The Best Bodum French Presses Buying Guide

OneHundredCoffee is reader-supported and some products displayed may earn us an affiliate commission. Details

Bodum actually does produce a seemingly endless variety of coffee presses, each of which is distinctive and different due to several little adjustments and modifications. The only material that actually matters in terms of use and functionality is the heat-resistant borosilicate glass. That is really necessary. In this article We have collected some of the best and most popular Bodum French presses with their comprehensive buying guide and tips.

History of bodum French Presses

Bodum, a Danish kitchenware brand, is well known for its French presses, which have become synonymous with high-quality coffee brewing. The company’s history with French presses dates back to the 1950s.

Origins of Bodum:

Bodum was founded in 1944 by Peter Bodum in Copenhagen, Denmark. Initially, the company focused on kitchen accessories, but it was in the 1970s that Bodum introduced its iconic French Press coffee maker, which would change the coffee brewing industry.

The Birth of the Bodum French Press:

In 1974, Peter Bodum introduced the Bodum Chambord French Press. The design was inspired by the original French press coffee makers, which were first patented in the early 20th century in Italy and France. However, Bodum’s design featured a minimalist and functional style, emphasizing high-quality materials, simplicity, and efficiency. The Chambord French Press has a distinctive design: a glass carafe with a metal frame, a plunger, and a mesh filter.

The Chambord Model:

The Chambord French Press became a game-changer for coffee lovers due to its sleek design and the quality of coffee it produced. Unlike drip coffee makers, the French press method allows the coffee grounds to steep in water, extracting more of the oils and flavors, which leads to a richer taste. Bodum’s Chambord model quickly gained popularity for its modern aesthetic and efficient brewing method.

Global Success:

Bodum’s French press design proved so successful that it became the brand’s signature product. Over time, Bodum expanded its French press range, introducing models like the Bodum Brazil, a more affordable version of the Chambord, and the Bodum Columbia with a stainless-steel design for durability and style.

Innovations and Sustainability:

Throughout the years, Bodum continued to innovate. For example, they introduced Bodum’s Eko Press, which uses more sustainable materials like recycled plastics. The company has also embraced environmental concerns by offering eco-friendly designs and materials in their products.

Today, the Bodum French Press remains one of the most popular and recognized coffee makers globally, revered for its elegant simplicity, functionality, and quality craftsmanship. Bodum’s commitment to providing high-quality, user-friendly products has solidified its place as a leader in the world of coffee brewing.

Available sizes of Bodum French press

It’s crucial to obtain the right size French press for your purposes, so keep that in mind as you plan your purchase. Bodum offers French presses in four different sizes:

The 0.35 liters Bodum French press, the smallest French press that Bodum provides is this one. Only one mug of coffee is produced.

The 0.5 liters Bodum French press, depending on the size of the cup and how you consume your coffee, this can be anywhere from two to four cups.

The 1 liter size Bodum French press, this is the typical size, and the press is said to make 12 cups of coffee. That seems like a fairly optimistic estimate to you

The 1.5 liters Bodum French press, the number of cups of coffee it can produce varies on the cups you are preparing, but in average, it can produce up to 12 cups. This is the largest French press, and it is also relatively expensive.

Cleaning Bodum French press

For Bodum French press coffee machines, cleaning is a rather simple operation. You really simply need to unscrew the coffee plunger unit and check that all of the debris has been cleared out of the spaces between the cross plate, filter screen, and spiral plate.

Additionally, clean the glass beaker’s sides of any leftover material. Although some people prefer to scrape it clean by repeatedly submerging it in soapy water, we don’t advise doing this because it puts more strain on the plunger’s components. Instead, it is better using a mild detergent to carefully scrub the glass carafe’s interior walls.

Most Bodum French press coffee machines can be put in the dishwasher. The insulated models, such the Bodum Tribute or Columbia, would be the exceptions. When treated to the intense heat of a dishwasher, the lids on some Bodum models have a propensity to split.

Removing the glass beaker in Bodum French press

Glasses from Bodum Chambord, Caffetteria, or Java should come out rather easily.

The glass can, however, become trapped and challenging to remove if you own a Bodum Brazil or Kenya, both of which have a plastic case. Never attempt to force the glass out as this could lead to fracture and even injury.

Typically, this is caused by water that has gotten within the barriers between the plastic and the exterior of the carafe. The beaker should easily slide out after it is dried. If it doesn’t, thermal expansion can be the cause of your issue. You must now adjust the temperature of your French press.

It can also be cooled down, heated up for 15 minutes, or lubricated with oil drops placed in between the walls.

