Bonjour, amateur de café!
There’s something really sassy about French press coffee … its brewing method! The term does sound too extravagant though, because, let’s be real: everything French sounds fancy, rich, and luxe!
However, not all good (French) things come with a hefty price tag. That’s right – we are talking about French press coffee makers!
A French Press Coffee Maker is a simple, handy, and relatively inexpensive equipment that brews nothing but a smooth and enriched dose of caffeine.
- If you really care about your coffee – We tested enough mechanisms and filters to make your head spin to tweak and uniquely design our press with a triple layered filter structure to stop the sediment, but let the yummy coffee oils through for a full-bodied delicious brew that will make you a very happy camper. And to share the java love, we give you a bonus matching travel canister that holds enough beans or grounds for two full batches.
- More thicker, More heavier, Built to last – Our huge capacity professional grade 304 18/10 double-layered stainless-steel baby will keep your coffee hot for 60 minutes longer than thinner steel and glass models. And it’s drop proof, rust proof, and probably bulletproof (be nice).
- Multiple Uses – Besides using the French Press as a coffee maker, it is also handy appliance to make tea, mct oil coffee, hot chocolate, cold brew, frothed milk, almond milk, cashew milk, fruit infusions, and plant and herbal drinks as it seals in their flavors and aromas
- Perfect for any occasion – For house warmings, weddings, birthdays, holidays and all coffee/tea lovers & healthy foodies! Two bonus stainless steel screens and the matching travel
- Made in China
- ☕️ Sleek and stylish design: Our glass coffee press boasts an elegant and timeless design that will complement any kitchen decor. Its transparency allows you to see your coffee as it brews, adding a touch of sophistication to your morning routine.
- ☕️ Pure and authentic coffee taste: Glass French presses are preferred by many coffee enthusiasts because they preserve the coffee's natural oils and flavors. Enjoy a rich and pure coffee taste that is free of sediment and grit.
- ☕️ Durable and long-lasting: Made of high-quality borosilicate glass, our French press is resistant to thermal shock and can withstand high temperatures, making it durable and long-lasting.
- ☕️ Easy to clean: Our glass French press is designed for easy cleaning. The glass carafe can be easily taken apart for a thorough cleaning, and certain parts, such as the plunger and filter, are dishwasher safe. Say goodbye to the hassle of cleaning other coffee makers and enjoy a hassle-free cleaning experience with our glass French press.
- ☕️ 4-Level Filtration: Our French press uses a 4-level filtration system comprising a metal mesh filter, spring disk, metal cross plate, and a final mesh screen to ensure sediment-free coffee.
- Brews 8 coffee cups which is equal to 1000 ml; includes plastic measuring spoon
- Durable heat resistant borosilicate glass carafe beaker sits in stylish insulated plastic frame which makes pouring coffee easier and prevent wobbling
- Easier to use than a drip coffeemaker; brews within minutes and no soggy filters to deal with
- Perfect gift for any fun holiday occasion for both men & women alike
- Can be used for making tea, and very easy to wash
Last update on 2023-11-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
According to an unpopular legend, French press coffee was discovered by a French guy (of course) by accident! While boiling water for his daily cup of coffee, he forgot to add the coffee grounds. As the water started to boil, he added the coffee grounds, and as they began to rise to the top, he pressed them with a metal screen and stick.
The result of this mishap was the birth of the most délicieuse coffee he had ever brewed!
If you’re a fan of French press coffee, know that you can experience this shot of heaven any day, every day, and right from the comfort of your home! With the right understanding about how to make the best French press coffee, you can pull a perfect shot of this caffeine-licious goodness without being a French barista!
And that’s why you need to start with a good French Press Coffee Maker.
Best French Press Coffee Maker Brands
Barista Warrior
Barista Warrior exists to nurture and equip your inner barista. Based in the US, the company firmly believes that the best coffees on earth are brewed in your very own kitchen.
