How to use a french press (Tools, Tips, Ratios and a Guide)

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Written By Anh Dung Pham

Coffee using a french press incorrectly come from 90% of people coffee . Crazy considering it’s one of the world’s most popular methods of making coffee. Making good coffee with a french press coffee makers is actually quite easy if you follow a few rules.

Once we’ve learn how to use a french press, you’ll consistently make delicious coffee that’s much better than the one you’re currently making.

Key Takeaways

  • When delving into the art of brewing with a French press, understanding its components is vital.
  • The French press consists of a beaker, which holds the coffee and hot water. A plunger with a mesh filter is then used to separate the coffee grounds from the brewed coffee.
  • For an ideal brew, the user must first add coarsely ground coffee to the beaker, followed by hot water.
  • After allowing the coffee to steep for around four minutes, the plunger is then pressed down, holding back the grounds, and allowing for a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee to be poured.
  • Proper cleaning involves dismantling the parts and rinsing them immediately after use to maintain the integrity and longevity of the device.

How to use a french press and make it work?

You’re probably wondering: What is a French press and how does it work? A cup, the base, the handle, and the plunger make up the coffee maker. The main part is the mug, where you put your fewer coffee grounds and hot water.

The base and the handle are attached to the cup. This ensures that you don’t burn yourself or the surface you place it on. You have the lid with the filters and plunger attached. However, they are quite intuitive to put together and the overall setup is quite simple.

The main part is the mug of coffee, where you put your coffee grounds and hot water through ground coffee. The base and the handle are attached to the cup. This ensures that you do not burn yourself or the surface you place it on.

You have the lid with the filters and plunger attached. However, they are quite intuitive to put together and the overall setup is quite simple.

The best part is: paper filters are not necessary. Making cold brew with a French press involves soaking the coffee grounds directly in hot water.

This means it is a form of immersion brewing; The coffee grounds are immersed in the hot of water for a few 3-4 minutes rather than just a few short seconds (e.g. with drip coffee methods).

To get great coffee for every time, it’s important to know how to disassemble and clean your french press coffee. Do this once every month, if possible. This is very helpful. There’s more to it than just rinsing.

Choose the Right French Press

You’ll have a hard time making great coffee if you use a cheap, crappy press pot to secrets of French press coffee device. Although it may seem enticing to choose the least expensive choice, is it really worth it if you have to replace it in 6 to 9 months?

French presses come in different sizes. The most common pot size is between 4 and 8 cups. Remember that a “cup” is much smaller than a typical cup . Many companies count a standard mug as a paltry 4-ounce cup.

In general, you can choose from small, large, metallic and electric options:

  • Small French Press – if only you and perhaps a friend or loved one use it regularly. Typical sizes are 3 and 4 cup presses.
  • Large French Press – Designed to appease a crowd of coffee-hungry people, these 8-12 cup capacity behemoths can brew multiple cup at once!
  • Metal French Press – are more durable and seem to retain heat better than glass. Choose if you live in a cold area.
  • Electric French Press – For the lazy ones. These devices heat the water, brew the coffee, and keep it warm when it’s ready! (Although we strongly recommend that you decant the coffee when it’s ready.)

You’ve probably heard of the ever-popular Bodum Chambord – an iconic looking thing that’s made in three different sizes: 3, 8 and 12 cups. They generally have glass mugs with a stainless steel french press. The two smaller versions are even available with an unbreakable cup!

However, Perfect Daily Grind recommends trying French presses made from other materials.  French presses made from ceramic can provide a unique taste experience due to the heat retention properties of the material.

Regardless of the material, ensure you are using a quality burr grinder to achieve a consistent grind size for freshly ground beans. This will help to ensure a well-extracted and use a French press properly with flavorful cup of coffee every time. 

Step By Step to utilize a French press

Steven mentioned two methods in his coffee brewing ways. We call them the basic method and the advanced method. We’ll walk you through the fundamental procedure below.
Preheating your French press is the first thing you should do. Any method for preparing coffee must include this step.

