How to Make Coffee with a French Press: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever struggled to make a decent cup of coffee without expensive gear, the French press might be your best solution. This classic brewer—also called a cafetière—is one of the most forgiving ways to make coffee, and it works with almost any beans. But most people still get weak, gritty, or overly bitter results simply because they don’t know the right steps.

To brew great coffee in a French press, use 9–10 grams of medium-to-coarse ground coffee per 150–200 ml of water heated to 85–95°C, stir well after pouring, then steep for around 4 minutes before pressing. That’s it.

What Is a French Press and Why Use It?

The French press, or press pot, is a full-immersion coffee brewer with a built-in metal mesh filter. Unlike drip machines or pour-over setups, it steeps coffee grounds directly in hot water, allowing more oils and body to enter the cup. The result is richer, heavier coffee—but it can also be muddy if you’re not careful with grind size and brewing time.

It’s also one of the cheapest and simplest ways to make quality coffee. No paper filters, no pumps, and no electronics needed. Just hot water, coffee, and a bit of technique.

How Coarse Should Your Grind Be for French Press?

For French press, FrontStreet Coffee recommends a grind size similar to coarse sea salt or rough sand—specifically, a grind resembling coarse sugar. On an EK43 electric grinder, this is around setting 10.5, or about 26 on a hand grinder. Too fine, and fines can pass through the metal filter, leaving sludge in your cup. Too coarse, and extraction may suffer.

This grind allows for even soaking and reduces over-extraction while letting you brew without a strict need for perfect timing or agitation. But getting it close helps a lot.

French Press Coffee to Water Ratio

A standard and reliable starting point is a 1:15 brew ratio—1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams (millilitres) of water. That’s roughly 9–10 grams of coffee (about 2 tablespoons) per 150–200 ml (around one standard mug) of water. From there, adjust to taste: more coffee for stronger, less for milder.

This ratio typically yields a brew strength in the range of 1.1–1.2% TDS (total dissolved solids), considered balanced and full-bodied for immersion brewing.

Water Temperature for French Press

Use water between 85–95°C. That’s just off a boil, usually after letting it sit for 20–30 seconds. Slightly higher temperatures can help improve extraction if your grind is finer or your brew time on the shorter side. No thermometer? Boil, then wait roughly 30 seconds before pouring.

Consistent temperature helps ensure even extraction, especially when brewing times are longer, as with immersion methods like French press.

How to Make Coffee with a French Press (Full Instructions)

Here’s the standard method for making coffee in a French press:

• Grind: Grind 9–10 grams of coffee per cup (about 2 tablespoons) to a coarse, even size—like coarse sugar or sea salt.
• Add Coffee: Put the ground coffee into the clean, empty French press.
• Pour Water: Add 150–200 ml of hot water (85–95°C) per cup. Start with a small splash to wet all the grounds, then fill up.
• Stir: After adding water, gently stir or shake the French press to ensure all the coffee is saturated and sinks. Keep going until most coffee grounds are no longer floating.
• Steep: Place the lid on with the plunger pulled up, and let the coffee brew for around 4 minutes. You can go slightly longer for darker roasts (up to 5 mins) or shorter for lighter ones (down to 3 mins).
• Press & Pour: After steeping, press the plunger down slowly and steadily. Pour the coffee out immediately to avoid over-extraction from the grounds sitting in the brew.

And that’s the classic method. But there’s an even simpler version too.

The “Cowboy Coffee” Simplified French Press Method

If you’re in a rush—or just want an ultra-easy brew—try this simplified version sometimes nicknamed “cowboy coffee.”

• Use a regular coffee mug (160–200 ml capacity).
• Add 9–10 grams (about 1 heaping tablespoon) of coffee.
• Pour hot water to about ¾ full (approx. 150–180 ml).
• Shake or stir the mug to saturate all the grounds.
• Wait until most of the coffee grounds sink to the bottom, then drink carefully from the top.

This method skips the plunger and works anywhere—office, campsite, or picnic. It’s less refined but still produces drinkable coffee with minimal effort.

Why French Press Beats Drip Coffee Makers

Compared to automatic drip machines (like the common American coffee maker), French press gives you control over grind size, coffee dose, and water temperature. In a drip machine, almost everything is preset: water flow, brew time, and temperature are fixed. The only variables you can easily adjust are grind size and coffee-to-water ratio.

But here’s the catch: in drip brewing, grind size has to match a fixed brew time that you can’t control. Get it wrong, and you’ll under- or over-extract your coffee. Too coarse, and it’s sour and weak. Too fine, and it’s bitter and harsh.

With French press, the immersion style is more forgiving. A slightly coarser grind will simply brew a bit longer on its own. A finer grind will extract faster. You still want to get it close, but the margin for error is wider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best grind size for French press coffee?

The ideal grind size for French press is coarse—similar to coarse sea salt or granulated sugar. On an EK43 grinder, this is around setting 10.5; on a hand grinder, about 26. It should resemble small gravel, not powder or sand. This prevents fine particles from passing through the metal filter and keeps the brew clean.

How much coffee should I use per cup in a French press?

Use about 9–10 grams of coffee per 150–200 ml (roughly one mug) of water. That’s approximately 2 tablespoons of ground coffee. This yields a balanced strength and follows the standard 1:15 brew ratio.

What water temperature is best for French press brewing?

The recommended water temperature is between 85–95°C. That means just off a boil. Let boiled water rest for about 30 seconds before pouring, or aim for around 90°C if you don’t have a thermometer.

How long should I steep coffee in a French press?

Steep the coffee for about 4 minutes. You can adjust slightly based on roast level: up to 5 minutes for dark roasts, or down to 3 minutes for lighter ones. Consistent timing helps achieve balanced extraction.

Can I use finely ground coffee in a French press?

You can, but it’s not recommended. Fine grounds can pass through the metal filter, leading to a gritty or sludgy cup. They also extract faster, increasing the risk of bitterness. For best results, stick with a coarse grind.

What’s the simplest way to make French press coffee?

The easiest method is the simplified “cowboy coffee” style: add 9–10 grams of coffee to a mug, pour hot water to about ¾ full, stir, wait for the grounds to sink, then sip from the top. No plunger, no filter, just quick and easy immersion brewing.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French Press

For French press brewing, try FrontStreet Strawberry Candy Espresso—aGeisha highlighting rose, citrus, and berry notes, rich yet smooth. Or go for FrontStreet PWN Golden Mandheling, a medium-dark roasted Indonesian single origin with deep spice, caramel, and chocolate layers. Both work beautifully in a French press, enhancing body and sweetness. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.