The 5 Best French Press Coffee Makers

The simplest way to make great coffee is to use a French press coffee maker. It takes three minutes from the time the water is boiled to the time your coffee is ready to enjoy.

Like everything else in life though, the details are important. For the best cup of coffee you need to start with the right coffee, stored in the right way and ground to the right size.

The French Press for Coffee Fanatics

Coffee fanatics will tell you that only freshly roasted coffee, freshly ground is ever good enough. If you have the time for this, the results are wonderful.

Roast your own or buy freshly roasted coffee in small quantities and store in a cool place (try not to keep roasted coffee for more than a week). Grind immediately before use and never store in the open air. Air is a great enemy of coffee. Oxygen attacks the oils that give coffee its flavor and soon it will taste stale.

For People in a Hurry who know Good Coffee from Bad

For the many people who live very busy lives, vacuum-packed quality coffee, specially ground for a French press, will deliver a full flavor coffee in pretty much the same time that it takes to make instant.

There is a French press coffee-making guide for beginners at the bottom of the page.

Alternative Names For a French Press Coffee Maker

It can be useful to know the alternative names, especially if you are looking for reviews of makers or looking to buy the right kind of ground coffee, so here are some of the most popular names:

• Cafetiere- the French name used in Britain, Ireland and Canada as well as many places in the US.
• The Plunge Pot
• Plunger Pot
• Coffee Plunger

The Five Best French Press Coffee Makers

Bodum is the biggest name in French Press coffee makers. The majority of restaurants offering French press coffee use a Bodum. They are elegant, practical, foolproof and, for the quality that they offer, they are inexpensive.

Bodum Chambord

The venerable Chambord from Bodum is one of the most famous designs in the world of coffee-making. It comes in every size from the 12 cup to the individual cup.

As well as being elegant and practical, the Bodum Chambord offers the following features:

• Brews up to 32 ounces of fresh coffee in the 8 cup version.
• It will preserve the coffee beans' oils for a rich, full flavor
• Very durable, chrome-on-brass frame;
• Easy clean glass carafe (replaceable)
• Stainless-steel press mechanism (replacements available)
• Turn lid to close spout;
• Dishwasher-safe in its entirety.

None of the coffee makers on this page can be used on a stove top- the glass is tough but not that tough!

Grosche Rome

This is one of the most recent French presses to arrive on these shores. If you like a glass pot (it certainly helps if you can check that no grounds are escaping the filter) the Rome is a worthy competitor to the Bodum above

The design is striking and it is also a well made device with a snug fitting plunger in a sturdy metal frame. Some parts are plastic but it is the tough kind of plastic that stands up well to hot water (including dishwashers). The use of plastic in the lid gives the advantage of superior heat retention. Your coffee stays hot longer.

The broad base means it is hard to knock over.

You could also look for the Grosche Madrid which has a lighter base and overall feel.

Frieling Stainless-Steel French Press

If you have dropped too many glass or ceramic carafes and want a tougher alternative you might think about stainless steel.

The Frieling French press is available in various sizes and offers some valuable features:

• Double-wall 18/10 stainless-steel French press for coffee or tea
• Mirror-finish exterior
• Brushed-finish interior
• Plunger mechanism is stainless steel
• The double wall means no burnt hands when serving coffee.
• Will keep coffee hot longer
• Can be used to keep cool drinks cool.

Frieling Creamer and Sugar Bowl Set

You can add to the decor appeal of the Frieling with the specially designed creamer and sugar bowl.

Bodum Columbia

This is Bodum's stylish version of a thermal press. Curvaceous and comfortable in the hand, it has a stainless, mirror finish and will keep coffee hot for up to two hours.

The plunger makes a satisfying suction sound as it is pressed down to let you you know it is well engineered. You will need to look very hard to find a single coffee ground in this pot.

There is a matching creamer and sugar set to complete the ensemble.

Bodum Arabica

This is one the latest lines of stainless steel press pots from Bodum - released in 2011- and already drawing many devotees. It comes in two versions with smaller sizes promised. The slimmer version is a single wall pot and its more sturdy brother has two walls to keep the coffee warm.

It makes a good, strong, unfussy but very elegant contrast to the Columbia and I am guessing that the popularity of the highly linear deign from Freiling has prompted this new line. There is nothing like a little competition to get the best from designers.

LaCafetiere

The popularity of the French Press is soaring and thermal carafes are especially popular. This recent model from LaCafetiere comes in three-cup, six-cup and eight-cup sizes. It offers similar durable qualities as the Bodum and Frieling stainless steel thermal carafes, at a price that is sure to make it popular.

There is a double wall to keep coffee hot for an hour or more and the whole affair can be slipped into a dishwasher for cleaning.

Planetary Design

The line of French presses from Planetary Design certainly addresses the issue of fragility in a glass carafe. The toughness of the double walled stainless steel construction is matched by a precision made plunger that should ensure clear, grounds-free coffee.

There is an interesting color range that is more modern in feel than the classic presses above, as well as a range of sizes. Since arriving on the scene in 2009 Planetary Design has become a well respected name in coffee-making.

Sizes available are 20 oz, 32 oz and 48oz.

Prices begin at around $30.

Links

Bodum is one of the leading names in French press coffee. They produce many more models than are displayed on this page. For the full range of pots you can visit this page: French Press Coffee Maker

How coffee is produced: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee

Learn about the different kinds of tastes found in coffee: http://www.coffeeterms.com/coffee-cupping-and-tasting.htm

All about drip coffee: http://www.drip-coffeemaker.com/