created.  As the pressure builds, the vapor pushes the water up the siphon tube to the top container where the coffee grounds wait.  The water vapor gas follows the behind the water to the top globe when the water recedes enough to expose the siphon tube.  Perfect brewing is achieved as the water vapor escapes to the top chamber, keeping the water in the top at the optimal brewing temperature.  The top container appears to be boiling but its not, it’s the vapor forcing its way through the water.  Until the vacuum brewer is removed from the heat source the brewing process takes about 2 minutes.  The reverse reaction is created when the coffee maker is removed from the heat.  The coffee from the upper container is sucked back through the siphon to the lower (now cooling) chamber.  The process is so effective the upper chamber is sucked dry, the coffee grounds barely damp.

When the originally vac pot was invented, it used very basic wick burner as its heat source, some even do to this day.  Today though, we have many options to heat our coffee makers. Self-contained heaters are one option, consisting of a wick and a stable fuel such as alcohol or butane.  The more popular option is your basic stove top.  Butane burners are the fastest option, while wick burners, while more traditional, are the slowest heating elements.  Butane burners are fast, but without a controllable flame are of little use if you want great vacuum coffee.  Siphon coffee makers come in a wide variety of sizes but most are in the range of 12 ounce, 20 ounce, and 32 ounces sizes.

There are a couple different designs, but it the two-globe design of vacuum coffee maker is the most common.  This design has one globe on top of the other, connected with the siphon tube. Balance siphon brewers are another type.  Same principle here but instead of a vertical design is a side by side design, but the same great tasting coffee.

Only a few companies still make vacuum makers.  With their resurged popularity, many manufactures are talking about re-introducing them to the general public.  Many Japanese companies are still producing siphon coffee makers.  This is because electric drip coffee makers have never really been popular in this Asian country.  Europe still makes a few of these devices as well.  Bodum makes the excellent and commonly found Santos Vacuum Coffee Maker.

Vacuum coffee makers gain in popularity is sure to open some eyes to those who have never tasted its superior tasting coffee, plus its way funner to watch that the old automatic drip machine.

Technorati Tags: vacuum coffee maker