How to Use a Coffee Press

One of the biggest factors stopping people from purchasing a coffee press is that they don't know how to use one. After purchasing one for myself I've learned that making a perfect cup of coffee is extraordinarily easy with a classic French press. The great news is that not only are French presses easy to use, but they are also extremely cheap. Follow this step by step guide to learn how to use a coffee press.

1. Use coarse grounds - To use a coffee press you need to use coarsely ground coffee. Finely ground coffee will clog up the filtering system, preventing the coffee press from working and creating a headache for you. Very finely ground coffee could even escape the filtration system. For the freshest results, manually grind your coffee beans right before you make your coffee.

2. Measure out the coffee - The recommended amount of coarse coffee grounds to use is one large tablespoon per 4 ounces of coffee. Do the math for how much your making to figure out how much you need.

3. Pour the coffee grounds - Take the filter and plunger system out and pour the coffee grounds directly into the bottom of the French press.

4. Heat and pour in the water - Heat up however much water you need and pour it into the coffee press. You want to water to be extremely heat but not boiling, so if it boiled just give it a few seconds to cool down.

5. Stir the mixture - Stir around the coffee grounds and the hot water in the coffee press for a quick moment.

6. Put the top back on - Place the top of the coffee press including the filter and the plunger back atop of the French press, but don't press down.

7. Let it sit - You want your mixture to sit with the top on for about four minutes. You can use a kitchen timer on your oven to easily keep track of this, or otherwise just keep a close eye on your watch. You generally wouldn't want any less than four minutes, but if you left it for a bit longer you'd get stronger coffee.

8. Push and plunge - Slowly and gently push down on the plunger. If your coffee press is glass or see through, you'll be able to see the coffee rising above the filter as you keep all of the coffee grounds below.

9. Enjoy - Pour the coffee into your cup and enjoy!

Learning how to use a coffee press really isn't that difficult. You can make a great, fresh cup of coffee with no hassle in well under ten minutes. It's a tried and true way to get distortion free, great tasting coffee from the convenience of your home.