Bodum Chambord vs Brazil: What’s the Difference Anyway?

Bodum Chambord vs Bodum Brazil
Companies that make “appliances” that seem to serve the same purpose can leave us a bit confused at times. What makes the Bodum Chambord French press different from the Bodum Brazil French press? I myself think “Why does it matter what brand of coffee maker I use? It all makes coffee.” This is a valid question.

Aside from some size and color variation, it can be particularly difficult to tell. Issues like these are why Gamble Bay Coffee is dedicated to providing you with as much reliable information about coffee as possible. Both of these French presses, while not inherently expensive, are not the cheapest ones you can get, either, so keep that in mind as we go through this.

What Makes the Chambord and the Brazil Different?

I won’t be doing bullet points this time around. There aren’t that many differences between these two coffee makers, aside from the price.

What does make them different is that the Chambord has more size variation than the Brazil. So, if you are looking for something to brew for more than one person, the Chambord is a good option. In contrast to this, the Brazil has a few color options, while the Chambord lacks that entirely. It is a small, but neat thing to be able to have a green-painted French press.

The other big difference is that you will find the Brazil to be much cheaper, as it is still sold by Amazon. The Chambord can be found on Amazon but is instead sold by individual sellers and is actually rather expensive.

For example, the 51 oz. (4 Cup) Chambord is roughly double the price of the 51 oz. Brazil French press.

The Bodum Chambord French Press

bodum-chambord-french-pressBodum was a company that took over a small factory in Normandy around 1982. They needed space to be able to mass produce their coffee maker and they saw opportunity in a clarinet factory. This coffee maker uses stainless-steel and glass. This is a contrast to your typical French press, which is sometimes made with plastic. One of the nice things about it being made this way is that it leaves no taste behind, allowing you to get the most enjoyment from your coffee as possible. Chambord’s press was one of the first in existence and it has worked so well from the start that they never felt a need to change it. This product has been the same, from its first production in the fifties, to today.

The Bodum Chambord is an older model than the Brazil, and has four different size variations;

  • 12 oz.(individual sellers)
  • 17 oz.(Sold by Amazon)
  • 34 oz.(individual sellers)
  • 51 oz.(Sold By Amazon)

► Related – See these other large French presses for comparison.

These French presses use mesh filters to extract the oils from the coffee, a nice change. They are also made of a durable heat-resistant glass with a BPA-free plastic handle and base.

All this together allows it to be easily cleaned and used, as it is dishwasher safe.

This one, from a technical standpoint, is better than the Brazil, as it allows for a bit of choice and you can get a bigger French press if need be. But personalization is where the Brazil really shines, and I think that for the price difference, the Brazil will be a more appealing choice for most.

However, if you can spend the little bit extra to get the Chambord. If you want to take a look, you can find the sales page here.

There is also a set sold on the same page that has both a 12 and 15 oz. in it which comes with a travel mug and a grinder.

The Bodum Brazil

bodum-brazil-french-pressThe Bodum Brazil is a French press with a comparatively newer design. The Brazil was first manufactured in the eighties, 30 years after the Chambord. This French press, like the one before, is made of stainless steel. Thus, it is easy to clean and is dishwasher safe. In contrast to the French press before it, this press only comes in two sizes

  1. 34 oz.(Sold By Amazon)
  2. 51 oz.(Sold By Amazon)

While the 51 oz. only comes in one color, the 34 oz. comes in 4 colors

  1. Black
  2. White
  3. Red
  4. Lime green

This French press is affordable and designed simply, giving everyone the opportunity to brew green coffee.

One important thing to note is that while the Chambord uses stainless steel for the outer portions, the Brazil uses BPA-free plastic, so keep that in mind when you go looking. Although, this does make it more durable in many situations.

If you are new to coffee, or an experienced aficionado, a French press like the Brazil will be a great choice for you. French presses make great coffee seem much easier to obtain than the average coffee machine, even with the latter’s fancy features and high tech.

The Bodum Brazil, like the Chambord, is a must have. It uses borosilicate glass to showcase its elegance and durability, a wonderful combination.

As I said, the Brazil brings a lot of fun to the table with the handle bad and lid coming in different colors like red, green, and white. Not too many French presses do things like this, so it’s a welcome change.

One of the many things that make it better than the Chambord is that the Brazil is held to the same standards of craftsmanship that the Chambord is, while still retaining affordability. Keeping this level of affordability makes it a breeze for anyone looking to try out French press coffee. If you are looking into getting the Brazil, you can find it for as low as $17.00, which is a killer bargain that you don’t find often.

Brewing with a French press can become an enjoyable task with this in your kitchen. You’ll get the taste of strong bodied French press coffee and have a French press that looks good while doing it.

So, if you are interested, you can take a look at the sales page here. There are multiple different Brazil sales pages by Bodum. Most of them offer different colors and some of them are bundles.

Which is the best?

bodum chambord and brazilOverall, I think if you are looking for a French press with a bit of class and elegance to it, the Chambord will be the way to go. You can find it here.

Now, as for the Brazil, it will offer many things for newer coffee connoisseurs. With its different colors and sleek design, combined with the affordability, this French press is a great one to buy.

Both of these French presses are relatively small and mobile, a great choice for making coffee on the go. They don’t take up counter space and don’t require a plug, so it’s as simple as combining your coffee and water with a few minutes of time to brew and you are good to go.

Using either one of these will help you get all the benefits that you really need from the coffee.

Brian Mounts

Head blogger, editor, and owner of "Top Off My Coffee", a website that has been educating readers about coffee brewing techniques and equipment since 2012.

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