French Press Coffee Maker [COMPLETE GUIDE]

 Looking for French press information  ? You are in good luck since you will find absolutely everything you need to know  about these small coffee makers below  . 🙂

This comprehensive guide is for you if:

• you are looking to buy a French press coffee maker
• you are looking for a comparison of French press coffee makers
• you want to know the different criteria to make the right choice
• you want to learn how to best use it to drink good coffee
• you are interested in the history of this coffee maker
• you want to know the opinion of coffee lovers  

Advantages and disadvantages of the French press

The French press has many advantages and ultimately few disadvantages compared to many other extraction methods.

We have presented these different advantages and disadvantages in the table below.
If you want to go further and have more details, everything will be explained through this very detailed article.

Benefits	Disadvantages
Easy to use Allows you to obtain very aromatic coffees Space- saving Very accessible (price) Varied capacity Coffee in 5 minutes	The service must be done quickly (otherwise the infusion continues and the coffee becomes too strong) The right grind size (quite coarse) is not found everywhere A small deposit of coffee grounds can sometimes settle at the bottom of the cup Coffee in 5 minutes (for those in a hurry)

The 5 best French press coffee makers: French press comparison

I would like to introduce you to several French press coffee makers to help you make a choice if you do not already have your coffee maker.

Are you already the proud owner of a French press? I invite you to go down a little lower if you want to know how to best use it to be sure to make a good coffee for sure!

Of course,  all of these coffee makers make great coffee . Despite some differentiating elements with regard to use, most of the time the choice will be made on the visual aspect of the French press as well as on its capacity.

Anyway, I hope you find your happiness and to help you, I present  the advantages and disadvantages of each .

Stainless steel French press coffee maker

This essential coffee maker is completely made of  stainless steel . It has a double thickness wall to keep the heat inside.

Discover the stainless steel French press coffee maker

The  clean design  of this coffee maker makes it a simple and ideal piece for people who want a simple coffee maker that will make good coffee.

Benefits	Disadvantages
No flavor alteration Easy to wash Good grip Sober design Resistant over time Retains heat well Available in 35 cl / 80 cl / 1L	Opaque, does not allow the infusion to be seen

original french press

If you are tired of always seeing the same type of design for French press coffee makers, you should enjoy this next French press that I present to you here.

It is a  coffee maker with a particularly original aesthetic  that reminds us of a labyrinth.

See the coffee maker

Benefits	Disadvantages
No flavor alteration Easy maintenance Wide handle for a good grip Transparent Original design Available in black or white	Only available in 35 cl or 80 cl A little too original for some?

La Chambord: glass French press coffee maker

Now, I present to you a great classic in the world of coffee: the chambord ! This is a glass coffee maker particularly renowned among coffee lovers.

The Bodum brand is indeed a reference and this model in particular has made this brand what it is today.

Discover the Chambord coffee maker

You have the choice between several different sizes, to choose according to your needs.

Benefits	Disadvantages
Reference in terms of French press (sure value) Practical and light Sober and simple Easy to clean Anti-scalding handle no alteration of flavors Available in 35 cm / 60 cl / 1 L	Glass carafe which can be fragile

The Crucible

Here is an unusual French press coffee maker since it is neither plastic, nor stainless steel, nor glass. This coffee maker is made of ceramic and will therefore last you for years, if you take care of it.

The little “plus”: it is made in France!

Discover the coffee maker

Benefits	Disadvantages
– No flavor alteration – High heat resistance – Vintage design – 5 year warranty	– Fragile – Opaque

Bialetti -Coffee Press Presioza

Bialetti is a brand of coffee accessories (and today kitchen accessories in general). It's an Italian brand that you certainly know if you are interested in coffee.

It is indeed at the origin of the famous Moka coffee maker. Today, it offers all types of coffee makers, like this French press coffee maker with a design reminiscent of this famous Moka. The handle has indeed been designed as a nod to their bestseller.

On this metal structure, we can see the shape of the logo representing the founder of the brand.

See on Amazon

Benefits	Disadvantages
– No flavor alteration – Sure value, quality	- Brittle

Melitta

Melitta is another well-known brand in the coffee industry. The main difference with the Bodum plunger is that the handle is an extension of the beaker since it is also made of glass.

In addition, there are indications for use on the glass in order to facilitate the dosage.

