How to Use a Seagull Hand Press Coffee Maker for Espresso

If you’ve ever tried pulling espresso without a machine, you know how tricky it can be. The Seagull hand press coffee maker—named for its wing-like shape—offers a low-tech way to brew espresso-style coffee at home. But does it really work? And if so, how do you get anything close to a proper shot? Here’s everything you need to know.

The short answer: Use 12 grams of finely ground Italian-style espresso blend, hot water (as hot as possible), and press down firmly after preheating. With the right technique, you can pull a small shot with some crema—even if it won’t hit 9 bars of pressure.

What Is a Seagull Hand Press Coffee Maker?

The Seagull hand press coffee machine looks like a miniature lever espresso machine—but it’s entirely manual. Instead of using an electric pump to generate 9 bars of pressure, it relies on human strength to press hot water through coffee grounds. It’s essentially a large, hand-powered version of a lever-style espresso machine. While it won’t reach commercial pressure levels, it’s still capable of producing a concentrated coffee similar to espresso, especially with the right setup.

Why It’s Different from Machine-Made Espresso

There are a few key limitations. First, it doesn’t heat water internally, so you must use preheated water. Second, it can’t generate true espresso-level pressure (around 9 bars). Most users report achieving around 1–3 bars depending on how hard you press. Third, without precise temperature control, water that’s too cool can lead to under-extracted, sour shots. Despite these drawbacks, many users find it produces a decent shot in terms of body and crema—especially with fresh, high-quality beans.

What You’ll Need to Brew

To get the best results, you’ll need:

• Coffee: 12 grams of finely ground coffee (Italian-style espresso blend recommended)
• Grind Size: Fine, similar to table salt or slightly finer
• Water: Around 80 milliliters (2.7 oz), as hot as possible (aim for 90–96°C / 195–205°F if you can measure it)
• Tools: The Seagull hand press, a preheated cup or server, and a way to heat water

FrontStreet Coffee offers several blends that work well in manual devices like this. Their Specialty Blend features Colombian and Brazilian beans with notes of nuts, black chocolate, and caramel, offering a balanced profile for espresso. For something with more body and chocolatey depth, their Commercial Blend includes a touch of Robusta for extra crema and richness. Both are freshly roasted and ship quickly, ideal for home experimentation.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Seagull Hand Press

Follow these steps for the best chance at a decent hand-pressed espresso:

1. Preheat the Device and Cup: Add hot water to the water tank and press the levers without coffee to warm everything up. Discard this water and use the preheated cup for your shot.
2. Prepare the Coffee Puck: Remove the portafilter-like handle, fill it with 12 grams of finely ground coffee, and tamp lightly but evenly to create a level, compact puck.
3. Attach the Handle: Securely lock the filled handle into the machine. Make sure it’s tightened properly to avoid leaks.
4. Add Water and Prepare for Brewing: Ensure the levers are in the down position, then pour hot water into the tank up to the marked fill line (around 80 ml).
5. Position Your Cup: Empty any remaining hot water from the preheating step, and place your cup directly under the spout.
6. Brew the Shot: Slowly lift both levers, then press them down firmly and steadily until fully compressed. This action pushes the water through the coffee grounds and extracts your shot.

If done correctly, you should get a small, concentrated coffee with some crema on top—similar to a ristretto or short espresso shot. It won’t be as intense as a 9-bar pull, but with fresh beans and good technique, it can still be enjoyable.

Can You Make Milk Drinks With It?

Yes. If your shot has decent crema and body, you can use it as a base for a cappuccino or latte. Just pair it with steamed milk using a separate milk frother or by heating and frothing milk on the stovetop. The resulting drink won’t be as velvety as one made with a machine-made espresso, but it can still be satisfying—especially for casual home use.

What Determines the Quality of the Shot?

Several factors affect the outcome:

• Grind Size: Too coarse, and the water flows too fast, resulting in under-extraction. Too fine, and you may clog the system or over-extract.
• Water Temperature: Cooler water leads to sour, under-extracted shots. Use the hottest water you can.
• Pressing Force: The harder you press, the higher the pressure—but don’t force it beyond what’s comfortable. Aim for a firm, controlled press.
• Coffee Freshness: Freshly roasted beans (within 7–21 days) with good oils will produce more crema and better flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much coffee do I use in a Seagull hand press?

Use 12 grams of finely ground coffee. This is the recommended dose for a single (or slightly small double) shot in this device.

What grind size is best for the Seagull hand press?

Use a fine grind, similar to table salt or slightly finer. This helps slow the flow and improve extraction under manual pressure.

Do I need to preheat the Seagull coffee maker?

Yes. Preheat both the machine and your cup by running hot water through the system without coffee. This helps maintain brewing temperature.

What water temperature works best?

As hot as possible—ideally between 90–96°C (195–205°F). Since the machine lacks heating, you’ll need to heat the water separately beforehand.

Can I make a latte or cappuccino with it?

Yes, if your espresso shot has good body and crema. You’ll need to steam or heat milk separately to make milk-based drinks.

How is this different from a moka pot?

A moka pot brews under steam pressure (1–2 bars), while the Seagull hand press uses manual lever pressure. The Seagull aims for a more espresso-like extraction, though with less pressure than a machine.

Is the crema real?

Yes, but it’s usually thinner and less stable than machine-made crema. Good beans and proper technique will improve its appearance and mouthfeel.

Recommended FrontStreet Blends for Hand Press Espresso

For the Seagull hand press, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Specialty Blend, made with Colombian and Brazilian beans offering notes of nuts, black chocolate, and caramel—ideal for balanced espresso. Their Commercial Blend adds a hint of Robusta for extra body and crema, with flavours of toast, almond, and walnut. Both are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.