Anyone use a French Press for coffee?

[mikeyhegs]

aaaaaaaand now i have a mini french press/travel mug combo. the internet is sooobad for impulsive shopping.

[Tigerbass]

OK, day 1 with the french press was an epic fail! Had to save the morning with my trusty old cuisinart coffee pot.
I hope to do better tomorrow.

[hclapp219]

OK, day 1 with the french press was an epic fail! Had to save the morning with my trusty old cuisinart coffee pot.
I hope to do better tomorrow.

What went wrong? Maybe we can help...

[Tigerbass]

Way to weak, tasted like hot water with brown crayons dipped in it. I used 8 tablesoons of coarsely ground coffee, and it was kickass strong coffee! I used exactly 4 full cups of just under boiling water...32 ounces worth.
My response...

[hclapp219]

Hmm, a few things that come to mind... 1) How long did it steep for? I usually do mine 4-5 minutes. 2) HOw did you measure just under boiling? I bring water to a boil then let it sit until it stops boiling (about ten seconds) and then slowly pour it in. 3) Did you stir the grounds around so they all were saturated with water? They'll still mostly float at the top, but they shouldn't be dry.

Sorry that it didn't work out well this time. I had a similar experience the first time I tried cold-brew coffee. I made the mistake of using the method found in GQ

[Tigerbass]

Hmmm...judging by what you said, I didn't bring it to boiling and then let it simmer, so I'll try that. I also didn't physically stir the grounds, although I did pour the water around and around covering them pretty good. I will certainly do it like you explained tomorrow and see what happens. Did my measurements seem ok?

[jumbo_steelie]

I'm tempted to get the wife one for a bday gift/no reason at all gift. She drinks coffee like that at work all the time and I'd like her to make it for me too....

[bigchiefbc]

I just got a french press today (a bodum 8-cup jawn). Then I realized that I have no whole bean coffee, everything I have here is pre-ground. So I'll pick up some more coffee later today and report back

[ifeellikeatourist]

Sorry it didn't work out for you; it sounds like you did everything right! Definitely make sure you stir the grounds around after pouring the water and then steep for a full five minutes. Also, make sure you push down the plunger after sweeping--not before. Other than that, it really should turn out fine. If you still find it to be too weak for you, you can always use more coffee, but I've never really encountered a strong coffee that 1tbsp per 4 oz wasn't enough for--and I like my coffee pretty strong, so is say the amount you're using should be fine.

[CaptainWampum]

You pushed the thing down AFTER you let it steep right?

[Tigerbass]

You pushed the thing down AFTER you let it steep right?

Haha...yes I did. I chickened out today! I was hoping for as little more info to pop up before I wasted a bunch of coffee again. I'm getting a pretty good picture of what to do now. I feel like such a doofus, I can cook the most outrageous, complicated food you can imagine, but can't make coffee!
Tomorrow for sure!

[ifeellikeatourist]

Also, if you're still feeling unsure and worried, look up some how to videos on the web just to make sure you've got it all down.

[McSpunckle]

French press coffee is the best.

I usually just use a Keurig for convenience, but when I'm at someone's house and they have a french press.. guh. Coffeegasm.

[bigchiefbc]

Just made my first cup of coffee with my new french press.

That was a pretty fucking good cup of coffee. I used Peet's French Roast. I only have a blade grinder (cuisinart) for now, but I was able to get a relatively consistent coarse grind with it. I'm sold.