See the coffee maker

Benefits	Disadvantages
– Quality mark – No flavor alteration – Graduations – Easy to wash	– Fragile glass carafe – The handle can get hot

Bodum French press coffee maker 1L

Ideal for large families or people who like to invite! The  1 liter coffee maker will allow you to make up to 8 cups in a single infusion .

A large format coffee maker to avoid having to make several coffees in a row or in the same day.

If you don't drink a lot of coffee, I urge you to choose one of the other 2-cup (or 3,350ml) French presses instead.

See the coffee maker

Benefits	Disadvantages
allows you to make a large quantity of coffee solidity (stainless steel) No flavor alteration Easy to wash	takes up more space

How to choose your French press coffee maker? 4 steps

I have introduced you to several coffee makers that you might be interested in. Each has its advantages and disadvantages…

…. maybe you have already made your choice?

If this is not the case, I present below the 4 steps you must pay attention to before setting your sights on one or the other of these  French press .

1. The material of the coffee maker

The first thing to keep in mind when deciding to buy a French press is that different materials are used to make these coffee makers.

We are talking here about the carafe, which can be made of  glass ,  plastic  or  metal  (usually stainless steel).

These three materials have their advantages and disadvantages, described in this table:

Material	Benefits	Disadvantages
Glass	Nice material Does not affect the quality of the extraction Easy to maintain	Brittle
Stainless steel	Solid Does not affect the quality of the extraction Easy to maintain	Opaque: you don't have the chance to see what's going on inside during the infusion...
Plastic	Solid Easy to maintain	Plastic can distort the extraction and (slightly) change the taste of the coffee. A disadvantage for the most observant of us!

2. The size of the coffee maker

Important detail, you have to choose  the right size  ! And yes, there are French presses of all sizes. Some are suitable for one or two people, others go up to 12 cups.

It is important not to be mistaken. How many of you will be enjoying good coffee with your French press coffee maker?

• In general, stores (physical or online) indicate the capacity in centilitres and number of cups when you choose your coffee maker.

3. The design of the coffee maker

Elegant, sober, flashy or original... Have you ever wondered  what style of coffee maker would go well in your kitchen or living room?

This may be a detail for some people who simply want to enjoy a good coffee. Nevertheless, design remains an important element for all those who love beautiful objects and attach importance to each of the objects found in their interior.

So, if you like things that stand out, maybe you'd be more tempted by the original French press . If you are rather minimalist and like simple things, then a  French press design  will undoubtedly make you happy.

4. The ergonomics of the coffee maker

Some coffee makers are sometimes very pretty, but not always easy or practical to use . Indeed, some manufacturers will favor a particular look by somewhat neglecting the practical and ergonomic aspect.

However, these are essential qualities for a coffee maker that we use almost every day.

(several times a day for some of us… 😋).

It is therefore important to check that the handle is suitable and avoids any risk of burns.

If there is no handle, the ideal is therefore to have a diameter of the coffee maker small enough to be well taken in hand.

The wall should also protect you from the heat. ​​

Ergonomics is a detail to pay attention to when you are about to choose a French press.

The 4 particularities of the French press coffee maker

In addition to its appearance, which makes this coffee maker a real decorative piece, why are so many of us owning one?

We find the French press in very many homes which nevertheless have more recent types of coffee makers, such as Nespresso machines.

So  why is this coffee maker so popular?

1. The extraction method

The very first reason I could give is the fact that  this coffee maker is unlike any other , both in its appearance and in the way it works.

This is a coffee maker that offers a very special extraction method, which no other coffee maker or coffee machine allows: free infusion .

It is this type of extraction that is used in “cupping”. This technique has been adopted by professionals  to assess the quality of a coffee.

Even if the professionals do not use a french press, they use the same concept. This is the best way to discover all the richness of a coffee.

• A cupping session?

Indeed, during a cupping session, the idea is to compare several coffees.

1.  We then have several cups at the bottom of which we place a certain quantity of coarsely ground coffee.

Each cup contains a different coffee.​

2.  There, we add the water in contact with the coffee then mix a little with the help of a spoon.

3.  Let this steep for several minutes. You have to wait for the ground coffee to settle at the bottom of the cup.

4.  Now it's time to compare the aromas and taste the different coffees.

It is with a free infusion that we test coffees. This type of infusion allows the coffee to reveal all its richness and particularities.

In fact, unlike all the other ways to extract coffee, here the coffee is left completely free in the water.