This is why most of the coffee tools and equipment at Barista Warrior are developed to empower you to craft perfectly tasting coffee and other caffeinated beverages at home.
From french press coffee makers to pour over coffee kettles, replacement filters and plungers – Barista Warrior always has all the handy tools you frequently need to brew coffee at home.
Stanley
Since 1913, Stenley brand changed the way hot drinks were consumed as it’s founder invented all-steel vacuum bottle that got so popular nowadays.
The brand became part of countless adventures for a lot of people and their special memories. They keep improving every year to invent better and modern solutions for beverages.
Use Stanley French press coffee makers with love and care, and they will last you a lifetime.
Bodum
Bodum is the reason why we believe not all good things in life are expensive.
For over seven decades, these folks have been manufacturing premium coffee makers. Some of their French press coffee makers have existed since 40+ years and are incredibly budget-friendly.
If you, too, think coffee brewing is a serious business, you might want to get your hands on Bodum’s french press coffee makers.
Coffee Gator
Founded by a hardcore coffee enthusiast, Phil Willian drank instant coffee all his life until the day he tasted freshly brewed coffee during his trip to Combodia.
That was the day when Coffee Gator was born. The company believes that every coffee lover deserves better coffee. By providing you with the right tools and equipment, Coffee Gator ensures nothing stops you from being your own home barista.
Le Creuset
For almost a century, Le Creuset has been manufacturing cookware and kitchen tools that function and look great.
If you are a fan of colors and love to make a style statement, Le Creuset won’t disappoint you.
Their immense range of trendy and functional French press coffee makers will sure-fire make you fall in love with the coffee brewing process over and over again!
Our Top 10 Picks For Best French Press Coffee Makers in 2020 – High Quality + Budget Friendly
| Stanley French Press with Double Vacuum Insulation | Double walls to keep coffee hot for 4 hours, 6 cup capacity, Trendy design |
| Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker | Premium borosilicate glass carafe, Contains three piece mesh filter, Dishwasher-safe |
| Bodum Columbia Thermal French Press Coffee Maker | Pure stainless steel thermal carafe, Stores 4 cups of coffee, Brew time can be stopped |
| Le Creuset Stoneware French Press | Premium, non-stick stone carafe, DIshwasher-safe, Color options available |
| Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker | Shatter-proof and rustproof, Comes with a canister |
| Sterling Pro Double Wall French Press Coffee Maker | Complete metal construction, Contains double screens for ultimate filtrationRust-proof, Dishwasher-safe, Premium mirror-finish |
| Frieling Double-Walled Stainless-Steel French Press Coffee Maker | Dual screen zero sediment filter, Double-walled design, Beautiful stainless steel polished surface |
| Secura French Press Coffee Maker | Stainless steel construction, Cool touch handle and knob, Easy to clean |
| Mueller Stainless Steel Double Insulated French Press | Multipurpose french press coffee and beverage brewerTwo stainless steel screensComes with a small canister |
| Stanley Green French Press Mug | Double-walled vacuum insulation keeps coffee hot for 4 hours, Perfect for both hot and iced beverages, BPA-freedishwasher-safe |
1. Stanley French Press with Double Vacuum Insulation
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Stainless steel Stanley French press coffee maker with wide Mouth, large capacity, and cute ergonomic handle is something that you can never get disappointed about. And another good thing is that you can put it in you dishwasher in a regular way.
The coffee maker is perfect for brewing French press and regular tea. This coffee maker can keep your beverage hot for up to 4 hours or iced coffee for 24 hours, which is the ideal for those who make coffee once for a while to have some later on.
It is designed this with two layers of BPA-free 18/10 stainless steel walls to keep your coffee hot for a long time. The mesh plunger is strong enough to keep grounds out of your cup. Ergonomic handle and hammertone green color make this French press coffee maker look like something special.
What’s the best part? This mini French barista has the total capacity of 48oz, so you can easily brew six servings of French press at a time! How cool is that?
