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How to use a French press

Wondering how to make French press coffee? This guide will show you how to use a French press, including tips on coffee-to-water ratio and choosing the best ground coffee.

How to use a French press

Wondering how to make French press coffee? This guide will show you how to use a French press, including tips on coffee-to-water ratio and choosing the best ground coffee.

What is French press?

The French press is a device for brewing coffee and coffee drinks, as well as tea and herbal drinks.
The modern French press consists of a narrow cylindrical container, usually made of glass, stainless steel, or ceramic with a plastic or metal lid and a piston that fits snugly against the walls of the container and has a filter made of stainless steel wire.

Medium market price could be:

for glass french presses $15 - $50,
stainless steel french presses $25 - $70,
ceramic french presses $40 - $100

French press instructions

The grind for a French press is coarse and feels larger than sea salt.

The ratio of the weight of coffee to the weight of finished coffee is 60 grams of beans per 1 liter of water. To determine the dosage for each specific case, you just need to calculate the proportions. For example, a half-liter French press will require 30 grams of coffee.

We do not recommend measuring coffee by eye, because the slightest deviations in proportions significantly affect the result. For a stable result, it is best to weigh it on a scale in 0.1 g increments before each preparation. If you don't have a scale, use a coffee measuring spoon. Typically, this accessory is included with coffee makers or coffee machines. A graduated spoon can be purchased at a crockery or kitchen equipment store.

The varieties of coffee that can be used for this method are very diverse - you can give preference to anyone. In the future, you can deviate somewhat from the established parameters, trying different options to taste and looking for the most suitable taste in terms of strength.

The quality of the water largely determines what the drink will be. If the water is bad, coffee can change the taste, get unnecessary aftertastes.
French press instructions
Recommendation: Try to brew as much coffee as you can drink soon. Preparing this drink for future use is a thankless task. The coffee remaining in the French press continues to brew even when the plunger is lowered, which will inevitably lead to over-extraction and the characteristic bitterness of the drink.

How much coffee for French press?

Below you can find French press coffee to water ratio table

Complete guide on how to use French Press,
step by step

French press preheating

Step 1
Preheat the French press by filling it with a kettle with hot water. This move will ensure that the entire coffee maker stays warm through the entire brewing process, whether you have a classic glass or stainless steel model, ensuring that you get all those delicious flavors from the coffee into your cup.

One of the main variables in brewing reliably tasty coffee is temperature, so you don't want your hot water to hit a cold coffee brewer and cool down instantly.
Add ground coffee
Step 2
Now is the time to add the coarsely ground coffee to the carafe, no matter what delicious coffee you have chosen to brew. No matter the brewing process, the correct coffee to water ratio is one of the keys to a healthy, consistent cup.

If you normally measure a level tablespoon, but you wanted to measure a heaping tablespoon one day, just pay close attention to how big the French press is filling, to make your coffee that much more reliably delicious.
Add some water and stir
Step 3
Pour the ground coffee with a little hot water - about twice the weight of the beans. Stir with a bamboo stick, butter knife, or regular teaspoon, you can use anything. Leave the poured coffee for 30 seconds. In a spiraling motion, spill your water around, or literally some pattern that ensures that all the grounds are submerged equally by your water. Even extraction will make the taste of coffee more balanced and delicious. You may find "rising" or bubbling in the hot water on your grounds. This process is called blooming, and it helps to perfectly prepare the grounds to be brewed.

The first pour helps the coffee to release gases such as carbon dioxide, which then allows the rest of the water you pour to reach the ground completely and absorb all that delicious stuff more evenly.
Fill rest water and brew for 4 min
Step 4
Fill the carafe with hot water the rest of the way and give the coffee a gentle swirl. However, you don't have to stir too aggressively, because this will agitate the grinds and speed up the extraction, which could release some bitter flavors.

Place the cover on the French press and press the plunger down just a little if possible so that the mesh filter just reaches the top of the hot water, which will help keep all the grounds submerged as well. Resist, however, the temptation to push down plunger all the way down.

The metal mesh filter (in many other brewing methods, compared to the paper filter) does not stop the coffee oils from getting into your cup, and that extra bit of strength helps the flavors cut through those oils.
Press plunger all the
way down

Step 5
Your coffee is ready for drinking after 4 minutes! Finally, once the coffee grounds are packed to the floor, you can push your coffee plunger all the way down. It is best to press gently, so as not to over-agitate the coarsely ground coffee, which can lead to a few extra-bitter flavors ending up in your coffee. Careful not to push too hard.
Enjoy your coffee
Step 6
Pour in your cup or travel mug with the hot coffee from the French press and you're ready to go. Try not to leave any leftover coffee in your French press for later, even though you don't want to drink all the coffee straight away. Although the plunger is excellent for making it easier to pour out the coffee, it does not isolate the coffee grounds from the liquid entirely.

So if the coffee sits in that French press too long, it will get bitter from oversteeping, as the water is still in contact with the coffee grounds through that mesh filter. If you have any left over that you're not going to get to within the hour, put it in a cup or jar and stick it in the fridge. Now you have iced coffee for when you return home.

