French Press Coffee Maker

• French Press Coffee Maker Paulo Posted : 11/14/2006 2:00:02 PM I'm not a huge coffee drinker (1 cup in the morning is all I drink).  But my current 1 cup coffee maker sucked so was looking around for something else.  I saw the French press and since it was on sale for only $15 I decided to give it a shot.  WOW what a difference.  The coffee tastes so much better, richer and fuller.  Will never own another drip coffee maker.  Anyone else use a French Press?  Want to see how other people use it (brew time, type of coffee grind, etc). LIKE 13 REPLIES 345 VIEWS LAST POST PAULO Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• probe1957 Posted : 11/14/2006 3:23:05 PM I use a french press fairly frequently or, at least I did when I was single.  That and an espresso maker.  Chicks dig it.  LOL.   Coarse ground coffee to taste in press.  Add boiling water.  Stir.  Let set 4 minutes.  Press and serve.  Quality coffee is VERY important.  Millstone Breakfast Blend is good but this is strictly a personal preferance thing.   French pressed coffee is too rich and oily for some people.  It is the way coffee tasters test coffee as it exposes all the coffee to all the water and is THE BEST way to make coffee. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Paulo Posted : 11/14/2006 3:48:23 PM I've read on a few sites that fine ground should be used but i'm sticking with the coarse grind.  SInce i just bought it, I bought the coffee beans at my local grocery store and used their grinder.  I bought it at Sobeys called "Complimentary" as well as a "Presidents CHoice" coffee bean.  I love the simplicity of it and the results I get.  I'll be recommending it to all my friends. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Paulo Posted : 11/14/2006 3:51:12 PM probe -  What kind of press do you have?  MIne is a Bonjour brand.  The plunger itself is plastic and rubber with wire mesh as the filter. I've read that plastic and rubber isn't the best thing to use.  I know Bodum is the best out there and have seen that their plungers are all metal. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• probe1957 Posted : 11/14/2006 3:56:27 PM I have 2 different sized Bodums.  I would stick with a coarse grind.  Too fine a grind will clog your press. If you are serious, buy yourself a grinder.  Preferably a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder.  More expensive but MUCH more versatile.  Grind just enough beans for brewing. Here is a link that may help: [linkhttp://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot]http://www.coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot[/link] The grinder he uses here is the very one I have.  Got it at Starbucks. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• tacran Posted : 11/14/2006 3:57:00 PM It's funny you should post this -- I just read a blurb in our local paper about a new coffee place downtown that serves ONLY coffee prepared in a French Press.  Apparently, the owner of the shop was tired of the "weird" flavors of the usual coffees here and the "jitteryness" that goes with them (we're surrounded by Starbucks, Java Crews, Dutch Bros., etc. etc.).  The owner says she uses only organically grown beans that she gets from a special place here (can't remember what kind, sorry!).  She says the press makes a smoother flavor that is far superior.   I don't drink coffee, but DH was introduced to the press a few years ago, and he says it's the best tasting coffee.  He doesn't use it everyday for some reason, but he prefers it by far.  He also uses the coarse ground. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Paulo Posted : 11/14/2006 4:04:32 PM I was thinking about getting a grinder myself but as I would only use the press only 3-4 times a week I don't think it'll be worthwhile.  It's easy enough for me to get the beans ground when I do my weekly shopping.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• probe1957 Posted : 11/14/2006 4:08:46 PM ORIGINAL: tacran He doesn't use it everyday for some reason, but he prefers it by far.  He also uses the coarse ground. It is a bit of trouble to use a french press.  I mean, with your automatic coffee maker, you can brew the coffee while you walk the dog.  Not the case with your french press.  The link I referenced also recommends a coarse grind.   ETA:  It is amazing the crap I know that just doesn't amount to anything.  [] 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• probe1957 Posted : 11/14/2006 4:13:55 PM ORIGINAL: waxen I was thinking about getting a grinder myself but as I would only use the press only 3-4 times a week I don't think it'll be worthwhile.  It's easy enough for me to get the beans ground when I do my weekly shopping.    If you can afford a good grinder, do it.  The coffee is markedly better, freshly ground.  If you can't afford to get a good grinder, don't get any at all.  Just MHO. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• fuzzy_dogs_mom Posted : 11/14/2006 10:20:29 PM I've been thinking of getting one just because we have a lot of power outages (Thanks for nothing, PG&E) and I have a gas stove.  There's an electrical connection, but I can turn the burners on & light them with a match.   Joyce 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Catherine Posted : 11/14/2006 10:48:10 PM I have a bodum and I love it! I think it makes about 4 small cups of coffee, or in my case 2 cups   Not so good if you have guests over.   I use a medium ground coffee, and I sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on top of the grounds before I pour the water in.   I once read something about boiling the water then letting it sit for a few seconds until the bubbles subside before pouring it over the grounds.  I've tried both ways but don't really taste a difference. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Paulo Posted : 11/16/2006 10:05:02 AM I've read that as well about waiting about 10 seconds after the water is boiling.  They said not too pour the boiling water onto the grounds as this might actually burn the coffee grounds due to the high temp.  Waiting for it to stop boiling works good for me as it only takes a few seconds.  If I didn't buy a French PRess I would definatly have it on my xmas list.  THats what I'll be buying my coffee drinking family members and friends. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Xebby Posted : 11/16/2006 11:56:51 AM When my boyfried moved out here he wanted to buy a french press, he's a coffiee freak (I can't stand the taste).  We found out that here in the high altitude the thing just donesn't work.  We live about 6,000 above sea level and that doesn't help one bit.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Paulo Posted : 11/17/2006 10:30:37 AM Question:  The french press coffee maker that I purchased (Bonjour brand) has it where the plunger goes all the way down to the bottom of the carafe.  But the Bodum's that i've seen only allows the plunger to go down until about 1 inch from the bottom.  Does this make a difference and why would there be such a difference?  I thought all press pots plungers could be pressed to the bottom of the carafe.  Thanks 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login