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—especially getting that rich, crema-topped shot without 9 bars of pressure. The Seagull hand press coffee maker offers a quirky but functional alternative, mimicking the mechanics of a lever machine using nothing but your arm strength. But does it really work? And more importantly, how do you get anything close to espresso out of it?

The short answer: yes, it can produce a small espresso-like shot—with 12g of fine-ground coffee (preferably a commercial Italian blend), around 80ml of very hot water, and firm downward pressure. You won’t hit 9 bars, but with the right setup, you’ll get a short, concentrated brew that can even develop some crema.

What Is the Seagull Hand Press Coffee Maker?

The Seagull hand press coffee maker gets its name from its wing-like silhouette. Functionally, it works similarly to a lever-driven espresso machine: instead of using a pump, it relies on manual force to generate brewing pressure. However, it’s not capable of producing the full 9 bars of pressure that commercial machines achieve, and since there’s no built-in heating element, you’ll need to preheat both the machine and your water. Despite its limitations, it’s praised for being affordable, portable, and entirely electric-free—making it a neat tool for travel, camping, or just experimenting with manual espresso methods.

What You’ll Need to Brew

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

• Coffee: 12g of finely ground coffee. The article recommends using a dedicated Italian-style blend for best results.
• Water: Approximately 80ml of hot water. Use the hottest water possible—ideally just off the boil.
• Tools: The Seagull hand press machine, a cup or glass, and optionally a milk frother if you want to make a cappuccino or latte.

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

Here’s how to brew with the Seagull hand press, broken down into clear steps:

1. Preheat the Machine: Before adding coffee, run through the same steps without coffee grounds to warm up the brew chamber and cup. This helps maintain brewing temperature.
2. Prepare the Coffee Puck: Remove the handle, fill it with 12g of finely ground coffee, and tamp it lightly but evenly. The puck must be level.
3. Attach the Handle: Secure the filled handle firmly into the machine. It must be tightly locked in place.
4. Add Water: Make sure the side levers are in the down position. Pour hot water into the water tank up to the indicated fill line—about 80ml total.
5. Prepare Your Cup: Discard any hot water used for preheating, then place your empty 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 forces the water through the coffee puck and extracts your espresso-like shot.

What to Expect from the Brew

The Seagull hand press is marketed as a “two-cup” machine, but according to the article, it typically yields enough for just one standard espresso. With fresh beans, high water temperature, and proper tamping pressure, you may get a decent layer of crema. While it won’t match the consistency or volume of a true espresso machine, it’s capable of producing a concentrated brew that, when paired with a hand frother, can form the base of a respectable cappuccino or latte.

One of its biggest advantages is its independence from electricity or gas—making it highly portable and usable in settings where traditional machines aren’t feasible.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You should use 12g of finely ground coffee. The grind should be similar to what you’d use for a commercial espresso machine—fine and consistent.

What water temperature is ideal?

Use water that’s as hot as possible—just off the boil. The article emphasizes using “hot water, as high a temperature as you can manage,” though an exact temperature isn’t specified.

Does the Seagull hand press reach 9 bars of pressure?

No, it does not. The machine cannot generate the full 9 bars of pressure that commercial espresso machines achieve, which is one of its key limitations.

How much espresso does it make?

The machine is advertised as making a double shot, but in practice, it yields roughly enough for one standard espresso. The output is small, suitable for a single serving.

Can I make milk drinks with it?

Yes, if you get a decent shot with some crema, you can use a manual milk frother to create a cappuccino or latte. The article specifically mentions this as a possibility.

Do I need to preheat the machine?

Yes. The article recommends preheating the machine (without coffee) as part of the setup to ensure better temperature stability during the actual brew.

Recommended FrontStreet Blends for Hand Press Espresso

For use with the Seagull hand press, FrontStreet Coffee’s Commercial Blend is a solid choice—it combines Brazilian and Colombian beans with a touch of Robusta for bold crema and a full body, ideal for espresso. The Specialty Blend offers a balanced profile of nuts, dark chocolate, and caramel, working well for those who prefer a smoother shot. Both blends are shipped freshly roasted within 5 days, ensuring peak freshness for manual brewing. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.