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My Favorite Coffee Maker: The Bonavita BV1800 Reviewed!

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Bonavita BV1800 Coffee Maker

Bonavita BV1800 Coffee Maker (click to enlarge)

Finding a drip coffee maker that brews a good pot of coffee is not always easy to find. But the Bonavita BV1800 combines smart design with great engineering to create a coffee machine that produces some of the best coffee around. I’ve had the pleasure of testing this model personally, and it’s one of my favorite coffee makers of all time. I’ll explain why in my in-depth review.

Well-Engineered

The BV1800 is German-engineered and built to Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) standards. In fact, it’s one of just a few coffee makers that have earned the SCAA seal of approval.

With a smart design and great features, this machine brews up a fantastic pot of coffee.

Click here to get the price of the Bonavita BV1800 Coffee Maker. 

Smart Design and Features

Bonavita says the BV1800 will brew the “perfect cup of coffee, every time”. And they weren’t lying. So, what’s this machine’s secret? It’s all in the design.

First, the 1400W thermal block heater heats water to the optimal brewing temperature (around 205 degrees F). Once the water’s hot enough, it’s released through the machine’s “showerhead,” which distributes the water evenly over the grounds. The results? Optimal extraction and saturation.

It’s the showerhead design and the right water temperature that ensures the BV1800 brews the perfect cup of coffee. It’s not rocket science – just great engineering.

The BV1800 comes packed with other great features too, like:

  • Large water tank with wide opening and markings for easy filling and measuring
  • Glass or thermal carafe
  • Separate heater that keeps your coffee warm without overcooking it
  • Two-hour automatic shutoff
  • Brews up to 8 (5oz) cups of coffee in 5-6 minutes

I also wanted to mention that this coffee maker comes with either a glass or thermal carafe, which gives you some flexibility to choose the carafe you want.

Easy to Clean and Maintain

Let’s be honest – most automatic coffee makers are a pain to clean. But not the BV1800. I was so surprised by just how easy it was to clean up after brewing.

The basket is easy to clean, so you aren’t left with little grinds stuck in those hard-to-reach places. The lid and the showerhead can also be removed and washed in the dishwasher.

The water reservoir isn’t removable as far as I can tell. But a quick brew cycle with just plain water/vinegar (no coffee!) will keep the reservoir clean.

And because this machine is relatively simple, it’s really easy to maintain. Just make sure you keep it clean, and it should work perfectly for years to come.

Built to Last

With a high quality stainless steel exterior, thermal block heater and two-year warranty, this is a coffee maker that will provide you with many years of use. And it’s UL Certified for safety compliance.

Great Value

The Bonavita BV1800 is priced at a very interesting price-point with the glass carafe. If you choose the thermal carafe, you’ll pay just a little bit more. For an SCAA approved coffee maker, that’s a fantastic deal.

Why I Recommend this Coffee Maker

There are so many reasons why I would recommend this coffee maker.

  • It heats the water to the optimal brewing temperature before it ever touches the grounds. You never have to worry about over- or under-extraction.
  • The showerhead design ensures the grounds are saturated for optimal flavor extraction.
  • Two-hour keep-warm means I can brew a pot of coffee in the morning and carry on with my routine knowing my coffee will still be hot when I’m ready for it.
  • A 5-6 minute brew time means I can still enjoy my coffee even if I’m in a rush.
  • A two-year warranty protects my purchase.

What Could Have Been Better

There’s not much to complain about with the BV1800. But I did notice one or two things other users complained about:

  • The thermal carafe doesn’t do a great job at keeping the coffee warm.
  • Some people had issues with the carafe leaking.

I never experienced either of these issues when using this coffee maker. In fact, I have nothing but good things to say about the BV1800. It’s a great little coffee maker that’s affordable and brews up some of the best-tasting coffee I’ve ever had from a drip machine. I highly recommend the BV1800 to anyone looking for a new coffee maker.

Click here to get the price of the Bonavita BV1800 Coffee Maker.
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Bodum Chambord 8-Cup French Press Review

by Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, French Presses Tagged , , , , , 1 Comment
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Bodum Chambord French Press

Bodum Chambord French Press (click to enlarge)

To brew the perfect French press coffee, you need the right coffee maker and a little know-how. The Bodum Chambord is everything you could ever want in a French press with high quality materials, a classic design and an affordable price tag.

Borosilicate Glass Carafe and Stainless Steel Frame

The first thing I noticed about the Bodum Chambord was that its carafe wasn’t made of plastic like so many other presses are. It’s made from borosilicate glass that’s heat-resistant. The handle is plastic, but it’s heat-resistant as well. The frame that holds the carafe and the filter are both stainless steel. This is a well-designed press made from high quality materials.

Click here to get the price of the Bodum Chambord 8-Cup French Press. 

Simple But Classic Design

It’s hard to get creative with design when it comes to French presses. But the sleek, elegant look of the Bodum Chambord looks great in the kitchen.

