Posts by kevinhaugen

I had a chance to test out the Able Disk Fine recently, and I found it to mark a significant departure from previous iterations in both design and cup quality. I am particularly impressed by the fact that the filter produced such a clean and complex cup, despite being a metal filter. It is quite apparent that care was taken in its design to more closely mimic paper.

For those that have been skeptical of pairing the Aeropress with a metal filter, I would highly recommend giving the Disk FINE a try. The significantly tighter hole distribution yields a surprisingly clean cup that still retains the complexity of a full immersion brew. The Water Avenue El Salvador I brewed was both full in mouthfeel and vibrant in its starfruit acidity.

The physical etching of the holes is also much more precise, but the resulting filter is thinner. I believe this newfound pliability actually works to its benefit, however. The Disk springs back if folded, and it adheres like paper when wet. This is definitely a benefit to those like myself who are prone to bending or losing the filters when in a rush.

One can only hope to see an equal leap in quality in the soon to be re-released Coffee Kone.

Izzo created a lot of buzz last year when they released the Duetto II, and for good reason. It was the first machine of its kind to offer a commercial E-61 group head, double boiler, and fully integrated PID control for precise temperature control. Now there’s another machine with similar features. We always favor more more options for the home barista, and we think this machine will be a good alternative to the Izzo Duetto. The addition of a dual pre-infusion system in the Rocket R58 espresso machine makes achieving a smooth coffee extraction with optimum aroma, body, and crema an even more achievable reality for the home barista. This feature in itself makes the Rocket R58 a strong contender in topping the list of home double boiler machines.

The 1400 watt heating element in the brew system is exceptionally quick to recover, allowing you to pull shots and steam milk at optimal temperature and pressure without lag or overtaxing the machine. The rotary pump is both quiet and smooth, and, for those really wishing to dial in their espresso, the brew pressure is easily adjustable from the exterior. The machine is also equipped with low water sensors and an easy to lift top cover, so you can effortlessly check on and fill the ample 2.5 L water tank. For those that have the space and ability, the R58 also has the option to be directly plumbed to an existing water line.

We will be doing a video review of this machine shortly. They are expected to arrive in the US in late May, so reserve yours today!

There is something to be said about simplicity and tradition, and the new Sowden brewer returns to the basics of coffee preparation with its beautifully simplistic design. I spoke with the folks at Sowden at the SCAA conference this past week, and I was impressed by the ease of use of the process that they have termed “soft brew.” At it’s heart, the Sowden is a full immersion brewer, and the basic process for brewing is quite similar to that of the french press. What makes this particular brewer unique, however, is its finely etched metal filter. The resulting cup is much cleaner than that of a french press, yet you retain more of the delicate oils for added depth. When you are done extracting, the filter is removed from the porcelain server, which saves you from the worry of over-extraction.

The Sowden can also double as a tea infuser or a cold brewer – a definite bonus.

HOW TO BREW ON THE SOWDEN:

The basic process for the Sowden is quite similar to that of the French Press.

1. Put your kettle on to boil.
2. Pour about 8 ounces of hot water through the filter and carafe to preheat
3. For a 12 oz cup, grind about .75-1.25 oz of coffee beans to a medium-coarse setting.
4. Once your water is boiling, let is rest for a bit so the temperature can go back down to 200 degrees.
5. Infuse your coffee grounds with 12 oz of hot water. The grounds will start to “bloom.” Let the blooming grounds sit for about 1 minute.
6. Stir to break down the bloom and re-wet the top layer of coffee.
7. Remove the filter after four minutes and place it into a separate container to finish draining. Once you’ve made a pot or two you can adjust for your own palate.

We were thoroughly excited when we received Bonavita’s Electric Gooseneck Kettle last year. Finally, there was a stainless steel electric kettle that was suitable for manual pour-over. When we heard that Bonavita was coming out with a kettle with a variable temperature control, we were anxious to get our hands on one.

At its heart, the variable kettle is essentially the same as Bonavita’s standard electric gooseneck kettle. It can heat 1 liter of water in 5 minutes, which is slower than other variable kettles in the market, but you are gaining the gooseneck spout, which is essential for maintaining a constant water flow with manual pour over styles. The kettle pours smoothly, though the handle is not as ergonomic and comfortable in the hand as the stovetop model.

The brains of this kettle which gives you variable temperature control is well designed. You can continuously monitor the temperature via the digital display and adjust your target temp on the fly in both Fahrenheit and Celsius. In our tests, we found the reading to be accurate to within .5 of a degree. The kettle will also maintain the hold temperature for up to 20 minutes, making it especially appealing for café use.

A nice addition is the ability to save 6 user pre-set temperatures. This is perfect for those wishing to brew both coffee and tea, or for those wishing to experiment with coffee varietals and temperature profiling. The kettle uses solid state memory to record your presets, so unplugging the kettle won’t mean dialing everything in again the next time you use it.