What’s more, the coffee maker comes in a trendy design that looks as good as the coffee it makes!
2. Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We love Bodum Chambord French Press for it’s big-ticket, straight-from-France kinda look and its capacious 51-ounce fill volume. The folks have been around for decades and know their stuff in and out – producing irresistible-brewing coffee makers.
If you are a fan of glass carafe, you will fall for Bodum Chamboard at first glance. It’s made from premium borosilicate glass and can easily withstand high temperature.
For our clumsy coffeeholics, the same coffee maker is also available in shatter-proof SAN carafe (you DO have a choice, see?)
The company is also very particular about the filters they use in their French press. Chambord French press carries a three-piece mesh filter that has a spiral plate. It brings out the coffee flavors perfectly into your extract and at the same time, ensures no coffee ground sneaks into your mug.
Another reason why we swear by Bodum Chambord Coffee Maker is that it is dishwasher-safe. We hate the clean-up part, and Bodum knows this well. The coffee maker’s carafe, plunger, and filter are designed as entirely dishwasher-safe. As for the frame and lid, you can hand wash those within no time. Just make sure to be gentle and use a non-abrasive sponge.
3. Bodum Columbia Thermal French Press Coffee Maker
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Imagine having a French Press coffee maker that is insanely insulated. You brew away your coffee, and it stays piping hot for up to two hours! That’s where Columbia by Bodum comes in.
Exclusively designed as a thermal coffee maker, Bodum Columbia brews your coffee or tea within minutes and gives you hours to sip on the delicious goodness. It’s carafe, plunger, and filter are made from pure stainless steel for maximum thermal insulation.
It is also supremely durable in construction. The coffee maker is dishwasher-safe, so cleaning the aftermath will never be a pain.
The French press has a total capacity of up to 17-ounces so that you can brew and store up to 4 cups of coffee or tea in one go!
The best feature about Bodum Columbia French Press is that it has an easy press on the plunger which seals the coffee grounds at the bottom and gives you control over the brewing process. Result? You can stop the brew whenever you want while still keeping the coffee within the coffee maker.
4. Le Creuset Stoneware French Press
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Don’t fancy glass carafes? Not even a fan of stainless steel French press coffee makers? Le Creuset hears you!
Le Creuset Stoneware French Press comes from their Enameled Stoneware Collection. For decades, the company has pioneered in producing top-of-the-line stoneware.
Their French Press coffee maker is ideal for daily use and looks beautiful. The inner wall of this coffee maker is rendered non-stick surface, so it easily removes coffee grounds while cleaning. The material is also heat resistant and maintains temperature by preventing heat loss.
The best feature about this product is its external coating. The enamel layer looks supremely elegant and is insanely resistant to chipping, breaking, staining or color fading. It also prevents odors.
The stoneware French Press comes in an exquisite range of seven solid colors. It’s plunger and mesh press are made from stainless-steel. The entire coffee maker is dishwasher-safe, so cleaning is easy.
5. Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Shatter-proof and rust-proof, this vacuum layered, double-filtered French press coffee maker by Coffee Gator has all you need for your daily dose of caffeine.
Since it is fully built with stainless steel, the heat conduction of this coffee maker is far better than that of glass or stone coffee makers (Bonus Benefit: you can leave your coffee in there for over an hour and it will still be steamy hot at the time of serving!)
Other noteworthy features of Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker are its durability and unique design. It allows coffee grounds to settle on the bottom while all the flavors make their way into your cup.
The best part? The coffee maker comes with a cute little canister where you can store your coffee and carry it along for your caffeine fix on the way. Get one for yourself or present it to your coffeeholic bestie as a travel gift ????
6. Sterling Pro Double Wall French Press Coffee Maker
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It’s not easy being a French press coffee lover when you can’t stand those muddy, gritty, coffee grounds creep up on your mouth. This Double Walled Cafetiere by Sterling Pro relieves you from this agony.
The coffee maker features a revolutionary two screens system. Together, these two screens catch up even the tiniest grounds from your brew. Result? Your French press comes out utterly free from coffee grounds!