The Best Bodum French Presses Quick Summary

The Best Bodum French Presses at A Glance

1- Bodum Chambord French Press 1 Liter

Best Overall
Serve 8 cups
Stainless Steel design
Various serving sizes 
Durable Borosilicate glass
The most popular French press coffee maker has always been the Bodum Chambord. This Bodum French press is our pick for the Bodum French press because it has a classic look and all the appropriate charm for a wonderful design and style. Functionality, durability, and affordability are some of its best qualities.For coffee drinkers who value both a classic appearance and a high-quality coffee machine, we suggest this French press. For simple cleaning, the beaker readily separates from the chrome frame. No grounds are left in the coffee after going through the three-layer filter. The fact that this French press isn’t insulated is its lone drawback.eThe beaker is more brittle with any glass French press than I would like. A Bodum Chambord French press coffee maker, however, can endure for years if you take good care of it.
Pros
  • Design in Shatterproof recyclable plastic
  • Premium Classic look
  • Dishwasher safe Cleaning
Cons
  • Not insulated
  • Breakable Glass

2- Bodum Brazil French press 1 liter

Best Design
Serve 8 cups
Durable Stainless Steel
Various new colors
Durable Borosilicate glass
A variety of colors are available for the Bodum Brazil coffee machine. Additionally, Bodum makes it a point to introduce new hues every year. A lot like the Bodum Chambord, the Bodum Brazil French press makes coffee. The borosilicate glass carafe is held in a frame or housing, and there is a slight difference in price. Customers have reported that the plastic frame of the beaker on the Chambord can be a little trickier to remove than the metal one. A difficult-to-break seal is formed as water seeps between the plastic and the carafe’s walls. If you use too much effort, the beaker will break and you could have cuts on your hands.
Pros
  • Plastic components
  • Multiple new colors
  • Dishwasher safe Cleaning
Cons
  • Too much plastic and difficult to remove glass carafe
  • Breakable glass

3- Bodum Caffettiera French Press 1 liter

Best Durable french press
Serve 8 cups
Durable material
Chrome stainless steel frame
Durable plunger
The Caffetteria is the greatest French press coffee maker for ultimate simplicity and maximum flavor because it combines classic design with delectable flavor. With the least amount of sediment in your cup, the Caffetteria uses a reusable stainless steel filter to fully extract the oils from your priceless beans. After all, our motto is Make taste, not waste.As with its metal counterparts, the silicone plunger on the Caffetteria’s plastic version removes the natural oils from your coffee beans. According to Bodum, utilizing the silicone filter mesh results in less sediment remaining in your cup.There are just two sizes available at the Bodum Caffetteria. There is a 12 oz. and a 34 oz.
Pros
  • Mixed Metal and plastic
  • Durable Borosilicate glass
  • Many  colors
  • Silicone filter
  •  BPA-free SAN plastic
  • Dishwasher safe
Cons
  • With two sizes only
  • Breakable glass

4- Bodum Kenya French Press 0.5 liter

Bodum Kenya French Press 0.5 liter

Best Value french press
Serve 4 cups
Strong User base
Heat resistant glass
Dishwasher safe
The Bodum french press Kenya is a coffee maker where tradition and modernity converge. We can say that The greatest method to drink coffee is using a Kenyan coffee press. It provides you with a simple and quick method of using it. Simply if you want to make coffee properly. Freshly ground coffee will yield the most essential oils and produce the least amount of sediment in your cup.The heat-resistant borosilicate glass beaker in the curved plastic frame makes this french press special. Additionally, it boasts a 3-piece stainless steel filtration system that eliminates the need for paper filters.
Pros
  • Light Plastic parts
  • Durable Borosilicate glass
  • New stunning design
Cons
  • Too much plastic
  • Breakable glass

Everything You Should Know Before Buying A French Press For Coffee Making

What is a French press?

A French press is an excellent choice if you want to brew a rich, robust cup of coffee at home but don’t want to spend a lot of money on equipment. This brewing technique is efficient and reliable, and unlike drip machines, French presses don’t take up much counter space or call for precise pouring skills.

The French press, despite its name, is actually Italian; it was invented by an Italian inventor and patented in 1929.

Then, the traditional French press coffee machine was created in the 1950s as a tribute to the famous Château de Chambord in France.

Around the world, the French press is known by many various names, including coffee press, press pot, cafetiere, cafetiere a piston, and Bodum, a company that is frequently linked to the French press.

Why you use French press for making coffee?

The French press, which is essentially a “coffee plunger,” combines a beaker and a filter press. After adding boiling water to the beaker and allowing the coffee to steep, the plunger is pressed downward to remove any coarse coffee grounds. French presses are popular because they are simple to use and produce high-quality coffee.

French press coffee, according to many, is the best. These are a few of the causes.

