Tom,
Would this be part you are speaking of?
Would this be part you are speaking of?
Vacuum coffee makers
- Thread starter vintage1963
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My first thought was, sure, why couldn’t you use a glass rod with this vintage GE. But reading Tom’s excellent explanation of how these GE vac pots work, but seeing the magnetic plunger that fits into the bottom of the tube, I think that the glass tube may not work. You would probably be best using the white porcelain filter that comes with it.
Also, there appears to be a break in the rubber gasket, and this may effect whether or not you can achieve a good vacuum seal. While it is certainly a nice curiosity, if you are planning on using it to brew coffee, maybe you might want to pass on this one.
Eddie
Also, there appears to be a break in the rubber gasket, and this may effect whether or not you can achieve a good vacuum seal. While it is certainly a nice curiosity, if you are planning on using it to brew coffee, maybe you might want to pass on this one.
Eddie
Don't think that metal bit is a plunger
But rather some sort of spring or other tension device meant to hold filter in place. Silex used a spring with a chain and hook for their ceramic and cloth coffee and tea filters. They also used same for their glass rod vacuum pot filters.
Basically idea is same regardless of maker; to keep filter from jiggling around too much from forces generated by "bubbling" water of lower pot. This and to help form a tight seal (but not too much so) to help keep grinds from going down into lower pot.
Among vac pot enthusiasts Cory glass rods (which don't have any sort of spring, hook or whatever) gives better brew than the Silex (with spring/hood).
Cory rods have a dome shaped rough bit at top of stem which is actually very effective at filtering. Once you get the grind down right coffee is rather clear with less grinds than some other filters besides cloth, paper or mesh.
Early GE vac pots used same or similar glass rods as Cory (made by Corning glass). The filter shown above is GE's "automatic" vac pot filter which came in two pieces. The top is a cloth covered strainer, while bottom has that plunger or whatever used to secure.
https://baharris.org/coffee/Collection.htm
IIRC from my vac pot hobbist days people did use Cory (or even Silex) rods with their GE vac pots. Sometimes out of necessity (unit didn't come with filters) or choice.
Cloth versus paper vac pot filters.
General consensus among vac pot aficionados is that cloth allows more of the volatile oils from coffee brewing to pass compared to paper.
https://brewminate.com/using-a-siphon-coffee-maker/
Only time have used paper filters is as a secondary for the Sunbeam C-50 instead of the cloth strainers.
Sunbeam originally used cloth filters for their automatic vac pots, but then moved onto wire mesh. By time C-50 came along Sunbeam advised those wanting a clearer brew could use those cloth filters between the two metal mesh. Just cut up a bunch of paper coffee filters had lying about spare instead. This way could just chuck the thing into waste bin instead of having to wash cloth filters.
But rather some sort of spring or other tension device meant to hold filter in place. Silex used a spring with a chain and hook for their ceramic and cloth coffee and tea filters. They also used same for their glass rod vacuum pot filters.
Basically idea is same regardless of maker; to keep filter from jiggling around too much from forces generated by "bubbling" water of lower pot. This and to help form a tight seal (but not too much so) to help keep grinds from going down into lower pot.
Among vac pot enthusiasts Cory glass rods (which don't have any sort of spring, hook or whatever) gives better brew than the Silex (with spring/hood).
Cory rods have a dome shaped rough bit at top of stem which is actually very effective at filtering. Once you get the grind down right coffee is rather clear with less grinds than some other filters besides cloth, paper or mesh.
Early GE vac pots used same or similar glass rods as Cory (made by Corning glass). The filter shown above is GE's "automatic" vac pot filter which came in two pieces. The top is a cloth covered strainer, while bottom has that plunger or whatever used to secure.
https://baharris.org/coffee/Collection.htm
IIRC from my vac pot hobbist days people did use Cory (or even Silex) rods with their GE vac pots. Sometimes out of necessity (unit didn't come with filters) or choice.
Cloth versus paper vac pot filters.
General consensus among vac pot aficionados is that cloth allows more of the volatile oils from coffee brewing to pass compared to paper.
https://brewminate.com/using-a-siphon-coffee-maker/
Only time have used paper filters is as a secondary for the Sunbeam C-50 instead of the cloth strainers.
Sunbeam originally used cloth filters for their automatic vac pots, but then moved onto wire mesh. By time C-50 came along Sunbeam advised those wanting a clearer brew could use those cloth filters between the two metal mesh. Just cut up a bunch of paper coffee filters had lying about spare instead. This way could just chuck the thing into waste bin instead of having to wash cloth filters.
Here’s a You Tube video showing this GE VacPot brewing. You can see the magnet in the bottom of he burner, but I don’t think the user had the original metal plunger in place. Notice that he removes the pot from the burner for the draw down. So, apparently you can still use this pot and burner without the original metal plunger.
Eddie
Eddie
"removes the pot from the burner for the draw down"
One always does this be it from those small electric "stoves" or range top (gas or electric). In fact IIRC directions/owners manual for vintage Silex and Cory vac pots one bought over years suggested same.
Electric heating elements in particular can take awhile to cool down. Until the temperature difference is low enough extraction/kick down won't start. Truth to tell with range/stove top vac pots once you've timed the brewing process there isn't any real need for things to stay in upper chamber. Thus sooner and faster the kick down is complete the better to avoid over extracted/brunt coffee.