Wonderful benefits of French press

6 reasons to buy french press for your home or office
French press price
Most people think that coffee can be an expensive habit, but it really isn't when you using french press at home. French press costs about $25 USD or less on Amazon. It is much cheaper than buying a $3-5 USD cup from a coffee shop everyday.
Quality of ready coffee
There's a greater coffee taste and less watery texture than with a drip machine, which is considerably different. The thick viscosity produces a heavier mouthfeel due to the retention of oils from the coffee.
Not just a coffee
The ability to prepare any tea - from classic black to flavored with fruit pieces, since filters are suitable for all options.
benefits of french press
Simple for use, easy cleaning and storing
You still have plenty of counter space becouse It doesn't take up too much space in your kitchen. It is small and lightweight and will fit almost anywhere. It consists of two parts only, the plunget and container.
Coffee press design
The design options are very different - from simple, concise, versatile to bold and intricate, with a painted stand.
Health Benefits
French pressing machines allow raw grounds to be directly in contact with the water, rather than flowing through a paper filter. As a consequence, more antioxidants and nutrients end up in your cup.

Best ground coffee for French presses

More products
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French press cleaning recommendations

How to clean French press?

Here are some general tips for your cleaning and care:

To begin, always use coarse ground coffee. It will give you a gritty cup of fine
to medium ground coffee and can clog the filters.

Clean with a soft rag, sponge, or nylon brush after use. As they can scrape the beaker, avoid rough scouring or metallic sheets, leading to cracks later on.

Do not use steel brushes, rough cleaners or polishing powder because the
glass surface or even plastic or stainless steel surface can be scratched.

Dry thoroughly when not used for a long period of time
and put in a plastic bag or kitchen cupboard for storage.
How to clean french press
How To Clean A Coffee Press - Rebekah from the Starbucks coffee education team shares a quick tip for an easy way to clean your press at home.

French press deep cleaning

You'll need to do a monthly deep clean. This deep cleaning is vital for getting rid of scale (also known as limescale), which is a layer of calcium carbonate that builds up in any system that constantly comes into contact with water, particularly in regions with harder water , in addition to any bacteria that soap may not capture.

You may use commercial decaling materials, but using a 1:1 mixture
of hot water and distilled white vinegar would also be perfect.
Just fill the mixture with your French press carafe and insert your plunger so that it's submerged. Leave it for four minutes and then thoroughly clean your French press with hot water.

Is French press dishwasher safe?

Yes, you can certainly pop it into your machine instead of washing the coffee maker by hand.
Here's what you need to do:
Fully extend the filter with plunger and place the whole thing on the top rack of your dishwasher.
You can put the French press carafe on the top rack of your dishwasher. If it is too tall to accommodate, to prevent your flatware and utensils from bumping up against it, put it away from the silverware basket on the bottom shelf. Use the ordinary cycles of washing and drying.
Clean french press in dishwaser

How often I have to replace the filter for French press coffee maker?

Generally, unless it frays or teats from repeated usage and cleaning, you do not need to change the filter screen too often. If you regularly use your French press, your screen can last for over a year without problems, often for much longer. The panel should also be replaced when necessary with high-quality 18/8 stainless steel French press filters.
French press filter replacement

How to avoid mistakes and
brew delicious coffee

One of the attractive aspects of using a French press is the ability to make exactly the drink you want. The amount of coffee and the brewing time are determined independently.
  • Using an insufficient amount of ground coffee
    The most common mistake newbies make is the wrong balance. If you take too much coffee, the drink will be so strong that you will be nervous all night. And if it's too little, you end up with a watery liquid.

    If you lack experience, start with a ratio of 15 grams of coffee to 250 grams of water. This will give you a medium strength that most people will enjoy.

    If the fortress is not intimidating, increase the ratio. If you want a lighter drink, use fewer coffee beans or brew it for a short time.
  • Long brewing
    This is one of the most common disasters experienced by home baristas using a French press for the first time.

    If you leave the coffee in the French press for a long time, it will continue to brew there. The result is a bitter drink, the taste of which, to put it mildly, is not very pleasant.

    When the strong drink is finished boiling, pour it into a thermos or jug. Better yet, drink it while it's fresh!

    Heat the mug before filling to keep it warm. Make sure you have a decent set of coffee cups that hold heat well.
  • Poor grinding quality
    As we already mentioned, a French press needs a medium or coarse grind product. If it is too small, it will seep through the filter directly into the cup.

    You can avoid problems arising from unsuitable or low-quality ground varieties. Buy whole grains and a good grinder, or have a local barista do all the work for you on an industrial machine.
Recommendation: Brewing in a French press is perhaps the best way to prepare an individual drink that will best suit your taste. Use coarse ground for maximum flavor. Grind the beans yourself if possible. This grind has the perfect texture and freshness.

The most common mistakes brewing
coffee with French press coffee maker:

In order not to make you worry, we will tell you how to avoid common mistakes when using a French press. Don't worry, everyone has it!
Using an insufficient amount of ground coffee
One of the attractive aspects of using a French press is the ability to make exactly the drink you want. The amount of coffee and the brewing time are determined independently.

