Smartcafe Cafetiere Hot Mug, Graphite (Grey)

So I have been using classic cafetieres/coffee presses and non of them hold up to this with such a simple design it is easy to clean, quick to dry, simple to use and stays hot for 40+ minuets.I find that I am now using less coffee, enjoying a drink that lasts longer (heat wise) and not having that annoying feeling when trying to spoon coffee out of a glass container at the end to clean wash it up. It has a double layered plastic wall that means your hand stays cool when holding it, yet the drink is piping hot, the press comes out 90% of the time clean and just needs a rinse and using a tea spoon it is very easy to get the coffee out and put it in the bin/compost, this is mainly because it is a wider size than classic cafetieres and so there is more room to move inside.A fair few reviews have slated this product saying that there are always coffee granules in there drink, but if you follow simple steps it rarely if ever happens.1. Pop your required amount of coffee into the bottom2. Fill with boiling water until the water level is half an inch bellow the 'max fill line'3. Stir gently so the coffee begins to mix in4. Wait 3 - 5 minuets for it to brew5. Place the coffee press in, pushing down slowly so nothing spurts out6. Fill with more boiling water, leaving enough room for milk and sugar (add as required)7. DrinkIt reminds me a little of a camping cup, but I use it at home for all my coffee needs, a really good investment and far cheaper than other alternatives.

Finally I have purchased one of these. A friend has had one for years and yet I could never find a shop that stocked them. I love proper coffee but am the only one in my house who drinks it and so a full cafetiere is a bulky wasteful item. This is also far faster when I'm wanting a single cup before I head out to work in the morning. It is simple to use and the insulated mug prevents the coffee from cooling down too much whilst you wait. Sure, you can get the occasional coffee ground in the bottom of your drink but I find that with my cafetiere as well.My only problem is the size of the cup. The plunger apparatus and grounds occupy the bottom of the mug and the max fill line is quite a long way from the top. Look at the picture. The colour change on the outside of the mug is NOT the max fill line. The max fill line is BELOW the top of the handle. Fill the mug past this line and coffee will leak out around the little tab at the top of the plunger. It all adds up to a coffee mug that holds only half a standard mug of coffee.I love the thought behind this mug, I use mine every day and it is far superior to instant coffee. I just wish it was a little larger

This mug is a great idea in principle, but the design needs to be refined if it is to be truly user-friendly. Although it performs its basic functions in some respects, it falls badly short in others; most notably in the unique feature which distinguishes this product from others: namely, that you should be able to get a good cup of feshly brewed coffee without having to suffer the nastiness of mouthfuls of coffee grounds.The most important thing is that it makes a lovely tasting cup of coffee. There is no hint of flavour from the mug itself, which is a bonus as many plastic insulated mugs leave a nasty plasticky taste to the coffee.However, there is one design flaw which impairs the product's ability to fulfill its intended function, and another design recommendation which I would make for future revisions to the product. The design flaw relates to the plunger and, more specifically, the seal which it is supposed to create with the side of the mug when depressed. The simple fact is that it doesn't do this nearly tightly enough, with the result being an awful lot of coffee sediment above the filter. If you slurp too enthusiastically, you still end up with a mouthful of coffee grounds.The additional design recommendation would be to incorporate a lid. Although the mug performs relatively well in keeping the coffee hot, it is nowhere near as good at doing so as similar products with a fitted lid.Overall: worth buying if only to get away from the necessity of instant coffee in the office. However, for home use you would probably be better off buying a cafetiere, drip filter or percolator for just slightly more cash. Given that these have dropped in price in recent years, you would only have to spend a smidgeon more, but you would be rewarded with a much less grainy cup of coffee.

I hate Instant Coffee - try as I might, I've never found one that comes even near the taste of REAL coffee. But I don't always want to make a cafetiere of coffee and I certainly don't want to buy one of those expensive capsule coffee makers - apart from anything else, I've no space in my kitchen for one.I sent off for the Smartcafé Cafetiere Hot Mug and I am delighted with it. When I opened the package I was immediately impressed with the quality of the cup and I couldn't wait to try it. I put a half a dessert spoon of ground coffee in the bottom and topped up with near-boiling water, waited a couple of minutes and inserted the little plunger and pressed it down. With a spot of warm milk, I had a perfect cup of real coffee.The benefit of the thermal sides is that the sides stay cool while the coffee stays hot. As someone who sometimes takes his time over a cup of coffee this is just perfect. Although it doesn't have a lid the coffee stays hot for a surprisingly long time.I have had this a few days now and am using it often and continue to be very impressed with it. For me, it's enabled me to have a cup of coffee whenever I want it with the minimum of fuss. I could have done with this many years ago but at least I've got it now and often find myself talking about how good it it with friends and family.