First LookThis isn't a complete review. Reviews should come with 3-months of counter space experience. Rather, I will share my impressions and those of the group once we gather tomorrow.
Attractive. Hefty. Professional looking. Fingerprint Sponge (police detectives would love it if it were the murder weapon). Well made (China and Canada). Plunger is sticky without water in the pot (resolves - see below).
French press grind. 22 grams to 11 ounces of water. I preheated the pot with hot tap water. There is a space (manufacturer suggests vacuum) between the outer shell and the inner wall. When brewing, I used water 45 seconds off boil and the outer shell was room temperature to the touch. Suggests that the coffee is insulated and not throwing heat. Covered coffee with water, blooming for 20 seconds. Add remainder of water and capped it.
Plunged at 3:40. Plunging had a 'ball bearing' feel to it, as opposed to the stickiness to the dry/cold pressing without water. Suggests an extremely tight fit that particulates aren't going to get past -- unlike cheap Bodum knockoffs.
Filtering system is better than generic/Bodum presspots because of 3 items:
1. Plunger has a very tight outer edge/lip that is in contact with outer wall. Bodum or knockoffs use a coarser grade screen on the outer edge.
2. Very fine mesh on basket as 1st filter. Bodums or knockoffs mesh is coarser by far than the Espro Press.
3. Second filtering comes from a still finer mesh on the top of the plunger. A Bodum has no secondary filtering.
Randy Glass's picture:
Cup? Call it a clean French press cup. Heavy body. Rich with oils, flavors but without particulates that occlude/detract with a French press. Coffee finishes too hot to drink (forgot to measure temp - next run). Less silt in cup bottom at 12 minutes. Let's estimate about 1/2 the silt of a press pot.
Cleanup. Piece of cake. Unscrew the plunger wand. The basket filter separates from the top portion at an "o" ring. Unsnap the parts, use your fingers, paper towel, or dish cloth to rub the oil and silt off the filter under very hot water. Grounds? Add more water, make a slurry, and share the wealth with the garden. Reassemble. 30 seconds. Done.
Impressions?
1. Excellent clean heavy cup. Would appeal to press pot fans.
2. I cupped this with an El Salvador San Jose Finca, one with which I am familiar. The cup is heavier than the pourover (Melitta whites) but that is to be expected.
3. Great eye-candy that holds it own.
Do I want to win it?
1. Yes
2. Drawing to be held at the pourover throwdown tomorrow night.
Will I buy one if I don't win it?
1. Does Wisconsin make good cheese?
2. If it is February, will there be a Yemenathon?
Price - It strikes me as high for the item but at the same time, I understand start-up costs, margins on limited production runs, etc. Love to support a small manufacturer that is trying to enter the game. Vancouver company who also makes the new Toroid bell shaped frothing pitching that Santa put on me.
http://www.espro.ca/espro-press/Ray, get ready. Headed your way on Monday.
B|Java
