The Best French Press Coffee-Maker
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Coffee presses are a great invention, but sorting out which one to buy can be difficult. I think you will agree, after reading this post, that I have found the best coffee press out there–it’s sturdy, non-toxic, and makes a decent amount of coffee so you’re never lacking!
I was still drinking about a cup (sometimes translated as a mug filled up to the brim :-)) of coffee every morning, but now I am not.
In any case, every time I used my plastic electric coffee maker, I cringed, wondering what lethal or hormone-altering combination of BPA and other chemicals in the plastic might be doing to my health. (Here is an article in Science Daily regarding the issue of hot water and BPA.
Even if your coffee maker doesn’t have BPA in it, combining heat and plastic isn’t something I want to be applying to my food and drink.)
At first I thought I’d get a stainless coffee maker, but those too are completely plastic on the inside…just look at yours!
So I dove into the internet in search of a the best coffee press.
If you’re not familiar with french presses, they are basically a container that allows you to brew coffee with just the coffee and hot water. No filters or plugs are needed. So you can even save money with one as well.
Now, one dilemma that I had was that I really wanted to stop drinking coffee. You too?
If so, I’m here to encourage you if you need someone to help you along! If I can do it, so can you.
Why Buy a Coffee Press?
1. One thing that appealed to me about a coffee press is that you can make not only coffee in it, but also tea.
2. You can make coffee substitutes in it. Here is my super rich and healthy Coffee Substitute. It is a nice warm cup of something to add some Easiest Coconut Milk to in the morning. 🙂
3. In the case of mine, you can avoid the plastic thing altogether.
In Search of the Best French Press
1. First, glass presses
I started out looking on Craigslist for a press, but only found a really small one that was made of glass. From what I had read in reviews online, the glass models made great-tasting coffee but tended to break after a few years of use.
As I’ve said before, I am definitely a bargain-hunter, but I am willing to spend when it comes to quality. And throwing something out after only a few years’ use is not the definition of quality to me.
So my Craigslist search ended there.
2. Plastic Coffee Presses
The plastic presses, though not breakable, were clearly not an option due to my initial reason for wanting to ditch my coffee maker.
So, back to the drawing board.
3. Stainless Steel French Presses
I found two companies that made stainless french presses that interested me. One was Bodum and the other Frieling.
Bodum’s models were a bit more visually appealing to me (not that that matters too much, but if you are going to use something everyday it is nice to like how it looks :-), and it was a bit less expensive. However, I soon found out that the plunger of this stainless french press was made from plastic.
So onto Frieling.
Finally – The Best French Press
Once I found out that it is made entirely from stainless steel and grilled talked with the company itself and a dealer about the press’ quality, I purchased one from amazon.com.
I really couldn’t be happier.
Why This is the Best French Press Coffee Maker
1. While it isn’t fully insulated, it is to a point and keeps my in-process coffee substitute or tea warm throughout most of the morning, even in our home which is quite cool in the winter (emphasis on “cool”:-)). In fact, just this morning, I made my coffee substitute at about 7 am and 1 and a half hours later, I still needed to let a fresh cup cool for awhile before taking a sip.
2. For cleaning, the interior pieces come apart easily.
3. Since it’s steel, it is super durable. A friend saw mine awhile ago and couldn’t believe the nice quality of this press.
What Size Coffee Press Should You Buy?
You will also have to choose a size for your press. After sorting through the strange way that french press makers quantify a serving size (each cup of coffee equals only 4 ounces — go figure ??) I chose the 35-ounce press.
Basically, if you ever plan on making coffee, tea, or a substitute for guests, then you will certainly want the largest size. There are a lot of reviews on Amazon from disappointed shoppers who purchased a press only to find out that it was much too small for their needs.
So finally, here is my new press!
On the budget side, I know that for a lot of you, paying this much for a new coffee press might seem like a waste of money, and I will say that mine wasn’t quite this expensive. However, when you consider:
- it is unbreakable so you won’t have to replace it
- you will save approximately $14.40 per year on filters (based on the cost of $3.99 for a box of 100)
- you save on the cost of reheating warm beverages due to its insulating quality
- your health is priceless
I consider this a valid purchase for a healthy, budget-conscious home.
And if you happen to need something to keep your coffee (or substitute) warm, take a look at these Klean Kanteen insulated bottles. They keep warm things warm and cold things cold for a long time. I can frequently be seen with one of these in the morning hours when I have to be out and about.
Disclaimer: I was not paid by Frieling nor given anything in exchange for this review.
Have you ever owned or used a coffee press?
YIKES!!! Talk about expensive! The 17 oz is over $65.!!!! And that is on sale, regular price is $109.95
I’m NOT paying that much for a self-done, non electric coffee maker!
Ridiculous, and as in another comment, it is 18% chromium and 10% nickel. NOT healthy.
Sorry.
Yes, it is pricey. I didn’t mind when I bought it because I wanted to avoid plastic and glass. I have been meaning to rewrite this post and have other options but I’m not sure what one I would really endorse. Where are you seeing that the chromium and nickel are in there? I just peeked at other options – really don’t know which way to go with this. Glass / plastic / defective plungers. Seems there’s no great option. I might have to figure something else out–I’m trying something out now.
I did away with my french press, coffee maker, pour over apparatuses and just went cowboy coffee style. Boil a pot of water and pour through a fine mesh strainer. Easy cleanup, great beverages.
That’s great! Does the coffee brew sufficiently that way?
Yes! I bring the pot to a rolling boil, then pour it into a Pyrex pitcher with coffee grounds at the bottom. Wait 7 minutes and it’s fabulous. The closest I could come to a local cafe.
