Greetings all,
I've been looking for a way to brew at the office without making a
major production. A new Zass Turkish mill from Tom will take care of
the grinding. And I've pretty much settled on a french press for
brewing.
Both the hot water outlet of the office coffee machine and the heated
tap on the water cooler aren't hot enough (only 170F). So I figured I'd
get a cheap, small water kettle like the kinds we've been talking about
here.
But then I saw an electric french press (from Chef's Choice) at a
nearby kitchen gadget store. It's expensive, but in theory, a perfect
solution. It boils water, it reduces the number of gadgets, pre-heating
the carafe is unneccessary, the carafe is cordless, and the top cover
seems to be well insulated.
There are a couple of possible drawbacks: although it looks like a
standard 4.5" Bodum-type carafe/plunger, it seems ever so slightly
undersized, such that fitting a plunger from a 4.5" Bodum press was
nearly impossible (i.e. it could be trouble getting replacement
screens/strainers). Second, there's some kind of seal, gasket, whatever
at the bottom of the carafe that makes me wonder about the unit's
longevity compared to a regular press with an all-glass carafe.
Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this thing. Thanks.
Martin Skavish
Littleton, CO
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If you've got a microwave handy, just use a Pyrex (or similar clear, 
microwave-safe and able-to-hold-boiling-contents) measuring cup or 
bowl.  I prefer the measuring cups because they're more accurate 
and easier to pour from.
Fill with desired about of water, microwave for a couple of minutes 
to the desired temp, and pour into the F.P.  By the time the press 
is done, the cup will be cool enough to put into storage, needing 
only a wipedown to dry it.  It takes 1.5-2.0 minutes to bring tap 
temperature water to a boil (my office tap, that is.  yours may vary).
I got converted to using microwave ovens to boil water when living 
in Texas.  Nothing gets you the "are you CRAZY, woman?" looks 
from the spouse than turning on the gas stove to heat the coffee 
water (which releases steam into the air, on top of the stove heat) 
when you've just woken up to 85F and 95% humidity.
Sharon Allsup
sallsup
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