Complete Guide to French Press Coffee

Have you ever had French press coffee? well if you haven’t let me tell you it's silky smooth and indulgent. French press coffee has different names for example, in North America, it's known as French press or coffee press; in the United Kingdom and Ireland as a cafetière; and in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa it's known as a coffee plunger.

French press coffee maker is most used coffee brewing method, now you ask me why the main reason is its simplicity, you can brew several servings in a single French press brew.

French Press Coffee

In my view, you don't need convincing how awesome this home brewing method is, however you do have a real dilemma as there are so many to choose from, so how do you choose the best French press maker?

Well, worry not I have personally gone ahead and tested the most popular French presses, and I was able to narrow the list down to 5 Best French press coffee makers, however, I did not stop there, to ensure you have all of the information before you make the buying decision I have also included the buying guide after the detailed reviews.

OUR TOP PICK

Bodum Chambord French Press - Best Overall

Chambord French press brews a premium cup of Coffee in just 4 minutes, simply add course ground Coffee, hot water and press.

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Quick Summary: Our Top 5 Picks for French Press Coffee

• Bodum Chambord French Press Best Overall
• KONA French Press Coffee Maker
• Secura French Press Coffee Maker
• Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker
• SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker

Quick Summary: The Best French Press Coffee

	Best Overall Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker	Classic design Leak-proof lid S3-part filter system Capacity: 32oz	CHECK PRICE
	Amazon's Choice KONA French Press Coffee Maker	Modern design BPS / BPA free lid 3-part stainless steel filter Thick borosilicate glass carafe Capacity: 32oz	CHECK PRICE
	Insulated Coffee Press Secura French Press Coffee Maker	Practical design Fully insulated 3-layered filter Capacity: 34oz	CHECK PRICE
	Stylish and Sturdy Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker	Trendy design Fully insulated 2-layer filter Better heat retention Capacity: 34oz	CHECK PRICE
	Amazon's Choice SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker	Stainless Steel Body Fully Insulated dishwasher safe Capacity: 34oz, 51oz, and 60oz	CHECK PRICE

5 Best French Press Coffee Makers

1. Bodum Chambord French Press - Best Overall

Bodum Chambord French Press - Best Overall

Chambord French press brews a premium cup of Coffee in just 4 minutes, simply add course ground Coffee, hot water and press.

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Bodum Chambord French press coffee maker is a true classic, this was designed in the 1950s in honor of Château de Chambord in France. Chambord French Press can make 8 cups of coffee, 4oz each in just 4 minutes. It's a glass french press, however, don't let this worry you because it's available in Borosilicate Glass or Recyclable Shatterproof Beaker.

This has a 3-part stainless steel plunger and a mesh filter that brings out your coffee's aromatic oils and subtle flavors rather than being absorbed by a paper filter which is normally made of plastic. This coffee press also features Bodum's patented safety lid to keep contents from spilling and it's also dishwasher safe.

Final advice: Buy good coffee. Know your beans, and make sure it's ground very coarse (specifically for a French Press).

2. KONA French Press Coffee Maker - Beautiful and Functional

KONA French Press - Beautiful and Functional

Make a delicious tasting cup of coffee like a world class Barista.

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KONA French press coffee maker allows you to make an awesome tasting cup of coffee which is on the world-class Barista level.

For KONA to deliver barista level coffee, they have designed a reliable and well-built coffee press. KONA also promises their French press will turn any ordinary coffee into a gourmet tasting coffee and if they fail to deliver on that you can get your money back, so in my view, it's a win-win situation.

This coffee press also with a unique and attracted outer shell, so not only it looks stylish, but also protects the 34 oz borosilicate glass carafe from chips and cracks, also this features a BPS / BPA free lid so it ensures no plastic comes in contact with your hot or cold brew while steeping.

And finally, this coffee press can make 8 cups of coffee, 4oz each.

3. Secura French Press Coffee Maker - Insulated Coffee Press

Secura French Press - Insulated Coffee Press

This Stainless steel French press maker comes with Cool touch handle and knob for comfortable and safe pouring.

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Secura stainless steel French Press coffee maker is made of 18/10 stainless steel inside / outside and this type of construction will outlast any coffee press.

This coffee press has a double-wall construction so it is very efficient in heat retention in comparison to single-wall construction. In other words, this keeps your coffee fresh and hot for longer.

It comes with a 3-layered stainless steel filter and traps the smallest coffee grounds to produce a full-bodied coffee.

And Secura has designed this coffee press with a cool-touch handle and knob for comfortable and safe pouring. The capacity of the Secura stainless steel French coffee press is 34 oz.

4. Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker - Stylish and Sturdy

Coffee Gator French Press - Stylish and Sturdy

Your coffee. Your way. Whenever. Wherever.

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Now, this French press is from my favorite company Coffee Gator. This coffee press is a new entrant in the coffee market, however, it's a premium design and has a double insulated stainless steel body.

This will keep your coffee (or tea) warm for at least 60 minutes, comes with a cool-touch handle that protects your hands. The stainless steel double filtration system means you drink coffee - rather than eating it. A sprung guard holds everything in place and plunging like a dream.

This coffee brewer is not designed for use on direct heat. So avoid using on a stove or any kind of open flame.

5. SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker - Brews Great Tasting Coffee

SterlingPro French Press - Buy this one stop looking!!

Your coffee. Your way. Whenever. Wherever.

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SterlingPro French press coffee maker has superior stainless steel design, constructed from the finest 18/10 stainless steel, comes with a double-wall design that will keep your coffee warmer for a long time while keeping the outside of coffee press cooler to touch.

Capacity: 34oz, 51oz, and 60oz, so you can make a lot of coffee and keep it warmer for longer.

Filter screens come apart very easily for cleaning and that you can throw the whole shebang in the dishwasher. Very handy. BONUS: It will keep your cold brew coffee extra freaking cold!

Buying Guide

Choosing the Best French Press Coffee Maker is not Easy! Because what may suit one person might not suit another person, In my view, this section will help you in making the final buying decision.

Best French Press Brands

Bodum

Bodum was started by Peter Bodum in 1994 in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is known for its Scandinavian design pedigree.

Bodum introduced its first French Press coffee maker in 1974, Bodum is famous for its design and affordable prices.

Secura

Secura is a leading small appliance manufacturer in North America. Their products, sold under the SECURA and DUXTOP brands.

Coffee Gator

Coffee Gator was founded by Phil Williams.

This company is relatively new, however, don't let the age of this company fool you, this company has managed to get a cult-like following.

Coffer Gator offers coffee gear like French press coffee maker, pour-over coffee makers, and cold brew coffee maker as well just to name a few.

What is a French Press?

A French press is an ‘infusion’ method, which means the coffee and water steep together to make something incredible i.e silky smooth coffee if prepared right.

French Press Carafe

Carafes available today are typically made of glass, stoneware, stainless steel, and plastic. However stainless steel and glass are only two I'll recommend, let me explain why:

Stainless Steel:

Now if you're looking for a French press coffee carafe that won't break if you accidentally dropped it, then a stainless steel carafe is the way to go.

Stainless steel carafes are normally double-walled and they keep your freshly brewed coffee warmer in comparison to other types of the carafe for a much longer time as they are vacuum-sealed.

Borosilicate Glass:

Borosilicate Glass is primarily made of silica and boron trioxide. This type of glass is very efficient in thermal shock in comparison with any other type of glass. Borosilicate Glass can withstand temperature differences without breaking of about 165°C or 329°F.

Though Borosilicate Glass Carafe is an excellent product in itself, if you drop it on a hard surface I can guarantee, you will be saying goodbye to this carafe for sure.

Stoneware:

Expensive and very easily breakable, even more, fragile in comparison to Borosilicate Glass, so it's a no-no for me.

Plastic:

Nowadays these are made from BPA free plastics and they have been tested to be safe, however, it doesn't matter how much you will spend on a plastic carafe, plastic is still plastic and it leaves an after taste no matter what, so once again it's a no-no for me.

French Press Coffee Ratio

How to Make French Press Coffee

At the most basic level, you chuck in coffee, fill with water, push the plunger, and pour.

Here’s how it’s done properly:

1. Warm press and mugs with hot water then discard as needed
2. Spoon required amount of freshly ground coarse coffee into the French press
3. Heat measured water to as close to 96°C (205°F) as possible
4. Steadily pour water into press getting all coffee wet (leaving plunger and lid off)
5. Stir, then steep for four minutes
6. After four minutes, spoon-off any foam on the surface
7. Fill the press with water all the way up
8. Place the lid on without pushing the plunger (it only stirs silt at the bottom)
9. Steep for further 5 minutes
10. Push the plunger all the way down
11. Pour coffee slowly through a mesh into the cup stopping before pouring the silty dregs
12. Enjoy a delicious, silt free cup of French press coffee

French Press: Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee do you put in a French press?

A good rule of thumb is to follow a 1:15 ratio of coffee to water. So simply put for every gram of coffee you use, you should add 15 grams of water, which translates to 3 tablespoons of coffee for 1 cup of water. However, feel free to experiment so you can find out what ratio works for you.

Why French press coffee is bad for you?

Lately French press coffee has been in the news, according to some media outlets, this brewing method is unhealthy as it does not filter out cafestol. Cafestol is a substance can cause LDL (bad cholesterol), levels to rise.

Does French press have more caffeine?

Yes as it's very very concentrated, till now people thought espresso contains more, but the reality is French press coffee has 107.5mg per 8 ounces cup.

Can I use regular coffee in a French press?

Yes, you can, a French press is quite forgiving and you can essentially brew any type of regular ground coffee. As a matter of fact, you can use the medium to coarse ground coffee, however, it is always advised to use the fresh ground coffee to get the best results.

Which French press is better: glass or stainless steel?

Stainless Steel is a better choice, primarily for two reasons: Firstly, stainless steel as the material will keep the coffee hotter for a longer time as most of them are insulated and secondly, stainless steel is shatterproof. Glass as a material is aesthetically pretty to look at but as soon as you drop it on a hard surface you can say goodbye to the glass carafe.

Finally - Which French Press Should You Buy?

First of all, thanks for making to the end of this guide, I hope it was worth it.

Finally, in my view Bodum Chambord French Press is your best choice if you are ok with a glass carafe, however, if you want a shatter-proof French press then I will recommend SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker.

Thanks for stopping by, happy brewing.