That’s great!!! I get nervous using Pyrex b/c it has burst occasionally on me, but that’s a great idea – then just use a filter – love it!
Hi. I love French Presses, and have two. My only issue with them is the screen and plunger. They usually come with extra SCREENS, however, I have never had the actual screen be a problem. The problem lies with the stem itself. Usually it stops being ‘screw-able’ onto the post, and therefore will not filter the grounds. Hence why I now have TWO containers and ONE plunger. I have tried to purchase extra plungers, but they don’t sell them. I actually have had two glass French Presses, and discovered, as you did they break.
Also, I have a coffee”substitute” as well. I use a product called “DandyBlend”which is roasted dandelion, roasted chicory, roasted barley and rye and roasted beets. It is gluten free. It is a bit spendy, which is why I add more roasted chicory and dandelion to it along with some mushrooms (powdered and processed to be bio available to the body)and an adaptogenic blend. (homemade) It really is good, and sometimes I also add a bit of real coffee to it, as there are SOME benefits to consuming it. (usually no more than a tablespoon-ish to a full 22oz.)
Hello Carol. Oh my I’m so sorry for the delay in responding to this post. Have you ever had a metal press like the one I have?
I have used Dandy Blend a lot in the past year, but I’m upset that it’s not organic and that it’s really increasing in price.
Are you still using it? I’m reverting to this DIY Coffee Substitute and trying to doctor it to where I love it and can save more money.
I am actually drinking a lot less real coffee, since my Dr doesn’t want me to because of my adrenals and thyroid and diabetes (not sure which or combination of…)
A kind of went off all coffee and substitutes as well, since I need to drink over 100 oz of water for the diabetes! Not really very thirsty after all of that!!! (Plus, I have to double any amount of coffee I drink in oz of water in addition to the 100+oz of water!)
I have a couple of 2# Dandy Blend packages stashed away, but as I said, not really drinking much of it …(and yes! It IS expensive!!!)
I have so many ways to make coffee: French Press,(yes the two I still have are stainless steel.), Aero press (plastic!yuk!), mason Jar infuser, old fashioned coffee percolator, Pour over set up, and a very nice spendy espresso maker… and a put away drip machine. About the only one I don’t have is the Mokka Pot: they are ALL aluminum.
As for DB not being organic, the only thing that isn’t organic is the beet root…the rest of the ingredients are organic or has it changed recently?
I have tried the mushroom substitutes, and they aren’t usually organic either, plus they are expensive too…
I have tried several “teas” that are said to be coffee substitutes, but they are TEAS, and don’t have the full flavor and I find them to be “thin” tasting.
If I’m going to be using a substitute, I go with a blend of dandelion and chicory root, as both of these have proven health benefits to drinking them…and sometimes sneak in a bit of real coffee as well!!!
I personally think it’s fine to drink a non caffeinated drink instead of water. In fact, it can be healthier since it has more minerals and other nutrition in it for your body to absorb the water better and/or get more benefits. I love herbal teas with a dash of stevia. I have a few of those teas as well–yummy but I don’t like them as much.
I’m working on my coffee substitute again now using finely ground chicory and dandelion instead of grounds–trying to figure out what I like.
As do I, however I was talking about drinking real coffee…and not feeling like drinking real coffee on top of the 100 oz of water a day. Hence why I don’t drink much real coffee lately.
OK got it. You wrote “A kind of went off all coffee and substitutes as well, since I need to drink over 100 oz of water for the diabetes” so I thought you were including substitutes in with the coffee.
Hi Adrienne,
The guide of your’s on the french press is just amazing it is very helpful for me. But I needed removable the bottom french press. Do you have any idea about it? Please reply to this at your earliest.
Hi there–you are saying that you need the bottom of the press to be removable? And if so, for what purpose? Thanks for the kind words. I need to update this post for sure so glad it was still helpful!
I need the bottom to be removable because French press cleanup is notoriously annoying. But I got the answer that I was looking for.
Thanks. Mine isn’t so bad actually. I guess it depends on what one you purchase.
In your research did you find any stainless steel presses which are NOT made in China?
Hi there. I’m sorry but I didn’t look that deeply. Hopefully I can go back and do more in the future.
Hi there,
I am new to French pressing and planning on buying one soon but can’t seem to find a plastic free grinder for the coffee beans. Do you have any recommendations?
Hi there. So sorry for the incredibly late response. Your comment got buried and I’m finally trying to catch up! Here’s one that looks promising. Does that help? https://amzn.to/3NfKUmu (affiliate link)
Do you know if they use “Food Grade” Stainless Steel. I have a big berkey for water and love it but it is very important to choose 100% “Food Grade” Stainless Steel because other metals can leak toxins. I considered the glass or ceramic but doubt they are as durable!
My understanding is that 18/8 and 18/10 are food grade.
Did you happen to see this post? It has some interesting information in it about Berkeys. https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/how-to-make-your-drinking-water-safe/
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I’m still
Looking for a REAL no nickel or chromium one. The added metals are not good for our bodies
I’m sorry – but I am confused. Are you saying this one has nickel or chromium?
Yes. Stainless steel inherently has 8-10% nickel or chromium, that’s what makes the steel “stainless” (rust resistant). And yes, it can leech into your coffee. Always check your press between uses for metal dust or shavings that might start to come off either from the carafe walls or the mesh filters. As much as I would like a durable one, the articles I read from those who have suffered poisoning while using these, scares me.
Yikes. Could you share links to people who have written about this? I looked briefly but didn’t find anything. What type do you like?