Several months ago I purchased 12 Bodum glasses from their Pavina line. They are very fragile and all but 2 broke rather quickly. I did contact Bodum about the quality of their product. They basically stated that there was no warranty and gave me some guidelines for use. Their return email follows:

"We apologize for the inconvenience, unfortunately there are no warranties on any glass items. With our glasses they are very fragile because they are mouth blown. We recommend not placing ice directly into the glass, placing the liquid in the glass first. Also when using hot liquids we recommend that you use luke warm water to prepare the glass for the difference in temperature. If you use the glasses in the dishwasher we recommend that you place the glass in a dishwasher that is uncrowded and on the top rack. Please feel free to email any additional questions or comments that you may have."

Last night one more glass broke. This time the glass broke at the bottom of the inside of the glass. The glass was in use for about 5 minutes and the bottom just gave way. It left pieces of glass in the drink that were almost consumed. These glasses are not only fragile but they are dangerous.

Thanks for the heads up, and sorry to hear about the breakage...

I have a couple of the Bodum double walled glass demitasses. They are gorgeous for photography purposes, but they insulate the espresso too well for my taste, so they get very little use. Bodum's recommendations seem practical and reasonable to me -- basically the same common sense handling rules I apply to wine glasses. The Bodum's glass is quite thin and I don't recommend them unless you're willing to handle them with kid gloves.

As an aside, I have purchases three Bodum French presses and one vacuum pot. So far I've broken one of the three French presses and the vacuum pot. I should switch to plastic, but I just prefer the look and feel of glass.

I have at least a dozen in various sizes and shapes, so far I've only managed to crack one of them up at the very top of the rim. I still drink water out of it, yes I am an idiot since I refuse to throw it away. I figure why toss it when I still have a chance to drink out of it but no worries since I only serve myself in it.
I'm surprised I haven't had any issues with them, we're not the most careful people in our household and living in earthquake capital of the world doesn't help either. We drink (alcohol) shots, wine and whatever else comes to mind out them.
I just had a hot cup of coffee (202 degrees) in the cracked one, followed by an ice cold water in the same glass without issue again for the 6th month in a row. I do pre-heat the cup and pre-cool (slowly) before each use but I do that anyway with all cups and glasses.

I do think some are thinner than others and slightly different in size and shape since they are "mouth-blown".
Never understood that "hand-blown" term myself since glass is really not blown by peoples hands

"Never understood that "hand-blown" term myself since glass is really not blown by peoples hands"

Good one ...... Kinda like hot water heater

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I have several. I have dropped them in a stainless sink and had them bounce, no worse for wear. But if drop it on a hard floor they will pop like a light bulb.

They are made from a 'laboratory glass' like Pyrex which lets them be made thin but still retain some resilience. That also makes them slippery.

Brad wrote:Several months ago I purchased 12 Bodum glasses from their Pavina line. They are very fragile and all but 2 broke rather quickly. I did contact Bodum about the quality of their product.

You didn't say how they broke. I assume they did not spontaneously shatter.

We have a houseful of Bodum double wall items, including: espresso demitasses, cappuccino cups, tall tumblers with handles, tall tumblers without handles, and the new French press and teapot. I've been using my two original demitasses two to four times a day for a year and a half without damage.

The only breakage I have ever had was a tumbler, when a hard object flew out of my hand into the side of the glass, and another tumbler that was dropped into the sink. No other damage, nada.

May I respectfully suggest that a careful user can expect far longer wear from these items than in your experience.

As with Dan, I've been moving away from using the double-wall glasses for espresso. I really enjoy the changes in coffee as it cools, and these things just keep a shot too darned hot. Plus, I like the look of crema against a white-glazed ceramic cup... Clear just doesn't do it.

I do still use the six ounce version for cappuccino. My wife loves the presentation, and it does allow you to enjoy a cappa over a longer period of time (OK, I know I just said that I like coffee as it cools - that's more for straight-up coffee with no milk).

My tally has been two broken espresso cups, though this was due to rough handling. A friend has also warned me to be careful washing the cappa cups by hand if you're wearing a ring. The ring knocking against the side is apparantly enough to shatter one. I now only rinse them out before loading into the dishwasher (top shelf). Since starting this, I've yet to break another (knock on wood ).

I remember hearing that Bodum was going to introduce a double-wall press-pot. Anyone seen one? That seems like an accident waiting to happen.

They have a double walled drip pot.

RAS wrote:I remember hearing that Bodum was going to introduce a double-wall press-pot. Anyone seen one? That seems like an accident waiting to happen.

Yes, I have it. It's my favorite when serving more than one person.

Good to hear that the press-pot works well. And the double-wall drip pot - way cool. You do have to hand it to Bodum, they make beautiful and functional glassware. I use my Santos vac-pot at least a couple times a week. I've established a routine that is careful, and works well... Something that's important at 5:15AM!

But all that being said, when I drink non-espresso on weekdays (I was going to say "brewed coffee", but isn't all coffee brewed?!), my glasses of choice are some old Corelle (by Corning) cups which are the perfect size (approx. 8 ounces), thin, and practically indestructible. Unfortunately, I don't think they're made anymore. I'd like to get some more... May have to check out some thrift stores.