Every product has its drawbacks, and my main complaint is the relatively low build quality of the heating base. I would expect it to break down eventually if used in the bustle of a high volume environment. For a variable kettle under $100, however, this does not come as much of a surprise. Another issue for some will be the short power cord of 24 inches. A retractable and longer power cord would be a welcome addition. Unless the kettle is sitting directly next an outlet, it might be a struggle to reach an outlet on a cluttered counter.

In the end, the Bonavita Variable Kettle is both well thought out and intuitive to use, and, being commercially UL certified, I would recommend it for both home and professional applications.

Check out the Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle.

UPDATE: Bonavita sent a note that the unit I tested was a pre-production sample, so the unit shipping in July will have some tweaks and upgrades to the fit/finish. I may have to rescind my comment about heavy duty use. We’ll post an update once we receive the production units in July.

UPDATE 2: I only tested the kettle for 20 minutes, as the manual said it would hold temp for 20 minutes. I was recently advised that it actually will stay on for 60 minutes. I retested and can vouch for this!

One of the most common questions that we encounter here at Clive is whether or not investing in a quality grinder will improve your overall coffee experience. A grinder’s benefit is sometimes forgotten in the excitement of a new espresso machine or coffee maker, plus the array of grinder options can make it difficult to make a decision. We feel that it’s worth spending a bit of time understanding the basics before buying a grinder. The grinder you choose, after all, will be a daily companion for many years to come, and you do not want to be burdened by an uneducated buying decision.

In your research, you will find that multi-purpose grinders such as the Breville Smart Grinder, Baratza Virtuoso, or the all-manual Hario Skerton are well suited for a variety of brewing methods, whereas a dedicated espresso grinder such as the MACAP or Mazzer Mini are much more specific in application. With such a large marketplace, understanding your favored brewing process and pairing it with the right product is possibly the most important step in achieving your desired cup.

While we certainly don’t expect you to fully acquaint yourself with all of the technical details of your equipment, we do hope to help guide your understanding of the options available to you so that you can avoid having to reinvest in 5 or 10 years because you chose “too little” or “too much” of a grinder.  Just as a  blade grinder is not a good match for an espresso machine, the Mazzer Mini would not be a good match for a drip brewer.

You will notice that we have decided to offer only burr grinders. Uniformity of the grind is perhaps the most crucial element in achieving a full and sweet cup of coffee, and a blade grinder simply does not offer the finesse needed to bring out the subtle flavors found in coffee. Blade grinders chop beans into unevenly sized particles. Burr grinders both cut and crush uniformly. In the case of espresso extraction, where even the smallest of changes in grind can have drastic affects, a burr grinder is an absolute necessity. For other brewing methods, burr ground coffee provides more body and character to the finished cup. Not every grinder is the same, however, and the nuances of each will lend you a different result.

Conical Vs. Flat

Conical burrs have a greater cutting surface than flat burrs and can therefore rotate at a slower speed. Slower grinding speeds will not only reduce noise, but will also reduce issues with heat and static buildup in the grinding and dosing chamber. Coffee is very sensitive to heat, and it is possible to “bake” your coffee if your burrs are excessively worn or if the cutting surface is too small for the amount you are grinding.  Static also promotes channeling and bitterness in espresso due to grinds clumping. Conical grinders are also thought to produce a tighter and more uniform grind by crushing the bean rather than shearing it, which can cause an unwanted abundance of very fine channeling particles.  This design of conical burrs, however, make them much more expensive and difficult to produce.

The primary difference that you will find is number of adjustments allowed by each grinder, and your need will vary depending on how you wish to use it. For most home users, 10 to 40 adjustment settings will be plenty, especially for a Technivorm brewer or French press. However, if you are considering pulling espresso as well as brewing in, say, a press, it would make sense to think ahead and purchase a grinder that has the capability to do both. Conical, doserless grinders such as Baratza’s Virtuoso Preciso or Vario models allow the user to adjust the grind for all brewing devices with a macro-adjustment lever, and then fine tune for espresso with an extra set of micro-adjustments. These let the user fine-tune shots from day to day as the beans off-gas from roast and as humidity in the kitchen fluctuates. Surprisingly enough, this can have a big impact on your espresso pull. Of course, this adaptability is evident in the price, but the investment will pay off handsomely in both the quality of your coffee and in your peace of mind.

A grinder’s physical make is also an important element to take into consideration. Metal components generally need to be maintained less often and provide a sturdier build than plastic. In addition, ceramic burrs, do not dull, grind cooler than steel and have increasingly becoming a more affordable option for home use. The Baratza Vario, for example, now offers burrs manufactured by Mahlkonig to a high standard of professional quality and durability. Conical ceramic burrs can even be found in the compact and lightweight Hario Skerton Hand Coffee Mill!

One final point: When in doubt, come visit our showroom or give us a call. Our goal at Clive is to match you with the equipment that will best achieve your goals at home. Whether you wish to perfect your espresso or conquer the timeless art of the pour-over, we’re here to help you every step along the way.