The Best French Presses

Living as we are in the age of Starbucks, we’re a little spoiled about the range of options available to us when it comes to our caffeine fix. There are cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos and cold brews in a wide array of flavors, all available a short drive away. But none of these options are as affordable or as satisfying to a true coffee lover than a fresh pot of French press brewed right in the comfort of the kitchen.

French press coffee might have a bit of a reputation for complexity thanks to generations of coffee snobs. But the reality is, the process of brewing it is fairly simple. While French press coffee makers come in many different styles and materials, the components are pretty much the same. There’s a carafe into which you pour your favorite coffee grounds. Add water which has been brought to boil but allowed to cool down for 30 seconds or so. After waiting about three minutes, you put the lid onto the carafe. This lid has a filter attached to a plunger mechanism, and as you push the plunger down, the filter presses the grounds to the bottom. Voila: You’re left with delicious coffee, ready to pour out of the spout.

It’s an elegant but simple device, and it’s known for producing some of the richest, most flavorful coffee you can make. But what makes a great French press?

First of all, you should know that the quality of your coffee will depend a lot more on the type of coffee you use and how you grind it than the type of French press you use to make it. That said, some models provide definite advantages.

The type of carafe is a big selling point. Carafes are made of many different materials, but glass and stainless steel are the most prevalent. Glass carafes tend to have a more classic feel, and it’s always nice to be able to see how much coffee you have left to drink. Just make sure you get a type of glass that’s built to last. Finer quality French presses will be made of borosilicate glass, a material that can stand up to rapid temperature changes. That’s a definite asset if you’re prone to washing your French press right after you use it.

Stainless steel carafes have a modern feel, but they’re also quite functional. As the name implies, they’re less prone to the lasting stains that coffee can leave on any container after it’s been sitting on the countertop for an hour or two. Pop them in the dishwasher, and these durable carafes will clean off easily. They also hold heat for longer than glass carafes, making them better suited to large French presses that might be holding your second or third cup on deck for a while.

Of course, there are hybrid models: Glass carafes that have a stainless steel frame are common, and they can also keep your coffee plenty warm. Less common are ceramic carafes, which can hold heat well but tend to be more breakable. For those on a budget, there are also plastic carafes. These can be great in smaller, travel-sized French presses but health-conscious users may want to consider one that’s BPA-free.

The other major part of a French press is the filter. This may involve a simple, single disc of mesh or a series of layers designed to push down those smaller grounds. If you use fresh ground coffee and like a finer grind, the more layers the better. Make sure the filter is flush with the sides of the carafe, and keep your cleaning routine in mind. Multi-layered filters will usually need to be unscrewed and rinsed after brewing.

Then, of course, there’s the capacity. If you’re brewing for one, almost any size will do. If you’re brewing for company or a family of coffee achievers, you’ll want to have a French press with a larger carafe. 32, 64 or more ounces are available on the market. The only difference is the price, but you can expect them to all work just as well.

• Now that you’ve got your French press, how do you use it? It can take awhile to find the perfect ratio of coffee to water that’s right for your tastes, but a good rule of thumb is one tablespoon of coffee grounds for each cup of water. As any barista will tell you, use fresh ground coffee beans if you can.
• Did you know you can use your French press for more than just coffee? It’s equally suitable for making tea, especially if you’re using loose leaf.