I don't really drink espresso I'm looking for a better way to make a regular cup of coffee. I don't usually do espresso, but I was thinking about a french press to make better regular cups of coffee. Will this product work for me as well, or should I just get a traditional french press? I don't really drink espresso I'm looking for a better way to make a regular cup of coffee. I don't usually do espresso, but I was thinking about a french press to make better regular... » Read More I don't really drink espresso I'm looking for a better way to make a regular cup of coffee. I don't usually do espresso, but I was thinking about a french press to make better regular cups of coffee. Will this product work for me as well, or should I just get a traditional french press? « Show Less
1495070
The Aeropress does not make espresso, despite the implication of the name. It's simply a portable drip coffeemaker, where you assist the drip by pressing *some* of the coffee through a paper filter by hand. The coffee begins dripping through the filter immediately after you add hot water. In that respect I find it pretty inferior to the french press, which won't filter the coffee until you're ready. A French press is carried in two pieces rather than five (six if you count the stir paddle) with the Aeropress. The paper filter also filters out a lot of the most flavorful parts of the coffee (unlike the French press and unlike true espresso, which has no paper filter). The Aeropress does not make espresso, despite the implication of the name. It's simply a portable drip coffeemaker, where you assist the drip by pressing *some* of the coffee through a paper filter by hand. The coffee begins dripping through the filter immediately after you add hot water. In that respect I find it pretty inferior to the french press, which won't filter the coffee until you're ready. A French press is carried in two pieces rather than five (six if you count the stir paddle) with the Aeropress. The paper filter also filters out a lot of the most flavorful parts of the coffee... » Read More The Aeropress does not make espresso, despite the implication of the name. It's simply a portable drip coffeemaker, where you assist the drip by pressing *some* of the coffee through a paper filter by hand. The coffee begins dripping through the filter immediately after you add hot water. In that respect I find it pretty inferior to the french press, which won't filter the coffee until you're ready. A French press is carried in two pieces rather than five (six if you count the stir paddle) with the Aeropress. The paper filter also filters out a lot of the most flavorful parts of the coffee (unlike the French press and unlike true espresso, which has no paper filter). « Show Less
1495071
You can use it to make regular coffee, and it is a great cup. Just use a scoop of grounds and fill the chamber with water and proceed as instructed. You can adjust the strength by adding a bit more water afterwards if its a bit too bold, or brew a bit longer if its too weak.It's convenient, easy and makes great coffee. Look at how many opositives there are for this $25 invention. By the way, I think its made of Lexan (polycarbonate) so it will be practially indestructable.Just go ahead and pop for one. Its free shipping and no taxes, a bargain.
1495072
I love the AeroPress even when I don't want a stronger cup of coffee. This is so much easier that any other coffee maker I've tried. When I want something not as strong, I just make less and cut it with hot water.
1495073
The aeropress doesn't really make express. It's concentrated coffee. Like coffee extract. If you like strong, rich french press coffee, you'll love the aeropress. It's so much faster, easier to clean and the taste is very comparable.Because it's coffee concentrate, you can adjust the strength to suit your taste. When I go to Mom's, we use 4 scoops of coffee, fill the tube with water and press it. Then pour that into her caraffe and fill it the rest of the way with hot water. It makes the same amount as her 5cup coffee maker. But it tastes so much better. Personally, I could drink that straight, but she's afraid of growing hair on her chest :-) The aeropress doesn't really make express. It's concentrated coffee. Like coffee extract. If you like strong, rich french press coffee, you'll love the aeropress. It's so much faster, easier to clean and the taste is very comparable.Because it's coffee concentrate, you can adjust the strength to suit your taste. When I go to Mom's, we use 4 scoops of coffee, fill the tube with water and press it. Then pour that into her caraffe and fill it the rest of the way with hot water. It makes the same amount as her 5cup coffee maker. But it tastes so much better. Personally, I could drink that... » Read More The aeropress doesn't really make express. It's concentrated coffee. Like coffee extract. If you like strong, rich french press coffee, you'll love the aeropress. It's so much faster, easier to clean and the taste is very comparable.Because it's coffee concentrate, you can adjust the strength to suit your taste. When I go to Mom's, we use 4 scoops of coffee, fill the tube with water and press it. Then pour that into her caraffe and fill it the rest of the way with hot water. It makes the same amount as her 5cup coffee maker. But it tastes so much better. Personally, I could drink that straight, but she's afraid of growing hair on her chest :-) « Show Less
1495074
Despite what it says this doesn't really make espresso, it's more of a concentrated coffee. But that's just using the default instructions. There's other methods out there, like the one I use which makes a regular cup. Do a little searching online and you'll find dozens of different "recipes".
1495075
Of all the French Presses here on Amazon, my favorite is the little known "Nissan Thermos." It is miscategorized by Amazon as a thermos, so doesn't come up in the French Press searches, but for the price and design, blows away the glass and plastic presses. The listing comes up under Thermos Nissan 34, but then you have to read the sub title (gourmet coffee press). Enjoy!
