Belgian Balance Syphon Siphon Coffee Maker

[Ralphanator]

This coffee maker is Cool I just bought one I hope it makes coffee as good as it looks!

[LeafLover]

Way cool. How much does that set you back if u don't mind me asking.

[Ralphanator]

I bought it thru Amazon $143 + $7.98 for Denatured alcohol 1 Qt. Total $$151.95 to So Cal USA

Here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/DGCoffee-Belgian-Belgium-Balance-Elegant/dp/B011EATNEI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_328_27?ie=UTF8&dpID=41TQAO7r9JL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0V5D0MZ9JN5RAJHRNDQN

[Ralphanator]

Of the one above there are two left. I like this one because of the rose brass it looks kind of steam punk

I saw others that do the same for $100 on Amazon. Search Syphon Coffee Maker don't forget you need Denatured Alcohol

[scap99]

Crap, I never should have clicked this link....

That's awesome!!!

[ElPuro]

Looks cool, but seems like a French press does the same thing.

[Ralphanator]

Looks cool, but seems like a French press does the same thing.

You might be right but this way Cooler that a French Press..

Sometime Cool is a Good Thing

[jwr0201]

Way cool! I want one! BTW, how's the coffee?

[Lotusguy]

Looks way cool!

[Fugu]

Looks cool, but seems like a French press does the same thing.

Perhaps, but this is a Flemish sucker...

[Warren]

I think it would go great on a fondue night. Twice the opportunity to set your table on fire.

[PigFish]

I called the SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District) and the EPA to enquire about that device and due the lead in the metal and the hydrocarbons from the alcohol flame, your home has been designated a Superfund site...

I asked them to call you before the men in the space suits come over, and cover your home with Visqueen to clean you up, just so that they don't scare the Missus!

Oh, the fire marshall wants to have a chat with you as well, he says you did not apply for an "open flame" permit, whatever that is.

I understand that the Surfrider foundation will be protesting outside because the Visqueen will eventually end up in a landfill and will make its way to the coast after a few hundred thousand millennia (due to tectonic shifting) and it will (at least theoretically) affect sea life when it does. I hear the SEIU will be attending as they have been attempting to unionize the Surfriders...

The sanitation department said that they will supply the toilet facilities (for the protestors) but you would be responsible for the bill and they will attach it to your property taxes. Pumping charges will be separate, I don't know why they would tell me this, but I figured I would pass it on.

I did ask the Sheriffs Department to come over and protect your flowers but apparently the SEIU has a restraining order on them and they must remain at least 100 yards away from any protestor. I think the solar radiation off the Visqueen is going to kill the flowers anyway, but wilted flowers look so much better than the smashed ones...

... so how is the coffee?

-the Pig

[helix]

Bummer.

[Ralphanator]

PigFish LOL that was Funny. When I get the new Contraption my son the Burista and I will full around with

what we think is the proper Grind for this and see how it taste.

If the coffee taste like **** I'll still have a Steam Punk looking Contraption to look at.

[PigFish]

I am glad you took it with humor... I am in one of 'those' moods.

FYI, you can get denatured alcohol cheaper at Home Depot and most paint stores. Let us know how it works out!

Cheers mate! -Piggy

[suggs]

Lovely find! Vacuum brewing certainly looks cool, but there are quite a few variables that you probably won't have as much control over as if you brewed with different methods. That said, sometimes it can *really* bring out the body of a coffee in a beautiful way...it's just a little harder to find the proper ratios/weights/timing when using the vacuum.

[Ralphanator]

Lovely find! Vacuum brewing certainly looks cool, but there are quite a few variables that you probably won't have as much control over as if you brewed with different methods. That said, sometimes it can *really* bring out the body of a coffee in a beautiful way...it's just a little harder to find the proper ratios/weights/timing when using the vacuum.

Thanks for your input for sure it will take some time to get the right grind and the correct weight of ground coffee to use!

I think it will be a fun thing to full around with my son the Barista

[Ralphanator]

1st attempt yesterday: I followed the instructions it called for 450cc water and 40g of coffee I used 45g.

I lit the flame under the boiler and it took 3 minutes to see a little water seeping onto the coffee. Around the 5 minute point it started to flow real good. At the 8-9 minute mark it was bubbling and over flowed a little bit once the boiler was empty 9 minutes it reversed itself back into the boiler total time from Lighting the boiler to pouring coffee was 11.5 Minutes!!
My son and I thought the coffee came out with a very clean flavor to lite for me! next attempt I will decrease water to 425cc to prevent over flow and increases coffee to 50g to increase strength.

Todays results:I used 425cc of water and 50g of espresso grind coffee the results were much better but still a little light for my taste. Tomorrow I'll use the same portions but I'll recycle the coffee for a 2nd brew I was told that it could increases flavor and strength

BTW the taste of the coffee was Very clean and good for me I need more Strength!

[JamesNYC]

What is the cleaning like for this?

My french press is very easy to clean.

[suggs]

1st attempt yesterday: I followed the instructions it called for 450cc water and 40g of coffee I used 45g.

I lit the flame under the boiler and it took 3 minutes to see a little water seeping onto the coffee. Around the 5 minute point it started to flow real good. At the 8-9 minute mark it was bubbling and over flowed a little bit once the boiler was empty 9 minutes it reversed itself back into the boiler total time from Lighting the boiler to pouring coffee was 11.5 Minutes!!

