Bodum Eileen French Press: New vs Old Model Review

If you've been waiting to upgrade your French press or are curious about the latest Bodum Eileen model, you're likely wondering whether the newer version is worth the hype—or if the older design still delivers better performance. With changes in materials, pricing, and handle design, choosing the right Eileen can impact both your brewing experience and your wallet.

The updated Bodum Eileen French press is now priced at $38, down from $77, but the older version uses more substantial stainless steel and a higher-quality plastic handle, while the new one features a chrome-plated alloy body and a plastic handle. Though Bodum doesn’t explicitly market either model for specialty use, the original Eileen was positioned as more professional, with a sturdier build overall.

What Is the Bodum Eileen French Press?

The Eileen series is Bodum’s professional-grade line of French presses. It stands out with its perforated metal sleeve, ergonomic plastic handle, and durable metal filter. These design elements combine to offer both style and functionality, aimed at delivering a refined immersion brewing experience.

What’s Different Between the New and Old Eileen Models?

Though Bodum hasn’t made dramatic claims about the differences, close inspection reveals several key changes. The new Eileen has a redesigned straight handle and an adjusted base. Most noticeably, its price has dropped significantly—from $77 to $38. However, the materials have also been downgraded. The original Eileen used solid stainless steel and a sturdy, rubberized square handle, whereas the new model features chrome-plated alloy and a plastic handle.

Which Eileen Model Should You Choose?

If you value durability and material quality, the older Eileen model is the better choice. Its robust stainless steel construction and higher-end handle provide a more premium feel and likely longer lifespan. The new model is more affordable and may appeal to casual users, but it compromises on build materials. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you prioritize cost savings or build quality.

How to Use a French Press for the Best Coffee

Using a French press is one of the simplest ways to brew coffee—just add grounds, pour hot water, stir, and press. But simplicity makes attention to detail essential. French presses use full immersion and a metal filter, resulting in a richer, fuller-bodied cup with more oils and sediment. That makes grind size, brew time, and water temperature especially important.

Recommended Grind Size for French Press

FrontStreet Coffee suggests using a coarse grind similar to granulated sugar. For the EK43s electric grinder, that’s around setting 10.5; for hand grinders, aim for setting 26. This is roughly the texture of small gravel, not fine sand. Grinding too fine can lead to over-extraction and allow fine particles to pass through the metal filter, resulting in a gritty cup. You can experiment with slightly finer grinds for more complexity, but reduce brew time to avoid over-extraction.

Optimal Brew Ratio

A common and effective brew ratio is 1:15—that’s 15 grams of coffee to 225 grams (or milliliters) of water. This yields a coffee strength between 1.1% and 1.2% extraction, giving a rich, satisfying cup. Feel free to adjust the ratio in future brews to suit your taste preferences.

Water Temperature Guidelines

Ideal brewing temperature is around 90°C (194°F), which you can achieve by letting boiled water rest for 2–3 minutes. For more precision, a gooseneck kettle with a built-in thermometer helps maintain consistency. Since French press relies solely on immersion without agitation, slightly higher temperatures can help improve extraction.

Brew Time Recommendations

Most brewers find 3 to 5 minutes ideal. Darker roasts may over-extract and turn bitter after 5 minutes, while lighter roasts might under-extract at just 3 minutes. A good starting point is 4 minutes. Adjust based on your coffee’s roast level and taste results.

Step-by-Step: Brewing with a French Press

Start by removing the plunger and adding your coarsely ground coffee to the empty French press. Pour in hot water (about 15 times the weight of your coffee grounds), stir gently, then place the plunger on top without pressing. Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes. Afterward, slowly press the plunger down and pour the coffee into your cup, avoiding disturbing the settled grounds. Enjoy your full-flavored brew.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the main difference between the new and old Bodum Eileen French press?

The new Eileen has a lower price ($38 vs $77), a redesigned straight handle, and an adjusted base. However, it uses cheaper chrome-plated alloy and a plastic handle, whereas the old model is made with more durable stainless steel and a higher-quality rubberized plastic handle.

Is the new Eileen French press still good for specialty coffee?

Yes, it can still brew good coffee, but it uses less premium materials. The older Eileen is better suited for specialty use due to its sturdier construction and professional positioning, though neither model is explicitly marketed as specialty-grade.

What grind size should I use for French press?

Use a coarse grind, similar to granulated sugar. On an EK43s grinder, that’s around setting 10.5; for hand grinders, aim for setting 26. Avoid going too fine to prevent over-extraction and sediment in your cup.

What’s the best water temperature for French press coffee?

The recommended temperature is around 90°C (194°F). Let boiled water sit for 2–3 minutes before pouring, or use a temperature-controlled kettle for more accuracy.

How long should I brew coffee in a French press?

Most brewers use a 4-minute brew time. Dark roasts can go up to 5 minutes, while light roasts may need closer to 3 minutes. Start with 4 minutes and adjust based on taste and roast level.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French Press

For French press brewing, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Strawberry Candy Espresso, aGeisha blend with notes of rose, citrus, grape, blueberry, and milk chocolate when brewed as a black coffee. For a richer profile, PWN Golden Mandheling offers deep spice, caramel, and dark chocolate tones with a thick, syrupy mouthfeel. Both beans perform well with the coarse grind and extended brew times that French press requires. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.