The most common mistake newbies make is the wrong balance. If you take too much coffee, the drink will be so strong that you will be nervous all night. And if it's too low, you'll cook for an hour or more, and you'll end up with a watery liquid that looks more like ... well, not at all what you expected!

Brewing coffee at french press
Long brewing
This is one of the most common mistakes home baristas face when using a French press for the first time.
If you leave coffee in this device for a long time, it will continue to brew there, literally "stew". The result is a bitter drink, the taste of which, to put it mildly, is not very pleasant.
When the strong drink is finished brewing, pour it into a thermos or jug. Better yet, drink it while it's fresh!
Heat the mug before filling to keep it warm. Make sure you have a decent set of coffee cups that hold heat well.
Poor grinding quality
As we already mentioned, a French press needs a medium or coarse grind product. If it is too small, it will seep through the filter directly into the cup.

Can French press be
used for cold brew ?

Frequently Asked Questions
about French presses
Making cold brew coffee at home is easy! All you need for this: a French press, water and freshly roasted coffee ...

Step 1:

1. Grind the coffee and pour into a French press, shake gently to smooth the layer.
2. Add water.
3. Insert the plunger and lower it down to the top layer of coffee to keep the coffee particles under water.
4. Put the French press in the refrigerator for 12 - 24 hours, without plunging the piston down.

Step 2 after 12 - 24 hours:

5. Get the French press out of the refrigerator
6. Pull out the piston
7. Stir with a spoon
8. Leave for 5-10 minutes so that all fine coffee particles settle to the bottom.
9. Insert and immerse the piston, but not completely!

Step 3:

10. Carefully pour the finished concentrate into a glass container with a lid.
11. Dilute with fresh cold water in a 1: 1 ratio to your liking.
12. In well sealed containers, the concentrate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Can French press be used for tea brewing?

Frequently Asked Questions
about French presses
Definitely yes!
You can to prepare any tea - from classic black to flavored with fruit pieces tea, filters are suitable for all options.

Frequently Asked Questions about French presses

Does French press coffee raise your cholesterol?

Unless you're drinking significant amounts of unfiltered coffee on a daily basis, raised cholesterol levels shouldn't be much of a concern — at least, not when it comes to coffee. On the contrary, coffee may be able to deliver numerous health benefits. Coffee has associated with protection against diseases such as type 2 diabetes, liver disease, Parkinson's, and depression.

According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have found no significant connection between coffee and increased risks of cancer or heart disease. Earlier studies that found a link did not consider other high-risk behaviors common in coffee drinkers, such as smoking and lack of exercise. Research has, however, indicated a link between coffee consumption and decreased mortality rate.

Can French press upset stomach?

Frequently Asked Questions
about French presses
Some reasons when coffee can upset your stomach

Find low-acidity, stomach-friendly coffees. If it seems you're only slightly sensitive, opt for coffee beans that are known to be lower on the acidity scale. Coffees are grown at low altitudes typically have lower acid levels.


Your Stomach Is Sensitive To Coffee's Caffeine

I don't want to confuse you, but your daily mug of caffeine stimulates your stomach to generate more than normal acid. So, even though the coffee itself may not be too acidic for you, over the comfort line, the caffeine may increase your acid output.

Here are a few ways that caffeine pain can be counteracted:
Try decaf specialty-grade

Eat your banana. Bananas are alkaline and balance out the harshness of the caffeine-generated extra acids. They also contain a range of substances that, on their own, soothe the stomach.

Just try to drink less coffee. I think it's fair to assume that if you usually have three to five cups a day, cutting it down to one or two will bring some big changes.


You're Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach
Here's the thing: an intense drink is a coffee. In flavor and chemical composition, it's rich, bold, and complex. If you drink coffee for breakfast without consuming anything substantial, you're going to run into trouble-no matter who you are.

During various breakfasts, try to observe how you feel. For example, if you still leave a bit of discomfort with cereal and milk with your coffee, you'll realize you need to add a little more substance like a banana or protein.
Frequently Asked Questions about French presses

What to look for when buying French press

The assortment of products is quite wide, among such a variety it is easy to get confused. When choosing, it is worth looking at the flask mount. It must be strong, without gaps. Otherwise, the container will fly off when hot water is poured into it.

You also need to pay attention to the quality of the container. The service life of the press depends on this indicator. Carefully inspect so that there are no scratches, bubbles, chips on the flask. It must be intact, free from defects.

They also pay attention to the tightness of the strainer to the walls of the device. It should be firmly and firmly in contact with the flask, so it is better to buy a French press with a stainless steel piston. The part, which is equipped with a silicone ring along the edge, will last a short time, and it will give an unpleasant odor when brewing a drink. The body and handles of the kettle must be plastic so as not to burn yourself.

What parts does it consist of French press

Frequently Asked Questions
about French presses
1. Decanter
2. Plunger and Lid Assembly
3. Structure Disc
4. Screen Filter

Frequently Asked Questions about French presses

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