Black & Decker VersaBrew TCM500 8-Cups Coffee Maker

I can't really call us coffee purists. We don't drink expresso. We don't have expensive coffee gadgets. We don't even frequent Starbucks. But, my hubby and I do appreciate a good cuppa Joe. Dunkin' Donuts Regular, although not the most trendy coffee in town, tops our list.

While we both prefer our java strong, with a little cream and sugar, we do have slightly different coffee habits. Hubby will drink just about any coffee, all day long. Good coffee is best, but not-so-good coffee is better than nothing. I tend to have a cup in the morning and am more particular about taste. I'd rather have no coffee than bad coffee.

Over the past few years, I found myself becoming more and more disenchanted with the coffee produced by hubby's various drip makers. Watery taste, no matter how much coffee used. Grainy sediment, no matter what filter used. And no improvement from cleaning the unit or switching coffee. While hubby was perfectly content with his daily brew, my bleary-eyed morning trips to D&D were getting tiresome and expensive.

A Fresh Alternative

I was vaguely familiar with the French press, but never considered buying one for myself until recently. I visited several coffee web sites that extolled the virtues of French press coffee, and decided to give one a try in my quest for great coffee at home.

The sites emphasized that there were no great differences between French press brands/models because of the simplicity of operation. Bodum seemed to be fairly popular, and I was immediately drawn to the Eileen model. An arty stainless steel shell, designed to honor an Irish designer, was not only beautiful to look at, but also appeared to protect the removable glass carafe. At $45, the Eileen was a bit more costly than other presses, but I was taken with its attractiveness, practicality, and size. (I chose the 48 oz model, but a 32 oz size is also available.)

The Process

Anyone can successfully use a French press. First, grind the beans. The coarser and more consistent the grind, the better, with "best" being a grind specifically made for French press. (Too fine a grind will cause problems with using the plunger.) Second, place one scoop (provided with the press) of coffee per cup (4 oz) in the carafe. Then pour measured, hot (not boiling) water into the carafe and stir the contents with a wooden/plastic (rather than metal, which may break the carafe) spoon. Place the lid/plunger apparatus on the carafe and allow to brew for at least four minutes. Then, depress the plunger with light, even pressure. Voila, hot, delicious coffee!

There are several options for heating water. I use my old Sunbeam Hot Shot, which heats 16 oz of water in seconds. A standard or electric tea kettle will also do the job, and I'm sure some folks out there have instant hot water taps from their sinks. I prefer to use the filtered water from my fridge, so the Hot Shot works best for me.

Clean-up is a Snap

The Eileen press is very easy to clean. The parts of dishwasher safe, but I personally find hand washing just as easy. I simply remove the glass carafe, rinse it with hot, sudsy water, and place in on a rack to dry. I do the same with the lid/plunger. The stainless shell usually remains clean, but can be rinsed as well. .

What I Love

This French Press makes amazing coffee - strong, full-bodied, and delicious. What a treat in the morning.

Although there are more steps involved, making coffee with a press really takes no longer that using a drip machine. For most press-enthusiasts, the process is an important part of the enjoyment. The additional TLC truly makes the coffee taste that much more delicious.

The Eileen looks beautiful on the counter, especially if your kitchen has stainless appliances. Because it's easy to clean, it stays attractive as well.

Presses are extremely affordable. Although the Eileen is one of the more costly models, I believe the stainless shell will save me from having to purchase a replacement carafe anytime soon. I can appreciate this, haven broken more than my fair share of machine carafes in the sink. There are replacement carafes available, just in case.

This particular model is sturdy and comfortable to use. The parts appear to be high quality as well.

Okay, So Nothing's Perfect...

Even this relatively large press may not be practical for someone who drinks many cups of coffee over the course of the day. It produces slightly less coffee than the stated carafe size, and the standard press cup of 4oz is much smaller than the average household coffee mug. Hubby still uses his drip machine, but enjoys a cup of press coffee when I make it. We also use the press when friends come to visit.

Extra coffee in the press doesn't stay hot since there's no heating element. This can be remedied by using a thermal carafe or even wrapping a tea towel around the press for insulation. There's a stainless, thermal press available, but I prefer being able to see through the carafe.

Some fine sediment in the bottom of the cup is normal. However, I find it much less objectionable than the coffee grounds hubby's drip machine leaves in the pot/cup.

Good to the Last Drop

In closing, I'm so happy with my Bodum Eileen French press that I would recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy truly rich, flavorful coffee at home. While other presses probably work just as well, I find that the Eileen is the perfect combination of beauty and function. This is a great gift for yourself, or for others. For a coffee enthusiast, this is the perfect "splurge" that doesn't cost a fortune.