What is a French Press Coffee Maker: Full Guide

You’ve heard of French Press Coffee Maker, and you may even have seen it in some cafes. The exciting thing about the French Press is that you can also make tea with it in addition to coffee.
It is effortless to use and maintain and is a great attraction for guests.

In this article, I have gathered everything you need to know about the French press, how to choose the best press for you, how to make coffee, and the different types of coffee that can be made.
Enjoy reading. 🙂

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. What is a French Press Coffee Maker?
2. How to choose the Best French Press Coffee Maker?
3. What do you need to make French Press Coffee?
4. How to Make the Best French Press Coffee?
   1. Best Coffee Beans for French Press Coffee Maker
   2. French Press Coffee Ratio
   3. French Press Coffee Grind Size
   4. Step-by-step French Press Coffee Instructions
5. French Press Cold Brew Coffee: How to make it?
   1. Best Coffe for French Press Cold Brew Coffee
   2. Equipment for French Press Cold Brew Coffee
   3. French Press Cold Brew Ratio
   4. How to Make French Press Cold Brew Coffee?
6. How to Make Iced Coffee with French Press Coffee Maker?
7. Can you Make Espresso with French Press?
8. How to Clean a French Press?
9. Some Hints for Great Tasting French Press Coffee

What is a French Press Coffee Maker?

A French press also called the coffee press, press pot, or coffee plunger, is a coffee-brewing maker. However, it could also be used to perform other tasks like making tea. A French press coffee maker can be described as a way for making coffee using an appliance called – “French Press.” It is like a Plunger Rod connected to a lid filter. It lets you brew ground coffee inside a container by simultaneously pressing, brewing, and straining. This leaves stunning, powerful, and bold coffee.

A French press is best used with a coffee coarser grind than the drip brew filter. The consistency of the filter is comparable to that like cooking salt or breadcrumbs. Finer grounds of coffee, when submerged in water, exhibit lower permeability and require a large quantity of pressure to apply manually for lowering the plunger. They tend to soak into or around the edges of the filter and into the drink. Furthermore, finer coffee grounds be more prone to extracting too much and make the coffee taste bitter.

Some authors give the ideal time to brew as four minutes. Others, such as cold brewing, need some time with the water and ground to get the desired level of extraction.

How to choose the Best French Press Coffee Maker?

Before choosing a French Press Coffee Maker (not a small investment), it is good to get acquainted with the parts of which it is composed.

Components of a French Press Coffee Maker

From Top to Bottom the French press is made up of:

1. Lid Knob (to push down the Plunger Rod)
2. Lid
3. Lid Filter (attached to the lid)
4. Pouring Spout
5. Cool Touch Handle
6. Plunger Rod
7. Lid Filter (made of few parts)

As you can see in the picture the French Press Coffee Maker has 2 main parts: lid and carafe. 

Note that the Lid Filter (7) is attached at the end of the Plunger Rod (6), which is attached to the lid (2 and 3) by lid knob (1).

Two Important Considerations in Choosing a French Press Coffee Maker 

Before focusing on the French press, it is good to get acquainted with its two main components: Material and Filtration Type.

MATERIAL

French presses Coffee Maker comes in four materials: ceramic, plastic, stainless steel, or glass.

Plastic

If you’re searching for an affordable French press coffee maker, think about one made from plastic. In addition to being economical, the one made of a plastic French press is nearly indestructible and can last practically for the rest of your life.

But, if you’re not a fan of coffee coming in contact with plastic, you’ll have to choose another type of material for your French Press.

Ceramic

If you’re seeking French presses that have solid heat retention are best served using ceramic. These French presses hold a lot of heat within the coffee and keep it at a high temperature.

Contrary to most French presses, ceramic models are available in various colors.

However, the drawback of this ceramic French Press is that you aren’t able to observe the process of brewing. This means that you must monitor the brewing time to enjoy a great beverage of French press coffee.

Glass

So, if you are a coffee lover, I guess you will love to observe the brewing process. In that case, you will love the French press coffee maker from Glass. A significant drawback is that the French Press can break if mishandled. Additionally, glass does not provide the highest thermal retention for hot water.

Stainless Steel

In the end, you can select a stainless-steel French press. This French Press is optimal for travelers. They’re more robust than glass or plastic French presses. In addition, stainless steel French presses are more efficient in thermal retention, making for a more hot beverage.

When you’ve determined the kind of French Press you’d like, now is the time to look at the type of filter you’ll need.

Filtration Type

This is a crucial aspect to be aware of. The brew filtering system of your French press can affect the quality of the coffee you brew.

There are two types of filter systems – single and double filter units. 

The single model system includes a single wire mesh filter. After the filtration, the design leaves small sediments in the base of your coffee cup.

However, the double filtering system has two wire mesh filters. This is the best filtering method. It will not leave any trace of ground coffee in your mug, and you’ll enjoy the purest coffee by using double filtering.

