A French Press brews "normal" coffee, like a percolator or drip machine, not concentrated espresso.
Fans of French Press coffee claim that the natural oils that give coffee its flavor are better retained, compared to drip filter coffee (the paper filter absorbs the oils). In addition, water temperature and brewing time is easily controlled, allowing customizable extraction of coffee flavor.
A French Press coffee maker (or coffeemaker) is attractively simple. There is no complex electrical machinery. Only hot water is required. This makes it suitable for camping and office cubicles. It can also be used for brewing loose-leaf tea.
At home, a French Press takes up little space and is relatively easy to clean. They can cost as little as $10, with premium models still being affordable at $100. Popular brands include Bonjour, Frieling and Bodum (Melior).
The capacity of a French Press is measured in 4-ounce cups. A 32 ounce French Press has an 8 cup capacity.
How a French Press Pot Works
A French Press is a jug with a plunger. Coarsely ground coffee beans are placed into the jug, followed by almost-boiling water. The mixture is briefly stirred. The cover (with attached plunger in the raised position) is then placed over the jug to reduce heat loss.
After brewing or steeping for about four minutes, the plunger is slowly pushed down. A sieve at the end of the plunger strains the coffee, trapping the ground beans at the bottom of the jug.
The coffee is now ready for drinking.
Stainless Steel, Glass, Plastic and Thermal Insulated French Presses
Glass French Pots are traditional and are still popular. Many have metal frames to protect the fragile glass. They look like lanterns. Newer designs have insulating plastic frames with clear see-through windows.
The problem with glass jugs is that they break easily. Replacement jugs are available but they aren't cheap.
"Unbreakable" plastic (usually polycarbonate) jugs are cheap and light. The plastic insulates the coffee, which helps with the brewing process. Some contain no metal parts at all and can be microwaved. Unfortunately they scratch easily.
Stainless steel jugs are the toughest but also the most expensive. Double-walled jugs are thermally insulated because of the gap between the walls. Some double-walled jugs are vacuum jugs but many are not. A lot of heat will be lost through the lid anyway (the plunger makes it difficult to insulate the lid) so a vacuum jug isn't much of an advantage.
The main advantage of thermal insulation is that it maintains a high water temperature during the short brewing process. Keeping the coffee hot for a few hours will over-extract the beans and turn the coffee bitter. To keep the coffee hot, it should be poured into a standard insulated mug or jug, leaving the coffee beans behind in the French Press.
Single-walled stainless steel jugs should be avoided. Any dents on the wall can jam the plunger.
Some French Presses are built as travel mugs. While convenient
- An insulated mug will cause over-extraction of the coffee.
- A non-insulated mug will let the coffee get cold, which is especially bad for a travel mug.
- The plunger makes it difficult to design a leak-proof lid.
It is better to use a normal French Press and pour the brewed coffee into a standard travel coffee mug.
Whatever the material or design, a jug that is wide enough to insert a hand is easier to clean.
French Press Coffee Maker Plungers and Screens
Aside from broken glass carafes, broken plungers and screens are common problems.
All-metal plungers and screens are proven designs, able to withstand hot water for years. Some seemingly metal screens have plastic joints or rivets hidden inside. Plastic screens and plungers may or may not last as long, depending on the design and the material.
Single-layer mesh screens are easier to clean. Screens with two or three layers can trap coffee grounds and need to be disassembled for cleaning.
Even the best screens can fail after a few years and will need to be replaced. One advantage of buying an established brand is that replacement screens and plungers are easy to find.
Some jugs have a second mesh screen in the lid to trap any grounds that might have escaped the main plunger screen.
The Best French Press Coffee Maker
Stainless steel double-walled French Presses are good for general use. They are tough and insulated enough to help produce a good brew.
Traditional glass French Presses are fragile but look good. They make a good conversation piece in the office or when entertaining at home. The steeping and plunging process can be seen through the glass, still a novelty for many people.
Plastic French Presses are light and tough, making them good for camping.
Espresso fans should consider a moka coffee maker.
Yuen Kit Mun - Kit Mun is a self-confessed information junkie, reading an average of a book a week over the past two decades. His growing Internet ...
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