Help with french press

smitty81 · 03-27-2012, 10:16 AM

Just got a bodum 4 cup press and used it for the first time today.

It said to add a scoop for every cup. So I added 4 scoops.

Got the water hot but not boiling. Poured it in with the ground up beans and stirred.

Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then pressed it.

I like strong coffee but this was almost to strong. It was so strong that I had a hard time tasting the actual flavor of the coffee. It wasn't bitter though.

I did use a coarse grind on the beans but my grinder is a cheapy and there were some smaller fragments of coffee like one would use in an auto drip.

Is it because of those smaller fragments of coffee that it's so strong or should I just use 3 scoops instead of 4?

I must say though, DAMN I GOT A CAFFINE HIGH. It's been ages since I have gotten a caffine high from coffee.

galaga · 03-27-2012, 10:22 AM

Just scale back on the amount of coffee until you get the strength you want.

smitty81 · 03-27-2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaga

Just scale back on the amount of coffee until you get the strength you want.

ok thanks. The little particles are fine?

I thought about getting one of those fine mest baskets or tea balls to put the coffee in to shake out the fine stuff.

Won't worry about it if its fine though.

T.G · 03-27-2012, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty81

ok thanks. The little particles are fine?

I thought about getting one of those fine mest baskets or tea balls to put the coffee in to shake out the fine stuff.

Won't worry about it if its fine though.

You're talking about the fine "coffee dust" that mostly of settles to the bottom of the cup, right? That's normal, nothing to be alarmed about.

Dave128 · 03-27-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by galaga

Just scale back on the amount of coffee until you get the strength you want.

Took a few tries, but I found that this method worked for me with my Bodum.

forgop · 03-27-2012, 10:37 AM

I think the reason you want more of a coarse grind is because it makes it easier to press the coffee down. If it's really fine, it'll cause more pressure to build up, while a coarse grind will allow the liquid to pass through the grounds easier. If you can press it and it's not ending up in your cup, I'd say you're fine.

smitty81 · 03-27-2012, 10:54 AM

ok, thanks guys. Ill just try 3 scoops next time.

Mattso3000 · 03-27-2012, 12:28 PM

Shorter infusion time might also help. Try 3 minutes instead of 5. When you find your groove with it, nothing beats a french press for a good cup a joe IMO.

Chainsaw13 · 03-27-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mattso3000

Shorter infusion time might also help. Try 3 minutes instead of 5. When you find your groove with it, nothing beats a french press for a good cup a joe IMO.

I've yet to try a 3 minute steep. I was always told 4 minutes. Been loving the way the coffee comes out that way so don't want to mess with perfection.

Smitty, I get that little dust at the bottom of my cup too. That's with my grinder (Bodum) set on the coarsest grind. Like Adam said, nothing to worry about.

How long before you start home roasting?

Mattso3000 · 03-27-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

I've yet to try a 3 minute steep. I was always told 4 minutes.

Yup, 4 minutes is perfect for me

awsmith4 · 03-27-2012, 12:37 PM

I was just going to tell you to 'man up' but since everyone else is giving you legit advice I'll go that route.

The fine dust left at the bottom of your cup is part of using a French Press. I experimented with filtering the pressed coffee through a gold filter into my cup but it lost some flavor and body. I agree with everyone that you will need to experiment on what ratio you need but THIS THREAD is where I started.

mmblz · 03-27-2012, 12:35 PM

For my 4-cup Bodum, I use 3 scoops or a bit more (3 1/3).
In theory I steep for 4 minutes but often I'm busy and it stays longer.
I haven't noticed much difference between steeping 4 minutes and steeping 15 minutes.
The number of scoops is much more sensitive/noticeable.

TXRebel · 03-27-2012, 05:39 PM

French Press Math

03-27-2012, 10:16 AM	#1
smitty81 Have My Own Room Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,640 Trading: (10)	Help with french press Just got a bodum 4 cup press and used it for the first time today. It said to add a scoop for every cup. So I added 4 scoops. Got the water hot but not boiling. Poured it in with the ground up beans and stirred. Let it sit for about 5 minutes and then pressed it. I like strong coffee but this was almost to strong. It was so strong that I had a hard time tasting the actual flavor of the coffee. It wasn't bitter though. I did use a coarse grind on the beans but my grinder is a cheapy and there were some smaller fragments of coffee like one would use in an auto drip. Is it because of those smaller fragments of coffee that it's so strong or should I just use 3 scoops instead of 4? I must say though, DAMN I GOT A CAFFINE HIGH. It's been ages since I have gotten a caffine high from coffee.

03-27-2012, 10:22 AM	#2
galaga Just call me Slappy. Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 1,832 Trading: (3)	Re: Help with french press Just scale back on the amount of coffee until you get the strength you want. __________________ I may be easy, but I'm sure as hell ain't cheap....

03-27-2012, 10:37 AM	#6
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: Help with french press I think the reason you want more of a coarse grind is because it makes it easier to press the coffee down. If it's really fine, it'll cause more pressure to build up, while a coarse grind will allow the liquid to pass through the grounds easier. If you can press it and it's not ending up in your cup, I'd say you're fine.

03-27-2012, 10:54 AM	#7
smitty81 Have My Own Room Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 1,640 Trading: (10)	Re: Help with french press ok, thanks guys. Ill just try 3 scoops next time.

03-27-2012, 12:28 PM	#8
Mattso3000 Will ninja for beer Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Matt Location: Burnsville, MN Posts: 2,842 Trading: (20)	Re: Help with french press Shorter infusion time might also help. Try 3 minutes instead of 5. When you find your groove with it, nothing beats a french press for a good cup a joe IMO. __________________ Please Support the Troop Support Contest!

03-27-2012, 12:37 PM	#11
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: Help with french press I was just going to tell you to 'man up' but since everyone else is giving you legit advice I'll go that route. The fine dust left at the bottom of your cup is part of using a French Press. I experimented with filtering the pressed coffee through a gold filter into my cup but it lost some flavor and body. I agree with everyone that you will need to experiment on what ratio you need but THIS THREAD is where I started. __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops

03-27-2012, 12:35 PM	#12
mmblz .090909... Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NH Posts: 4,031 Trading: (3)	Re: Help with french press For my 4-cup Bodum, I use 3 scoops or a bit more (3 1/3). In theory I steep for 4 minutes but often I'm busy and it stays longer. I haven't noticed much difference between steeping 4 minutes and steeping 15 minutes. The number of scoops is much more sensitive/noticeable. __________________ herf wear

03-27-2012, 05:39 PM	#13
TXRebel Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Cary Location: Texas Posts: 1,276 Trading: (12)	Re: Help with french press French Press Math __________________ "The government turns every contingency into an excuse for enhancing power in itself."