Madrid French Press

I have never used a french press before, and since my old drip coffeemaker bit the dust, I was looking for an alternative that wouldn't give my water a "plastic" flavor. This press got very good reviews, so I gave it a try. My first impression is: I think I am going to love this thing! Here are the Pros: It makes a wonderful, flavorful and fragrant cup of coffee. If you grind your own coffee beans, it has the freshest flavor! It has no electronic or high-tech parts to break down. It is very easy to use. It takes about the same amount of time as an auto-drip. You can use it for tea also (loose tea is amazing!). Super easy to clean and store. The overall design is kind of modern and funky, in an IKEA sort of way, so if you store on your countertop, it looks way cuter than an auto-drip (and takes up much less room). I could probably take this to work and use it easily, since we have a water dispenser with instant-hot water. I'll update this review later if I try it that way. Here are the Cons: You cannot program it to have your coffee ready when you get up like an auto-drip--maybe you could program an early-rising spouse to make it for you! It makes only 32 oz. of coffee, which is about 3 good-size cups. This particular model had no instructions whatsoever, so I had to look up a step-by-step that included how much coffee grounds to use. Overall, the I feel the Pros outweigh the Cons by a wide margin! If you need more than 3 cups (if you have company or if you and your mate like a few cups each in the morning), simply pour your first batch into a separate carafe and make another batch immediately. The second batch will take less time because the glass carafe and your water are already heated up. I also frothed up some milk and added a little vanilla syrup for a super yummy latte! I can't wait to try it with a darker roast--my local grocery store didn't have a very big selection of whole bean coffee. Make sure you have a coffee grinder with a "coarse" setting, or use the grinder in the grocery store on the "coarse" setting. Do not use coffee that is pre-ground for auto-drip coffeemakers, that is too finely ground. I kept the box and the bubble wrap the press came in for easy storage (this takes up about 1/3 the space of my old auto-drip in the cupboard), and I even stored the frother and a coffee scoop right in the box. I taught my 14-year-old daughter how to press coffee, and it is quite easy to do. You will get more flavor from your coffee with a french press!

My wife and I had given up on drip coffee makers, and because we'd been very impressed with the coffee friends had made us in French presses, we decided to go that way instead of getting a Keurig. I obviously have no other models with which to compare, but I've been rather impressed so far. We've had the unit about a month and probably used it 12-15 times, normally preparing its full capacity. The coffee is better than any drip I've ever had, and teamed with a very coarse grind from our Bodum Burr Grinder , we get almost no grinds in our cups. I think that has much more to do with the good fit and quality of the primary strainer than the second filter in the cap; the slots are so large as to only block clumps of grounds. The unit seems very well-built; it's fairly hefty for what it is, especially the metal cage and handle. The cap of the press mechanism feels a little light, but the mesh and strainer are solid and fit the pitcher perfectly. While the borosilicate glass doesn't feel like something I'd throw in with other items to wash in a sink, if you simply wash it in the cage right after you press, you never have to worry about it. As others have pointed out, you should never use metal utensils to stir the coffee or clean the pitcher; use wood or plastic. I've found a silicone spatula works very well for both. Pros - Makes the best at-home coffee I've ever had (steep for 3.5-4 minutes, stirring every minute). - Strainer fits the glass pitcher perfectly and is well-built; almost no grinds end up in cups. - Metal cage and handle feel very solid. - Much less expensive than most quality drip makers. - Easy to clean/maintain. - No power needed and no water left over after brew, so much easier to travel with. Cons - Glass pitcher seems a little more fragile than the rest of the unit, but if cared for properly, it shouldn't be an issue. - Only nets about three small-to-medium mugs or two medium-to-large mugs/tumblers. You might want to keep a drip unit on hand for parties. - Takes a little more time/effort than just putting grinds and water in a drip maker. It takes me just short of ten minutes with grinding, heating the water, steeping, serving, and cleanup. I would definitely recommend this unit for people who drink relatively small amounts of coffee on a regular basis.

