How to Use a Seagull Hand Press Coffee Maker for Espresso

If you’ve ever wanted to pull a shot of espresso without plugging in a machine or waiting for water to heat, the Seagull hand press coffee maker might catch your eye. Shaped like a bird in flight and built like a stovetop lever machine, it promises espresso-style coffee using just your arm strength—but does it actually work?

The short answer: yes, with caveats. You won’t hit 9 bar pressure, and you’ll need very hot water and a fine, even tamp to get anything close to espresso. But with the right setup, you can pull a decent shot, even produce some crema, and make a passable cappuccino or latte with a milk frother.

What Is the Seagull Hand Press Coffee Maker?

The Seagull hand press coffee maker is a manually operated device that mimics the function of a commercial lever espresso machine. Instead of using an electric pump to generate pressure, it relies on a hand-powered lever system to push hot water through finely ground coffee. Its design is inspired by the shape of a flying seagull, hence the name. While it’s not capable of producing true commercial-level espresso pressure (around 9 bar), it can still create a concentrated coffee extract under the right conditions.

Key Ingredients and Setup

To use the Seagull hand press, you’ll need:

• 12 grams of finely ground coffee (ideally a dedicated Italian-style espresso blend)
• Approximately 80 milliliters of very hot water (as hot as possible, ideally just off boil)

The coffee should be ground to a fine consistency, similar to table salt, to help with proper extraction under manual pressure. While the device is marketed as being able to make a “double shot,” results vary—some users report it yields enough for just one standard espresso cup.

Step-by-Step: Making Espresso with the Seagull Hand Press

Follow these steps for the best results:

1. Preheat the device and cup: Run the same process as brewing, but without coffee, to warm up the Seagull press and your cup.
2. Prepare the coffee handle: Remove the handle, fill it with 12 grams of finely ground coffee, and tamp it down evenly and firmly—flat and level, not overly compressed.
3. Attach the handle: Secure the filled coffee handle into the Seagull press and tighten it completely.
4. Add hot water: Make sure the side levers are in the down position. Fill the water tank up to the marked line with very hot water—close to boiling if possible.
5. Prepare your cup: Pour out any hot water used for preheating, then place your cup under the spout.
6. Brew the shot: Slowly lift both side levers, then push them down firmly and steadily until fully compressed. This action pushes the water through the coffee grounds and completes the extraction.

If everything goes well—including using fresh coffee, very hot water, and a solid tamp—you may see a thin layer of crema on top of the extracted coffee. This is a good sign that extraction pressure and temperature were in the right range.

What to Expect from the Brew

The resulting brew will be stronger and more concentrated than filter coffee, and with the right technique, it can resemble espresso in body and intensity. Some users report success in producing visible crema, especially when using freshly roasted beans and maintaining high water temperature. While it won’t match the crema or pressure stability of a machine-made espresso, it’s a functional alternative for making espresso-style coffee without electricity or gas.

The Seagull hand press is also highly portable and doesn’t require a power source, making it suitable for travel, camping, or use in places with limited kitchen access. With a handheld milk frother, you can even turn your shot into a basic cappuccino or latte.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grind size should I use for the Seagull hand press coffee maker?

Use a fine grind, similar to table salt or slightly finer. This helps with proper extraction under the manual pressure applied by the hand levers.

How much coffee should I use?

The recommended dose is 12 grams of finely ground coffee. This is loaded into the coffee handle and tamped flat and evenly before brewing.

What water temperature is ideal?

Use water that is as hot as possible—just off the boil or around 95–100°C is ideal. The lack of built-in heating makes water temperature crucial for a good extraction.

How much espresso does it make?

The manufacturer claims it’s a double shot, but many users find it produces enough for just one standard espresso cup, roughly 25–30ml.

Can I make milk drinks with it?

Yes, if you get a decent shot, you can use a manual milk frother to create a cappuccino or latte. The resulting espresso can support steamed milk.

Does it really make espresso?

It doesn’t reach 9 bar pressure like a machine, but with a fine grind, high water temperature, and firm tamp, it can produce a concentrated coffee with some crema that resembles espresso.

Recommended FrontStreet Blends for Hand Press Espresso

For the Seagull hand press coffee maker, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Specialty Blend, which features Colombian and Brazilian beans for balanced notes of nuts, black chocolate, and caramel—ideal for manual extraction. Alternatively, the Classic Blend combines three regions with a touch of Robusta for extra crema and body, great for beginners. Both blends are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.