A French press brews coffee by immersion and separates the grounds with a plunger filter. It needs no capsules, but grind size, quantities and the condition of the vessel matter.
Which grind should you use?
Bodum's guide recommends a coarse grind for its French press. Very fine coffee can pass through the filter and make the plunger difficult to lower. Check your brewer's recommendation; an espresso-labelled pack is not automatically suitable.
Organise your brewing routine
- Check that the vessel and filter are undamaged and place the press on a stable surface.
- Measure coffee and water according to the manual. Record the quantities so you can repeat the recipe.
- Add water at the recommended temperature and stir with a utensil suitable for the vessel.
- Follow the steeping time. Bodum's guide uses four minutes as a reference for its method.
- Lower the plunger slowly and serve. If resistance is strong, do not force it: stop and consult the instructions.
A starting recipe, not a universal formula
Use the manufacturer's recipe as a starting point. To adjust flavour, change one variable at a time: quantity, grind or time, within the equipment's instructions. Record the change and result before deciding you need a different coffee.
Compare drinks in the same cup size. A mug with more water is not directly comparable with a concentrated brew, even when the brand is identical.
Pre-ground coffee or grinding at home?
Pre-ground coffee saves a task, provided its grind suits the method. Beans let you grind the required amount if you have a suitable grinder. Browse coffee beans or ground coffee and confirm available grind sizes before ordering.
Cleaning and the next use
Allow the equipment to cool and follow its dismantling and washing instructions. Check that the filter is free of residue. Keep remaining coffee sealed, as explained in our opened coffee storage guide.