It is not the water that comes through the coffee, as with a filter coffee or an espresso.

2. The taste obtained with the French press

If done well, French press coffee is not too strong. It appeals to many people for whom espressos are sometimes too strong and who wish to enjoy less strong coffees.

The coffee has plenty of time to fully release its aromas  and flavors into the water because it is allowed to express itself freely in the water. This sometimes allows you to truly rediscover a coffee.

If you are used to drinking filter coffee, be aware that the coffee oils are largely absorbed by the paper filter. With the French press, there is no risk. You will then be able to enjoy all that your coffee has to offer!

3. Ease of use

To use a French press, it is not necessary to have a very rich knowledge of coffee and all its subtleties.

The french press is quite simple to use unlike other extractions  which require attention to a lot of details.

Indeed, coffee lovers know that many components come into play in the development of a very good coffee.

For example, to make a good espresso , it is important to know exactly how to adjust your grinder to obtain the perfect grind size. It is also necessary to put a precise quantity of coffee. Then, it is necessary to know how to pack your coffee well so that the flow is fluid, but that it does not exceed 25 seconds.

In short, you don't become a barista overnight!

However, making good coffee with a French press is within everyone's reach. Just follow the different steps presented a little later in this article.

But before that, you have to be able to choose your coffee maker from among all those on the market. This is what we help you do a little earlier in this article.

4. French press or Italian?

If you want to buy a coffee maker other than an espresso machine, it's because you are a real coffee lover and you like to explore and discover new flavors!

But for that, there is not only the French press coffee maker and perhaps you sometimes wonder if you should  opt for a French press or rather for an Italian coffee maker?

The ideal as an enthusiast is not to choose… and to buy them both! But of course, this is not an option for everyone.

So even if you have to choose between the two,  we still suggest the French press coffee maker, which is easier to use , especially if you have an espresso machine at home.

If you like to make new experiences, then you will have to opt for the latter which will offer you richer flavors and aromas for the same coffee.

French press: Instructions for use

We are now going to explain to you what are the steps to follow to make a good coffee with your new French press coffee maker.

As you certainly know, to obtain good coffee, it is best to grind your coffee yourself, just before brewing .

It is for this reason that here, I will assume that you have a coffee grinder at home and that you therefore have the possibility of carrying out this preparation step.

If you wish to acquire a coffee grinder in order to obtain the ideal grind for your coffee, I invite you to come and read  this article  in order to make your choice.

Of course, if ever you don't have a coffee grinder and you don't want one, then you can skip step 2 regarding coffee grinding.

Be careful then, if you want a perfect coffee and you do not want to find grind residues in your cup, it is better to buy  coffee ground especially for the French press . For this you can go to a roaster or in specialized shops.

Operation of the French press

Even if you have never used a French press before,  you will quickly understand how it works as it is so simple.

Even without having analyzed this coffee maker with great precision, you could see that it was in fact a simple container, which sometimes takes the form of a glass beaker for example.

From there, one could simply place the coffee inside then add the hot water and let it steep before serving.

Except that if it stopped there, it would not be ideal when serving and not very pleasant to drink, because too large quantities of grind residues would end up landing in our cup!

This is why the French press has… a piston!

This cylindrical part is nothing more than a filter which adapts perfectly to the diameter of the coffee maker and which makes it possible to store the ground coffee in the bottom of the container after infusion, to serve your coffee easily.

Necessary accessories for the preparation of the coffee press

So let's get to the preparation of the elements you will need to make your coffee:

• Your french press
• Kettle
• A coffee grinder
• Coffee beans (or already ground)
• Spoon
• Measuring spoon or small scale
• Cup(s)
• A stopwatch

Press coffee maker use: the 4 steps for a good coffee

Here are the different steps you will need to follow to make the best piston coffee possible!

Step 1: Preheating

The first step will consist of preheating your coffee maker and your cups so that your coffee is received in good conditions.

To do this, you just need to fill them with hot water. You can use hot tap water or the water you are going to heat to make your coffee.

Step 2: Dosing and grinding the coffee

The next step is to grind your coffee fairly coarsely (with a manual grinder, for example). I will explain later which coffee to choose for this particular coffee maker.

The question that arises rather here is  : how much coffee should you grind?  The answer to this question varies for several reasons.

1. you will have to take into account the size of your coffee maker.  You will not take the same amount of coffee for a 3-cup coffee maker as for an 8-cup coffee maker, for example.

