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Message
Coffee talk (or, should I buy a French press)
Posted on 8/22/26 at 9:32 am
Posted on 8/22/26 at 9:32 am
We've got some keurig latte maker thing at our house which sort of works because the wife likes lates and wants goofy flavored coffee while I like black (or maybe a dash of milk) coffee that tastes like coffee. The problem is that after years of use anything that comes out of it tastes like some abominable mixture of all the 1000 different types she runs through it. Even after I try to clean it which she has no interest in doing.
All that to say I think I need my own coffee maker, and I think maybe I want a French press but I have never used nor drank from one. I figure there's bound to be some coffee sages here that can help fellow out.
I really like the taste of (good, or at least decent) coffee, but I'm caffeine sensitive. I drink 10oz of half caff coffee and that gets me going. When I'm at work and drinking fully leaded I can only go with about a half a mug. More than 2/3 and I get wired.
Therefore I don't need something that can make a lot. Just one good mug really. Also, even though we have a keurig we almost never use packaged pods. We have a few little filter things you load up with a scoop then rinse out. I also only drink coffee at home a few times a week (2-4), so I don't really want to splurge on a bunch of fancy whizbangs for something that I likely wouldn't use every day.
I was thinking maybe I'd like to get a French press. It allegedly it makes a good cup of coffee. I already have a kettle. I figure I can make a good 10 or 12oz for myself and the wife can continue to drink her flavored coffee milk abominations.
What I don't know is all the intricacies of French press use. I typically just buy pre-ground coffee and bonus points if it comes half caff or I just mix a decaf and regular. Do I have to start buying whole beans and grinding or can I get away with continuing with pre ground? Also how much of a PITA is it to clean afterward? Is it possible to extract less caffeine from the grinds using a French press, while still extracting plenty of flavor?
Am I maybe on the wrong course and should be looking at something else instead?
Learn me something, ye knowers of coffee, for I am a simple minded sipper in search of a good cup.
All that to say I think I need my own coffee maker, and I think maybe I want a French press but I have never used nor drank from one. I figure there's bound to be some coffee sages here that can help fellow out.
I really like the taste of (good, or at least decent) coffee, but I'm caffeine sensitive. I drink 10oz of half caff coffee and that gets me going. When I'm at work and drinking fully leaded I can only go with about a half a mug. More than 2/3 and I get wired.
Therefore I don't need something that can make a lot. Just one good mug really. Also, even though we have a keurig we almost never use packaged pods. We have a few little filter things you load up with a scoop then rinse out. I also only drink coffee at home a few times a week (2-4), so I don't really want to splurge on a bunch of fancy whizbangs for something that I likely wouldn't use every day.
I was thinking maybe I'd like to get a French press. It allegedly it makes a good cup of coffee. I already have a kettle. I figure I can make a good 10 or 12oz for myself and the wife can continue to drink her flavored coffee milk abominations.
What I don't know is all the intricacies of French press use. I typically just buy pre-ground coffee and bonus points if it comes half caff or I just mix a decaf and regular. Do I have to start buying whole beans and grinding or can I get away with continuing with pre ground? Also how much of a PITA is it to clean afterward? Is it possible to extract less caffeine from the grinds using a French press, while still extracting plenty of flavor?
Am I maybe on the wrong course and should be looking at something else instead?
Learn me something, ye knowers of coffee, for I am a simple minded sipper in search of a good cup.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 9:37 am to LSshoe
French press can make some pretty good coffee.
It can get better if you grind your own beans.
Let us know when you are ready to buy an espresso machine.
It can get better if you grind your own beans.
Let us know when you are ready to buy an espresso machine.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 9:54 am to CastleBravo
We got French presses originally because we get up at different times and it was better than having coffee sit on the warmer for a couple of hours or getting poured out
We then got rid of our coffee machines because we like the coffee made from a French press better. Now we do have a Nepresso machine that makes excellent coffee, but we seldom use it. Just not part of the routine now and it makes coffee in smaller amounts.
I would suggest getting an insulated French press that will hold enough for two cups (for me, a cup is a 16-oz insulated tumbler).
French presses are not that expensive but if you want to try one just to see how you like it, go to Goodwill. You can probably find one for $5 or so.
The main holdup for me at first was what do do with the grounds. Then I remembered that coffee grounds are good for the soil and plants. So, I just add a bit of water to the press, swirl it around and sling the grounds out into the yard.
It is a bit better if you grind the beans, but we seldom do it. I make my own half-caff mixes by combining Lavazza and whatever decaf I find. One tumbler in the morning is all the caffeine I need.
We then got rid of our coffee machines because we like the coffee made from a French press better. Now we do have a Nepresso machine that makes excellent coffee, but we seldom use it. Just not part of the routine now and it makes coffee in smaller amounts.
I would suggest getting an insulated French press that will hold enough for two cups (for me, a cup is a 16-oz insulated tumbler).
French presses are not that expensive but if you want to try one just to see how you like it, go to Goodwill. You can probably find one for $5 or so.
The main holdup for me at first was what do do with the grounds. Then I remembered that coffee grounds are good for the soil and plants. So, I just add a bit of water to the press, swirl it around and sling the grounds out into the yard.
It is a bit better if you grind the beans, but we seldom do it. I make my own half-caff mixes by combining Lavazza and whatever decaf I find. One tumbler in the morning is all the caffeine I need.
This post was edited on 8/22/26 at 9:58 am
Posted on 8/22/26 at 10:06 am to LSshoe
Mokapot is a great option for a single cup. But a cheap spice grinder and your own beans.
Easy to use once you get the hang of it, and a good routine to start the day.
You can find a good one under $30.
Easy to use once you get the hang of it, and a good routine to start the day.
