Glass French Press Coffee Makers & Milk Frother from JaneHome

If you’ve ever poured hot water over coffee grounds in a French press, waited a few minutes, then pressed down the plunger only to get a bitter or sludgy cup, you’re not alone. Many coffee drinkers struggle with the French press—not because the method is flawed, but because small details like grind size, brew time, and water temperature make a big difference. Even a simple tool like a French press can produce poor results if you overlook the basics.

To brew great coffee with a French press, use a coarse grind similar to coarse sugar (EK43s: 10.5, hand grinder: 26), a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, water just off boil (~90°C), and a 4-minute steep. Avoid fine grinds that pass through the metal filter and over-extract.

What Is a French Press and How Does It Work?

A French press, also called a plunger pot or cafetière, is a full-immersion coffee brewing device made up of a glass or metal carafe and a metal mesh filter attached to a plunger. When you add hot water and coffee grounds, they steep together. After a set time, you press the plunger down to separate the grounds from the brewed coffee. What sets the French press apart is that it allows the coffee grounds to interact directly with water—resulting in a richer, fuller-bodied cup with more oils and sediment.

JaneHome’s Glass French Press Options

JaneHome, a home goods brand under Guangzhou-based roaster FrontStreet Coffee, offers two sizes of glass French press: a smaller version that also functions as a milk frother, and a larger standard coffee maker. Both models are made from durable heat-resistant glass and feature a straightforward design with a metal filter and plunger system. The smaller option is ideal for those who want to froth milk alongside brewing a single cup, while the larger model is built for standard coffee brewing.

The glass construction allows you to watch the brewing process, and the metal filter ensures that essential oils from the coffee grounds make it into your cup—contributing to a heavier mouthfeel. However, it also means fine particles can sometimes pass through, which is why grind size matters more than with paper-filter methods.

Why Grind Size Matters in a French Press

Because the French press uses a metal filter, not paper, it doesn’t trap fine coffee particles the way other brewers do. That’s why FrontStreet Coffee recommends using a coarse grind—about the size of coarse sugar or small gravel. On an EK43 grinder, that’s setting 10.5; on a hand grinder, aim for around 26. A grind that’s too fine can lead to over-extraction and allow coffee dust to seep through the filter, resulting in a gritty, unpleasant cup.

If you’re after more complexity and don’t mind a little extra sediment, you can experiment with a slightly finer grind—but reduce the brew time to avoid over-extraction. The key is balancing extraction with clarity and texture.

The Ideal Coffee-to-Water Ratio for French Press

FrontStreet Coffee suggests starting with a 1:15 brew ratio—that’s 15 grams of coffee to 225 grams (or milliliters) of water. This ratio typically produces a cup with a concentration between 1.1% and 1.2%, offering a rich and full-bodied flavor. Of course, you can adjust the amount of coffee or water to suit your taste, but 1:15 is a solid baseline for balanced extraction.

Water Temperature: Why It’s Critical

Water temperature plays a major role in how your coffee brews. Without a thermometer, let your boiled water sit for 2–3 minutes before pouring (adjust based on room temperature)—this usually brings it to around 90°C. For more precision, use a gooseneck kettle with a built-in thermometer. Since French press brewing doesn’t involve agitation during the steep, a slightly higher temperature (1–2°C above standard pour-over temps) can help ensure proper extraction.

How Long Should You Steep?

Steeping time is another crucial variable. Most French press brewers aim for 3 to 5 minutes. Darker roasts may become bitter or over-extracted if left too long—4 to 5 minutes is often the max. Lighter roasts might need the full 4 to 5 minutes to fully express their flavors, though 3 minutes may be too short. FrontStreet recommends starting with a 4-minute steep and adjusting based on your coffee and taste preferences.

Step-by-Step: Brewing Coffee with a French Press

Here’s how to brew with a French press, step by step:

• Remove the plunger and add coarsely ground coffee (about 15 grams per 225 ml of water).
• Pour hot water (just off boil, ~90°C) over the grounds.
• Stir gently to ensure all the coffee is saturated.
• Place the plunger on top of the brewer, but don’t press it down yet.
• Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
• After 4 minutes, slowly press the plunger down to separate the grounds.
• Pour the coffee into your cup immediately to avoid over-extraction from sitting on the grounds.

Take care not to disturb the settled grounds at the bottom when pouring—this helps keep your cup free of sludge.

Using the Milk Frother Attachment

The smaller JaneHome French press model includes a built-in milk frother. While not detailed in the technical specs, such attachments are typically used to create microfoam for drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. This can be a convenient addition for those who enjoy milk-based coffee drinks alongside their brewed coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What grind size should I use for a French press?

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

What’s the best coffee-to-water ratio for French press?

FrontStreet Coffee recommends a 1:15 ratio—15 grams of coffee to 225 grams (ml) of water. This usually results in a brew strength of around 1.1–1.2%, offering a balanced, full-bodied cup.

What water temperature should I use for French press coffee?

Ideal water temperature is around 90°C. Let boiled water rest for 2–3 minutes if you don’t have a thermometer. A temperature slightly higher than pour-over (by 1–2°C) can help with extraction since there’s no agitation.

How long should I let French press coffee steep?

Steep for 4 minutes as a starting point. Darker roasts may need only 3–4 minutes to avoid bitterness, while lighter roasts can go up to 5 minutes if needed. Adjust based on taste and roast level.

Can I use a fine grind in a French press?

It’s not recommended. Fine grinds can pass through the metal filter, leading to a gritty cup and more sediment. If you want more extraction, try a slightly finer grind but reduce brew time to avoid over-extraction.

Does the JaneHome French press come with a milk frother?

Yes, the smaller model includes a milk frother attachment. It’s designed for creating foam for milk-based drinks, though specific details on its performance were not provided in the source.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for French Press

For French press brewing, FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling offers bold, spicy, and chocolatey notes with a thick body—perfect for highlighting the French press’s full-immersion character. Alternatively, their Strawberry Candy Espresso blend delivers bright floral and fruity tones with a soft jelly-like sweetness, ideal if you prefer a fruit-forward cup. Both beans are medium to dark roasts, suiting the French press’s ability to enhance sweetness and body. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.