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The ‘BIRD’ coffee brewing machine is an innovative non-bypass coffee maker designed for coffee aficionados who seek to explore new techniques for a quality cup of coffee.
Brand Overview
Weber Workshops is known for its intense, micron-engineered bespoke manual and electric grinders and other high-end coffee equipment. The company has ventured into the coffee brewing arena by introducing the BIRD coffee brewer [1].
The BIRD was developed through a partnership between the team at Weber Workshops and designer Christopher Flechtner. This project spanned over a year, during which we created and revised numerous versions. The result is an innovative approach to no-bypass brewing crafted through meticulous collaboration.
Espresso is typically made using 6-9 bars of pressure with very fine coffee grounds, and pour-over and French press methods use very low bars of pressure with coarser grounds. This means there’s a wide range of brewing techniques and flavors in between that remain largely unexplored. The BIRD coffee maker is designed to help you navigate this territory, offering the flexibility to experiment with different pressures and grind sizes, thereby unlocking a whole new spectrum of coffee experiences.
First Impressions
The BIRD coffee brewer, at first glance, appears to be a press pot. However, it is quite different and features Weber’s typical super engineering tweaks and refinement. The BIRD stands for “Brew in Reverse Direction”, and it is a no-bypass immersion-style brewer with built-in agitation tricks[1].
@tannercolson The BIRD coffee brewer from @Weber Workshops ♬ original sound – Tanner Colson
Key Features of the Coffee Maker
Design and Aesthetics
The BIRD coffee brewing machine is crafted with thick borosilicate glass with a stainless steel brewing pod and drive shaft for added durability. The unique design has a piston-driven vacuum that brews inside the glass. The Claw mechanism inside the brewer agitates as it brews before acting as the lifting mechanism to keep the pressure even on the outer edge for the perfect vacuum pressure level for total control over brewing[1].
Brewing Capabilities
The BIRD coffee brewer was the first to use piston-driven vacuum technology, revolutionizing the brewing process. It delivers a concentrated brew – somewhere close to the strength of a moka pot coffee – but with a very clean and refined cup, providing up to 350ml in the maximum brewing amount[1].
Special Features and Technologies
The BIRD coffee brewer introduces a non-bypass brewing solution using piston-driven vacuum technology. This technology ensures optimal results by maintaining even pressure for total control over brewing. The Claw mechanism inside the brewer agitates as it brews before acting as the lifting mechanism to keep the pressure even on the outer edge for the perfect vacuum pressure level [1].
What is a non-pass coffee brewer?
A non-bypass coffee brewer, also known as a zero-bypass or no-bypass coffee brewer, is a type of coffee brewing device that forces nearly all of the water used for brewing to pass through the bed of coffee grounds. This means there is no escape route for the water to go through lesser volumes of ground coffee or no coffee at all[1].
In traditional coffee brewing methods like pour-over and auto drip, some water bypasses the coffee bed, seeping around the paper filter and the brew chamber. This is known as water bypass, and it can lead to a less consistent cup because the bypass water dilutes the coffee[5].
In contrast, no-bypass coffee brewing ensures that all the grounds are evenly saturated, resulting in a more uniform extraction and consistent cup. This method can also allow for a good-tasting cup of coffee to be brewed with less ground coffee, as it optimizes the extraction of solubles and non-solubles from the ground coffee[1].
There are several no-bypass coffee brewers available in the market. For instance, the LVL-10 brewer by NextLevel Brewing Company is a wide-diameter coffee brewer that uses circular paper filters. Its primary feature is the excellent dripper lid that fits on top, distributing the brewing water in a very wide, low impact dripping pattern[2]. Another example is the Tricolate brewer, which has an 80mm flat brewing bed and a precision-tooled dispersion screen that ensures even water distribution.
However, it’s worth noting that no-bypass brewing often results in slower brews compared to traditional methods[4]. This is because the water is forced to pass through the entire bed of coffee grounds, which takes more time. Despite this, many coffee enthusiasts appreciate the method for its ability to produce a more consistent and potentially higher-quality cup of coffee.
