You’ve heard about the health benefits of drinking coffee, and you’re tired of instant coffee, so you decide to buy yourself a French press coffeemaker. But after bringing it home and brewing your first pot, you find that you don’t like the way your coffee tastes and decide to return it to the store—only to find out they won’t take it back because you used it once! The moral of this story? Read up on how to buy a French press coffeemaker before you spend your money on one from https://cafeduchateau.net/products/french-press
Mistake #1: Not Doing Your Research
You should probably know what you’re looking for before you start shopping. There are two main categories of french presses: stovetop and electric. Stovetop presses use gravity to force water through coffee grounds and into your cup, meaning it’s very difficult to over-extract (and make bitter) your coffee using one of these presses. Electric presses work by forcing hot water through coffee grounds with an internal pump, which means they tend to be easier to use but can also produce more bitter coffee if used incorrectly. If you’re not sure which type is right for you, check out our guide on how to choose a french press.
Mistake #2: Skipping the ‘French’ Part
Many people rush out and buy an inexpensive, non-French coffee press. It makes sense. You want to make sure you’re getting a great deal on something that gets your coffee beans in contact with hot water quickly. But, it’s important to understand that not all presses are created equal: while they may do a fine job of getting your grounds wet, they won’t necessarily give you superior coffee flavor. If all you care about is price or speed, go ahead and order online.
Mistake #3: Choosing Materials that Are Too Lightweight
If you’re going to be making coffee for more than just yourself, it’s important that your coffee press can handle all that weight. If you’re thinking of getting an aluminum French press, think again: these are notoriously flimsy. If you must have an aluminum press, then make sure it is at least double-walled—but even then, it’s not as sturdy as the coffee presser stainless steel.
Mistake #4: Skipping the Coffee Grinder
I’ve had customers come into my shop saying that they were looking for a coffee press. I asked them about their brewing method and why they needed a coffee press. They told me that they already owned one, but it broke because their glass was cracked from traveling too much. I asked them where their coffee grinder was and if they’d ever ground their beans before pressing them. All of them told me no—they didn’t own any type of grinder to grind their beans.
Mistake #5: Not storing it properly
The biggest mistake people make is not taking care of their French press after brewing. Properly stored, your coffee press will last for years. Clean and dry your coffee maker immediately after each use and always keep it in a safe place. Avoid storing it in places that are exposed to extreme temperature changes or moisture as they can be bad for its condition.
