What size French Press should I buy?

32oz (1L) is the sweet spot — enough for two big mugs or four small ones. The 8oz personal sizes are tricky to brew evenly.

Do I need a special grinder?

Coarse grind is the most forgiving — even a $30 hand grinder works fine. A blade grinder gives uneven particle sizes which makes the cup muddier, but it's drinkable.

Can I make cold brew in a French Press?

Absolutely. Use the same coarse grind, cold filtered water, 1:5 ratio, and steep 12-24 hours in the fridge before pressing.

Rich · full-bodied · oily

French Press brew guide.

Difficulty: Beginner
Time: 4 min
Ratio: 1:15
Grind: Coarse
Water: 200°F / 93°C

Overview

French Press is full immersion — coffee grounds steep in hot water with no paper filter, leaving the natural oils and fines in the cup. The result is the richest, fullest body of any brew method. Almost impossible to mess up.

Best beans for French Press

Medium to dark roasts with chocolatey, nutty, or smoky profiles. Brazilian, Colombian, and our Phoenix Blend dark roast are perfect.

Shop beans for French Press

Gear up

Equipment you'll need.

French Press (any size — 32oz is most common)
Burr grinder (or buy coarse-ground)
Kettle
Digital scale (recommended)
Spoon for stirring

The method

Step by step.

1
Heat water to 200°F (93°C) — about 30 seconds off boil.
2
Measure 30g coffee for a 32oz French Press. Coarsely grind (think kosher salt).
3
Pour grounds into the press, then pour in just enough hot water to wet them all. Wait 30 seconds for the bloom.
4
Pour the rest of the water (450g total). Give a gentle stir to break the crust on top.
5
Place the lid on with the plunger pulled UP. Steep for exactly 4 minutes.
6
Slowly press the plunger down — should feel firm but not impossible. Pour immediately into a separate vessel (don't leave coffee on the grounds, it'll over-extract).

Troubleshooting

Common mistakes & fixes.

Cup is full of sludge
Fix: Grind coarser. Fine particles sneak past the mesh — true French Press grind is BIG.
Brew is bitter
Fix: Either steeped too long, or you didn't pour it off the grounds after pressing. Move it.
Brew is weak
Fix: More coffee. The 1:15 ratio is the floor — many people prefer 1:13 or 1:12.
Plunger is hard to push
Fix: Grind is too fine. Coarsen it.

From our roasters

Pro tips.

Always pour the brewed coffee into a separate carafe immediately. Coffee left on grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter.
Pre-warm the press with hot water before brewing — keeps the temperature stable through the 4-minute steep.
For an extra-clean cup, double-strain through a paper filter on the way out.

Brew it with these