Marvellissimo Stainless Steel Pour Over Coffee Dripper - Reusable Double Layer Fine Mesh Filter Cone And Separate Stand Suitable for Large Single Serve Cup (1-4 Cups)

We got this to replace our French press* that we used for around 4 years and have made 2x 16-oz mugs of coffee with it each weekday morning since. The first day it was kind of weak because I didn't use enough grounds; the second day the coffee was amazing! Before I had added cream to it (we don't sweeten our home-made coffee), the coffee itself had an almost creamy flavor to it - so good! Now, it's just about maintaining as much consistency as possible.We use a Baratza Virtuoso conical burr grinder set to about 14 out of 40 to grind a medium roast organic whole-bean coffee. We use about 4.5-5 Tbsp of grounds per mug. I fully believe that we could set it to a 7 with no problems, possibly even finer, given how fine the mesh is.How I make the coffee:1) Boil the water and, once the water is boiling, grind the coffee2) Scoop 4.5-5 Tbsp of grounds into the cone3) Set the cone into the rack on top of the mug4) Pour just enough freshly boiled water into the grounds to get all of the grounds wet, stirring with a small metal spoon5) Let the grounds bloom (sit wet) for ~30 seconds (reboil the water if necessary)6) Pour freshly boiled water over the grounds at a rate that maintains a grounds-to-water ratio that lets you stir constantly7) As the mug gets towards full, stop pouring water in, but keep stirring until it is too thick to stir8) Remove the rack and cone from the mug9) Add cream** to the coffee and stir (with a different spoon)The cone is composed of an outer course "mesh" (it's a very fine colander - solid metal with holes, not woven metal strands) and an inner mesh (woven metal strands) that is incredibly fine. At the bottom of the cone is a solid (not mesh) cap, and the rim/handle is solid, as well. The fine mesh has no edges visible, touchable, or otherwise detectable. This is really great because, as we experienced with the mesh on our French press, the edges can eventually come undone, and the metal strands hurt if they stick you - not an issue with this item! Only con related to this is that you should probably keep any and all sharp objects away from the inner mesh - the strands are so fine that I would assume that they would cut easily. Note that I do use a metal spoon to (gently) stir the coffee constantly while I am making it, and do even (gently) scrape any grounds down that have climbed up the sides of the cone, so you don't have to be paranoid, just mindful.One problem others have mentioned is grounds getting stuck between the layers of mesh. I hadn't had this problem at all until this morning, but then I realized that I just didn't have the handle on the kitchen faucet set to all of the way on; I increased the water flow to 100%, then all the grounds came out. After each use of the filter, I first rinse out the bulk of the grounds then blast it with the spray mode from our faucet, from the outside sides, so the water is pushing in the opposite direction that water flows when making coffee. When I use full pressure, I have no issues with grounds getting stuck.If you have questions based on my reply, or another's and would like my take on it, please feel free to reply and I will try to answer.* - Compared to the French press, I am for sure able to tell the difference, and my wife finds there to be a slight difference in that the French press has more body. While I can tell the difference, I'm not sure which one I like more; my wife very slightly prefers the French press more, which may change as we get more proficient with this product.** - I like my coffee to be a med-light to medium shade after the cream is added; my wife prefers a medium-dark to dark shade. Or, referencing the following image... I like regular, she likes dark and strong:[...]

Feb 29th, 2016: I'm editing this review to add that my coffee filter is becoming clogged and dripping slower over time, like those of a couple of other reviewers. The cone is a double layer of steel mesh, and apparently the grounds get between the layers even if you rinse the cone immediately after you finish brewing. (I've been washing it out before I even drink my coffee.) Maybe a design change would help, or you may want to avoid using finely-ground beans. I noticed that the website of that major coffee shop chain recommends this product called Cafiza for cleaning coffee brewing gear --http://www.amazon.com/Urnex-Cafiza-Espresso-Machine-Cleaner/dp/B001418KNS -- I may try that. Meanwhile, I've lowered my star-rating to four, from five, for the clogging issue. The original review follows.I like this steel coffee dripper a lot. I've had very tasty coffee from it. (It took a bit of trial and error to get the quantity of coffee right.) Note that the cone is a separate piece from the stand that sits on the top of your cup, and only the cone is dishwasher-safe. The bottom piece that the cone stands on - I'll call it the rack - has a shiny finish, which would probably get wrecked by dishwasher detergent. I am not certain of that, but the paper that came with the item from the seller says not to wash the rack in the dishwasher. The one thing I would change about this product is that the ring of steel that is near the bottom plate of the rack should be welded on a bit farther from the bottom plate - right now there's not enough room to get your finger in between the two, when you want to wipe off the rack.The mesh of the cone is very fine, and it's used in a double layer, which prevents grounds or sediment from getting into your cup effectively. I used the finest setting on the coffee grinder at my grocery store the last time I bought coffee, so I have coffee that's just about "powdered" now, and it does not come through this fine mesh into my cup. I'm very glad to not have to use paper filters any more, and to not be using a plastic item to make hot coffee since I don't feel safe heating plastics. This steel coffee dripper is a great idea, well-executed.

So, this is a good quality product, however... I have two issues with it. First, the rim on the cone holder, where it sits on top of the cup, is too dang small. I like my big oversized coffee cups and it sits on top of them very tentatively and already have tipped it getting coffee everywhere. That being said, it fits fine on smaller probably more typical cups. However, the manufacturer should indicate this and also consider increasing the size of the base because large cups are very common now.Second, I find the coffee is better if I still put a paper filter in. I rinse it first with boiling water, then put the coffee in. Otherwise, the water goes too fast through the coffee and metal mesh (without the paper) and my coffee is always too weak. This is with a regular grind. Perhaps if I did a finer grind it would work better.Update: ok i have HAD it with this filter. Today it tipped because the rim is TOO SMALL and I burned my hand on the boiling hot wet coffee grounds trying to stop it from flying everywhere which it did anyway. I'm sorry it's a nice product but its bloody dangerous. It needs a bigger rim for the top of a cup. Admittedly this is written out of anger grrrr (pain) grrr