Coffee talk

Well I guess this thread got to me. Today I picked up a grinder and swung into Coffee Oasis in Kingston since @mtskibum16 and @ffb mentioned them and grabbed a couple different bags of their beans to try.

When I bought two bags they gave me a free drink so I just got a cup of whatever black coffee they had ready. It was the best cup of coffee I've had in a long time, so I was excited.

Got home and before diving into an oil change on my boat I busted out the French press and made several cups to throw in a mug to take outside with me.

For not knowing what I like, not knowing much about grinding (Grinder instructions said for French press to go with a coarse grind so that's what I did), I was pretty damn impressed with the results. I dont know that I'll ever get into roasting my own, but I can definitely see myself taking this all a bit more seriously moving forward. Even with my first attempts I was pretty amazed at the flavor vs what I've always been used to.

So my question now is how much does the method used to make the coffee impact the final product? Currently have a small, super cheap standard coffee maker, and French press. I like the French press, but its not the most convenient thing for making my morning coffee at 330 am before heading out on the water. I like the taste much better than my cheap coffee maker, but the ease of the standard pot makes life simple. I've used the French press in the mornings at Westport and it's not too terribly inconvenient, but I'm wondering if there is another route I could consider. So does anyone have any recommendations on a brewing method that is simple but produces a better final product than a super cheap, standard coffee maker? Or am I best off just sticking with the French press and budgeting a little more time in the mornings?
 
Nick Clayton said:
Well I guess this thread got to me. Today I picked up a grinder and swung into Coffee Oasis in Kingston since @mtskibum16 and @ffb mentioned them and grabbed a couple different bags of their beans to try.

When I bought two bags they gave me a free drink so I just got a cup of whatever black coffee they had ready. It was the best cup of coffee I've had in a long time, so I was excited.

Got home and before diving into an oil change on my boat I busted out the French press and made several cups to throw in a mug to take outside with me.

For not knowing what I like, not knowing much about grinding (Grinder instructions said for French press to go with a coarse grind so that's what I did), I was pretty damn impressed with the results. I dont know that I'll ever get into roasting my own, but I can definitely see myself taking this all a bit more seriously moving forward. Even with my first attempts I was pretty amazed at the flavor vs what I've always been used to.

So my question now is how much does the method used to make the coffee impact the final product? Currently have a small, super cheap standard coffee maker, and French press. I like the French press, but its not the most convenient thing for making my morning coffee at 330 am before heading out on the water. I like the taste much better than my cheap coffee maker, but the ease of the standard pot makes life simple. I've used the French press in the mornings at Westport and it's not too terribly inconvenient, but I'm wondering if there is another route I could consider. So does anyone have any recommendations on a brewing method that is simple but produces a better final product than a super cheap, standard coffee maker? Or am I best off just sticking with the French press and budgeting a little more time in the mornings?
Click to expand...
Whether you use a pot, French press, or pour-over, grind the beans just before you brew. The fresher, the better. The ground ceffee degrades pretty quickly after it's ground since more of the grouns are exposed to the air.

Might be hard to do at O'dark-thirty, though. In that case, grind 'em the night before.
 
@Nick Clayton the brewing method makes a big difference. In your situation I’d look at a nice drip machine since you make enough to take with you.

I use an Aeropress because it makes something similar to espresso. But I’m a 1 cup in the morning person most days. My French press makes enough for me to take a second cup on the road when I’m fishing.
 
Well this thread pushed me over the coffee roasting edge. Just received this from Sweet Maria's. I got the 4lb sampler plus an extra 4lb sampler. I'm a big Ethiopian fan so was stoked to find that 3 of my 8lbs was different Ethiopian beans. Can anyone break down the main differences I'll get from a wet vs dry processed bean? I understand the process but not sure what that means for the finished product.

IMG_20220209_195434.jpg
 
troutpocket said:
@Nick Clayton the brewing method makes a big difference. In your situation I’d look at a nice drip machine since you make enough to take with you.

I use an Aeropress because it makes something similar to espresso. But I’m a 1 cup in the morning person most days. My French press makes enough for me to take a second cup on the road when I’m fishing.
Click to expand...


Yeah I tend to fill at least one 24 Oz mug to take on the water with me.

Are there any particular features to look for in a drip machine for producing decent quality?


Edit...nevermind I used the search function ;)

Wow, never truly spent much time looking at coffee makers. Some of these things are pretty damn complex!
 
Last edited:
Nick,
My suggestion would be to find a nice programmable "grind and brew" drip machine that you can fill with your favorite bean, set the timer for 30 minutes before you wake up , and enjoy.

From experience, it would take you about a week to dial it in .
 
Nick Clayton said:
Well I guess this thread got to me. Today I picked up a grinder and swung into Coffee Oasis in Kingston since @mtskibum16 and @ffb mentioned them and grabbed a couple different bags of their beans to try.