What’s more, the coffee maker features pure stainless steel construction from head to toe. From its carafe to plunger, filters, and lid, everything’s made from metal. As a cherry on top, the exterior of the coffee features a mirror finish that looks as irresistible as the coffee it brews.
It is also super versatile in function. Not a fan of coffee? No problem. Not even tea? No worries. Fancy cold brew with frothed milk? Perfect. Be it hot chocolate or fruit infusions; Sterling Pro comes out as a pro as it handles almost every beverage and does complete justice to their flavors.
Lastly, the coffee maker is rust-proof as well as dishwasher-safe. Handle it however you want, and it will last you a long time.
7. Frieling Double-Walled Stainless-Steel French Press Coffee Maker
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We can’t get our eyes off this one!
Premium double-walled French press, pure stainless steel with a shining polished surface. Imagine having it in your kitchen – Frieling makes it for you.
Present it as a holiday gift to your loved one, or get one for yourself, this French press coffee maker will make an excellent addition to a coffeeholic’s ‘vanity box’.
The double-wall design of this coffee press will provide you with hot coffee or tea for years from now on. Mirror-finished stainless surface would look awesome in any kitchen, this French press coffee maker is a visual treat for all.
However, it isn’t all good looks. Designed with dual screen zero sediment filter, the coffee maker does brewing at its finest without letting any residue pass into your cup, that gives you smooth coffee with every pour.
8. Secura French Press Coffee Maker
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Secura is known for manufacturing premium stainless steel kitchen products. Their French Press Coffee Maker makes a high-quality, budget-friendly option for coffee maniacs.
Available in a range of pretty colors, Secure French Press Coffee Maker is built with a triple-layered stainless steel filter structure. It retains all those useless coffee grounds, leaving behind flavorful and aromatic caffeilicious goodness in your cup. The filter assembly in this coffee maker is also easy to disassemble and clean.
Furthermore, the coffee maker’s cool touch handle and knob makes the handling process way more comfortable (no more burning your hands out of excitement!)
Over and above, its total capacity is 34 ounces, so you can easily make several servings at a time.
9. Mueller Austria Stainless Steel Double Insulated French Press
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Built from extra-thick, double-layered stainless steel, this French press coffee maker by Mueller Austria provides the perfect insulation needed to brew coffee. Because it’s a double insulated French press, your coffee can stay piping hot for up to an hour.
This coffee maker too is suitable for multiple uses and brewing and steeping different beverages.
The best part about this double insulated French press is that it comes with two stainless steel screens and a small container for storing coffee. It’s suitable for use at home, to take along on vacations, or as a gift as a holiday present.
10. Stanley Green French Press Mug
Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For over a century, Stanley has existed to cater to generations after generations. Their Green French Press Mug is one of their timeless classics that comes with a lifetime warranty.
The mug is designed with double vacuum insulation and can keep your coffee hot for up to 4 hours! (you read that right!). The coffee maker also serves well for brewing cold beverages and keeping them chilled for around 8 hours (that’s right, again!).
What about iced beverages? 24 hours!
The entire French press mug is made with BPA-free, pure stainless steel. Talking about its mesh plunger, the filter screen of this mug is super fine enough to retain coffee grounds. It is also easy to clean and is dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning the mess.
What Is A French Press Coffee?
So, here’s what makes french press coffee, a french press coffee: French Press Coffee, Cafetière, or Cafetière à piston is a brewing method used for several years to make rich and smooth coffee.
Though legend believes that a french guy accidentally discovered the brewing method of a french press coffee, the very first french press machine was invented by an Italian designer named Attilio Calimani.
Modern french press coffee makers follow the same assembly and brewing method, with differences lying in their design and choice of materials used in their manufacturing.
The beauty of brewing french press coffee is simplicity in its method of extraction and the rich taste it exudes.
