How to Brew Coffee in a French Press
Rich, full-bodied coffee with a coarse grind and a four-minute steep.
Try Pour-OverIf you want to learn how to brew coffee in a French press, you are picking one of the simplest and most forgiving methods there is. A press steeps coarse grounds in hot water, then a metal mesh plunger holds the grounds back while you pour. The result is a rich, full-bodied cup.
What You Need
- A French press of any size.
- Coarsely ground coffee, like rock salt.
- Water just off the boil.
- A spoon and a timer; a scale if you have one.
Starting Ratio
The National Coffee Association suggests 1 gram of coffee to 10–16 grams of water for a French press. A middle point, around 1:14, is a sensible first brew; go toward 1:12 for stronger coffee or 1:16 for lighter.
How to Brew Coffee in a French Press, Step by Step
- Heat the water, then let it rest briefly after boiling (about 93°C, or 200°F).
- Warm the press with a little hot water and discard it.
- Add the coarse grounds to the empty press.
- Pour in about a third of the water, enough to wet all the grounds, and stir gently.
- After about 30 seconds, pour in the rest of the water.
- Put the lid on with the plunger up and steep for about 4 minutes in total.
- Press the plunger down slowly and steadily.
- Pour all of the coffee out right away.
Getting the Taste Right
Too bitter
Grind coarser or shorten the steep by 30 seconds.
Too sour or thin
Grind slightly finer or steep a little longer.
Too strong
Use a bit more water for the same coffee, or add hot water to the cup.
Gritty
Coarser grind, slower press, and leave the last spoonful in the press.
A trick some home brewers use: after the steep, gently skim off the foam and floating grounds with a spoon before pressing. It can make the cup a little cleaner.
Cleaning Your Press
Scoop the spent grounds into the compost or trash rather than the sink, rinse the press, and every so often take the plunger apart to wash the mesh screens with warm soapy water. Old oils trapped in the mesh can make fresh coffee taste stale.
A French press is also handy for cold brew: steep coarse grounds in cool water in the fridge, then press. See our cold brew guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my French press coffee muddy?
Usually the grind is too fine, which lets small particles slip past the mesh. Use a coarse grind, press slowly and gently, and leave the last bit of coffee in the press rather than pouring the sludge into your cup.
Can I leave coffee in the French press?
It keeps extracting while it sits on the grounds and turns bitter. Pour it all out as soon as you press, into cups or a separate carafe.
Try a Cleaner Cup
Pour-over uses a paper filter for a lighter, brighter cup. See how the bloom and the slow pour work.
Pour-Over Guide