I simply cannot believe how much I love this press (Madrid 1500). Durable. Keeps coffee hot. Looks great in my modern kitchen. Easy to keep clean. And if you have your beans ground COURSE, the coffee is just delicious. Much better than the last few presses I've had (not Grosche). I've had this about a year and use it A LOT. That's a lot of hot hot water and coffee grounds. This morning I noticed that the screen had developed a little wrinkle or kink and I couldn't easily "press" down, (I did it though, and everything is fine) so I started looking around to find a replacement screen online... but was having some problems finding the right thing. No way am I gonna live without one of these if I can help it, so I was getting ready to buy a second one and had the idea to call the people at Grosche directly (http://www.grosche.ca/contact.php). I am glad I did. Customer service is like nothing I've ever experienced. I am being sent a new screen now. Wow. I feel foolish caring so much about a kitchen device, but this makes good coffee (in my opinion) and I just love it. And now it is fair to say I am crazy about the people at Grosche too. I think I'm going to order a second one as a backup. Highly recommend. Highest recommendation.

I purchased the GROSCHE MADRID Premium french Press Coffee and Tea maker, 1 liter 34 fl. oz capacity, because my last tea pot met an untimely death by the hands of my husband. I wanted something that I could easily put loose tea leaves in and not have to worry about having another strainer to hold/remove the leaves once they were used. I originally thought that the price was a little high, but I liked the features of this item--especially the fine mesh french press and the capacity. The item arrived adequately packaged for perfect condition. After washing it, I brewed a pot of tea with regular sized tea leaves and it was perfect--yielding about two and a half (larger-sized) cups of tea. The pot held the temp for enough time for my second cup of tea to still be hot...I am not a particularly fast tea drinker. Later I brewed a second pot with rooibos tea leaves (fine) and the mesh did not allow for any of the leaves to escape and pour into my glass. No matter how many tea leaves I seem to have in the pot (more for a stronger brew), the lid stays on without any back pressure from the press gliding downwards and lifting it off of the pot. The pour is also nice because it doesn't leak if you end up becoming impatient and pouring the tea out too fast. The pot cleans up well, looks sleek and does not retain any odors from the various flavored teas I have used. Overall, I highly recommend this press...it is well worth the price!

For the money, I couldn't be happier. It's a well designed gizmo. The quality of the metal frame and beaker are good -- not great -- but passable. The beaker easily comes out of the frame for cleaning, yet safely stays in the frame during use. The pressing mechanism works well. When I ordered this, I forgot that metal and microwaves don't mix, but I put the press into the microwave anyway and no sparks flew. Still I am suspect of putting metal into the microwave. Now I boil water separately in a pyrex measuring cup and pour the boiling water over the coffee grounds, steep, press and enjoy a perfectly measure consistently good cup of morning joe. With my old microwave-safe press, I would put the water-filled press in the microwave to boil and then add coffee to the now super-heated the water. The water would boil over. I would clean-up the watery grinds, then press the sloppy remnants. (I know some of you are familiar with this process.) So Long story short. Don't worry about the metal frame. You shouldn't put the press into the microwave anyway -- it's a bad and slower way to make coffee.

Okay, I'm not a coffee snob by any means. But I fell in love with my uncle and aunt's french press on a visit and I committed to buying one when I returned home. On certain purchases, I like to conduct some investigation. I checked out several French Presses on Amazon and kept coming back to the Grosche Madrid. Pricey? Very much so, but it had rave reviews, high capacity, and seemed to be well crafted. After much debate, I pulled the trigger. I told a few friends and they thought I was nuts. But after using this for several weeks, I'm quite happy so far. First, it's very sturdily built. My uncle's press was nice, but nothing to write home about. Simple black handle, sometimes splattered when pressing the coffee, and your coffee would have grounds in it. Not the case with the Grosche. It's got a stellar filter and I've yet to experience any grounds in my coffee. Also, no splashing like my uncle's press. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, I was concerned with the handle. At first glance, it looks like it would have a very awkward feel when pouring. I've been pleasantly surprised so far that it's quite comfortable and not awkward. The glass also seems to be very high quality. Overall, I definitely think the purchase was worth it. I'm not big on shelling out major money for appliances/devices, but this feels like a press that will hold up over time. I've had it for several weeks, and I drink coffee every weekday morning and it's been a solid change from my old coffee maker. I recommend buying this press.

