I got this to make cold brew coffee concentrate and it works perfectly and easily. It is also great for large batches of hot brew too.
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COLD BREW:
1. Add 12 scoops medium course grounds (scoop included)
2. Fill beaker half way with filtered water, stir grounds into water for about 35 seconds to saturate all the coffee
3. Fill remaining volume with filtered water leaving 1/2 inch room at the top
4. Place the bonus lid on french press and put in refrigerator for 12-24 hours depending on strength desired**
5. Once steeped for hours desired, remove lid and put filter lid on and press grounds to bottom of beaker
6. Mix coffee concentrate with water, either 1 parts concentrate to 2 parts water, or up to half concentrate and half H2O
I use 1/2 coffee concentrate, 1/2 milk over ice because I like it strong. My hubby prefers hot black coffee made with the concentrate and uses the half concentrate and half H2O ratio, then heats it in the microwave. We notice a definite absence of acid, which my husband prefers for taste reasons and I like because of taste and health reasons. When I am under stress, I have to take acid reduction pills for my stomach, being able to drink cold brew when under the gun has given me back my beloved cup of coffee without the stomach cramps.
TIP: Always use filtered water for cold brew since you will taste any and all funky flavors in your tap water. The water for cold brew doesn't get boiled so these flavors, which may disappear with boiling for hot coffee, are very present with cold brew.
**If you have the overhead clearance in your fridge, you can put the filter lid on and press it down about an inch to keep all the grounds under the waterline. The top knob will stick up about 8 inches, so be careful not to hit the lightbulb in the ceiling of your fridge. I have noticed a small difference in flavor, it comes out a bit richer/darker than if I use the bonus lid.
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HOT BREW:
1. Add 12 scoops medium course grounds (scoop included)
2. Fill beaker with water that is just under boiling hot, leaving 1/2 inch room at the top
3. Stir grounds into water for about 15 seconds to saturate all the coffee (saturation is quicker in hot water)
4. Place filter lid on beaker, but don't press down until coffee has steeped for 4 minutes
This massive french press makes enough hot coffee to fill a carafe to the top and have a whole large mug of coffee left to pour. This worked great for a large party we had this past weekend, because I only have to make one pot of coffee instead of two like I did with our 8 cup Chambord press.
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10 OTHER PROS:
1. It is nice that this one appliance does two jobs perfectly, it cuts down on the amount of kitchen clutter
2. No filters to buy
3. It cleans VERY easily and quickly
4. If you follow the directions, it is foolproof
5. It is sturdy and feels very well made even though the casing is plastic
6. Looks great, I leave ours out on the counter
7. It has a rubber seal and a thumb pressure pour spout, so coffee doesn't spill out if jostled in the fridge
8. 50 oz. of concentrate will last us all work week, so I only have to fill it on Sunday - speedy mornings!
9. There are no small screws or bits to lose, everything dismantles quickly with just a turn of the filter base
10.The handle is well designed, keeping your knuckles away from the glass if you are making hot coffee
Final tip: To get the top off when you first take it out of the box, twist the top a half inch and then pull the press screen out to remove the lid. There is a twist latch in this lid that my other Bodum french press does not have, and the instructions for using this press are folded up INSIDE the closed coffee press, LOL. Thought I'd pass on this bit of advice for those used to their Chambord press :)
UPDATE: After using this product constantly for over 3 months, I have to say it is one of the all-time best things in my kitchen. I don't have to take as much acid-reduction medication as I did while drinking hot brew. The system is so streamlined for cold-brew concentrate that I don't even have to think about it. My hubby cannot believe how delicious cold-brew concentrate is heated up every morning, he says it is the smoothest way to brew coffee that he has ever had. I still highly recommend this product and will be purchasing more for gifts.
BONUS IDEA: I have been adding chicory in with my coffee grounds and it is amazing. Every batch is super smooth, rich and dark. I got it here on amazon on subscribe & save:
Community Coffee Private Reserve Ground Coffee, Medium-Dark Roast, 100% Chicory, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 6). I add 3 tbls. of chicory to 8 bodum scoops of coffee beans. I read other places that chicory was great in cold brew, but I was hesitant about buying 6 bags without trying it; I am so glad I just spent the $13 to find out -- I do not make cold brew without it now.
