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Review of:Â Bodum Columbia Thermal French Press Coffee Maker, Stainless Steel, 34 Ounce, 1 Liter (8 cup)
Category:Â Coffee Maker
Capacity
Durability
Aesthetics
Affordability
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Not everyone agrees with how the French do things in the kitchen. If this is why you’ve steered clear of French presses before, here’s a fun fact. The French press was actually patented by an Italian designer. There, no need to worry about the French connection.
What a French press does better than any other coffee maker is to minimize the loss of flavor. It doesn’t use traditional filters that trap the grounds. Instead, it meshes the grounds to the bottom of the pot, thus releasing all the oils from the coffee beans.
Have a look at one of the best available French press coffee makers and see what it has to offer compared to traditional drip devices and percolators. Lets have a look at the Bodum Columbia French Press Coffee Maker review.
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Quick NavigationWho’s it for?What’s Inside?Overview of FeaturesHow to useAlternativesConclusion
Bodum Columbia French Press Coffee Maker Review
The 12-cup Columbia model from Bodum is the best French press coffee maker for a large family. It keeps the coffee hot for up to two hours and it’s very easy to use.
You don’t have to worry about changing filters, buying specific filter sizes, or making a mess on the countertop. It’s a pot that looks splendid and it’s made to last.
Who’s it for?
Anyone that likes to have a slightly hands-on coffee-making experience in the morning will enjoy the Bodum Columbia. It’s not hard to brew with this coffee maker, certainly not when compared with coffee making stations you find in most bars and restaurants.
If you don’t want to mess with paper filters, the Columbia is a good choice. Not only does it eliminate the need for filters it also doesn’t waste any flavor, unlike other coffee makers.
Another reason you might enjoy this French press coffee maker is its stylish design. It has a simple chrome finish that makes the pot fit into any vintage or modern kitchen setting. It is also a great pot that you can use to serve guests at the table.
What’s Inside?
If you’ve never used or seen a French press coffee maker before you should know that it’s a very simple design. Here’s what you’ll find as you unbox it.
- 12-cup capacity stainless steel pot
- Fine stainless steel mesh filter
- Silicone band around the filter
- Instruction manual
As you can see there’s not much that comes with this pot. After all, there’s no need for filters, cords or other typical accessories that come with coffee makers.
Overview of Features
The double stainless steel wall is what makes the Columbia the best French press coffee maker in its price range. It not only offers better durability than competing products but it also keeps the coffee hot for longer. That way you don’t have to rush to serve it and you can take your time brewing it.
The mesh filter is very fine and does a great job of trapping ground coffee particles. Of course, that only works if you don’t use fine powder. What keeps the inside of the pot from scratching and what also helps create a tight seal is the silicone protective band around the filter. You might think that’s common but sadly it’s not a feature you find in all French press coffee makers.
The 12-cup capacity of the Columbia means it can brew more than enough coffee for a family and a couple of guests. The time it takes to have a fully brewed pot usually depends on how fast you can boil the water. Also, it depends on how much coffee you’re brewing and how strong you want the coffee to be.
The combination of the tight-fit lid and the double-wall construction offers great insulation. The Bodum Columbia can keep your pot of coffee hot for about two hours. You wouldn’t get the same from a percolator, for example.
How to use
Like any French press coffee maker, the Columbia is easy to use. Once your water boils, you can remove the pot from the heat for about 20 seconds. This allows the temperature to drop under the boiling point which is what you want for a perfectly brewed pot of coffee.
After 20 seconds, you can add the water to the Columbia coffee maker over the ground coffee and start gently stirring the coffee. After a few minutes of brewing, you simply press down so that the mesh reaches all the way down to the bottom of the pot. As a general rule, the longer the coffee brews the stronger it will be and this is also backed up by Bodum in this video:
Alternatives
It’s hard to think of a downside to the Columbia French press coffee maker. What would make an interesting alternative to this product might be a see-through model. Some people like to see their coffee brewing and are willing to sacrifice insulation for this experience.
If you find yourself among those people, you might want to check out the Bodum Chambord. It comes at a lower price tag but with the same 12-cup capacity. What makes it cool though is the use of borosilicate glass instead of full stainless steel. This will let you see the brewing process from start to finish, provided you have the time to spare.
Conclusion
The Bodum Columbia is an almost perfect French press coffee maker. It has a maximum capacity of 12 cups and a very fine mesh filter with a silicone seal. The double walls offer great insulation as they are able to keep the coffee hot for up to two hours. It also makes the Columbia a very durable coffee maker.
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Amazon Disclaimer: prices updated on 2023-03-23 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