My son and I thought the coffee came out with a very clean flavor to lite for me! next attempt I will decrease water to 425cc to prevent over flow and increases coffee to 50g to increase strength.

Todays results:I used 425cc of water and 50g of espresso grind coffee the results were much better but still a little light for my taste. Tomorrow I'll use the same portions but I'll recycle the coffee for a 2nd brew I was told that it could increases flavor and strength

BTW the taste of the coffee was Very clean and good for me I need more Strength!

It's possible that the weakness you're experiencing was due to over-extraction. 9ish minutes is usually *way* too long for the entire brewing process. I'm not sure exactly how your brewer works, but it might help to go ahead and pour close-to-boiling water in the water reservoir to help speed things along so the water is coming into contact with the grounds more quickly.

The cleanness/lightness you're reporting is really one of the advantages of siphon/vacuum brewing. Actually...to clarify...is the coffee light/clean in that it's too "weak" for you, in the sense that you're not tasting much of anything? Or in the sense that the coffee doesn't have much body afterwards?

Oh, and I would advise against recycling for a second batch. Most of the solubles will have already been brewed out of the grounds, so you'd probably end up with an even worse cup!

[Ralphanator]

What is the cleaning like for this?

My french press is very easy to clean.

very easy to clean pour or scoop out grinds from glass wash and dry the boiler pour out coffee remains and rinse thats it! a little easer than a french press..

It's possible that the weakness you're experiencing was due to over-extraction. 9ish minutes is usually *way* too long for the entire brewing process. I'm not sure exactly how your brewer works, but it might help to go ahead and pour close-to-boiling water in the water reservoir to help speed things along so the water is coming into contact with the grounds more quickly.

The cleanness/lightness you're reporting is really one of the advantages of siphon/vacuum brewing. Actually...to clarify...is the coffee light/clean in that it's too "weak" for you, in the sense that you're not tasting much of anything? Or in the sense that the coffee doesn't have much body afterwards?

Oh, and I would advise against recycling for a second batch. Most of the solubles will have already been brewed out of the grounds, so you'd probably end up with an even worse cup!

The 9 minutes was from the point of flame to the boiler once the heated water started coming out it was maybe 2 minutes or less to fill the glass and to re-enter the boiler. as to body or strength I like a very Strong French Roast with 1/2&1/2 and a littler sweeter! For a coffee purist this style of Syphon Coffee brewing would be fine.. I won't try and re-brew the coffee. I had better results today

Are you used to espresso coffee? That could be the reason you find it light. Siphons, drip coffee and to some extent French press have a totally different flavour profile. It's cleaner, and lighter bodied than espresso or americano.

espresso and French Roast French Pressed coffee so I guess your right

Today's Results:

Yesterday I upped the coffee to 50g of French Roast espresso grind! I used hot water in the boiler to cut time! it worked for brew time but I think it was a little to fast!

The coffee had a very clean medium /light body! For my taste it was ok but I need more strength and Body!

Today I changed the coffee to Peet's Ethiopian Fancy I upped the coffee to 52g Espresso grind and used room temp water to have a little longer brew time! Once you set it up and get ready to fire the burner it take as long to brew as a 12 cup dip coffee maker.

Upping the coffee from 50g to 52g made a big difference it had the strength and body i like. it's a bit of a process much like getting used to a French Press but I like it and I think i will be using it more often!

You will get two Cappuccino size cups of Coffee!

[Morgan]

On 5/12/2016 at 8:29 PM, Ralphanator said:

very easy to clean pour or scoop out grinds from glass wash and dry the boiler pour out coffee remains and rinse thats it! a little easer than a french press..

The 9 minutes was from the point of flame to the boiler once the heated water started coming out it was maybe 2 minutes or less to fill the glass and to re-enter the boiler. as to body or strength I like a very Strong French Roast with 1/2&1/2 and a littler sweeter! For a coffee purist this style of Syphon Coffee brewing would be fine.. I won't try and re-brew the coffee. I had better results today

espresso and French Roast French Pressed coffee so I guess your right

Today's Results:

Yesterday I upped the coffee to 50g of French Roast espresso grind! I used hot water in the boiler to cut time! it worked for brew time but I think it was a little to fast!

The coffee had a very clean medium /light body! For my taste it was ok but I need more strength and Body!

Today I changed the coffee to Peet's Ethiopian Fancy I upped the coffee to 52g Espresso grind and used room temp water to have a little longer brew time! Once you set it up and get ready to fire the burner it take as long to brew as a 12 cup dip coffee maker.

Upping the coffee from 50g to 52g made a big difference it had the strength and body i like. it's a bit of a process much like getting used to a French Press but I like it and I think i will be using it more often!

You will get two Cappuccino size cups of Coffee!

Hey Ralphnator I now realize you also got me to buy this Belgium Syphon Coffee Maker

It was very cool how it brewed the coffee and all was going well until the glass  (other side of sypnon) broke when I was cleaning it/ There's no replacment. So whatever

I a;lso love well made strong Europan tasting coffee. The syphon method definately brews a good cup

I'm looking for a new coffee brewing system ant recommendations

My personal fav coffeee is Kona with dull bodies roasting. Expensice as hell or heaven (depends how much money u have) but for me its wonderful