Silex and some other of those small stoves either automatically switched to "low", and or had a way of manually adjusting temperature. Still think just removing from heat is better. Then perhaps using "low" heat from stove to keep brew warm.
One always does this be it from those small electric "stoves" or range top (gas or electric). In fact IIRC directions/owners manual for vintage Silex and Cory vac pots one bought over years suggested same.
Electric heating elements in particular can take awhile to cool down. Until the temperature difference is low enough extraction/kick down won't start. Truth to tell with range/stove top vac pots once you've timed the brewing process there isn't any real need for things to stay in upper chamber. Thus sooner and faster the kick down is complete the better to avoid over extracted/brunt coffee.
Silex and some other of those small stoves either automatically switched to "low", and or had a way of manually adjusting temperature. Still think just removing from heat is better. Then perhaps using "low" heat from stove to keep brew warm.
Reply to Reply #19
Yes, that is the complete assembly.
Notice in the video how the heat went off before all of the water rose to rely on the stored heat and keep the brewing process from being overly extended (you can see how the orange light went away) so it is the plunger being moved by the rising water that turns off the heat; nothing was done to the cord and plug to turn off the table stove.
Yes, that is the complete assembly.
Notice in the video how the heat went off before all of the water rose to rely on the stored heat and keep the brewing process from being overly extended (you can see how the orange light went away) so it is the plunger being moved by the rising water that turns off the heat; nothing was done to the cord and plug to turn off the table stove.
Found this...
recently at Goodwill. Complete with 'Anyheat' control.
Yes, I remove from burner to draw-down and then replace to keep warm.
Makes good coffee.
Bill
recently at Goodwill. Complete with 'Anyheat' control.
Yes, I remove from burner to draw-down and then replace to keep warm.
Makes good coffee.
Bill
These are all beautiful coffee pots
<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">I found this ad that looks like the one for the GE Automatic. If this is it, it was $17.95 new. It's not dated from what I can tell. </span>
<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">I found this ad that looks like the one for the GE Automatic. If this is it, it was $17.95 new. It's not dated from what I can tell. </span>
These are all beautiful coffee pots
<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">I found this ad that looks like the one for the GE Automatic. If this is it, it was $17.95 new. It's not dated from what I can tell. </span>
<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">I found this ad that looks like the one for the GE Automatic. If this is it, it was $17.95 new. It's not dated from what I can tell. </span>
$17.95 was a lot of money in the 40s.
Estimate
<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">Seri says that's about $322 in today's value. That is a lot of money for one of these.</span>
<span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino;">Seri says that's about $322 in today's value. That is a lot of money for one of these.</span>
Well, I bit the bullet and now I own this!
I think it's very cool.
Have you tried it yet?
Have you tried it yet?
Corngratulations!
Enjoy the hell out of it; just be careful.
Enjoy the hell out of it; just be careful.
Ed,
Looking forward to your review of this vintage vac pot. From Tom’s explanation of the magnet and how it switches to low, I’ll be interested to know if this still works. The process sounds quite ingenious.
Have fun with it!
Eddie
Looking forward to your review of this vintage vac pot. From Tom’s explanation of the magnet and how it switches to low, I’ll be interested to know if this still works. The process sounds quite ingenious.
Have fun with it!
Eddie
Very nice coffemaker
Our historical society museum has a couple glass coffeemakers in the collection. One is a Silex, and I'm not sure if the other is a GE or some other brand. I'll have to look the next time I'm there.
Our historical society museum has a couple glass coffeemakers in the collection. One is a Silex, and I'm not sure if the other is a GE or some other brand. I'll have to look the next time I'm there.
Vacuum coffee makers are great
But I wish I could go back in time and save a Philips Cafe Gourmet from early 1990's.
That was the very best coffee maker I've ever had. It wasn't vacuum, but it would boil all the water before pouring it, much different from those crappy modern "pee" makers that make that weak, pee-like lukewarm liquid that they dare to call coffee.
Nowadays I have a Kitchenaid "personal" coffee maker. It's excellent! By excellent i mean, the coffee is ok, it's hot, bold... I'd say "Edible"... but it's miles away from the coffee made by that old Philips.
But I wish I could go back in time and save a Philips Cafe Gourmet from early 1990's.
That was the very best coffee maker I've ever had. It wasn't vacuum, but it would boil all the water before pouring it, much different from those crappy modern "pee" makers that make that weak, pee-like lukewarm liquid that they dare to call coffee.
Nowadays I have a Kitchenaid "personal" coffee maker. It's excellent! By excellent i mean, the coffee is ok, it's hot, bold... I'd say "Edible"... but it's miles away from the coffee made by that old Philips.
If Philips made that coffee maker nowadays, I bet it would be a huge success.
I'd pay whatever money for that, if I eventually find one new in box.
I'd pay whatever money for that, if I eventually find one new in box.
I think it's very cool.
Reply 31
The unit is being sent out in the next day or two. After that there will be pics to come!
Reply 31
The unit is being sent out in the next day or two. After that there will be pics to come!
Phillips...
Is this the Phillips in question?
There are 3 listed on ebay....
Is this the Phillips in question?
There are 3 listed on ebay....
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