If you enjoy flavorful, full-bodied coffee, a French press should be your go-to brewing method.
A French press is a type of manual coffee maker that consists of a plunger, a cylindrical carafe, and a filter that purifies coffee to give it an earthy, rich flavor. It steeps coarse grinds in the heated water for a lengthy period.
Brewing with a French press is simple, quick, and consistent. It doesn’t require a perfect pouring technique or take up much counter space (like a drip machine).
Short Answer: There are numerous French press coffee makers on the market, and I’ve selected 3 that may be suitable for your brewing needs: the Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press, the Kona French Press Coffee Maker, and the Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker.
Come with me as we go a little deeper to find out why the French press is one of the most popular ways to brew coffee. I’ll also review the 3 brands of French presses I mentioned above and why I think they’re the best.
Advantages of brewing with a French press
A French press is one of the most favored ways to brew coffee and you’re about to find out why coffee lovers prefer this brewing method.
It’s affordable
A French press can cost anywhere from $7.99 to $129.99, and there are a variety of sizes and models to choose from.
It makes full-bodied and flavorful coffee
In a French press, there is no paper filter, so more of the oils in the coffee beans are able to get into the brew. This makes the drink more rich and flavorful.
It’s the oils that give the coffee its taste and make it different from other brewing methods.
You get to be in charge of how your coffee tastes
When using a French press, you get to control the water temperature and brewing time, unlike with a drip machine that’s mostly automatic. This means you can experiment and decide exactly how you want your coffee to taste.
If you’re interested in knowing more about how water temperature affects the taste of coffee, you can check out my post right here.
You can take and use it anywhere
A French press can be used almost anywhere. It’s a one-piece coffee maker that can be easily put in your luggage, so you can have great coffee wherever you go.
Just because hotel rooms now have pod machines doesn’t mean you have to settle for stale, poorly prepared coffee.
The clever idea is to utilize the hotel pod machine to get hot water then use your French press to brew your own great-tasting coffee using freshly ground beans. I have another post about the best ground coffee beans you can brew at home or wherever you go you can read here.
Differences between a French press and a drip coffee maker
The basic difference between a French press and a drip coffee maker is the extraction of coffee in hot water.
Hot water passes through coffee grinds in a drip coffee machine, removing oils from the coffee. In contrast, coffee grinds are steeped in water for a lengthy period in a French press.
| Factors | Drip coffee | French Press |
| Machine type | Mostly automatic | Mostly manual |
| Volume | 1/4 spoon of coffee per 6oz of water | 1.5 tsp of coffee per 4oz of water |
| Strength | From mild to strong | From mild to strong |
| Flavor | Clean body, simple flavor, can be flat | Strong flavor, rich taste |
| Quality | Average | Very good |
| Time to brew | About 5 minutes | About 4 minutes |
| Ease of use | Very easy | Moderately difficult |
Watch the following video to know more about how a French press differs from a drip coffee maker.
How do you use a French press
Not sure how to use a French press? Here are simple steps you can follow.
- Put the pot on a flat, dry surface. While holding the handle firmly, pull out the plunger
- Add 7-8 grams (a heaping tablespoon) of coffee to the pot containing 200 ml (6.7 oz) of water
- Pour hot water into the pot, and stir gently
- Replace the plunger into the pot carefully, stopping just above the water and ground coffee, and let stand for 3-4 minutes
- Now slowly press the plunger down, exerting steady pressure
- When you are done using it, don’t forget to wash the pot with water and mild detergent, and dry thoroughly.
What is the coffee water ratio for French Press?
A coarse, consistent grind is essential for French press coffee. Experts recommend beginning with a 1:12 coffee-to-water ratio. If you have 350 grams of water, you’ll need to put in 30 grams of coffee.
To start, gently add twice as much water to your coffee grounds as you do to your cup.
To know more about the ideal coffee to water ratio, I wrote an entire article for this topic right here.
Refer to the following table to know what’s the perfect coffee and water ratio for a French press.
| 3 cups | 8 cups | 12 cups | |
| Coffee | 17-19 grams (3-4 Tbsp) | 50-56 grams (10-11 Tbsp) | 82-88 grams (1 cup of coffee) |
| Water | 290 grams (10 oz.) | 850 grams (30 oz.) | 1350 grams (47 oz.) |
| Serving | 1 | 2-3 | 4-5 |
Best French press coffee makers
As promised, here are my in-depth reviews of the best French press coffee makers so that you can make the best choice.
Best Overall – Frieling Double-Wall Stainless Steel French Press
The Frieling Double-Wall Stainless Steel French Press is made of shiny stainless steel, which makes it look nice and sleek. It also has a long handle that makes it easy to lift and pour your coffee in your mug or cup.
It comes with a two-layer filter: a pre-filter that traps the bigger coffee grinds, as well as a fine mesh filter for the rest of the remaining coffee sediments.
As I mentioned a while ago, this coffee maker is made of stainless steel and has a double-wall structure that holds heat 4 times longer than glass French presses, so it can also be used as a serving carafe for other drinks.
The main disadvantage of this coffee maker is that you can’t look through the carafe to see how much coffee is in it.
Advantages
- Durable
- Eye-catching design
- Great heat retention
- Superior coffee flavor
Disadvantages
- Can’t see through the carafe
- Finish is prone to spots and smudges
- Heavier than other models
- Expensive
Price: $109.95
Best in Durability – Kona French Press Coffee Maker
If you have a large and busy family, a glass coffee maker may seem like a bad idea. Fortunately, the Kona French Press Coffee Maker has an insulated outside sleeve to protect it from dents, chips, and breakage.
The combination of the glass body and the plastic sleeve makes it quite lightweight, durable, and portable. You just have to be a bit cautious while using it because it’s also easy to tip over.
It’s an all-time favorite item for online shoppers with a lot of positive reviews. People like it since it’s easy to clean, well-designed, and most of all it’s also reasonably priced. It’s also dishwasher safe, making it an excellent choice for busy families.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Protective outer shell
- Modern, lightweight design
Disadvantages
- Some grounds slip through its filter
- There are only 2-size options
Price: $31.99
Best Design – Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
Bodum has been producing French press coffee makers for decades, and they have a large selection to offer their customers.
The Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker comes with a heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe and a plastic handle and base, making it easy to use and clean. It’s available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 12 to 51 ounces.
The plunger is made of stainless steel, and the mesh filter helps in the extraction of aromatic oils while capturing the grounds left behind. The design is both modern and elegant, complementing any kitchen décor.
However, the plunger may seem a little unstable at times, resulting in some coffee grinds ending up in your mug.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Classic design
- Broad range of sizes and finishes
Disadvantages
- Plunger can be wobbly
- Some grounds ending up in your mug
- The frame around the carafe slips slightly
Price: $33
To sum it all up
Many coffee connoisseurs say that the French press method produces the best cup of coffee.
This compact, portable gem allows its users to create a cup of coffee that suits their taste. By retaining more of the natural oils from the coffee grounds, it’s known to make a rich, full-bodied coffee that many other high-end automatic machines fail to deliver.
The coffee maker’s simplicity and ease of use have made it very popular among households. Just be careful and make sure to follow the coffee and water ratio I mentioned earlier, and you’ll have a drink that will satisfy your taste buds.
Of the French press coffee makers I reviewed, my personal favorite would be the Kona French Press Coffee Maker because it’s affordable, durable, and well-designed. It’s also easy to maintain and clean.
If you don’t own a French press yet, I highly recommend that you buy and try one especially those I recommended on this post and I’m sure you won’t regret your purchase when you get to taste the coffee it makes.
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