References
- No-Bypass Coffee Brewing Method Trends
- There’s No Bypassing the NextLevel Brewers
- The DCN Guide to Bypass in Coffee Brewing
- Zero Bypass Brewing: The Ultimate Guide
- No-Bypass Coffee Brewing: A Comprehensive Guide
What vacuum technology is used in the BIRD coffee maker?
The piston-driven vacuum technology creates a vacuum pressure inside the brewing chamber. This is achieved by a mechanism known as the Claw, which agitates the coffee as it brews and then acts as a lifting mechanism to maintain even pressure on the outer edge of the brewing chamber. This creates the perfect vacuum pressure level for total control over the brewing process.
The brewing process begins by preparing the brew pod with a stainless or paper filter. The brew pod is then pushed to the bottom of the glass brewing vessel using the brewing arm. Freshly ground coffee (20-35g) is added to the brewer, followed by 300-400mL of preheated brewing water. The brewing arm is then used to agitate the coffee and water evenly. After the brew time is up, the Wingnut is rotated, which raises the Drive Shaft and pulls up the Pod. This creates a vacuum beneath the Pod, separating the grounds from the coffee, resulting in a perfectly filtered cup.
The piston-driven vacuum technology benefits coffee brewing by ensuring optimal results by maintaining even pressure for total control over brewing. This technology allows for a non-bypass brewing solution, meaning that all the water used in the brewing process passes through the coffee grounds, maximizing flavor extraction. The vacuum created during the brewing process also helps to prevent over-extraction, which can lead to bitter flavors in the coffee.
User Experience and Performance
Ease of Use
The BIRD coffee brewer is designed to be user-friendly. The brewing process involves preparing the brew pod using either the stainless or paper filter, grinding and dosing the coffee, agitating the coffee and water evenly, and then using the Wingnut to create a vacuum beneath the Pod, separating the grounds from the coffee.
Brewing Process with the BIRD Coffee Maker
The brewing process with the BIRD coffee maker involves several steps:
1. Pod Preparation: Prepare the brew pod using stainless or paper filters. Use the brewing arm to carefully push the brew pod to the bottom of the glass
2. Grind and Dose: Grind 20-35g fresh coffee and dose into the brewer, adding 300-400mL of preheated brewing water on top.
3. Agitate and Wait: Use the brewing arm to gently agitate the coffee and water. Let sit for as long (or short) as your recipe calls.
4. Vacuum Filter: After the brew time, rotate the Wingnut, which raises the Drive Shaft and pulls up the Pod. This creates a vacuum beneath the Pod, separating the grounds from the coffee, leaving you with a perfectly filtered cup.
5. Cleanup: Snap the brew pod into the drip catcher and enjoy your coffee. After cooling the brew pod, remove the pod cap and compost your puck. Rinse all parts with warm, soapy water to clean. Don’t place the BIRD or any of its parts in the dishwasher.
Quality of Brew
The BIRD coffee brewer ensures optimal results by maintaining even pressure for total control over brewing. It delivers a concentrated brew – somewhere close to the strength of a moka pot coffee – but with a very clean and refined cup[1].
Maintenance and Cleaning
The BIRD parts can all be disassembled and rinsed in seconds. The Drip Catcher aids the barista with a temporary holding zone for the POD after brewing, so you can get right to your coffee with all the mess contained for later. This also allows the coffee puck to cool before handling, making the process more enjoyable. Please use only soap and dish detergent with the BIRD. As a precision instrument, it is not dishwasher safe.

Pros and Cons of the Coffee Maker
The BIRD coffee brewer offers several advantages, including its unique brewing technology, high-quality materials, and easy cleaning. However, its high price point may deter some potential buyers. Additionally, some users have noted that the brewing process can be a bit complex compared to other coffee makers[1].
Comparison with Other Coffee Makers
The BIRD coffee brewer was compared with several other coffee makers, including the French press, AeroPress, and the Clever Dripper. While each coffee maker has unique features and brewing methods, the BIRD stands out for its unique piston-driven vacuum technology and the brew quality it produces.