When I bought two bags they gave me a free drink so I just got a cup of whatever black coffee they had ready. It was the best cup of coffee I've had in a long time, so I was excited.

Got home and before diving into an oil change on my boat I busted out the French press and made several cups to throw in a mug to take outside with me.

For not knowing what I like, not knowing much about grinding (Grinder instructions said for French press to go with a coarse grind so that's what I did), I was pretty damn impressed with the results. I dont know that I'll ever get into roasting my own, but I can definitely see myself taking this all a bit more seriously moving forward. Even with my first attempts I was pretty amazed at the flavor vs what I've always been used to.

So my question now is how much does the method used to make the coffee impact the final product? Currently have a small, super cheap standard coffee maker, and French press. I like the French press, but its not the most convenient thing for making my morning coffee at 330 am before heading out on the water. I like the taste much better than my cheap coffee maker, but the ease of the standard pot makes life simple. I've used the French press in the mornings at Westport and it's not too terribly inconvenient, but I'm wondering if there is another route I could consider. So does anyone have any recommendations on a brewing method that is simple but produces a better final product than a super cheap, standard coffee maker? Or am I best off just sticking with the French press and budgeting a little more time in the mornings?
Click to expand...
Hell yeah, see? Tastes better, don’t it?
If you like the French press, you are probably best off just sticking with that and budgeting 5-10 extra minutes. Or just work it into your routine. One thing that helps is having one of those quick boil electric kettles. Add water to kettle and heat, measure beans, grind, pour in brewing device. Your water will be ready in a couple minutes now. Check PNWFF. Pour water, steep. Pour extra hot water in travel mug to preheat it. Hit the head. Coffee’s ready.
I had to stop the French press. It made too much delicious coffee, so my pits were sweating and I was getting anxious. I am now a daily single Aeropress dude. It’s more espresso like and a cleaner burn, or something. Maybe there’s just less.
 
ffb said:
Well this thread pushed me over the coffee roasting edge. Just received this from Sweet Maria's. I got the 4lb sampler plus an extra 4lb sampler. I'm a big Ethiopian fan so was stoked to find that 3 of my 8lbs was different Ethiopian beans. Can anyone break down the main differences I'll get from a wet vs dry processed bean? I understand the process but not sure what that means for the finished product.

View attachment 4555
Click to expand...
As to processing, wet vs dry, honey, etc., the Sweet Maria’s site has more and better info than I can offer, though I will say that wet processed beans take a tad longer to reach the desired roast Than dry processed.
 
Matt B said:
Hell yeah, see? Tastes better, don’t it?
If you like the French press, you are probably best off just sticking with that and budgeting 5-10 extra minutes. Or just work it into your routine. One thing that helps is having one of those quick boil electric kettles. Add water to kettle and heat, measure beans, grind, pour in brewing device. Your water will be ready in a couple minutes now. Check PNWFF. Pour water, steep. Pour extra hot water in travel mug to preheat it. Hit the head. Coffee’s ready.
I had to stop the French press. It made too much delicious coffee, so my pits were sweating and I was getting anxious. I am now a daily single Aeropress dude. It’s more espresso like and a cleaner burn, or something. Maybe there’s just less.
Click to expand...


Oh yeah good call on the electric kettle thing. Didn't even consider one of those.
 
Nick Clayton said:
Yeah I tend to fill a 24 Oz mug to take on the water with me.

Are there any particular features to look for in a drip machine for producing decent quality?


Edit...nevermind I used the search function ;)

Wow, never truly spent much time looking at coffee makers. Some of these things are pretty damn complex!
Click to expand...
I think the basics of good drip coffee are filtered water, temperature control, and stainless steel water reservoir and carafe. Something like this. https://www.sweetmarias.com/behmor-brazen-plus-brewer.html

But a good French press with an electric water kettle will make great coffee too.
 
I use a burr grinder and grind before use in the morning. I heat water in an electric kettle and have a Melitta filter system (pour over) dripping into a glass carafe. I don't preheat my porcelain cup in the morning if staying home but if I'm going fishing, I preheat my Yeti tumbler before the java goes in.

Once in a while, for a treat, I use my French press (coarse grind).

Two new fresh bean junkies! Love it!
 
Glad you took the leap Nick! Others have hit most the points, but IMO for 24oz I’d stick to the French press for your morning brew. Perfect size for one batch and makes great coffee. I’d grind the night before to keep the peace in the house then store the ground coffee in a small airtight container (those little canning jars are perfect). Think course ground salt size. Courser than the pre ground stuff. Get up and turn the kettle on and warm tap in the French press to warm it up. Then you have a few free minutes to do something else. Coffee in, water in, steep 4 minutes and you’re off. The active time is pretty minimal with French press so it’s easy to do while you get other stuff done.