By using paper filters, oils and flavors are eliminated. Usually, the fats and oils are what give excellent food its flavor. In drip coffee machines, paper filters take up a large portion of the oil in your coffee grinds. By adding minute coffee grinds, French presses cause the coffee to percolate rather than absorb flavor.

Steeping is possible with a french press. Depending on the variety of tea, bulk tea must steep for a number of minutes to produce a nice cup. The finished product is a tantalizing cup of tea. The same is true when using a French press to make coffee. The coffee tastes better since the grounds steep rather than filter.

You receive total ground saturation. You cannot miss any of the grounds thanks to the French press. This indicates that the coffee and oils are completely saturated. Not all of the grounds are covered by a drip machine. Compared to coffee made using a drip machine or percolator, the saturation gives the beverage a distinctive flavor.

The temperature is appropriate. The appropriate water temperature is maintained throughout the French press procedure, which affects how the coffee is made. The water in drip machines and percolators frequently heats up quickly and cools down quickly, thus the ideal temperature rarely develops over the course of the entire brewing cycle.

How to use a french press for making coffee?

About 60 grams of coffee beans should be ground to a medium-fineness. The grind size is crucial; if it is too small, sediment may form; if it is too coarse, the flavor may not be strong enough.

Water heating instructions: Use an electric kettle to heat 4 cups of water until it is hot but not boiling, or boil the water on the stovetop for 1 minute to allow the temperature to drop.

Including coffee grounds Put the coffee grinds in the pot’s bottom.

Allow the coffee to bloom for one minute. Pour hot water over the coffee, to the height of the coffee, and stir. Wait for one minute after setting a timer.

5 minutes after adding water and brewing: Completely fill the French press, then stir once more. Time yourself for five minutes.

Plunge: Set the French press’s lid on top and gradually lower the plunger all the way. Serve right away.

What Kinds of coffee made by French press?

The majority of coffee machines employ drip brewing, which involves water trickling through coffee grinds and into the carafe. A French press uses immersion brewing, an alternative to drip brewing, which enables the water and coffee to mix completely and produce a more consistent cup of joe. The disadvantage of this procedure is that there are more opportunities for mistakes, such as an incorrect water-to-coffee ratio or excessive water steeping. The French press is easy to use, but if the right procedures aren’t followed, the coffee may taste bad.

Using a french press you can also prepare many other coffee recipes such as cold brew, espresso, iced coffee and frothed milk.

Finally, you can use your Bodum French press for making fruit tea or any other kind of special tea.

Taste and flavor of french press coffee

For a considerable amount of time, water is in close contact with ground coffee beans. You get a robust, full-bodied coffee with just a hint of roughness from doing this. That stands in stark contrast to the watery, weak coffee you frequently receive from traditional drip coffee machines.

Moreover, the aroma flavor of your first French press will be enhanced, and you’ll be able to see the coffee oils rising to the top of the blend. The taste of a French press is stronger and contains minute bean particles that are not present in conventional drip coffee.

The Advantage of using french press

The Protracted Process

Compared to drip coffee, French press coffee steeps and blends better. As opposed to a drip coffee maker that misses some grounds, the grounds are thoroughly saturated in the water.

No Need for Paper Filters

By eliminating the need for paper filters when using a French press, you’ll save money, have less trash to dispose of, and get a cup of coffee that tastes better overall because paper filters tend to absorb some of the oil from the coffee grounds that contribute to flavor.

Regular Water Temperature

The French press keeps the same temperature during the immersion brewing process, in contrast to drip coffee machines, which heat up and cool down quickly.

Very easy, compact, and portable

French presses often have a small footprint, which makes them simpler to store or carry when not in use.

The disadvantage of using french press

A rough texture

Comparatively porous to the paper or charcoal filters used in drip coffee machines, the French press filter allows for more sediment to enter the coffee, giving it a gritty taste and texture.

It’s Work to Make a Perfect Cup.

Users of a drip coffee maker need only add the necessary quantity of beans or grinds, a filter, and water; the machine takes care of the rest. Users of a French press must grind the beans to the necessary coarseness, keep track of the steeping period, and stir at the appropriate time. The coffee may turn out very differently and frequently taste significantly worse if one of these processes is performed wrong or skipped.

Small serving size

The average French press can only produce about up to 4 cups of coffee at maximum

Does French press coffee cause cholesterol to rise?

You may have read that drinking French press coffee can increase your risk of heart disease or elevate your cholesterol. However, the evidence is conflicting, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has no official recommendations regarding how French press coffee affects cholesterol levels.

Your Ultimate Buying Guide of French Presses in 2023

Yazeed Jaber
Delicious Coffee Recipes at Home
Logo