As long as you are familiar with the brewing technique of a french press coffee and are using a good french press coffee maker, you and the coffee of your dreams are only a few minutes away.
Components of a French Press Coffee Maker
If you have never brewed french press coffee before, it’s good to learn the brewing process beforehand. Although several modifications are now being made to enhance the visual appeal of french press coffee makers, certain elements still form a classic structure of french press.
Let’s have a look at the components of a french press coffee maker:
1. Carafe
2. Plunger
3. Filter screen
4. Spiral plate and Cross plate
5. Handle
Beaker or Carafe
Carafe forms the main container in which french press is brewed. It comes in different size dimensions. There is no hard and fast rule about the type of material used in a carafe. As a general rule of thumb, carafe should always be built from heat-resistant material that withstands thermal shock.
French press carafes are usually made from heat-resistant glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and plastic.
Glass
Glass has a low heat resistance and is unable to withstand thermal shock. To improve its thermal resistance, glass carafes in a french press coffee maker are made from borosilicate glass. This special type of glass is composed of boron trioxide and silica as the primary components, which makes it a highly resistant form of glass. Borosilicate glass is also lead and BPA-free, meaning its contents won’t leach into your coffee.
The main downside of glass carafes is that they are breakable, so they will only last until you don’t drop them.
Ceramic
Okay, some good things are expensive. Ceramic carafes are sturdy in construction and beautiful in design. They make up as the most visually appealing carafes and are generously coated internally to prevent staining. The material is also incredibly heat-resistant, but also breakable, so treat them with love!
Stainless Steel
If you are a clumsy coffeeholic who has mastered the art of falling, limping, and breaking things, then stainless steel carafes are made for you! Use them or abuse them, but these carafes won’t fall apart, and that’s their biggest advantage.
Another reason why stainless steel makes great carafe is that it’s mostly thick enough and vacuum sealed, so your brewed french press will remain piping hot for hours.
What’s more? stainless steel carafes are also available in different finishes and colors, giving you more options other than silvers.
Plastic
Wait; what? Can you brew a french press in a plastic carafe?
Well, you definitely can!
When buying a french press with plastic carafe, ensure that it’s built from premium styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN).
SAN is a particular type of plastic made from 80% styrene and 20% acrylonitrile, which makes it highly heat resistant and leach proof. Unlike other plastics, the contents of which make their way into your food and negatively impact your health, SAN won’t. With carafes made from BPA-free SAN, you can rest assured that your french press will remain safe and healthy.
Plunger
You can’t brew a french press without a plunger. It’s a simple device that actually presses your coffee grounds in a french press coffee maker and presents the most delicious coffee you’ve ever tasted.
A plunger has a rod attached to it, through which you press (or plunge) the coffee grounds slowly. The rod from the plunger extends down and adheres to the filter placed at the bottom of the carafe.
There’s one more thing you can do with the plunger – cleaning the aftermath…in a breeze. That’s right! Once you’re done with the brewing (and devouring that little cup of heaven), you can use the same plunger to clean your french press.
All you need to do is add some dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water in your carafe and move the plunger up and down to create foam. Repeat the process until your carafe is entirely free from coffee residues.
Filter Screen
Filter is probably the most important component of a french press. The right size of the filter is pivotal to ensure your brew is smooth. Some french press coffee makers contain multiple filters of fine mesh size to ensure that coffee grounds don’t sneak into your brew.
However, there’s one health concern among the coffee enthusiasts regarding filter and brewing methods of french press: Filters that are not fine enough may leave some components of coffee oils to brew into your coffee, including cafestol.
Studies have shown that cafestol is a compound in coffee that, in excess amount, increases the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol in your body. If high cholesterol intrigues you, you can look out for alternative options that absorb coffee oils and prevent cafestol from creeping into your brew. One excellent option is using a paper filter as it is believed to retain cholesterol elevating coffee oils.