Step By Step to utilize a French press

Step 1: Preheat your press

Preheat your French press is the first thing you should do. Any method for preparing coffee must include this step.

All you have to do is add some hot water to the press, swirl it around until it feels warm, and then dispose of the water responsibly. As an added bonus, preheating your French press will also help you keep your coffee hotter for longer.

Step 2: Measure/Weigh your coffee grounds

According to the personal preference, The amount of coffee you desire and the size of your press of coffee heavily influence what you measure. People use the french press hope you used a good coffee grinder to freshly grind your beans.

The correct need to grind size can be found in the FAQs below. For the basic method you need a medium-coarse grind the coffee. However, if you follow the advanced bonus steps, you will want a medium grind.

Step 3: Measure/Weigh Water and Check Temperature

Once more, use the table below to calculate the gram of coffee and water for your coffee press. However, the ratio of coffee you should aim for is 1:15. This means 1 part coffee to 15 parts water.

Step 4: Add ground coffee and Hot Water

Heat the water in the way that suits you. I recommend using a stovetop or gooseneck kettle: If you have a thermometer or kettle with temperature control, the recommended  temperature of water for the coffee press is 195-205 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pour the coffee grounds into the preheated French press and then add the correct french press coffee ratio of hot water, all in one pour. The next step is to quickly swirl your coffee with using a wooden spoon or tablespoon to ensure that all of the ground coffee are completely immersed in the liquid.

Step 5: Put the lid on and start timing

Now that we’ve put the lid on the French press, what should we do? Putting the lid on helps insulate the press and keep the heat inside while your coffee is brewing. Set your timer and then play the waiting game!

The coffee press’s default brew time is 4 minutes, but you can adjust this later to suit your preferences. We talk about this further down in our FAQs here.

Step 6: Slowly push the plunger down

Once enough time has passed, slowly push the plunger down. Make sure you press the button all the way down or your coffee will continue to brew and over-extraction will occur.

Step 7: Decant the coffee

We recommend that you decant your coffee before serving, because the longer your coffee sits in a container with the coffee grounds, the more aroma develops.

You don’t want over-extracted, bitter coffee!

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy 

You managed! Rejoice and be happy because the coffee is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Should I Let the Coffee Steep in a French Press Before Plunging?

You should let the coffee steep for 4 minutes in a French press for about four minutes before plunging.
This allows the flavors to fully develop and gives you a delicious.

Can I Use Pre-Ground Coffee in a French Press?

You can use pre-ground in a French press. However, for the best flavor, it’s recommended to grind your coffee beans right before brewing.
Experiment with different grind sizes to find your desired taste.

What Is the Ideal Water Temperature for brewing device in a French Press?

The ideal temperature of water  for brewing coffee in a French press is around 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. This range allows for proper extraction of flavors from the coffee grounds, resulting in a delicious coffee.

How Often Should I Replace the Mesh Filter in My French Press?

You should replace the mesh filter in your French press every 3-6 months.
Over time, it can become clogged or worn out, affecting the quality of your coffee.
Regular replacement ensures optimal brewing.

Can I use a french press to Make Tea or Other Beverages Apart From Coffee?

Yes, you can definitely make tea or other beverages apart from coffee by a french press .
It is a flexible instrument that makes it simple to create a variety of drinks.


Conclusion
There you have it, then! Now that you know the ways to use a French press, you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee every morning.

Remember to choose the right French press, prepare your coffee beans properly, and follow the brewing instructions carefully.

Don’t forget to decant and serve your coffee immediately to savor its full flavor.

Finally, for a French press to endure a long time, make sure to routinely clean and maintain it.
Cheers to that!

Hope you get useful information from the article, if you have any questions or want to read more articles about ways to make your morning brew, please visit lido18.com to get help.