[Stone]

I used a Bodum Santos for years. But after I forgot to turn it off once too often, letting all the water evaporating out of the bottom, the rubber plug on the top unit melted a bit. I threw out that pot, but it still imparted a little burnt rubber flavor to the coffee. I bought a new vacuum brewer, made by Northwest Glass (don't remember the brand name).



For the most part, I like the design better. The bottom pot is more substantial, with a better, firmer handle. Subtle design differences in the top stopper allow for an easier and firmer connection. My one hesitation is that this uses a cloth covered filter, as opposed to a plastic filter on the Bodum. It works just as well, and the coffee tastes great. But after cleaning, the cloth, of course, takes a while to dry. I'm a tad concerned that it will develop off-flavors from bacteria or something.

[Melonious Thunk]

I've been using the Bodum Santos Electric vacuum coffee maker for a couple of years now. Once I got a good burr grinder, the quality of the coffee it makers is fantastic. The flavor of the beans is very clear and clean. I can taste differences between blends and varieties that were obscured before. The vacuum process is a good one. Why wouldn't you consider the electric automatic version of the Santos to eliminate the "forget" problem?

[Ampelman]

Good info on vacuum brewers here.

And comparative purchase info here -- those Cona models are pricey but sure look nice.

[Stone]

those Cona models are pricey but sure look nice.

I'd think that the alcohol burners would take forever to heat the water.

[peppyre]

The Yama brewer is very similar to an Italian style one used at a coffee shop by my place. It also has a cloth filtre and I never noticed any difference with the flavour after lot s of use. They have 3 or 4 for the shop that get lots of use and they haven't needed to be replaced in 10 years, which is good, since the company that made them has since closed. I wouldn't worry too much about the cloth filtre as long as you are not leaving it to soak in nasty water for days on end, it should be fine.

[Ampelman]

those Cona models are pricey but sure look nice.

I'd think that the alcohol burners would take forever to heat the water.

From the linked Cona brewing instructions:

• ... Fill the bowl (bottom globe with handle) with hot or boiling water to within about 1/2 inch from the base of the neck. Make sure the outside of the bowl is dry. (Note: you can start with cold water -the process will take much longer though)

[Stone]

I find the only drawback of a vacuum brewer compared to automatic drip is cleanup. Getting rid of the grounds is messy -- you reach in and wipe them out. (I guess I can run them down the drain, but this doesn't seem like a good idea.)

[omnivorette]

We just rinse it out with hot water and dump the grounds down the sink. And then use a brush to wash it.

[SethG]

I have a barely used Bodum vacuum pot, if anyone wants it. Just PM me and be willing to come pick it up.

[Abbylovi]

I've been using the Bodum Santos Electric vacuum coffee maker for a couple of years now. Once I got a good burr grinder, the quality of the coffee it makers is fantastic. The flavor of the beans is very clear and clean. I can taste differences between blends and varieties that were obscured before. The vacuum process is a good one. Why wouldn't you consider the electric automatic version of the Santos to eliminate the "forget" problem?

The electric Bodum isn't available. I'm slightly leery of the stovetop model because of this forget problem whatever it is. My coffee routine is basically to have a couple cups in about an hour - is anything going to blow up if I forget about it?

[omnivorette]

If you get the bodum santos stovetop model, which we use for years already, you cannot forget about it. It will burn, crack, melt...this we have learned the hard way.

See Stone's post - first one on the thread.

[Abbylovi]

Lucky me. I have my very own stalkerish Ask Jeeves.

[splinky]

I've been using the Bodum Santos Electric vacuum coffee maker for a couple of years now. Once I got a good burr grinder, the quality of the coffee it makers is fantastic. The flavor of the beans is very clear and clean. I can taste differences between blends and varieties that were obscured before. The vacuum process is a good one. Why wouldn't you consider the electric automatic version of the Santos to eliminate the "forget" problem?

The electric Bodum isn't available. I'm slightly leery of the stovetop model because of this forget problem whatever it is. My coffee routine is basically to have a couple cups in about an hour - is anything going to blow up if I forget about it?

Target sold the 5 cup Electric until very recently, they may still have some in a warehouse. Maybe worth checking. I'd also call Bodum to see if they have any in their warehouse.

[Melonious Thunk]

The Technivorm makes very good coffee. I have one at the lake house and like it as much as the Bodum electric. Geeks consider it the best home coffee brewer. If you get one, buy the one with the thermal carafe. The KBTS makes eight 4 oz cups. It makes the coffee very quickly at 200 degrees, the best temp. for brewing.

http://www.sweetmarias.com/prod.technivorm.shtml

[Ampelman]

The Technivorm makes very good coffee.

The Technivorm came out tops in the comparative rating in the current issue of Cook's Illustrated:

Fast, very simple to operate. Tasters described coffee as "a dynamic and clean cup, flavorful and expressive," "very good; robust but smooth." Achieved perfect temperatures for brewing and serving and was the closest of all the coffee makers to reaching the ideal brewing time. Pieces disassemble easily for cleaning. Though not programmable, this machine was so fast and easy to use, we didn't mind.

The $240 price tag gave them pause, but they addressed that issue too:

There's just one problem with the Technivorm—its price. Could we really justify spending $240 when we know that great coffee can be had through far cheaper methods? To make sure, we compared coffee made in the Technivorm to coffee from a French press, the method favored by many coffee connoisseurs. (We used the Bodum Chambord, which sells for $39.95.) To our surprise, while our tasters enjoyed the French press coffee's rich aroma and flavor, the Technivorm coffee won the day with even better flavor—and with no need to go through the French press's multiple steps of separately heating the water to 200 degrees, then pouring, stirring, waiting four minutes (according to manufacturer instructions), and pressing. The Technivorm's price tag is high, but its consistently full-flavored, smooth brew—made with all the convenience of that old Mr. Coffee—will pay for itself when you start skipping a few trips to Starbucks.