You can find a good one under $30.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 10:07 am to LSshoe
I use a French Press everyday. Its better if you grind your own beans as you need a coarse grind but most stores where you buy beans have a grinder you can use and set it to coarse grind. You'll have to go through some trial and error to figure out the amount of beans you need for each brew but once you get it set its easy. And a French Press results in less caffeine than other brewing methods so that works for what you are wanting. Now my cholesterol spiked when I started using a French Press many years ago, which is a known issue with a press, so now I pour it through a filter into my cup. I use a ceramic filter holder like this LINK and put a No. 4 paper filter in it. It is a PIA sometimes as it can clog easily but thats what I have to do.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 11:20 am to LSshoe
I have a french press made by Coffee Gator, which is a metallic, double walled, container, so it keeps our coffee hot. Use it everyday and love it (available on Amazon for about $30). Grind beans on a coarse setting and just add hot water and wait approx 10 mins. I have never had an issue with grounds getting into my coffee cup.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 11:59 am to pmacneworleans
Four minutes is sufficient.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 12:12 pm to LSshoe
French press is nice as an option & cheap.. I have one that I use occasionally. If I were you, I’d invest in a good drip maker that keeps water to gold cup standard (Bonavita) & a good burr grinder (Baratza Encore)
This post was edited on 8/22/26 at 12:13 pm
Posted on 8/22/26 at 1:04 pm to LSshoe
Try an Aeropress.
LINK
I use mine when my wife is out of town.
She prefers drip coffee so it’s easy just to let her make it every day.
The device rests on top of your coffee mug. Just insert a filter (comes with device), add coffee grounds, pour in hot water (175 degrees is recommended), stir, wait a few seconds and use the plunger.
It’s very easy to clean and doesn’t take up much space as larger French presses do. I just hand wash/rinse it after dumping the coffee filter and grounds.
America’s Test Kitchen rated it as the “Best Manual Coffee Maker” 2 years ago. I don’t think they have updated those rankings.
LINK
I use mine when my wife is out of town.
She prefers drip coffee so it’s easy just to let her make it every day.
The device rests on top of your coffee mug. Just insert a filter (comes with device), add coffee grounds, pour in hot water (175 degrees is recommended), stir, wait a few seconds and use the plunger.
It’s very easy to clean and doesn’t take up much space as larger French presses do. I just hand wash/rinse it after dumping the coffee filter and grounds.
America’s Test Kitchen rated it as the “Best Manual Coffee Maker” 2 years ago. I don’t think they have updated those rankings.
This post was edited on 8/22/26 at 1:09 pm
Posted on 8/22/26 at 1:23 pm to LSshoe
I have one that someone gave me as a present years ago and I don’t think I have ever taken it out of the box. This may inspire me to finally try it.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 2:44 pm to NoBoDawg
quote:
If I were you, I’d invest in a good drip maker that keeps water to gold cup standard (Bonavita) & a good burr grinder (Baratza Encore)
Agree. When I decided to make a better cup at home without going crazy, I bought an Oxo grinder and Oxo 8 cup drip machine. It basically has an On and Off button. Makes single cups too.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 3:15 pm to LSshoe
I have not owned a traditional coffee maker in probably 20 years. I only use a French press and think it makes a damn fine cup of coffee.
Posted on 8/22/26 at 3:39 pm to LSshoe
quote:
I was thinking maybe I'd like to get a French press. It allegedly it makes a good cup of coffee. I already have a kettle. I figure I can make a good 10 or 12oz for myself and the wife can continue to drink her flavored coffee milk abominations.
What I don't know is all the intricacies of French press use. I typically just buy pre-ground coffee and bonus points if it comes half caff or I just mix a decaf and regular. Do I have to start buying whole beans and grinding or can I get away with continuing with pre ground? Also how much of a PITA is it to clean afterward? Is it possible to extract less caffeine from the grinds using a French press, while still extracting plenty of flavor?
I go Chemex over French press. Easier clean up and makes a cleaner cup.
To do it right, you'll want to buy whole beans and grind right before brewing. You can do pre-ground with Chemex, but freshly ground is better, especially if you get beans that have been recently roasted. Start with bags that have an actual roast date, not an enjoy by date.
Or if that sounds like like too much, just get a good old school drip coffee maker. It'll still be way better than anything Keurig.
Posted on 8/23/26 at 8:46 am to Zappas Stache
I grind my own beans every morning for my French press. I don’t press it and filter through an aeropress. Excellent, clean cup of coffee.
Posted on 8/23/26 at 9:55 am to WeagleEagle
quote:
I grind my own beans every morning for my French press.
Same. No one else in my house drinks coffee. I make a 16oz mug. Leave for the wife to clean up daily. It’s really easy and makes great coffee.
Posted on 8/23/26 at 12:26 pm to LSshoe
I enjoy my French press because I can tweak everything for the best taste. I can control how long the giinds soak and the water/coffee ratio.
Posted on 8/23/26 at 2:10 pm to LSshoe
Second a French press and grind your own beans. Literally takes me less than 5 minutes in the morning.
I will recommend a double walled metal French press. When I started out I had a glass one, however after repeated use and washing, it shattered on me one day while full of coffee.
I will recommend a double walled metal French press. When I started out I had a glass one, however after repeated use and washing, it shattered on me one day while full of coffee.
Posted on 8/23/26 at 2:18 pm to xXLSUXx
quote:
I will recommend a double walled metal French press.
That's what I use as well.
Posted on 8/24/26 at 4:41 pm to lostNkansas
quote:
Hario V60 pour over is my daily routine.
Hario Switch is mine.
I like the Switch. I would consider the Aeropress also.
Grinding your own beans everyday makes the biggest difference.
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