There were several reasons I selected this French press. I broke my last one and notice this one was break resistant glass. The second reason was that I read all the positive reviews about this item, as well as reviewed other brands and their customer reviews. This item was noted by most people to be superior due to the two filters, the 'press' filter and the lid filter, which leaves few grounds in your coffee, and keeps coffee hot longer. Prior to purchasing this item, I also asked other customers to find out if anyone had trouble with the handle breaking due to the weight of the coffee, since this handle is only attached from the top, not at the bottom . This hasn't been a problem. Now, the MAIN reason that I bought this model over others: Simply put: I LOVE this design more than all the other designs.. This design is a 'work of art' visually. Since I use this 'utilitarian' object every morning, I wanted this to also be beautiful as well as functional. (I have also enjoyed ceremonial green tea...so I've learned the value of having both vessels and ingredients that you use on a daily basis to be both practically useful to bring a warming, awakening beverage as well as being a form of visual meditation on beauty! When I first wake up, I turn on my tea kettle, put my coffee grinds in this lovely vessel and pour my hot water in...giving the mixture a gentle stir, then put the lid on to 'steep' the coffee for a few minutes while I shower...Coming out to a 'ready' cup of coffee, poured from this press, just makes my day better right from the start. When friends come over, they too get to enjoy not only fabulous tasting organic, shade grown Guatemalan coffee, but have the pleasure of this being poured from this elegant, A+ designed coffee press! For hot summer days, here is my 'healthy' homemade version of an expensive booth-bought 'mocha frappacino.' I let the coffee cool. Sometimes I put coffee in an ice cube tray. I use 8 large coffee ice cubes per serving. Sometimes I use 8 plain ice cubes and unfrozen, cooled coffee. I personally like organic whole milk in my coffee...so I put first about 1 cup of milk, add organic agave nectar to my preference of sweetness (2 teaspoons), then add a pinch of allspice, cinnamon and my very favorite spice for coffee, cardoman, then a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and you can add this or nor...a tablespoon of organic unsweetened cacao powder. Blend it up and add plain ice as needed to make it thicker. If you use shade grown organic, fair trade coffee you are being good to birds, those who grow, harvest and process & sell the coffee as well as giving yourself a lovely treat! Enjoy!

My keurig broke, I was sick of spending so much money on them and having to maintain a large appliance on my counter. I decided to try this french press and SO glad I did - it takes very little time to make, makes exactly 1 cup of coffee (if I fill water up to the first silver bar), the coffee tastes better than the keurig, it's better for the environment than those k-cups, easy to clean....VERY easy to use. Just: 1. Put 2.5-3 tablespoons of course ground coffee beans into the empty carafe (I like my coffee strong!) 2. Boil water, once it has stopped bubbling then pour water into carafe (up to first of those 3 silver bars). Stir the "coffee water" with a plastic spoon (directions state you shouldn't use a metal spoon). 3. Gently place plunger onto carafe (make sure the scored edge on the plunger lid is aligned with the spout so it pours out properly) - do not press down yet, let it site on top of the carafe, above the water). Let it sit there/steep for 5 minutes. 4. After 5 minutes, slowly/evenly press down on the plunger until it has pushed all the grounds to the bottom 5. Pour. I get NO coffee grounds in my coffee! 6. Rinse plunger & carafe and you're done