AirScape Planetary Design Ceramic Coffee and Food Storage Canister – Small 4-inch – US Patented Airtight Inner Lid – Black with Bamboo Top

Airscape glass or steel containers are renowned for creating a very tight, zero-tolerance, airtight seal in their jars. These ceramic jars come close to that standard, but not quite. I believe the variability in ceramic production has posed a challenge for Airscape, and that is why the large ceramic jars have been discontinued.Does this do a good job for whole bean coffee that otherwise might be in the bag, or in just a jar with a lid and no air removal? Yes. Is it as effective as the Airscape glass or steel alternatives? Prolly not. But this is trying to reduce (not completely prevent) coffee aging for beans that will most likely be used by me within a week.A lot of coffees now come in 12 oz bags, which the smaller, remaining available ceramic pot will not quite fit. Which is a bummer. If you want to store 12 oz of whole coffee beans, you’ll hafta opt for the glass or steel. For reason of eliminating light damage to the beans, I recommend the steel version if you opt for the larger size.This solution does not eliminate oxygen exposure the way a Fellows-brand, twist-the-top version can; or like electronic vacuum-pumping jars can. But that’s okay, because coffee outgassing CO2 is part of desirable development of the beans within the first ~4 weeks since roast, by which time you should have used the coffee already, or stored it in the freezer.So I give this product high marks for usability (compared to Fellows, twist-the-top version), sufficient and even beneficial effectiveness (in terms of the flavor obtained in the cup from beans stored in the jar), physical attractiveness, and quality of build and materials.This is NOT a long-term coffee bean storage solution. And I do not believe it was ever meant to be. Do I wish it had a loop on the side to hold my bean scoop spoon? Yes. But now I’m quibbling.

The media could not be loaded. Does a great job of keeping beans fresh. I've been using this daily for the last six weeks, and have found nothing to complain about apart from it being too large 12oz bag of beans, and from a (very minor!) complaint of no simple labeling solution (I miss the labels the roastery normally puts on their bags!).Most bean roasters seem to sell in 12oz bags, and from what I can tell the smaller size is too small for this. I got the size labeled 'Large', and it is roughly half full with a full 12oz of beans (this is now sold as 'medium' - the 7" tall one). See the attached picture, this is with exactly 12oz of whole beans.I managed to solve the labeling problem by using some clear static cling film, and a few free labels I begged from the roaster (Wells, they're amazing). Lay the cling film on the cannister to get the right curve, apply the sticker to the film, peel it all off and cut it out. The video shows how easy this is to use once you have the labels done. This is less useful if you buy different beans every time of course, but it brings me a simple joy.I haven't had a problem with the wood top popping off. I tend to put in beans that are roughly 4-5 days after roast, which means most of the off-gassing is done (which will be what is causing the tops popping off).The wooden top is cosmetic anyway - I can't see why it would be a real issue, the plastic plunger insert is what seals it all.Pros:- Solid! A good weight, but still light enough to comfortably pour beans to measure each day- Looks good on the counter- Easy to open (tilt the vacuum insert as others have mentioned)Cons:- No simple way to label. See above solution which works if you buy from a limited range of roasters- Not a perfect size for a 12oz bag of beans

I already have two of the Airscape Stainless Steel containers. They work great. Since this one is ceramic, I thought it might keep coffee fresh without altering the taste the way steel sometimes can. I've stored a pound of coffee beans in this container for 5 days & it still tastes great. I can use the steel containers to store other items that are not as delicate as coffee. The bamboo cap is nice & has a silicone seal. After using a bamboo cutting board for several years, I've learned how surprisingly durable it is and it's odor neutral.When I first removed the wrapping, the canister & the cap had a chemical odor that concerned me. But after washing the canister & the bamboo cap, the odor immediately disappeared. There is no reason to wash the inner lid that removes the air when pushed down. And the inner lid is much easier to pull out due to the smoother texture of the ceramic. The stainless steel canister's inner cap is difficult to remove.For anyone considering the ceramic canister, keep in mind that it is heavier and larger in diameter than the steel one (if that matters).UPDATE: 11-30-18. I found a small chip near the bottom of the canister. I contacted the manufacturer & they immediately responded that they'll ship me a replacement canister Monday. Customer service second to NONE!!! While looking at their website, I found other products I'll be ordering: "Planetary Design"

Excellent fit and finish. Looks nice on countertop. The handle is far to flimsy on the plunger for me to anticipate prolonged use. Plastic fitment. Uncertain what I'll look for when it breaks. Otherwise keeps the coffee fresh and has a good look about it.