You can play with grind size and steep time and see what you think. Depending on what you got for a grinder you may end up with a muddier cup than you do with preground. You can try a fine grind (finer than preground) and like a 2 minute steep too.

I think coffee roast has a large impact on end product, but brew type does too. It’s pretty amazing how much different the exact same roast can be with different brew methods. Try the coffee maker too and see what you think. Again there you can play with grind size to adjust the brew.
 
mtskibum16 said:
Glad you took the leap Nick! Others have hit most the points, but IMO for 24oz I’d stick to the French press for your morning brew. Perfect size for one batch and makes great coffee. I’d grind the night before to keep the peace in the house then store the ground coffee in a small airtight container (those little canning jars are perfect). Think course ground salt size. Courser than the pre ground stuff. Get up and turn the kettle on and warm tap in the French press to warm it up. Then you have a few free minutes to do something else. Coffee in, water in, steep 4 minutes and you’re off. The active time is pretty minimal with French press so it’s easy to do while you get other stuff done.

You can play with grind size and steep time and see what you think. Depending on what you got for a grinder you may end up with a muddier cup than you do with preground. You can try a fine grind (finer than preground) and like a 2 minute steep too.

I think coffee roast has a large impact on end product, but brew type does too. It’s pretty amazing how much different the exact same roast can be with different brew methods. Try the coffee maker too and see what you think. Again there you can play with grind size to adjust the brew.
Click to expand...
If you want to get super nerdy you can use the coffee guru app to keep track of all the variables, Water to coffee ratios, bloom time, brew time. And it ha a built in timer
 
ThatGuyRyRy said:
If you want to get super nerdy you can use the coffee guru app to keep track of all the variables, Water to coffee ratios, bloom time, brew time. And it ha a built in timer
Click to expand...
And how does this app work for you? ;-) (asking for a friend)
 
ThatGuyRyRy said:
If you want to get super nerdy you can use the coffee guru app to keep track of all the variables, Water to coffee ratios, bloom time, brew time. And it ha a built in timer
Click to expand...
Coffee ratio is a huge one I failed to mention. Good point!

@Nick Clayton We haven't talked really any about on here. Experiment with how much coffee you use for a given volume of water to find what you like best for how you brew. The nerds on here are all probably weighing their coffee and water (I am), but whatever you can do to stay as consistent as possible. 16:1 ratio (water:coffee) by weight is usually a good starting point. Traditionally french press would use more coffee (maybe 12:1) but I have started using finer grinds and less time (and less coffee) for my inversion brews. Limits to how fine you want to go in french press because you'll start having to chew your coffee at some point! ;) That's why I like the Clever Dripper. Basically french press but with a paper filter and much easier cleanup. Not sure it will do 24oz though.

However, you may find you don't need quite as much using lighter roasts. There is more caffeine in lighter roasts. If you haven't, I'd recommend ditching the dark roast stuff and look for medium.
 
Anyone else make regular use of a Moka Pot? I have a Bialetti stainless 2-cup variety. I’ll make a nice strong cup tomorrow morning. I have a system down now but it took a lot of reps to get something consistent.

What works for me:
  • Boil water first
  • Fill reservoir to the middle of the pressure vent
  • Use a robust coffee in the medium to med-dark roast range
  • Grind fine but not necessarily espresso fine
  • Fill the basket level but don’t pack it in
  • Use medium-low heat for the brew process
  • It takes several minutes to get the brewing started but goes fast

Mistakes I made along the way
  • Starting with cold water then trying to rush the brewing process
  • Under/over filling the reservoir
  • Under/over filling the coffee basket
  • Using delicate, light roast coffee
When it all comes together it’s really good. But I made some bad coffee along the way!
 
mtskibum16 said:
There is more caffeine in lighter roasts.
Click to expand...
I’m no chemist, but I am a coffee nerd, and I have read that caffeine is an extremely stable compound up to temperatures way higher than any roast and therefore roast has little to no affect on caffeine amounts.
 
If any of y’all are conscious of LDL cholesterol levels (like I am 😭 thanks, genes) and also a coffee lover, one other thing I’ve read is that there is a factor in coffee that can contribute to elevating LDL, but it apparently doesn’t pass through a paper filter. This changed my daily brew technique for me. I went back to a paper filter in my aeropress. I’ll still do no-paper-filter immersion methods for a change up.

The web is full of info on this but here’s one paper:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cholesterol-raising factor from boiled coffee does not pass a paper filter - PubMed

Previous studies have indicated that consumption of boiled coffee raises total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, whereas drip-filtered coffee does not. We have tested the effect on serum lipids of consumed coffee that was first boiled and then filtered through commercial paper...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
 
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