And while you won’t find any fancy features with this manual coffee maker, it still makes a fantastic pot of coffee. This particular model can brew up to eight 4oz. cups, which is enough to serve 2-3 people.

Inside, there’s a 3-part stainless steel filter for optimal extraction of the coffee’s flavors and oils. And the filter screen is fine enough for brewing tea leaves, so this press can double as a teapot.

As mentioned previously, the carafe is made of glass. The frame is stainless steel and the lid is metallic, so no plastic or rubber will be touching your coffee.

Easy Cleanup

Most French presses take a little more work to clean, but the Bodum Chambord is an exception. All parts of this press are dishwasher safe, including the lid, carafe, filter and stainless steel frame. A simple rinse is all you need before placing it in the dishwasher.

Designed for Years of Use

The great thing about a French press is that it doesn’t rely on mechanical parts or electricity to work. As long as you take care of the carafe and treat the Bodum Chambord well, this press will last you years – decades maybe. The biggest concern is the glass carafe, which is a bit fragile. If you handle it with care, damage, cracks or breakage shouldn’t be an issue.

An Affordable Coffee Maker

How much did you pay for your last coffee maker? If you’re like most people, you probably paid at least $50. The Bodum Chambord is better priced, and it’s a coffee maker that will last years.

Pros

  • Borosilicate, heat-resistant glass carafe
  • Stainless steel frame and metal lid
  • Three-part stainless steel filter that extracts the most flavor and oils from the coffee beans
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Easy to use
  • Makes eight 4oz. cups for multiple coffee drinkers

Cons

  • The carafe can be fragile

As I mentioned previously, the carafe can be a bit fragile, but that’s to be expected with glass. This won’t be an issue if you handle the carafe with care.

The Bodum Chambord is a beautiful French press that brews a great pot of rich coffee. With glass and metal components, you never have to worry about your coffee tasting “off.” I highly recommend the Chambord to anyone on a small budget looking for a great French press.

Click here to get the price of the Bodum Chambord 8-Cup French Press. 
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Must Read Review Of The Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press

by Posted in Brown's Coffee Reviews, French Presses Tagged , , , , Leave a comment
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Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press

Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press (click to enlarge)

Bodum’s Brazil 8-cup French Press offers superior quality, easy dishwasher cleanup and affordability. With a 34-ounce capacity, you’ll be able to brew enough coffee for 2 or 4 people at a time, depending on cup size.

Build Quality

Bodum uses a durable carafe that features heat-resistant borosilicate glass and a BPA-free base and handle. Ensuring the utmost in quality, this model also uses a 3-part stainless steel filter to extract every last coffee ground thoroughly.

Design & Features

What’s there to say about a French Press? There are no fancy electronics, but there are a few design features that ensure you’ll have a full-bodied cup of coffee after each brew:

  • 34-ounce coffee capacity
  • 2 – 3 person serving
  • 4- and 8-cup coffee measurements
  • 3-part stainless steel mesh filter
  • Dishwasher-safe parts
  • Glass carafe
Click here to get the price of the Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press. Enjoy this top seller today!

It doesn’t get any easier than this. Fill the carafe with water, put in your coffee, and put on the lid while it all brews to perfection. The real magic behind Bodum’s brewing process starts with the fine mesh filter. This filter extracts every last bit of flavor out of your coffee to ensure the richest, most flavorful cup of coffee.

Using BPA-free parts, you’ll never have to worry about tasting plastic when you brew a cup of coffee.

The safety lid also uses a patented technology that seals the lid tight to eliminate coffee spills and splashing.

As for the time it takes to brew a cup, this is really dependent on your taste. If you like a lighter taste, all you need is 5 minutes before your coffee is done. If you want a very strong taste, brew for 15+ minutes.

Maintenance & Cleaning

There are no filters or electronic parts to worry about. The entire coffee press is dishwasher-safe, so simply take out the plunger and put the whole thing into your dishwasher.

If you don’t prefer the dishwasher, you can always use a cleaning brush to get inside of the carafe, or use a sponge. The filters should be rinsed to ensure that no coffee grounds accumulate inside.

The only issue is that grounds are a little difficult to dump out after brewing.

Durability & Longevity

With a glass carafe, and plastic handle and top, there’s not much of a concern with longevity or durability. The only issue some users have is that the top doesn’t secure into place properly, but this has never happened to me personally.

Price

This is one of the best French Presses in terms of price and quality.

Pros

  • Glass carafe
  • 3 part mesh filter
  • Grounds don’t get into the coffee
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Grounds are hard to clean

There’s really nothing bad to say about the Bodum Brazil. All French Presses have some difficulty with grounds removal, so it is something to expect.

For an affordable French Press, Bodum is one of the best on the market. It’s easy to use, fairly easy to clean and the glass carafe allows for a pure coffee flavor. If you love French Press coffee, give this model a try.

Click here to get the price of the Bodum Brazil 8-Cup French Press. Enjoy this top seller today!