How To Use a Siphon / Vacuum Coffee Pot

[iuri271]

Water vapor does not "take up more room" than air. The air above the water, when heated, will either gain volume or gain pressure. The air gains a slight amount of pressure and "pushes" the water the only place it can go, up the tube. This allows that air to stay at a lower pressure, but a higher volume. Also, for an eight cup siphon I believe one minute is too short a brewing time. I use: 2-3 cup 70 seconds, 5 cup a little less than 2 mins, and 8 cup about 3 full minutes

[coffeenate1]

@iuri271 Thank you very much for pointing out my error! You are exactly correct...as you already know ;) I forgot my science classes and used a poor reference. I appreciate being reminded of the real science behind this most wonderful brewing method! I will be sure to do an updated video and post! Thanks again

[Bo1618]

Question:

About temp control

Some people do not put the grounds in until after the water is in the upper chamber

Some people don't put the upper chamber on until after the water is at a boil

Some people put a damp cloth on the bottom chamber, (or place the bottom chamber on a tile or stone counter for stove top pots) to cool it and speed up the vacuum.

Have you tried out any of these methods?

[coffeenate1]

@Bo1618 Hi there! All excellent points! This video was made when I just began using the syphon brewing method, and I have since refined my technique to address all of these issues. I now wait until the water enters the upper chamber before adding the freshly ground coffee. I do place the stem of the upper chamber into the lower one, but only seal it when the water reaches 195 degrees. After the brewing time is complete, I put the brewer onto a raised cooling rack and blow on the lower pot.

[Bo1618]

@coffeenate1

Ah cool, I was kind of puzzled by your technique.

Here is my take on it.

You can do it like you just explained or,

You can put the grounds in before the water enters the upper chamber if you wait till the water is at a rolling boil before you attach the top to the bottom. It just makes it so the water enters the top faster so you get a more even time and temp.

Either way works

[Bo1618]

@coffeenate1

As for cooling, if the bottom is cooled the harder the vacuum. The closer to 9 atmospheres or pressure the closer it's going to be to espresso?

[coffeenate1]

@Bo1618 Thank you for raising these points and happy brewing!

[klarinetta]

@dogs0n Well my mother bought inexpensive 2 plate electric stove to have a side along with her induction cooker so now she can use pancake pans and my Bodum Santos pot.

[davideshafer]

Adding to my earlier comments, I like using the coffee press at work. I just use the coffe maker there at work to heat water. Then pore the hot water into my press, waite 4 minutes and then press down.

[coffeenate1]

@davideshafer That is an acceptable method as long as your coffee maker heats the water to the proper temperature. A lot of drip makers don't heat the water enough. The french press is an excellent brewing method.

[squeeks7727]

cook some real drugs

[davideshafer]

Ok, no.1 the french press method is superior BECAUSE of the sedement it leaves behide. and no.2 not all the water was drawn up into the upper chamber, so enjoy some watery coffee!

[coffeenate1]

@davideshafer Now now mr Shafer ;) The french press does make a great cup and many prefer it to the syphon, but not me! There are about 2 oz of water that remains in the bottom chamber, but this is a small amount compared to the 40 that are syphoned into the upper bowl. The syphon pot does not create a watery cup, that I can assure you! My favorite method is espresso, but the vac pot is my favorite non-espresso way. To each his own, and that is a great thing about coffee!

[davideshafer]

@coffeenate1 OK, I won't argue with you on taste cause that's a mater of personal preference. But I will argue that the french press combines the best attributes of the siphon and the auto drip coffee maker most people use. The press is easier to use when compared to the other, is more portable, and since most coffee sold in stores is coarse ground anyway, its also more economical. I rest my case and await your rebuttal.

[coffeenate1]

@davideshafer Since you seem to want to debate the topic, I will repeat that I love both methods. The syphon pot method is another great way to make coffee. There is not a competition. Preground coffee sold in stores is already stale, you would be better served to switch to whole bean and grind at home. The autodrip's sole attribute is convenience, because the flavor is really subpar. French press and syphon pot totally crush the autodrip method and there is no comparison!

[missmonasuzette]

@davideshafer If I may butt in here and post a comment made by a reviewer on Amazon regarding syphon verses French Press:

"I didn't think I'd use this much because it's a bit more of a hassle than a french press, but I like the coffee it makes so much that I use it every day. I'm surprised it makes coffee that is better than the french press, but it does make it a lot smoother and the cup has absolutely no grounds or mud in it."

[winforwon]

@davideshafer Enjoy your overextracted french press

[davideshafer]

@winforwon Name one thing used for making coffee that isn't over taxed.

[Bo1618]

@davideshafer

Wait, you actually drink the mud at the bottom of a cup of french press?

[davideshafer]

@Bo1618 Ya! I add a little hot water to it, some milk and a bit of sugar and its like an espresso. A real strong espresso!

[klarinetta]

I use a happy medium grind on the scale 1-13 on my Solis Scala for the Chemex method with good results. I used a coarser(around setting between # 4-5) setting today for my Bodum Santos and it clogged. I think I've never had it clog on this setting before. Then I tried #3 setting and it took at least 2 minutes to get the coffee down. And btw my grinder is only 8 or 9 months old. What could be wrong here ?

