Insert from Bold Java: This thread grew out of a question posed on the group buy for the Yama vacpots. It began:
Marlyece
"I was contemplating Getting a chemex initially but now I'm captivated by this. Any thoughts or suggestions?"
BoldJava
"Chemex. I don't care for the taste of paper (I believe some palates are more sensitive to this than others).
I use a Bodum gold filter with my Chemex and it works beautifully, with a nice lip on the filter.
Easy to handle when hot. Simple dump into our mulch bin, quick rinse under the hot water and
you are done:
http://xrl.us/BodumGoldFilter (Link to
www.bodumusa.com). Never have to buy another filter.
Chemex cup: Very clean cup though with just a hint of fine silt, depending upon your grinder (I grind fine
with a MACAP for the Chemex and Bodum gold). Simple to prepare with a boil, wait 30 seconds, saturate grinds,
wait, then pour remainder. Done. Gold filter permits oils through and you will get a cup that is just a
little bit lighter than a press pot without quite the heaviness and degree of silt to the cup that a press
pot presents. This is a great way to enjoy a coffee with little fuss. I use it weekly. $55-$60, with filter.
Yama (or Bodum/Cona). Vacpots have become my favorite preparation. For me, no other prep
showcases the individual strengths and characteristics (or weaknesses) the way a vacpot does. Some
coffees (PNGs, Vienna roast levels) don't do so well in it for my palate. With PNGs, it showcases too much of the characteristics, just as roast profiling characteristics become too pronounced at the Vienna and darker roast levels for my tastes in a vacpot.
Very high putz factor. Very tactile, hands-on, slow approach to coffee preparation. Takes me 15
minutes start to finish though some speed it up with preboiled water and or higher stove temps.
I don't get that -- what is the rush? Where is the fire? Slow down and enjoy it.
Clean up is messy. Cloth filter works very well but needs a good rinsing with an old tooth brush or group head brush. Need to assure you have a uniform grind if you use a Cory filter (highly recommended from eBay for $9-$12 shipped). Somewhat difficult to clean but pot brushes with bottom bristles hasten the cleanup ($11 at our local kitchen supply place):
http://www.instawares.com/glass-washer-coffee-pot-bar-brs935.bar-brs935.0.7.htm$50 with Cory Rod so price is about a wash.
For me, it is about the cup, and it is a Yama, hands down. You will, however, get an excellent cup with the Chemex and Bodum gold if you don't like to putz with the vacpot. Personally, I am looking for ways to slow down rather than speed up my life. The Yama fills the bill. ...
B|Java"
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Marlyece:
"Wow thanks for all the valuable tips! Maybe I'll have to satisfy my curiosity and get both."