Buying guide
Cafetières: The Easiest Way to Make Proper Coffee for a Crowd
No machine, no pods: a cafetière makes rich coffee for eight. Sizes, materials and the four-minute method.
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A cafetière (French press) is the simplest way to make good coffee for a houseful of guests, and it costs a fraction of a machine.
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Sizes
| Size | Makes |
|---|---|
| 3-cup (about 350 ml) | 1–2 mugs |
| 8-cup (about 1 litre) | 4 mugs; the most useful size |
| 12-cup (about 1.5 litres) | A crowd |
"Cups" here are small coffee cups, so check the volume in millilitres.
Materials
| Material | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glass with a frame | See the brew; glass can break |
| Double-walled stainless steel | Keeps coffee hot longer; unbreakable |
| Ceramic or enamel | Holds heat; looks good on the table |
The method
- Use coarse ground coffee: about 1 rounded tablespoon (7 g) per 125 ml.
- Add water just off the boil.
- Stir, put the lid on and wait 4 minutes.
- Press the plunger slowly and serve straight away, or pour into a flask so it does not stew.
Frequently asked questions
What grind of coffee is best for a cafetière?
A coarse grind. Fine coffee passes through the mesh and makes the coffee muddy and hard to press.
How long should coffee brew in a cafetière?
About 4 minutes, then press and pour. Left longer, it becomes bitter.
How much coffee for a cafetière?
About 7 g (a rounded tablespoon) per 125 ml of water. Adjust to taste.
How we choose
BeneRecipes compares tools using manufacturer specifications and retailer listings. We have not tested these products ourselves and don't publish star ratings. We explain which type suits which cook and why.
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