Spiral Plate and Cross Plate
Both of these plates are placed on either side of the filter screen. A spiral plate is fixed above the filter screen and is the one that presses down the filter screen in your french press. A cross plate placed below the filter screen holds everything together.
Handle
A good handle will disperse heat and make you hold your french press without burning your hand. It’s often made of plastic or wood, but some varieties also contain a stainless steel or ceramic handle. Whatever material it is, don’t get carried away once your brew is ready and hold it with caution.
How To Use A French Press Coffee Maker?
If you’ve never brewed a French press coffee before, know that it will take time and practice to pull it off like a pro. It doesn’t really require a knack for brewing coffee as long as you know how to use a French press coffee maker.
While the words French press does mean as if you need to press the coffee grounds really well, it’s actually the steeping process beforehand that’s critical to extract flavors fully. Keep brewing, and you’ll be close to making that perfect cup of French press within no time.
Before beginning the brewing process, ensure that your coffee beans are freshly ground. The secret to brewing any flavorsome cup of coffee is to grind the coffee beans at the time of extraction.
Once you have the fresh coffee grounds at home, let the pressing begin!
Follow the below step-by-step method about how to use a French press coffee maker for a single serving:
1. Dispense about a tablespoon of your coffee grounds and transfer them to your French press carafe.
2. Separately boil water in a kettle or pan. Let the temperature of the boiling water lower down. Once the water has cooled down to about 205F (96C), it’s time to add it into the carafe.
3. If you are making one serving of French press, you’ll need a cup full of water (250ml).
4. Pour about 125ml or a half cup of water into the carafe of your French press. Leave your French press for a minute.
5. To start extraction, add the remaining 125ml of water into the French press and let the steeping begin. The minimum steeping time for French press starts from three minutes, but you can leave it a little longer to get the more concentrated brew.
6. Now is the time to ‘press’ your French press. Gently and slowly press the plunger of your French press towards the bottom of your carafe. Do not use extra weights to push the plunger. Go as far as the plunger lets you go and voila, you’re done!
7. You are now ready to serve your piping hot, freshly brewed French press coffee.
Tips On How To Make The Best French Press Coffee
So, you’ve learned the French press coffee brewing process step-by-step and are ready to pull your first most perfect shot? Perfect!
However, the more you know, the better French barista you will turn out to be! The secret sauce behind brewing the best French press coffee of your life is learning those little tips and tricks that can enhance the taste of your coffee and take it to a whole new level.
We have wrapped up some tips on how to make the best French press coffee. Give them a go and keep them in mind while you brew your first cup!
- Raising the temperature of carafe beforehand makes the extraction process better. Wash your french press carafe thoroughly and then rinse it with warm water before adding coffee grounds.
- Once you’ve brewed your french press coffee, transfer all of it in serving cups and the remaining coffee in another reservoir. Do not let your brewed coffee stay in the carafe for a longer time as it will continue to brew and become more concentrated and bitter.
- The size of coffee grounds is crucial in bringing out the right flavors in a french press. The best french press comes from fresh and coarse coffee grinds.
- Don’t go overboard with the measurements of coffee grounds and water per serving. For a single serving of french press, one cup or 250ml of water is optimum for one tablespoon of coffee grounds. Follow the instructions above about how to use a french press coffee and stick to it to brew that perfect cup.
- Do not add all of the water onto the coffee at once. Add a small amount of water on your coffee grounds and let the blooming begin.
- Hot water is always better than boiling water for brewing French press.
- Ensure that you’re using clean and filtered water for your french press coffee.
- Keep the carafe and other components of your french press clean. Wash all the parts thoroughly after brewing to prevent coffee residues from getting stuck into your french press.
Don’t Ignore Coffee Grounds
We have mentioned it time and again that freshly ground coffee beans taste way better than using ground coffee. It is because pre-ground coffee that has been left for a while has lesser number of coffee oils than freshly grounded coffee.
Also, a coarse grind is what you need to pull off the french press like a pro. You might shhh-away this thought, but it matters!