The material that is used in the filtration unit is something to be noted. Plastic filters aren’t very durable since they’ll swell as time passes. Steel filters last a long time and won’t require you to replace your filters often.

What do you need to make French Press Coffee?

The majority of the owner’s manuals for brewing are accessible add ground coffee into the carafe. Add hot water, sit for four minutes, then plunge, and you’re done! You’ve got the finest coffee – maybe you’re lucky, but the devil’s in the small details. Here’s what you’ll need aside from the French Press Coffee Maker and the coffee preparation.

• Filtered water as a rule of thumb: You should use water that you drink to make your coffee. Filtered water is cleansed of major impurities and smells that impact the taste of the coffee.
• Coffee beans: What is the “best” coffee is a matter of personal preference. However, generally speaking, top-quality, freshly-roasted coffee beans will make the best cup. Most French press experts choose medium and dark roast coffees that contribute to a slower extract of oil, flavors, and brewing character. When looking for coffee beans, look for descriptions like roast smooth, full-bodied, dark, chocolate, cocoa, smoky and nutty, spicy, or earthy.
• Coffee grinder: To get the freshest tasting coffee, I recommend grinding your coffee at your home. Coffee already ground can be discolored and lose its flavor with time. If it is not stored correctly, the coffee may have taken on unpleasant smells from your kitchen.
• Kettle: You can use an electric or stove-top kettle to fill the French Press easily and safely with hot water. Suppose you don’t have an electric kettle, providing a precise temperature read thermometer. In that case, an instant-read thermometer will measure the hot water temperature before it is put into the coffee grinder.
• A Digital scale or coffee scoop: A scale used to measure the amount of ground coffee you use may sound complicated. However, it’s an easy method of obtaining consistently excellent tasting coffee. It eliminates the guesswork of the amount of ground coffee to utilize every time. You can also use a spoon. Place the coffee in a level position on the scoop at a time to make sure it is consistent.

How to Make the Best French Press Coffee?

To make the best french press coffee there are a few things that have to be kept in mind and followed.

Best Coffee Beans for French Press Coffee Maker

There isn’t one particular type of bean that is ideal for this specific type of preparation method. According to your preference in aroma and flavor, the selected bean are beautifully enhanced when brewed using a french press.

In most cases, it is recommended to use lighter or medium roast coffee beans that contain a significant amount of Arabica 100%р Arabica blends or single origins.

For the French press, coffee beans must be coarsely ground (similar to sea salt).

French Press Coffee Ratio

The French press coffee maker requires coarse ground coffee. The French Press Coffee Ratio is 1:12 (coffee to water). For 30 grams of coffee, you will need 360 grams of water. The water has to be around 92°C – 96°C or 197.6°F – 204.8°F.

French Press Coffee Grind Size

The French Press Coffee Grind Size has to be coarse. 

If you use ordinary ground coffee, it will not suit, and it will clog the filter. This way, you will not be able to filter the sludge and finish your french press coffee.

If you buy coffee from a specialty store, choose your favorite one and ask to grind it for the French press. They will know how to do it.

Keep in mind that the coffee must be freshly ground to get the perfect cup of coffee. It is advisable to have a coffee grinder at home to grind coffee just before using the French press.

Step-by-step French Press Coffee Instructions

Step 3: Add water and warm up the French Press Coffee Maker. 

Discard the hot water from the Press, dry it and now add the ground coffee (56grams).

Step 5: Stir the Coffee. 

After one minute (1:00), stir the coffee into the French Press using a spatula, plastic, or wooden spoon to break the top layer. CAUTION: Do not use metal spoons. They can chip or scratch the glass and lead to breakage. 

French Press Cold Brew Coffee: How to make it?

How do you make cold brew coffee with a French Press? The French press makes it simple: plunge and drink! The benefit of the cold brew technique is that it is more efficient and cleaner than the traditional. It’s a bit different ratio than the standard method, so be sure you stick to the recipe as outlined below.

Best Coffe for French Press Cold Brew Coffee

What is the best coffee for the French cold brew cold press? The Dark roast is the best choice of cold brew. This gives the coffee enough bitter and sweet flavor.

Equipment for French Press Cold Brew Coffee

French presses cold-brew needs just a handful of tools you already have. What you’ll need:

1. French Press Coffee Maker
2. Mill or coffee grinder: You’ll need to grind the coffee into a coarse grind (or buy coffee that has been ground for french press). Cold-brew is the easiest to make using an electric grinder as it can use a large amount of coffee in one go. 
3. The water that’s filtered: Filtered water offers the most outstanding flavor. 

French Press Cold Brew Ratio

This French press cold brew ratio differs from the traditional ratio of cold brew! You’ll need more coffee when brewing in the French press to achieve the same strength of concentrate cold brew. Here’s the information you need to be aware of:

• The water to coffee ground ratio is 1:6. In grams, that’s 140 grams of coffee for 820 grams of water. In cups, that’s 2 cups grounds of coffee with 3 1/2 cups of filtered water.
• Cold-brew coffee to water ratio is 1:1. If you make a French press cold brew, you’ll have a pitcher of concentrated liquid in the end. For example, pour in a glass 1 portion of the cold brew coffee and add the portion of water or milk.

