French Press Math

[novasurf]

So, how much coffee do you put in a French Press for the best results?

We get asked this time and time again by our customers and from the coffee semi pros like yourselves on the different boards I post on. So here it is, once and for all.

Multiply the size of your French Press in ounces by 0.057. This is the weight of the coffee you should be using, in ounces. I round up. It's an easy piece of math if you have a calculator, and you only have to do it once, ever.

Get a small kitchen scale. Use it for this once, and then you'll be able to eyeball it forever.

Have at it.

[ashtonlady]

That is way too easy. :)

[Tripp]

You rock, thanks for the good info Norman!

[Dukeuni]

Man, I like it! Nice quick but specific answer. Bah, now I need to buy another french press (last one's press part fell apart!)

[ChicagoWhiteSox]

Thanks:)

[Punchlover]

i like my french press, adn thanks for the info, but i wont be doing any math :p

[Prospector]

That's some good info - thanks! I guess now I'll need to go buy a french press :D

[bookman]

I use my FP for 90% of the coffee I make at home. Can't wait to try this!

[bookman]

Well, after some re-evaluating and experimentatin', the combo that works best for me is one tablespon per 8 oz.

[novasurf]

So some folks simply don't trust the numbers. But the numbers never lie. I'm dyin' because we were at a party and after several coffee misfirings, I weighed in with the host and detailed it all out.

Result: a freshly made cherry crisp + perfectly extracted UB coffee = smilez around the house.

Folks: simply do the math. I kid you not.

[germantown rob]

Well, after some re-evaluating and experimentatin', the combo that works best for me is one tablespon per 8 oz.

I have problems with tablespoon measurements. Do you level it off? do you heap it? some where in between? Have you ever used a scale to see how much variation that that can produce after a few spoons worth?

Also grind size/extraction time are part of the equation as well.

[Sancho]

Seems like a awful lot of coffee per pot? 32oz FP needs 1.8oz ground coffee?

[germantown rob]

Seems like a awful lot of coffee per pot? 32oz FP needs 1.8oz ground coffee?

That is the correct amount of grind so you might not like the math to make cold brew extract. The good news is there is a tea forum for those that don't really like coffee :D.

[Sancho]

That is the correct amount of grind so you might not like the math to make cold brew extract. The good news is there is a tea forum for those that don't really like coffee :D.

Cold brew what?! Your blowing my mind with these big words :confused:

Is this bean weight or ground coffee weight? I weighed out 1.8 oz of grounds and am unsure if my press will be able to handle so much coffee :r

[novasurf]

Bump for the team.

[Mattso3000]

Nicely timed bump. Just bought a press and was wondering this very thing! Is there any difference in quantity for cold extraction?

[mariogolbee]

Thanks.

[Chainsaw13]

Gonna have to try this. I've been using 35g (1.25oz) for a 16oz brew. That's what I kept seeing on all of the videos on coffeegeek.

[Mattso3000]

That's some damn good coffee...

[Chainsaw13]

Weighed out 26g of Colombia Los Naranjos whole beans, ran them through my grinder and brewed two cups in the french press. Wow, such a great tasting cup o' joe. I'm sold.

[spectrrr]

I adore my french press, but I always wondered about that... thanks :tu

[waffle]

Just bought this setup (http://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Coffee-Espresso-zippered-Filters/dp/B002ZD3QJC/ref=pd_sim_sbs_k_2)... similar to a french press so this will work great! Thanks for the bump!!

[ashtonlady]

I am sure there is a thread in here for that one Steve. I dont know if the measurement works for it. Let us know what you think.

[waffle]

Well, used it today and I either have the coffee ground TOO fine (it says to use an espresso grind) or there's too much... I'm going with too much (it calls for two scoops and 10 oz of water, which is what I did and it was so hard to press it down, I was leaning on it... so I'm going to toy with the setup and get it going... I used some Tanzinian Peaberry and it was AMAZING, so I'm not overly upset about it, I just have a new thing to obsess about... oh the best part? NO SLUDGE!

[BSB]

How long do you let a pot of French Press steep?

[jcruse64]

4 minutes, though I have had it at 10 minutes if I'm getting ready for work whilst brewing. I did not notice it hurting the flavor, but then my palate is not really that refined :D. But it's ALWAYS at least 4 minutes, and I always stir the water and grounds up good after I've added the hot water. I DID notice the flavor difference on that.

[BSB]

Thanks!

[Blak Smyth]

4 minutes, though I have had it at 10 minutes if I'm getting ready for work whilst brewing. I did not notice it hurting the flavor, but then my palate is not really that refined :D. But it's ALWAYS at least 4 minutes, and I always stir the water and grounds up good after I've added the hot water. I DID notice the flavor difference on that.

Same as me, I have a dog that barks alarm on my phone at the 4 minute mark.
At first I didn't stir the grinds before steeping and now I do everytime, it tastes much better (And is much easier to press).

My alarm just went off at work and I said "Oh, coffee is done". Then I pressed it and a guy here said, "now I have seen everything".
People at work think I am crazy.

[Dave128]

I'm gonna have to try this.

[thebayratt]

I usually grind about 8-10 table spoons of beans into the grinder for 4cups.
Then let the electric water warmer warm the water to almost boiling. Then put the grounds into the press. While pouring the water slowly into the press, I start to stir it in with a slotted wooden spoon. Stir for about 30-45 seconds more once the water empties from the the pot. I let it steep for about 3-4 minutes afterwards, press, then enjoy!

[CigarSquid]

Good info. I am in the market for a press.. Just what I needed to know before I got one.

bump.

[novasurf]

This is a post from a while ago, but good info for those that got FP's for the Holidays.

[mosesbotbol]

"Measure" it once and eyeball it the same level from there. Been using the same French Press since 1975. Don't need make a fuss out something so easy. A little off is not going to make a difference.

[Blak Smyth]

"Measure" it once and eyeball it the same level from there. Been using the same French Press since 1975. Don't need make a fuss out something so easy. A little off is not going to make a difference.

Thats what I do, I know exactly what level to fill the beans to in the grinder.

[BSB]

I just use the scale every time, press or drip. It's there, why not get it right? Plus, different beans and different roast levels, change weight-volume ratio.

[mosesbotbol]

I just use the scale every time, press or drip. It's there, why not get it right? Plus, different beans and different roast levels, change weight-volume ratio.

How do define different beans to roast levels, vs. addding or substracting weight? How far or a swing in weight will there be between extremes and do you think you can tell side-by-side a slight weight variation between pots of coffee?

[BSB]

Beans get bigger AND lighter, the darker you roast them. Green beans lose up to 25% of their weight during roasting.
Prolly couldn't tell, but the scale is right next to the coffee, so why not use it?

[DirtRider500R]

Bump for any other fellow newbs :D