How to Use a French Coffee Press

The French Coffee Press is a fun and easy device for making great coffee. If you like coffee, but don’t like it “cooked”, this is the item for you.You can purchase one at any department or outdoor supply store. Yes, these little coffee pots lend themselves very well to travel. All you need is coarse ground coffee and hot water. Within minutes you have several cups of delicious fresh coffee.

Things You'll Need

• French Coffee Press
• Coarse Ground Coffee
• Hot Water

Instructions

1. 

   Remove the lid and press system from the pot.

2. 

   Put two or three scoops (or more to taste) into the bottom of the carafe.

3. 

   Then pour hot, not boiling, water on top of the coffee grounds. Do not fill it to the top; leave at least an inch free at the top of the pot.

4. Stir with a non-metallic spoon. A metal spoon can scratch the carafe.

5. 

   Pull the press mechanism to the top of the lid and place it on the carafe.

6. 

   Let the coffee brew for about 10 to 15 minutes, more if you want it stronger, less if you want weaker coffee.

7. 

   At the end of the brewing time, slowly push the press until it reaches the bottom of the carafe. As you press, you will notice that all the coffee grounds will be forced ahead of the press. They will all end up at the bottom of the pot, under the press mechanism, and coffee will be squirting up through the mesh. If you press too fast, you may spill hot coffee on yourself, so take your time. When you reach to bottom of the pot, you will have all the coffee grounds neatly smashed into the bottom and nice fresh coffee in the top.

8. 

   Serve by pouring into cups. Be careful though, the carafe will be hot, and so will the coffee.

Tips & Warnings

• One press, should give you enough coffee for four cups; or two large ones, which ever your pleasure. You will be glad you tried it.

• If you used a finer grind of coffee, you may end up with grounds or sludge in the bottom of your cup. But, that can be rectified by purchasing coarse ground coffee for use in your press.

• Be careful, this is hot.