Cheat Sheet for Coffee Lovers: Bodum French Press Instructions

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Making coffee with a French press may seem daunting, but with the correct instructions and some helpful tips, you can make a delicious cup of coffee with your Bodum coffee maker.

Unlike a traditional coffee maker that heats water and works internally to make a cup of coffee, a French press provides you with significantly more control over your cup of coffee.

From heating the water, to mixing and separating, using a French press is a great way to elevate your coffee skills.

Begin mastering your skills by learning these French press instructions for Bodum, specifically.

How to Make Coffee with a Coffee Maker?

Whether this is your first time, or your millionth, following these instructions is critical for making a quality cup of coffee.

First, and most importantly, you should have all the materials you’ll need for the entire process at the ready.

You will want:

French Press
Coffee of Choice
Water
Spoon
Coffee Mug
Timer
Kettle (or pot to heat water)

Organizing your materials ahead of time can make the entire experience more streamlined, which will prevent making mistakes.

Step 1: First, you should ensure that you Bodum French press is clean and ready for use. As you clean your press, you can put a pot of water to boil. This is the water you’ll be using to create your coffee, so be sure it’s clean or purified. Hard or chlorinated water will affect the taste.
Step 2: Set aside the coffee you’ll be using. Take this time to grind your coffee beans if you’re looking for an even fresher taste. Once your coffee is ground, pour it into your French press and shift it around to ensure an even spread.
Step 3: It’s time to pour! By now, your hot water should be ready, so pour half evenly over your coffee and save the rest for later. This initial pour of hot water actually helps release the aroma and taste from your coffee, which creates that great taste that is synonymous with French press coffee. After about 30 seconds, you can stir the coffee and pour the remaining water.
Step 4: Now it’s time to wait for your coffee to steep. This is basically the time where your coffee gets its taste and flavor. After about four minutes, you can press the plunger all the way down to separate the grounds from the liquid. Immediately pour your coffee into a mug for the best taste.

While it may seem a bit more complicated than a traditional coffee maker, using a French press to brew your coffee can offer you more control and creativity over the brewing process.

Best Coffee for French Press

Unlike a traditional coffee maker, which uses very finely ground coffee, a French press uses coarser ground beans. This coarse grind allows for more flavor during the brewing process, which is what the French press is known for.

In order to get this style of coffee, your best options are to either purchase a grinder, or to ask your local store for the correct style of coffee.

As far as type of coffee goes, this is very often up to the drinker. You can use just about any type of bean with your French press, but the most common is a medium blend or dark roast coffee.

These full-bodied coffee beans offer stronger taste, and when brewed slowly, can create a bolder flavor.

The 3 Most Common Mistakes In French Press Brewing

Brewing coffee in a French press is complex enough, so knowing the common errors makes it easier to avoid them. Critical brewing mistakes to avoid include:

Not Grinding the Beans Correctly: While a French press will work with any type of coffee, the regular coffee you buy at the store is not actually the correct grind. Coffee for a French press should be ground coarsely for added flavor. Whether you buy it that way or grind it yourself, ensuring a coarse grind will get you the best coffee.
Leaving the Coffee in the French Press: When you use a French press, it should be with an exact quantity in mind. If you leave the coffee in the press for an extended amount of time it will get bitter because it continues to brew while it’s in the press.
Using Boiling Water: While you do need to boil water to use in your French press, you do not need to pour it at that temperature. After your water has come to a boil, let it sit for a moment before pouring it in the press. This will prevent scorching or any bitter taste.