Crew Review & Compare: AeroPress with Kaffeologie S Filters
If purchasing paper filters on a regular basis seems like a bit too much organization on your part, the re-usable, fine mesh stainless steel S filter from Kaffeologie just might be the answer to the question you didn’t even know you had.
In this pair of videos featuring the S filter, we first show how it works with the AeroPress, performing our standard crew review. Then we brew up a batch on the AeroPress using the stock paper filters and the S filter to see how they compare, flavor-wise.
Enjoy!
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Crew Review: AeroPress with Kaffeologie S Filter |
Compare: Kaffeologie S Filter vs. Paper Filter on AeroPress |
Crew Review: Durgol Descaling Solution
If espresso machines had a kryptonite, it would be scale build-up. This silent killer will degrade your machine’s performance over time — inhibiting steam performance, disabling valve functionality so that leaking begins and, eventually, contributing to boiler burn out. Your options in battling it are to use a filtration system, softener or a combination thereof … or to just plan on regularly descaling the machine.
One descaling solution on the market is the liquid formula produced by Durgol. Available in two different formats — one for coffee makers and one for espresso machines — these are very effective and easy to use solutions. Watch as Gail talks to us about their formulation and then demonstrates how to use it on the Saeco Aroma.
Crew Review: Breville Cleaning & Maintenance Supplies
Given that she had to coerce us into cleaning our bedroom by rather surreptitiously hiding small change in the corners (and encouraging us to ‘find what the fairies left!’), our mother would be quite relieved to know of our passion for cleanliness in adulthood! And while you won’t find nickels and dimes in the brew head or the water tank — at least, you shouldn’t — Breville’s maintenance supplies make it easy and almost as fun to keep your espresso machine clean.
First, watch as Gail shows us how to use their cleaning tablets to clean the brew head of the Breville Dual Boiler.
She then discusses their charcoal/resin filters, shows how to install them and explains why they’re necessary — especially with the Dual Boiler.
Crew Review: Cafelat Accessories
You know how deeply we love great design, so it’s no surprise that Cafelat’s series of accessories would woo us! In fact, while we’ve carried these for nearly two years now, they have been so popular it’s been almost impossible for us to film a review of the entire product line because they’ve been picked up so quickly by other ardent fans.
If you haven’t checked them out before, watch Gail walk us through their tampers, knock boxes, tamping mats and more. Who wouldn’t want this beautiful gear as a part of their home espresso setup? No one we want to know. (Okay, we’ll still know you even if you don’t dig ‘em.)
Crew Review: ADE Pocket Scale
Small things are wonderful. In fact, some of our favorite things in the world are tiny in scale and small in stature. Of course, we could be promoting this perspective because we’re goblin sized, but we also have another proof of concept — the tiny but wonderfully useful ADE pocket scale.
Watch as Gail demonstrates the features and functionality of this scale, perfect for measuring out small amounts of coffee for your portafilter basket.
Crew Review: Saeco Poemia with Non-Pressurized Portafilter Upgrade
There’s a lot we love in the world; we’re just Pollyanna like that. But if we had to pick something we love a bit more than other things (and we’re working on a well developed sliding scale and/or bell curve here), upgrading something lo-fi into something a bit more hi-fi is definitely one of them. Maybe it’s the McGyver-esque shape and feel of it, we don’t know. Whatever it is, the Saeco Poemia was an excellent candidate for a little soupin’ up — especially given our awesome non-pressurized portafilter!
So this is how it went down: We asked Gail to pull shots with it, she did so and we filmed all the action for your viewing pleasure. Really, it’s a blast — so sit back, relax and watch the crema ensue.
Compare: Hot Water Kettles
Tea lovers, pour over aficionados, French press geeks and cup noodle fanatics know that you can’t beat a good electric kettle. But with so many to choose from, how is one to decide which is the best for their needs?
Watch as Gail takes us through the paces of several different models that we carry. She goes over their features and specs, then we perform a (not-so) madcap race to see how quickly they boil 20 oz. of water.
Crew Review: Bodum Hot Chocolate Maker & Frother
Whip up a deliciously frothy beverage with Bodum’s super easy-to-use frother, known to fancy folk as the Chocolatiere. It will blend everything together quite nicely, as well as add a yummy froth to it.
Perfect for hot or cold drinks, Gail demonstrates how to use it for hot chocolate. Delish!
Crew Review: Thermos Sipp Travel Cup
You’re on the go, you’ve got things to do, places to go and people to see. You don’t have time to hang out and savor your java over tall tales and mirth. You need something to take your coffee on the road!
We’ve tried several different travel mugs and we dug the Sipp because of its clean design and stainless steel, double-walled interior. It also kept our cold drinks cooler and hot drinks warmer for longer, and that’s the goal of any good mobile cup, right?
It’s not rocket science, but we asked Gail to show off these lovely little numbers, anyway. Check ‘em out!
Non-Pressurized Baskets for DeLonghi Semi-Automatic Machines
We whipped up batches of these non-pressurized filter baskets a few years back in order to upgrade older Breville espresso machine models, then found that they work well with many of the small DeLonghi semi-automatic machines! Watch Gail demonstrate which models this 51mm filter basket works with.