[Godskid2009]

i purchased a glass vacuum pot today from a thrift store. It looks like this one except mine don't have the rubber filter. Mine has a glass plunger thing that hangs inside the glass vacuum tube

[coffeenate1]

@Godskid2009

Sounds great! Yeah, the glass filter rod works well. It probably says "Cory" on the side? Same process, just a different filtering method. I would suggest a slightly coarser grind than with the nylon. Just about the same as autodrip and then adjust to your liking.

[Godskid2009]

@coffeenate1 Yes, it does say corey. It is a thick tube with some weight to it. It works great. I had a good cup of coffee this morning and no grounds in the coffee.

[kennieyk2008]

what brand pot would yu recomend /. ?

[coffeenate1]

@kennieyk2008 I like the Bodum Santos that I used in this video. I have tried the Yama stovetop pot, but I didn't like it nearly as much.

[vesenthraiy]

@coffeenate1 So.. how does the filtering work? You say at 3:03 that you can use the same grind as auto-drip, but that filter clearly isn't paper. So how does it produce a clean up? Is that filter disposable? What is it made out of?? This is the part that confuses me! >_< Good video tho!

[klarinetta]

Caution!!!!!!!!!!! This pot as well as the Moka pot(Bialetti puts warning on their homepage but Bodum doesn't) do not work on Induction cookers(I'm not sure if I'm talking about the right stove but here in Iceland we call it Span coocker and I'm not sure if it's the same thing). Also pans for pancakes do not work for this type of cooker. I'm dumb and Bodum should think about dumb people and put warning about this on this product.

[klarinetta]

Have you tried to brew half a pot ? If so does it give you the same result as a full pot? Bodum says you can brew half a pot but If I will not consider getting this pot unless I know I can make half a pot as I live alone.

[coffeenate1]

@klarinetta Sure you can brew a half pot. It won't affect it like trying to brew half of a moka type pot. :)

[bigoldburton]

keep doing it Nate. You're awakening the coffee appetite of many.

[coffeenate1]

@bigoldburton Thanks! I am trying to teach people about great coffee as I learn myself!

[markpianoman]

Nate, do you know if the Cory glass filter fits in this Bodum siphon pot? Thanks for the good video!

[coffeenate1]

@markpianoman I have a Cory glass filter and I think it would do well. It worked in my Yama, and the tube is the same size...but the upper bowl of the Santos broke before I could test it. My family is tough on glass!

[1ecuadoriana]

HELP!!! I just inherited one of these, but it did not come with the filter part. How/where can I find one so that I can try it? All my google searches seem to head nowhere or into the bake ware category of Pyrex. Perhaps Pyrex doesn't make these any more? if that is the case is there another company that I can use their filter part?

I totally appreciate any tip that can be passed on to me.

Thanks!!!!

[coffeenate1]

@1ecuadoriana No problem. Just go to ebay and search for what is called a "Cory Glass Filter Rod" These work remarkably well and they won't impart any flavors into the coffee or leach toxins into your beverage. They cost about $5 plus a couple bucks shipping. Enjoy...siphon brewing is wonderful! Be sure to visit my site, CoffeeNate com for more tips and contests :)

[1ecuadoriana]

thanks! I took a look on ebay and I a found the filters. You're right, they aren't that expensive and it will be worth the try. What is so crazy is that in the past I've seen those glass rods in antique stores and had no idea what they were for! They were always lumped in the same boxes as perfume bottle stoppers and those glass caps that sat on top of electrical lines. I'm kicking myself now because I could have had a handful for a couple of bucks! Thanks again for the tip!

[jewpandabear]

Helpful video. I'm taking a kitchen equipment class and this info will be on my final. Thanks!

[ffuuuucccckk]

it takes too long when the hot water is up there .... cuz that will make the coffee bitter

[coffeenate1]

I've refined my technique since this video. I don't add the coffee until the water is %90 into the top chamber. I stir gently and let the goods steep for 2.5 minutes. It is never bitter, always smooth and flavorful. Nummy!

[ffuuuucccckk]

@coffeenate1 but...... 2.5 minutes isnt still long ??

[coffeenate1]

No, I do it everyday, and I love it! I wouldn't go too far past that point, or you would be correct...bitterness :P I have the heat on 7 with 10 being max. Adding the coffee later improves consistency.

[ffuuuucccckk]

@coffeenate1 ok cool :D i'll try it

[coffeenate1]

How is your siphon potting going? I now only steep for 2 minutes...my brewing is in constant evolution, always seeking the optimum flavor. Take care!

[jasonlava]

I had a Bodum Santos right before Hurricane Katrina and it got destroyed with everything else. I asked my wife for a new one and I hope I get it now that I know it works on a smooth top electric stove. And YES they make AWESOME coffee. They also work with vintage Silex glass filter rods too.

[IamSteelManS]

Nice video...Can we taste coffee CREMA using those siphon heater?

[coffeenate1]

Thanks for the compliment! Sorry, you won't get any crema from this baby. You can only get it from espresso machines, but it does make an awesome cup of coffee. I just received a new one as my son broke my original one...well worth the price! Visit my site and comment for a chance at winning yummy, free coffee!

[IamSteelManS]

Thanks for the info...(-^_^-)

[LochheadJames]

"Worlds Best Loved coffee machine" the Atomic coffee machine. is The best stove-top

[thecoffeeshoprocker]

I've been confused about this process for so long. Thanks for clearing it up, I think I'm going to have to get one as I hate hate hate drip pots.

[coffeenate1]

Glad I was able to help clear it up for you! This is my favorite way to make coffee other than espresso. Let me know how you like it when you get one!