Don’t believe us? Try messing up your french press once by using fine ground coffee. There will be a huge difference in the taste of the two!
Or read on to know why grinding your coffee beans coarsely matters.
French press baristas swear by medium and medium-coarse coffee grinds. These grinds are less chunky, and their texture is similar to that of sea salt and rough sand.
There are a couple of reasons why the french press works best with medium and medium-coarse grinds.
Firstly, coarse coffee grounds extract a more balanced flavor in your coffee which is neither too strong nor overly bitter. Just the fresh and clear taste you love.
Using fine coffee grounds in a french press coffee maker will make your coffee too concentrated, as the finer particles make their way into your brew by passing through the filter. You will also be tasting those bitter gritty coffee residues in every sip!
Even if you are using a high-quality french press with multiple, finer filters affixed in the plunger assembly, you won’t get that authentic frenchy-french press taste in your brew.
Secondly, fine coffee grounds can mess up with your plunger. With fine grounds, you will need to exert more pressure on the plunger to bring out flavors. Coarse grounds, on the other hand, go light on the plunger and do not risk breaking the assembly during brewing.
How To Grind Beans For French Press
French press or no french press, grinding beans right before brewing makes the best coffees.
No matter how much you invest in that high-end store-bought coffee grounds, the taste of freshly roasted and ground beans is always unbeatable.
To pull that perfect shot of French press, you need to start with the right grind size. No matter how much you have mastered using a French press coffee maker, it’s the coffee grind that matters the most to bring out the flavor of your dreams.
Knowing how to grind beans for French press will make the entire brewing process pretty simple. You need to start with a good-quality coffee grinder here. No questions asked here.
Invest in one and your life will be at ease.
It can either be a manual grinder or an electric grinder.
By all means, do not try to turn your regular food processor or smoothie blender into a coffee grinder. Not only the coffee beans will stain them, but leave behind that coffee scent. You will also risk messing up with your equipment, so go the easy way.
Since French press coffee requires coarse coffee grounds, both manual and electric grinders will do the job for you. Based on your budget and the level of expertise, you are free to choose a grinder that works for your French press. However, if you want your grinder to produce a range of grind sizes, you might want to invest in a good electric grinder. Try going through our detailed review and buying guide on the top 10 best coffee grinders out there, along with these best 5 manual coffee grinders.
Cleaning French Press Coffee Maker
Let’s face it – regardless of how fancy your coffee maker is, if it’s messy it will only mess up with the taste of your coffee!
Knowing how to clean your french press coffee maker is, therefore, as vital as knowing how to brew french press coffee.
As much as we all love living up a steaming hot cup of French press, we all hate what’s in there waiting for us. But bear in mind, a dirty coffee maker will never brew delicious coffee. You gotta clean it and you gotta do it right away. Since we are talking about French press, the good news is that it is actually easy to clean – thanks to its simple assembly and relatively small size.
Cleaning french press coffee maker requires disassembly of the coffee maker, and keeping a mesh strainer in hand. You’ve no idea how easily it will clean up the aftermath!
However, if your french press is built from dishwasher-safe material, you can safely clean it through your dishwasher. If your french press is not dishwasher safe, you have no option other than following the tips below (it’s super simple, we promise!)
- Disassemble your french press by removing its plunger.
- Fill half of your french press with lukewarm water. Give your french press a gentle mix. This will help loosen up the coffee grounds that have settled at the bottom of the carafe.
- Take your mesh strainer and place it in your kitchen sink. Pour all the contents of your french press into the strainer and discard the filtrate. Throw away all the gunk and repeat the process.
- Once all of the coffee grounds have been removed, rinse your carafe once again.
- Add some soap and water in the carafe and give it a slight swirl. Repeat the process several times until all the residues, oil droplets, and coffee strains have washed away.
- To keep your carafe sparkling clean, add a pinch of baking soda along with warm water. Use a bottle brush and clean the carafe manually.
- Rinse again with warm and then cold water.
