French Press (coffee)

[Benzgirl]

Does anyone own a French Press? I am looking into one and wanted some feedback on your experience. The coffee is always amazing.

[amIblue?]

Love, love, love my French press! I am the only coffee drinker at my house, so it's perfect for our family.

I got a stainless steel insulated one from Starbucks a few years ago. It makes just enough for me to have a couple of cups and keeps the second one warm while I'm enjoying the first!

[psusue]

I'm a huge fan of the French press. Totally beats brewed coffee, in my opinion. Plus it's great if you don't have a lot of coffee drinkers in your house or if you just enjoy having a freshly brewed cup every time. I think they're totally worth the investment and I am probably going to buy one to use in my dorm room this year.

[PeppyGPhiB]

We have a French press and love it for making coffee for just the two of us. The reason French presses make such amazing coffee is because they don't filter out any of the oils from the beans, which is what gives coffee its rich flavor. I have a double-walled glass Bodum press - if you get a glass one, make sure it's double-walled because it will keep the coffee warmer for longer.

[AZTheta]

OK, typical of me: I hated the French Press. I hated cleaning the thing, basically, is why I say I hated it. I gave it to someone who adores it. Maybe the French press fans can share cleaning tips? My idea of cleaning it was to get rid of it.

[amIblue?]

Since mine is stainless steel, I just dump everything in the disposal (which is probably horrible for it) and stick the pieces in the dishwasher. I have a strict rule about non-dishwasher safe items: I won't have them.

There's all kinds of nice things that we received for our wedding that haven't seen the light of day in years because I'd have to hand wash them. Some might call it being lazy. I choose to view it as being efficient.

[Benzgirl]

Thanks for the feedback. I got home from a business trip and my coffee maker died. I'm going to miss the espresso attachment with the piece for the foaming milk, but I hardly ever used it anyway.

[VandalSquirrel]

If you have cholesterol concerns or issues, don't use one as studies in Europe of french press users have shown unfiltered coffee contributes to higher cholesterol.

I like mine, I use it a lot, but it has one huge draw back, no timer! I have two so I always have a clean one, but to clean it I rinse it in the sink, unscrew the pieces, put it in the dishwasher. Mine isn't double walled but I knit a cozy out of soy wool that keeps it hot. If I don't want a full pot I have a mug that is french press, as well as a portable folding press that fits inside a nalgene for camping.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

If you have cholesterol concerns or issues, don't use one as studies in Europe of french press users have shown unfiltered coffee contributes to higher cholesterol.

I like mine, I use it a lot, but it has one huge draw back, no timer! I have two so I always have a clean one, but to clean it I rinse it in the sink, unscrew the pieces, put it in the dishwasher. Mine isn't double walled but I knit a cozy out of soy wool that keeps it hot. If I don't want a full pot I have a mug that is french press, as well as a portable folding press that fits inside a nalgene for camping.

No cholesterol issues here, but that is good info to know. It kind of surprises me, though since I'm not sure what in coffee beans would do that.

BTW... I have to drink decaf. I really do drink coffee for the taste and not the caffeine.

[WCsweet<3]

I love mine. I don't have the same cleaning issues that most on here seem to have, however, that could be because I inherited my mother's so it is fairly old. It basically has a glass cylinder in a metal stand with a separate push thing. Over all it is three pieces, two of which are dishwasher safe. The glass has to be hand cleaned, but it takes about 30 seconds.

I think it tastes better than brewed coffee and often espresso too. I don't need to add in as much sugar or milk with french press.