How To Use A French Press To Make Coffee

1. What You’ll Need

• French press (also called a press pot or cafetière)

• Freshly ground coffee (coarse grind, like sea salt)

• Hot water (just off the boil, ~200°F / 93°C)

• Stirring spoon or chopstick

• Timer

2. Coffee-to-Water Ratio

• Standard ratio: 1:15 to 1:16 (1 gram coffee to 15–16 grams water)

• Example: 30g coffee (about 6 tablespoons) + 450ml water (about 2 cups)

• Adjust strength to taste.

3. Steps

1. Preheat the french press

• Pour in hot water to warm the glass, then discard. This keeps your coffee hotter for longer.

2. Add Coffee Grounds

• Put coarse-ground coffee into the french press.

3. Add Hot Water

• Pour in hot water evenly over the grounds.

• Start your timer.

4. Stir

• Stir gently with a spoon or chopstick to make sure all the coffee grounds are saturated.

5. Place the Lid

• Put the lid on with the plunger pulled up. This keeps the heat in while brewing.

6. Brew

• Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes (for a balanced cup).

• For stronger coffee, steep up to 5 minutes; for lighter, 3 minutes.

7. Press

• Slowly press the plunger down. Apply steady, gentle pressure until it reaches the bottom.

8. Serve Immediately

• Pour the coffee into mugs or a carafe right away to prevent over-extraction (which makes coffee bitter).

4. Extra Tips

• Grind Size: Too fine = muddy coffee + hard to press; too coarse = weak coffee. Aim for coarse, consistent grounds.

• Water Quality: Use filtered water if possible—it makes a big difference in flavor.

• Cleaning: Rinse immediately after use to avoid coffee oils building up in the mesh filter.