If you crave a bold, rich cup of coffee with full body and deep flavor, the French press might just become your new best friend. It’s one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to brew coffee at home—no paper filters, no fancy machines, just hot water, fresh coffee, and a few simple steps. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make coffee in a French press, from choosing the right beans to pouring the perfect cup.
What Is a French Press?
Also known as a press pot or plunger pot, the French press is a classic brewing device that uses immersion instead of filtration. Unlike drip coffee, where water passes through the grounds, the French press lets coffee grounds steep in hot water for several minutes before pressing them down with a metal mesh filter. The result? A brew that’s bold, flavorful, and full of natural oils.
🛠️ What You’ll Need
To make excellent French press coffee, gather the following:
- A French press (any size works, but 32 oz is common)
- Fresh whole coffee beans
- A burr grinder (for a consistent coarse grind)
- A kettle (ideally with a thermometer or temperature control)
- Filtered water or distilled water
- A kitchen scale (optional but highly recommended)
- A spoon or stir stick
- A timer or stopwatch
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🔍 Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make French Press Coffee
Step 1: Choose and Measure Your Coffee
Start with high-quality, fresh-roasted coffee beans. Look for medium or dark roasts with rich flavor notes like chocolate, nut, or spice—ideal for French press brewing.
Recommended Ratio:
- 1 gram of coffee per 15 grams of water (1:15)
- For a standard 32 oz (900 ml) French press: use 60 grams of coffee to 900 grams (ml) of water
Step 2: Grind the Coffee Coarse
Use a burr grinder to grind your beans to a coarse consistency—similar to sea salt. A coarse grind prevents sediment from slipping through the metal mesh filter and creates a clean, full-bodied brew.
Step 3: Heat the Water
Boil your filtered water, then let it cool slightly. The ideal temperature is between 195°F and 205°F (90–96°C). Water that’s too hot can burn the coffee, while too cold won’t extract enough flavor.
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a thermometer, boil the water and wait 30 seconds before using.
Step 4: Add Coffee Grounds to the French Press
Place your coarse coffee grounds into the bottom of the French press. Gently shake the press to level the grounds evenly.
Step 5: Pour in Water and Stir
Start your timer and pour in the hot water steadily, covering all the grounds. Make sure you saturate them evenly. Fill to your measured amount (e.g., 900 ml for a full press).
Bloom Tip: Let the coffee sit for 30 seconds to release gas, then stir gently with a spoon or wooden stick to ensure all grounds are wet.
Step 6: Steep for 4 Minutes
Place the lid on with the plunger pulled up. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes. During this time, the water extracts the rich oils and flavor compounds from the grounds.
Optional: For a stronger brew, steep up to 5 minutes. For lighter flavor, reduce steep time to 3–3.5 minutes.
Step 7: Press the Plunger Slowly
After steeping, press the plunger down slowly and steadily. Don’t force it—this can stir up sediment. The metal mesh filter will separate the brewed coffee from the grounds at the bottom.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Pour your freshly brewed coffee into your mug or carafe. Serve immediately to preserve its temperature and flavor. If you leave coffee sitting in the press, it will continue to steep and may become bitter.
Read More: How to Use a Coffee Brewer
💡 French Press Brewing Tips
- Use fresh, filtered water for the best coffee taste
- Preheat the French press by rinsing with hot water before brewing
- Avoid reheating on a stove or warming plate—this alters the flavor
- Add a pinch of sea salt to mellow bitter notes (optional, but effective)
- Use a gram scale for precise measurement—coffee is a science!
Also Know: How to Make a Coffee Frappe
🧼 Cleaning Your French Press
After brewing:
- Discard the used coffee grounds (they make great compost!)
- Disassemble the plunger and rinse each part
- Wash with mild soap and water
- Let it dry fully to avoid buildup or odors
Monthly, deep-clean the filter assembly with a mixture of baking soda or vinegar to remove oil residue and maintain the mesh’s clarity.
More about: How to Descale Your DeLonghi Coffee Machine
🤔 Why Use a French Press Over Other Methods?
- More flavor: Keeps oils that paper filters remove
- Customizable: Control every variable (grind, time, temperature)
- Simple design: No need for electricity or complicated setup
- Portable: Great for travel or off-grid brewing
Compared to pour-over or drip brewers, the French press offers a more textured, layered coffee experience. It’s ideal for those who want to slow down and savor their morning ritual.
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✅ Final Thoughts
Learning how to make coffee with a French press is both simple and satisfying. Once you master the basics—grind size, water ratio, steep time—you’ll be rewarded with a brew that’s rich, bold, and completely your own.
So grab your press, measure those beans, and take a moment to enjoy the process. Because great coffee isn’t just made—it’s pressed.
FAQs on How to Make Coffee with a French Press:
The ideal coffee-to-water ratio for French press is 1:15, meaning 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams (or ml) of water. For a standard 32 oz (900 ml) French press, use around 60 grams of coarse ground coffee. Adjust the ratio based on how strong you like your brew.
Always use a coarse grind, similar to sea salt. This prevents fine particles from slipping through the metal mesh filter, ensuring a cleaner brew and smoother plunge. A burr grinder is recommended for consistent grind size.
The recommended steeping time is 4 minutes. For a stronger, bolder cup, steep up to 5 minutes. For a lighter taste, reduce steeping to around 3–3.5 minutes. Use a timer for accuracy and consistent results.
Bitterness usually comes from over-steeping or grinding your beans too fine. Muddy texture can result from using a low-quality grinder or not letting the coffee settle before pouring. Always use the correct grind size, steep time, and pour gently.
After brewing, discard the used coffee grounds, disassemble the filter, and rinse each part thoroughly. Wash with mild soap and water. For monthly deep cleaning, use baking soda or a vinegar solution to remove oil buildup and maintain a clean mesh filter.
