How to Use a French Press: Step-by-Step Guide
The French press is the simplest way to make full-bodied coffee at home. The ratio, grind and timing to use, step by step, and how to avoid a muddy cup.
Quick answer
To use a French press, add 30 g of coarsely ground coffee per 500 ml of water (about 1:16), pour water just off the boil, stir, put the lid on and wait 4 minutes, then press slowly and pour straight away.
- Grind coarse, similar to sea salt
- A 17 oz Bodum Chambord holds about 500 ml: use about 30 g of coffee
- Some fine sediment is normal; let the cup settle for a minute
A French press needs no paper filters, no electricity beyond your kettle and very little technique. It's the easiest way to make a rich, full-bodied cup at home.
Classic choice
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Bodum · French Presses
Chambord French Press 17 oz
Borosilicate glass in a stainless steel frame, sized for one or two mugs.
- Heat-resistant borosilicate glass in a durable stainless steel frame
- No paper filters needed
- Simple brewing for a full-bodied cup
$41.91 on Amazon
Price as of – Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
French press ratio by size
| Water | Coffee | Makes |
|---|---|---|
| 250 ml | 15 g | One small mug |
| 500 ml (17 oz Bodum Chambord) | 30 g | One large or two small mugs |
| 1 L (larger presses) | 60 g | Four mugs |
How to use a French press, step by step
- Grind the coffee coarse, similar to sea salt.
- Add about 30 g of coffee per 500 ml of water to the press.
- Pour water just off the boil, stir gently and put the lid on with the plunger up.
- Wait 4 minutes, then press slowly and steadily.
- Pour straight away so the coffee doesn't keep extracting. If you made more than you'll drink, pour the rest into a carafe.
Fix your French press: taste and adjust
| If your coffee… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Tastes sour or thin | Grind a little finer, or steep a little longer |
| Tastes bitter or harsh | Grind a little coarser, or press sooner |
| Is muddy or hard to press | Grind coarser; fine grounds clog the mesh |
| Tastes weak | Use a little more coffee |
The grinder matters
A burr grinder gives an even coarse grind with fewer fine particles, so the cup is cleaner and the plunger presses smoothly.
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For an even coarse grind
Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
The Baratza Encore is an entry-level electric burr grinder for filter coffee, with 40 grind settings, 40 mm conical burrs and a simple on/off switch plus a pulse button.
$149.95 on Amazon
Price as of – Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
French press or pour-over?
French press gives a richer, heavier cup with almost no technique; pour-over gives a cleaner, brighter cup. See Hario V60 vs French press, or learn how to make pour-over coffee.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee do I put in a French press?
About 30 g of coarse coffee per 500 ml of water, a ratio of about 1:16. For a 17 oz Bodum Chambord, that is about 30 g.
How long should coffee steep in a French press?
About 4 minutes, then press slowly and pour straight away.
What grind size is best for a French press?
Coarse, similar to sea salt. Fine grounds make the coffee muddy and the plunger hard to press.
Why is my French press coffee bitter?
It has usually extracted too much: grind a little coarser, press sooner, and pour it all out after pressing instead of leaving it in the press.
Why is there sludge at the bottom of my cup?
The metal mesh lets fine particles through. A burr grinder makes fewer fines; letting the cup settle for a minute helps too.
Sources
- Bodum Chambord French Press 17 oz (1924-16): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B00012D0R2), checked 30 Oct 2026
- Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (ZCG485BLK): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B007F183LK), checked 30 Oct 2026
Coffee Gear Scout Editors · Editorial team
We research home coffee equipment from manufacturer documentation and product details, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Our profiles are labelled “Researched” unless we have used the equipment ourselves.