- Pat dry your now squeaky clean carafe with a clean cloth.
- Repeat the process every time you brew your french press coffee!
Cleaning Coffee Grounds From French Press
Here comes the not-so-fun part: cleaning coffee grounds from French press! (we hear you, coffeeholic!)
Knowing how to clean coffee grounds from French press and the right way to discard them is essential – both for your french press filter and your environment!
If you think you will get away with all those gritty grounds by draining them into the sink, or worse, into your toilet – think over again. Here’s why:
Unlike tea, coffee grounds tend to clump together when mixed with water. They won’t drain straight through your sink or toilet and instead will clog everything in between.
The best way to clean coffee grounds is by retaining them on a fine-mesh sieve. Add some water into your French press and pass it through the fine-mesh sieve. Repeat the process until you have retained all of the coffee grounds into the mesh. You can dump them into your kitchen garbage, or better, compost them and protect your environment.
Busting The Myth: “Why French Press Coffee Is Bad For You?”
Okay, so every French press lover has heard this before: Is French press coffee bad for you?
Yes, the poor thing is heavily blamed for being unhealthy, but how true is that? Let’s get straight into the facts.
In 2016, Harvard Health Publishing posted an article about the health impacts of French press on your health. While the coffee aficionados got deeply hurt, French press coffee was doubted for raising bad cholesterol or LDL in your body.
Here’s what’s (and what’s not) true about it.
Coffee grounds are composed of a number of chemical components and coffee oils. These include diterpenes as well, the oily compounds responsible for giving that bitter taste to your coffee. It’s the excess of cafestol, a type of diterpene in your unfiltered coffee that is shown to raise bad cholesterol or LDL in your body.
Since most French press coffee makers use stainless steel filters, some of the diterpenes make their way into the coffee. On the contrary, paper filters are widely acclaimed for retaining diterpenes and similar coffee oils.
No, you don’t really need to replace the stainless steel filters completely from your coffee, but you can use a paper filter on top to prevent the coffee oils from making their way into your French press. Furthermore, you can also limit the number of cups you sip in a day. Don’t fret about cutting out French press coffee entirely from your life as you will risk depriving yourself of all the benefits of caffeine, including cafestol.
That’s right. Cafestol and diterpenes are not all bad guys. Though excess of French press coffee can increase your LDL, moderate amounts of cafestol are actually known to fight inflammation and cancer-causing agents in your body.
What’s more, if you are taking your French press with sugar, you need to control your servings either way. Don’t go overboard by sipping 6-8 cups of French press a day (you shouldn’t be drinking any coffee in excess, of course!). It will only increase the risk of raising your cholesterol, as you’ll be taking more calories regardless.
So, Is French Press Coffee Healthy?
The health benefits of French press are very similar to those of your regular coffee. The stimulant properties of caffeine in your French press increases alertness and concentration, improving your productivity at work and home. Furthermore, the coffee beans are power packed with nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and niacin – some of which have a role in reducing blood sugar, lowering blood pressure, fight depression, and improving overall brain health.
Thus, the health benefits of caffeine are clear in preventing Type II diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases.
If you are taking French press in a moderate amount and are filtering it properly, you will be able to reap most of its benefits and reduce chances of messing up with your cholesterol. Furthermore, it is always advisable to keep a routine check on your cholesterol levels, whether you are French press-ing or not. Finally, limit the intake of sugars and creams in your coffee. They are far worse that the coffee oils alone!
Conclusion
By now, you are already familiar with our intense love for French press coffee. It’s dark; it’s aromatic, sublime, and packed with pure cafelicious bliss.
However, it is not possible to present a single French press coffee maker that suits everyone. The coffee universe is flooded with an immense range of French presses, that comes in all sizes, materials, filters, and volume capacities. We ensured to review the best out of each for you.
We hope this buying guide helped serve its purpose and eased the daunting buying task for you.
Till then, enjoy your coffee and keep caffeinating
Au revoir, amateur de café!
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