Using a French Press

A French press or coffee press is the preferred way by many to brew a cup of coffee. It is also great when you only need to brew a few cups instead of a whole pot of coffee. Next time you go camping, take your French press along with you! Don't have a press yet? Please go to our "Other Products" category. We sell a really nice Bodum French press.

1.  Heat cold water in a kettle, and when it has reached a rapid boil, take it off the burner.  Allow to settle for a few moments. (some recommend 45 seconds exactly.)

2.  While your water rests, add coffee grounds to the clean pot: One Tablespoon for every 4 oz. of water.

3.  Pour the water from the kettle over the grounds, moving to thoroughly saturate.  Do not pour water all the way to the top.  You want to allow room for “the bloom,” which is the foam at the top of the liquid that results from using fresh coffee. 

4.  If you have a timer, set it for four minutes, but after one minute, stir so the grounds are well blended into the water and the bloom has broken down.  At four minutes, put the lid on, and while holding the handle with one hand, carefully press down until the lid reaches the top of the glass pot.  You may have to stop and release a couple of times because pressure can build up in the pot. Be careful not to press too forcefully or too quickly. Remember, you have scalding hot liquid in the pot!

5.  Pour the coffee immediately into cups. If you’re not going to drink the coffee right away, pour into a thermal carafe.  Excess sediment can be strained out with a fine filter screen as you pour the coffee.