2. You also have to take your tastes into account!  And yes, generally, it is accepted that there are doses to respect, but that does not mean that you cannot put a little more or a little less coffee if you prefer it that way.

The recommended amount for 2 cups of coffee (about 300ml) is 18g . You can simply multiply these numbers to adapt the amount of grind you need, and then adapt according to your tastes.

Step n°3: The infusion

Once your coffee grinds are ready, all you have to do is put it in the bottom of the coffee maker. There,  you will have to come and add very hot water  (not boiling, but simmering!) and start the stopwatch.

After a minute, you will be able to mix with your spoon so that the water soaks up the grind. You will then disperse the thickness that will have formed at the top of the coffee maker. Then you can come and remove the lid to keep the coffee warm while it is brewing.

After another 3 minutes your coffee will be ready. All you have to do is  push the plunger down to trap the grind  at the bottom of your coffee maker to serve your coffee.

Step 4: Service and tasting

There, you can pour the coffee obtained directly into the cup(s) that you had made available to you.

However, if you ever have several cups to fill, it is better to use another container in which you will pour all the coffee and which will then only be used to serve the cups.

Indeed, the coffee obtained is not homogeneous. The first cup may taste less than the last. It is for this reason that using an additional container can be useful, it will help to obtain an even mixture.

It's high time to enjoy your coffee that you have prepared with love!  ❤️

In summary, how to use your French press coffee maker?

In summary, here are the steps for preparing coffee with a 300 ml French press:

1. Preheat French press and cups
2. Place approximately 18g of coarsely ground coffee in the French press
3. Pour hot water over
4. Wait 1 minute, then stir lightly
5. Wait another 3 minutes and then push the plunger down
6. Serve the coffee!

Coffee for French press: how to choose?

As with all other types of coffee makers, some coffees will be more suitable for French press use.

Of course, many factors will go into making a good choice, but don't worry, we're here to help you have the best coffee breaks possible!

We will therefore discuss the brands of coffee, but also the size of the grind or the ideal characteristics of a coffee press.

Also, we must not forget that coffee is a matter of taste. It is for this reason that we invite you to test different coffees in order to form your opinion and above all, to find THE coffee that will perhaps follow you for years!

Which brand of coffee for French press?

Coffee brands usually offer several types of coffees with distinct characteristics. However, be careful, because the coffees sold in supermarkets in particular are very often suitable for a wide audience and therefore for so-called “general public” tastes.

If you greatly appreciate coffees with fruity and tangy notes, we invite you to avoid the big generalist brands. Choose small roasters or specialized coffee shops, which will offer you a wider choice.

To choose the right brand of coffee, it will then depend on the various other indications that we will discuss.

Ideal characteristics of a coffee press

As we have seen, the French press allows the coffee to infuse freely in the water for several minutes. Thanks to this, the coffee has time to reveal all its subtleties, which will be ideal for very aromatic coffees and in particular Arabicas.

It is for this reason that we advise you to choose 100% Arabica coffees (“single origins” or blends) or blends made up of at least 70% Arabica coffee.

Of course, if you like strong, Italian-style coffees and are not afraid of bitterness, then you can try other types of coffee in your French press.

What roast?

So yes, here we are addressing a point that will not necessarily be easy to take into account if you are used to buying your coffee in a supermarket or at least in closed and opaque packets. (By the way, for good coffee preservation, opacity is really highly recommended!)

The ideal is once again to go to specialized shops or directly to a roaster. These professionals will know how to advise you.

If you have the opportunity to inspect the color of the coffee beans before purchase, then you should favor fairly clear beans. This will mean that the coffee is not over roasted. There are indeed several stages of roasting and depending on your extraction method (here the piston), it is interesting to choose beans roasted for a longer or shorter time.

Avoid too dark coffees which could be too strong and bring too much bitterness to your drink.

What grind?

As with all other types of coffee makers, some coffees will be more suitable for French press use. If you are a coffee connoisseur, you know how much the aromas of a coffee can be multiplied by a simple change in the way of extraction.

Finally, one of the important points if you want to make your coffee successful and enjoy it: the grind.

You can usually buy coffee by requesting that it be ground specially for a French press. But for even more freshness and to taste an even better coffee, we invite you to grind it yourself, just before preparing your coffee.

For this, we invite you to opt for a manual coffee grinder (like the ones our grandparents used! We offer one on our shop).

