French Press
By BunGirl
@BunGirl (2638)
United States
January 8, 2007 11:10am CST
For years I have had a traditional drip coffee maker. Recently I've been thinking about getting a French Press instead. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of the French Press? For those people who have both, which do you prefer?
5 responses
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
26 Jan 07
Both methods can make great coffee (Starbuck make a great drip coffee), but I think a french press is a little more forgiving. It can be alot more messy, but in my experience, you really have to screw it up to make a bad coffee. The other problem with a drip coffee, isn't so much with the machine itself, but more the amount of time people leave the coffee sitting on the hot plate for, slowly roasting and cooking it till it tastes alightly burnt. If you want to make an impression, go french press - just make sure you use freshly roasted and ground beans; most people will notice the difference!
1 person likes this
@jeanettr (60)
• United States
26 Jan 07
I use to use the drip coffee maker, but now I have a french press and love it. I use it at work. When I come in a 8 a.m. while everyone else is in a line in the break room to get coffee, I have my french press at my desk. That is one pro. A con maybe it takes four minutes for the coffee grinds to steep, but you can do something else while waiting. Another pro is the coffee is stronger. There is also less clean up. You just fill it up with coffee, fill up with hot water, stir it, let it sit, press down and you have coffee. There is no need to buy paper filters. Lastly, compared to the drip coffee maker, it takes up less space and uses no electricity.
2 people like this
@comedyaddict (772)
• Canada
27 Jan 07
Those are all good pros. It is nice having your own press at work. :)
1 person likes this
@wesderby (178)
• United States
9 Jan 07
I personally don't own a French Press, but my in-laws have one. They also still have their coffeemaker, and only use the french press on special occasions or when they have more time to devote to the making of the coffee. I will say, having tasted the coffee made with one, it tastes pretty good, but in my opinion, isn't necessarily any better than what I make in my Mr. Coffee. It seems to me to be a bit more time-consuming; it's not as easy as filling the pot, filling the filter, turning it on, and walking away. My in-laws and I are avid coffee drinkers (for some reason, my wife can't stand the stuff), and we've talked about it and agree that it's cool to have as a treat, or if you're someone who has the "extra" time to devote to making your coffee that way as opposed to using the traditional coffeemaker. The coffee does seem a bit stronger out of a French press, and is very tasty. I've considered getting one, but as I'm the only coffee drinker in my home, it just doesn't seem worth it right now.
The one my in-laws have comes with a good-sized caraffe, and I think it might about three 8-ounce mugs of coffee, so it's nice if there are only a couple people drinking it.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
8 Jan 07
I have never used one, but from what I see, a French Press is good for those wanting a stronger cup of coffee. Of course if one wants extremely strong coffee, theyshould try brewing it the Turkish way!! That's what I do.
1 person likes this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
9 Jan 07
I have emotional memories connected to French Press coffee. At one time I had a friend who made only that type. It was always to strong you could float an elephant across the top of it. It was always sooooo very good. Since this friend is now passed away, I always think of him when I drink French Press coffee anywhere. I have thought of getting one too, but just have never gotten around to it. I still use electric drip.
1 person likes this