How to Make French Press Cold Brew Coffee?

The cold-brew coffee technique is an extremely simple method. The hardest part is to wait 24 hours to allow the coffee to be brewed.

Here’s how you can make cold brew with the French press:

1. Grind the coffee. Grind 140grams of dark roast coffee beans and put the grounded coffee in the press.
2. Pour 3 ½ cups of filtered water on the grounds and stir to ensure all the ingredients are mixed.
3. Put the French Press in the fridge for around 24 hours. The plunger must be up, which will make it harder to put in the refrigerator. 
4. Press the plunger down. Remove the French press from the refrigerator, place the lid and press the plunger.
5. Serve and Enjoy. Pour 1 portion of the cold brew into the glass and add 1 portion of water or milk—it depends on how you like it.

How to Make Iced Coffee with French Press Coffee Maker?

1. Coffee Beans Grinding. Grind 1/3 cup of dark roast coffee beans until they’re sufficiently coarse to filter through the French press. With a home grinder, it is somewhere between fine and middle.
2. Mix the coffee ground with the water. Put the coarse coffee ground into the bottom of the French Press Coffee Maker. After that, pour 1 1/2 cup of water over the coffee ground.
3. Stir. Gently stir the coffee and the water until it is well-blended.
4. Put the French Press in the refrigerator. Leave the plunger in its up position to let the grounds infuse into the water for a night.
5. Plunge to release the coffee. The following day, take the french press out of the fridge, put the lid on, and push the plunge down to isolate the grounds from the cold brew coffee.
6. Create your iced coffee. Fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour milk over the ice until the glass is half full. For the rest portion of your glass, pour the cold brew coffee. You can add sweetener if you like it that way. Mix well and drink!

Can you Make Espresso with French Press?

You can very easily make an Espresso with a French Press Coffee Maker just following these steps:

1. Gound the coffee beans. The espresso roast coffee beans should be ground to a medium-fine powder (36 grams). 
2. Heat the water. Heat 205 grams of water to a temperature of 200 to 205F.
3. Put the ground coffee into the French Press.
4. Pour the hot water over the ground coffee.
5. Stir until you have a blended mixture. 
6. Set a timer and leave the mixture for four minutes.
7. After four minutes, put the lid onto the French press and slowly push the plunger down. 
8. Pour the mixture into two espresso cups, and serve immediately.

How to Clean a French Press?

Put water and a few drops of liquid soap in the French press. Then place the lid on top and start pumping the plunger up and down until foam forms. Applying this method will effectively clean the inside and remove the residual coffee oils. Then remove the lid from the French press, pour the soapy water and rinse all its parts with clean water.

If you do not want to make soapy water but prefer to use a soapy sponge, you can do the following to clean the French press coffee maker:

1. Take the French press and remove the lid with the attached plunger rod.

2. Remove the coffee grounds and throw them in the trash, in the compost bin, or set aside to fertilize the plants at home.

3. Thoroughly clean all French press parts with a soapy sponge. If possible, disassemble the lid filter and clean each piece thoroughly.

4. Rinse all parts with clean water and allow them to dry.

Some Hints for Great Tasting French Press Coffee

• Use specialty coffee only ground for French Press. Do not use any other coffee.
• Regularly check the filter assembly. In time the mesh filter might require replacement.
• Never use the pot if there is no water inside.
• Do not put any other substances with the ground coffee. They may clog the filter.
• If the water temperature is higher than the recommended, the coffee taste could be sour.
• Store your coffee beans or the coffee grounds in an airtight container, away from direct sunlight.
• Make sure to use freshly made coffee that has been freshly roasted.
• Grind your coffee beans right before starting the brewing.
• Use water that has been filtered to enjoy the best coffee flavor.

F.A.Q.

How to Use a French Press Coffee Maker?

Put 2 tablespoons of coarsely ground coffee (around 17grams) into the bottom of the French Press Coffee Maker. Pour 16oz of hot filtered water over the coffee. Put the lid on top and leave the mixture for 4 minutes. After that, slowly press the plunger down to the bottom.

How Long to Steep French Press?

Leave the French Press to steep for four minutes. The timer on any phone can do an excellent job of tracking the perfect french press brew time.

Is French Press Coffee bad for you?

Prolonged consumption of coffee prepared with French press coffee maker leads to increased cholesterol in the human body. It is desirable to diversify coffee brewing techniques.

How Long to Brew French Press?

The French Press brew time is 4 minutes. The preparation time is around 10 minutes, including grinding the coffee beans and warming the water.

How many Scoops of Coffee for French Press Coffee Maker?

The number of teaspoons of coffee depends on the doses prepared. Two spoons are approximately 17 grams of coffee, enough ground coffee for 1 cup. For more cups of coffee, you just need to increase the teaspoons.