YAMI Glass French Press: Specs, Grind, and Brewing Guide

If you’ve ever poured a cup from a French press only to find gritty sludge at the bottom, you’re not alone. Many coffee drinkers struggle with sediment, over-extraction, or weak, murky brews—especially when using the wrong grind or technique. The YAMI glass French press is a popular, affordable option, but like any immersion brewer, it demands precision to get it right.

The YAMI YM316 series comes in three sizes: 350cc, 600cc, and 1000cc, and two bundled options include a grinder. It’s made of borosilicate glass with a stainless steel filter plunger. For best results, use a coarse grind (like granulated sugar), a 1:15 brew ratio, water just off boil (~90°C), and a 4-minute steep.

What Is the YAMI Glass French Press?

The YAMI glass French press is a straightforward immersion coffee brewer made primarily of heat-resistant glass with a stainless steel mesh filter. It's sold under model numbers YM316-2, YM316-4, and YM316-8, with three standard sizes: 350cc, 600cc, and 1000cc. There are also bundles that include a grinder (350cc+grinder and 600cc+grinder versions). The design is minimalist and functional, aimed at home brewers who want an easy, full-immersion method without paper filters.

Why Does the YAMI French Press Produce Sediment?

Sediment in your cup is common with French press brewing—and the YAMI is no exception. That’s because it uses a stainless steel mesh filter, which allows tiny coffee particles (fines) to pass through. Unlike paper filters, metal filters don’t catch everything. If you grind too fine or let the coffee sit too long in the brewer, more fines will make their way into your cup, resulting in a gritty mouthfeel.

How to Brew Coffee with the YAMI French Press (Step-by-Step)

To get the best results from your YAMI French press, follow these tested parameters used by specialty coffee professionals:

• Grind Size: Use a coarse grind, similar to granulated sugar. For reference, on an EK43 electric grinder, that’s setting 10.5; on a hand grinder, aim for around 26. This is crucial to avoid over-extraction and excessive sediment.
• Brew Ratio: Start with 1:15—that’s 15 grams of coffee per 225 grams (milliliters) of water. This yields a balanced strength of around 1.1–1.2% TDS, typical for French press.
• Water Temperature: Heat your water to boiling, then let it sit for 2–3 minutes (or until it cools to roughly 90°C). For more control, use a gooseneck kettle with a built-in thermometer. Slightly higher temps can help improve extraction due to the lack of agitation.
• Coffee Bean Choice: Choose medium to dark roasts. Light roasts can taste overly acidic and thin in a French press. FrontStreet Coffee’s Strawberry Candy Espresso (Geisha) offers floral, fruity notes, while PWN Golden Mandheling delivers bold, spicy, chocolatey depth.
• Brew Time: After adding hot water and stirring, let the coffee brew for 4 minutes before pressing. For darker roasts, 3–4 minutes is ideal; lighter roasts may need up to 4–5 minutes—but watch for bitterness.

Step-by-step: Remove the plunger, add your ground coffee, pour hot water (15x the coffee weight), stir gently, place the plunger on top (don’t press yet), wait 4 minutes, then slowly press the plunger down. Pour the coffee out steadily to avoid disturbing the settled grounds at the bottom.

What Grind Size Works Best for French Press?

For the YAMI French press, the recommended grind size is coarse—specifically, similar in texture to granulated sugar. On an EK43 grinder, that’s a 10.5 setting; on a hand grinder, aim for around 26. This coarse grind reduces the chance of fine particles slipping through the metal filter, which helps minimise sediment in your cup. Going finer might increase extraction speed and body, but risks over-extraction and a muddy, gritty brew.

What’s the Ideal Coffee-to-Water Ratio for French Press?

The standard and most reliable brew ratio for French press is 1:15. That means 15 grams of coffee for every 225 milliliters (grams) of water. This ratio typically produces a brew strength between 1.1–1.2% TDS, which is rich and full-bodied without being overpowering. You can adjust up or down based on taste preference, but 1:15 is the proven starting point for balanced extraction in a French press.

What Water Temperature Should You Use?

Ideal water temperature for French press brewing is around 90°C. If you don’t have a temperature-controlled kettle, let boiling water rest for 2–3 minutes before pouring. For more precision, use a kettle with a built-in thermometer. Slightly higher temperatures can compensate for the lack of agitation in French press brewing and improve extraction consistency.

Which Coffee Roasts Work Best in a French Press?

Medium to dark roasts are ideal for French press brewing. Light roasts can taste overly bright, acidic, and thin due to the heavy body and immersion style. Darker roasts, with their inherent sweetness and bold flavours, shine in a French press. For example, FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling offers spicy, caramel, and chocolate notes, while Strawberry Candy Espresso brings floral and fruity complexity. Avoid very light or fruity single origins unless you’re experimenting with longer brew times and coarser grinds.

How Long Should You Steep Coffee in a French Press?

The recommended steep time for French press is 4 minutes. That’s the sweet spot for balancing extraction and avoiding over- or under-brewing. For darker roasts, 3–4 minutes is usually sufficient. For lighter roasts, you might extend to 4–5 minutes, but monitor closely for bitterness. The lack of agitation in a French press means time plays a bigger role in extraction than in pour-over methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size YAMI French press should I buy?

YAMI makes three standard sizes: 350cc (small), 600cc (medium), and 1000cc (large). Choose based on how much coffee you typically brew at once—350cc for 1–2 cups, 600cc for 2–3, and 1000cc for 3–4 servings. There are also bundles with a grinder included for the 350cc and 600cc sizes.

What grind size should I use in a YAMI French press?

Use a coarse grind, similar to granulated sugar. On an EK43 grinder, set it to 10.5; on a hand grinder, aim for around 26. This prevents fine particles from passing through the metal filter and keeps your coffee free of grit.

How long should I let coffee brew in a French press?

Steep your coffee for 4 minutes. For darker roasts, 3–4 minutes is ideal. For lighter roasts, try 4–5 minutes, but avoid going longer to prevent bitterness.

What water temperature is best for French press?

Use water around 90°C. Let boiling water cool for 2–3 minutes, or use a thermometer. Slightly higher temps can help improve extraction due to the lack of stirring in French press brewing.

Why does my French press coffee have grit in it?

Grit is caused by fine coffee particles passing through the metal filter. Using a grind that’s too fine, steeping too long, or not pressing slowly can all increase sediment. Stick to a coarse grind and a 4-minute brew time to minimise it.

Can I use light roast coffee in a French press?

You can, but it’s not ideal. Light roasts tend to taste overly acidic and thin in a French press. Medium to dark roasts bring out better body and balance in immersion brewing.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French Press

For French press brewing, FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling is a top choice: a medium-dark roast with bold notes of spice, caramel, and dark chocolate, offering a rich and smooth cup. Another excellent option is Strawberry Candy Espresso, aGeisha-based blend with floral, citrus, and berry aromas, delivering a juicy, sweet profile. Both roasts suit the full-immersion style of a French press, enhancing body and minimising harsh acidity. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.