1495076
I only use the Aeropress to may a strong cup of coffee. I usually do a full 4 shots at a time, that will give me 3 large cups of coffee. It just can't be beat. I've been using it for nearly two years now.
934173
I started with regular coffee and it worked fine but recently, I changed to espresso beans, ground fine with a conical burr grinder. The difference in the flavor is amazing! I will never switch back.
1624347
Can I use my bricks or does it only grind? Also, this is my first Espresso machine, I know almost nothing about them. Does it come with a good manual? Based on some reviews I read I feel I need to hold a doctorate to operate one. Tell me it aint so.
2025470
If all you want is regular coffee, the Keurg would probably be a better device. It takes us much less space on your countertop than the DeLongi. The DeLongi is really designed to do espresso shot-style drinks and does a excellent job at that. It can also do regular Americano-style coffee, but has a small water tank in comparison. You will find yourself constantly refilling the tank if you do a lot of cups of coffee.
537532
I don't use French press, so can't speak to whether or not coarse grind works best. From what I've read and seen, that is the proper grind. However, if you're not happy with your results, you'll definitely be happy with the Baratza Preciso. I got mine a year ago, and have never been sorry. For me (I use several different fine grinds for lever press espresso), it is simply the best and only grinder to have. Be sure you get the Preciso. It has the most options for grinds, other than the Vario, which is way too expensive.
841439
You can add enough water to suit your needs. Just use the measuring guide on the carafe as to how many cups whether it be one cup or four cups. A real espresso is served in a tiny "espresso cup" so yeah, you can make about four of them or two regular coffees or cappuccinos. I've done that way without a problem. Eventually you will learn to adjust how much coffee or how much water you need to suit your taste. Unfortunately my Delongui expresso maker didn't even last a year so I am in search of another product. Good luck with yours!
623736
Yes, it's common (and unavoidable) with French presses. If you don't like it, just throw out the last sip of coffee in your cup. Your may want to consider an Aeropress, which makes coffee that is less bold than a french press, but has no sediment in your cup.
1001222
It works fine for French Press. I don't brew espresso, but the finest grind seems fairly powdery.
410918
you might find you get better results overall if you use a small pitcher for the espresso and then add it into the cup after you have your milk in there (I don't have these cups, I just love coffee :D )
1857509
I dont know what "barista-like cup" means. As for the settings for best espresso, I also dont know how to answer that. The flavor and intensity of a coffee is different for each person. All I can tell you is to play around with the grind settings and brew/pre-brew settings until you find what you like. Maybe try different coffee brands. My favorites are Danesi and Lavazza Qualita Rossa.
2237461
i think you can use whatever beans you want--i use decaf espresso so that i can use our coffeemaker for caffeinated. i think the manual said how fine, but i can't remember. i know it's not the super fine, like an espresso machine and it's not the really coarse grind, so it's in between. just start with a middle setting and if you start to get sludge in the bottom, it's too fine.
1756322
I would investigate the kinds of pods that you are using for your coffee. I have only had a top of the line espresso machine for the last 14 years- and this mere `coffee maker' matches in its' crema! I use the melitta or the actual Senseo brand. I tried making my own and the crema was still there... but not as thick. By the way... the crema is not made at the end it is seamingly made throughout the discharge of brewing. I LOVE this machine.
815023
Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served straight unless you drink like it's desert? Happy Trails Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served... » Read More Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served straight unless you drink like it's desert? Happy Trails « Show Less
399971
Although I prefer the french press, it can be done in a drip coffee maker. However, if you go that route, I would have to agree with Kierst. In a regular old coffee maker, it just seems to come out really weak to me. If you don't have a super fancy coffee maker and don't want to invest in one, maybe it would be a good idea to get a French press. They aren't very expensive.
216391
Not as fine as espresso. But pretty fine. If you're getting it ground by someone or grinding it yourself there should be a French press setting.
1513556
Unfortunately, no. The strongest cup of coffee I've made so far was with fresh-ground beans and the 'gold' coffee pod I bought on Amazon. (Really like that, by the way. You can adjust the coarseness and strength of the grounds.) I haven't tried it with "espresso" beans, but would think you could get a pretty stout cup that way. All of this, of course, pretty much cancels out the 'instant' factor touted by the makers of these machines. And I still think the water needs to be hotter to get good flavor extraction.
782393
You have to use the Nespresso's coffee pods! I have to tell you that this is Fabulous machine! I watch for the specials that they have & free shipping from time to time. That's when I stock up. The Nespresso machine & coffee are a real treat for me now that I've found my favorite flavors. I hope this helps! It is also so much easier to clean than older styles of espresso makers! I know some people may be thinking of the Keurig capsules which you can use your own coffee for that machine & they say they would rather buy them already filled.