How is the BIRD coffee maker different from a French Press?
The BIRD coffee maker, an acronym for Brew In Reverse Direction, differs from a French Press in several key ways:
1. Brewing Mechanism: The BIRD coffee maker uses a piston-driven vacuum that brews inside the glass, a first of its kind. This vacuum pressure brewing method differs from the French Press, which uses a simple immersion brewing method where coffee grounds are steeped in hot water and then separated by pressing down a mesh plunger.
2. Agitation: The BIRD coffee maker has a “Claw” mechanism that agitates the coffee as it brews, ensuring even extraction. This is not a feature typically found in a French Press.
3. Materials: The BIRD coffee maker has thick borosilicate glass, a stainless steel brewing pod, and a drive shaft for added durability. French Presses are typically made of glass or stainless steel but do not usually feature the same level of engineering or materials.
4. Brew Strength: The BIRD coffee maker is designed to deliver a concentrated brew, somewhere close to the strength of a moka pot coffee, but with a very clean and refined cup. On the other hand, a French Press typically produces a full-bodied but less concentrated coffee.
5. Price: The BIRD coffee maker is priced at $360, significantly higher than most French Presses.
6. Cleaning and Maintenance: The BIRD coffee maker is designed to be easy to clean, with all parts disassembled and rinsed in seconds. French Presses can also be relatively easy to clean but may require more effort to remove coffee grounds trapped in the mesh filter.
In summary, while the BIRD coffee maker and a French Press are coffee brewing devices, they differ significantly in their brewing mechanisms, materials, brew strength, price, and maintenance requirements.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
Who Should Buy This Coffee Maker?
The BIRD coffee brewer is ideal for coffee aficionados who appreciate a high-quality brew and are willing to invest in a coffee maker that offers unique brewing technology. It’s also suitable for those who value durability and design, as the BIRD is made with high-quality materials like borosilicate glass and stainless steel.
Final Thoughts
The BIRD coffee brewer from Weber Workshops is a unique and innovative coffee maker that offers a high-quality brew. While its price point is higher than many other coffee makers on the market, its unique features and the quality of the brew it produces make it a worthwhile investment for coffee lovers who value quality and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the vacuum used in a Coffee Maker?
A coffee maker uses a vacuum to brew coffee by creating a pressure differential that forces water through the coffee grounds. For instance, the Weber Workshops BIRD coffee brewing machine uses a piston-driven vacuum that brews inside the glass. The Claw mechanism inside the brewer agitates as it brews before acting as the lifting mechanism to keep the pressure even on the outer edge, creating the perfect vacuum pressure level for total control over brewing.
What is a Reverse French Press?
The term “reverse French Press” is not widely recognized in the coffee industry. However, the BIRD coffee maker is sometimes called a reverse brewer because it uses a vacuum to pull water through the coffee grounds, which is the opposite of how a traditional French Press works[1]. In a French Press, the water and coffee are mixed, and then the coffee grounds are pushed down to the bottom of the brewer with a plunger.
Why is the BIRD Coffee Maker So Expensive?
The BIRD coffee maker is expensive due to several factors. First, it uses a unique piston-driven vacuum brewing technology, the first of its kind in the industry. This technology allows optimal control over brewing, resulting in a high-quality cup of coffee.
Second, the BIRD coffee maker is made with high-quality materials, including thick borosilicate glass, a stainless steel brewing pod, and a drive shaft for added durability. These materials are more expensive than those typically used in other coffee makers.
Finally, the BIRD coffee maker is a product of Weber Workshops, a company known for its precision-engineered coffee equipment. The company’s products are often priced higher due to their innovative designs and high-quality construction.
References
Weber introduces the BIRD, a Coffee Brewer
Weber Workshops “BIRD” Brewer [VIDEO]
Weber Workshops announces the innovative BIRD coffee brewer
Weber Workshops Bird Brewing Machine
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