Otherwise, you will simply need a grinder that can produce a sufficiently coarse grind to unfold all its aromas in the water.

Original piston coffee maker

You are about to buy a French press… Aren't you curious about the origin of the French press?

We have seen that it has some peculiarities that make it one of the most popular coffee makers.

But how did it really get there and above all, is it really a “French coffee maker” as the second name we like to give it: “French press” suggests?

After doing some research on the French press and more particularly on its origin, I realized that it would be rather difficult to tell you its story with precision.

Indeed, depending on the different sources that I have been able to find, pieces of the story do not always agree. But I will try to share with you the history of this coffee maker that makes the most people agree.

A French coffee maker?

It would seem that the French press is not really French, despite the name we can give it. The very first coffee maker of this type was indeed invented by two French people, but some elements were missing so that we could consider that it was indeed a French press coffee maker that we know today.

It was in 1852 (and yes, we already liked coffee a lot at that time!). Two men named Mayer from Delforge created a coffee maker quite similar to our French press coffee makers today, as you can see below.

This is the diagram that the two inventors made and patented in 1852 in Paris. We probably see a classic press coffee maker, however changes were made later by the Italians, so that the press is easier to use and fits better into the coffee maker.

I couldn't find any sufficiently readable documents explaining the diagram above and what the major differences were between this coffee maker and today's French press. However, it seems that this version is not really considered THE first French press coffee maker.

An Italian coffee maker?

And yes, the "real" first coffee maker that seems to have consensus was created in Italy by Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta, and patented in 1928.

This is followed by several patent developments until 1934, as can be seen just below.

Note all the same, that another patent had been filed in 1924 by a Frenchman, Marcel-Pierre Paquet, known as Jolbert, with great similarities with the first Italian patent.

The last drawing actually seems to show a coffee maker very similar to today's French press.

However, it was not until 1958 that another version, patented this time by Faliero Bondanini, was produced on a large scale and distributed throughout Europe and particularly in France.

This coffee maker is the coffee maker of the Melior brand which was then bought in 1991 by the  Bodum company , which we know well today for this particular coffee maker.

The notoriety of the French press was probably multiplied thanks to its appearance in the spy film "Ipcress, Imminent Danger", by Sidney J. Furie in 1965.

A coffee maker adopted internationally!

Finally, even if we cannot say with certainty whether the French press coffee maker is French or Italian, it is not necessarily the important thing since what matters is that today it is used everywhere in worldwide ! This shows that this coffee maker has something special and how much the coffee prepared with this type of extraction is appreciated.

It is popular today in many places around the world, as evidenced by the different names given to it:

• French Press or Coffee Press (in the United States and Canada in particular)
• French press coffee maker (in France)
• Coffee maker (in the Netherlands and UK)
• Caffettiera a stantuffo (in Italy)
• Coffee Plunger (in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand)

It also happens that this coffee maker is called with the brand name Mélior or Bodum.

My French Press Review

At Nomad Barista, we are followers of the French press! It's even one of our favorite extraction methods.

Indeed, I like very aromatic and tangy coffees. The French press allows a unique experience with this type of coffee.

For coffee lovers, it is one of the essentials to have at home . For me, it brings together a number of significant advantages compared to other types of coffee makers.

It is very easy to use and ultimately does not require as much knowledge as making an espresso with an espresso machine (excluding capsule machines).

It is also very compact and allows you to make good coffee anywhere, provided you have access to hot water. That's what I like too! I enjoy exploring and being able to enjoy good coffee from anywhere is important!

If you are a coffee lover and you have to travel for several days (for a family vacation for example), it can save you the day! If you know that you won't have access to very good coffee, all you need to do is take your small coffee maker and the coffee of your choice (ground or with its grinder).

The maintenance of the French press is very simple too. Generally, it is enough to rinse well after use or wash with soapy water. This is the kind of coffee maker that you can keep for years without a problem!

The downside for some people is the coffee brewing time. But to tell you the truth, when you love coffee, you appreciate its preparation just as much. We hope you will enjoy making your coffee with your French press as much as we do. After all, it won't even take you 5 minutes 🙂

Otherwise, I don't see any other downsides. Of course, you have to have the right coffee and the right grind (which is not easily found in supermarkets). But for that, there is the unique Nomad Barista coffee, which you can order with the ideal grind for your piston… So, what are you waiting for to treat yourself with a nice French press?