French press

Buy French Press / Coffee Press Switzerland

The French Press (also known as a coffee press, cafetière, or plunger pot) is one of the most honest brew methods: coarse grounds meet hot water in the glass carafe, steep for 3–5 minutes, then you press the metal screen down, separating the coffee from the grounds. No paper filters, no electric pump, no pressure – just time and temperature. The result is a full-bodied, velvety cup with all the oils and fine suspended particles of the bean. For full, chocolatey profiles (e.g., our CCC in-house roast Cozy Chocolate), it's one of the best methods.

Coffee Coaching Club carries 4 active French Press models in two brand lines. Ilsa from Italy for classic glass construction at a low price. Barista & Co Coffee from the UK for plastic-free steel construction with a design focus.

The brands in the cluster

Which size for which setup

French Press Workflow in Practice

Classic French Press recipe for a 1:15 ratio (bean-to-water):

1. Weigh beans: for 1 liter of water, approx. 60–70 g beans
2. Grind coarsely: significantly coarser than filter grind, about sea salt consistency (Comandante C40: 30–35 clicks)
3. Boil water, let cool to 92–95 °C
4. Add grounds to carafe, then add water
5. Wait 30 seconds, then stir vigorously (or "break" the crust on top with a spoon) for even extraction
6. Place screen on top, but do not press yet
7. 4 minutes total steeping time (incl. step 5)
8. Press slowly, over 15–20 seconds
9. Pour immediately into a pot or directly into cups so that the grounds do not over-extract

Grind size and water temperature are the two most important variables. For light roasts, a slightly longer steeping time (5 minutes); for dark roasts, shorter (3 minutes). For a clearer cup profile, pour through a paper filter after pressing – "French Press meets Filter," a popular hybrid method.

Glass vs. plastic-free steel

Glass construction (Ilsa): classic, you can see the brewing, lightweight. Fragile, retains temperature for a shorter time.

Plastic-free steel (Barista & Co Core Coffee Press): insulating double-wall construction, retains temperature longer, robust against impact. Higher material requirements, significantly higher price.

For home setups with occasional brewing: glass is sufficient. For setups where the brew should stay warm longer (e.g., over breakfast) or with small children in the household: plastic-free steel is sensible.

Service in Switzerland

For Ilsa and Barista & Co Coffee: service through the manufacturers. Glass insert for Ilsa available as a spare part – no need to replace the entire tool after breakage. Free shipping in Switzerland and Liechtenstein from CHF 60.

In the showrooms in Bern (Gerberngasse 44) and Zurich Oerlikon (Hagenholzstrasse 50b), we demonstrate the French Press workflow with your preferred beans. For specialty bean consultation, we are also available by phone.

What goes with it

For suitable grinders (coarse grind): Hand coffee grinders (Comandante C40, Timemore C2/C3, Kinu M47), electric grinders with a coarse grind range (Eureka Mignon Filtro, Mahlkönig X54). For filter coffee alternatives: Pour-Over Drippers (Chemex, Hario V60, Origami), AeroPress. For kettles: Gooseneck kettles with temperature control. For premium scales: Acaia Pearl S. For Cold Brew: Cold Brew tools. For cups: Loveramics Cups. For cleaning: Urnex BioCaf. For beans from our own roastery: CCC in-house roasts – Cozy Chocolate for classic chocolatey profiles, Wild Peach for specialty filters with a fruity demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which beans are suitable for French Press?

French Press is full-bodied and more forgiving than other brew methods. Classic profiles: dark roasted beans with chocolate, nut, caramel notes show their full-bodied aromas. Specialty profiles: light roasts with fruity or floral aromas also work – with a slightly shorter steeping time (3 minutes) and slightly lower water temperature (90–92 °C). From our roastery selection: Cozy Chocolate and Nutty Delight are classic French Press beans, Wild Peach and Bright Cassis are specialty variants.

Which grind size for French Press?

Significantly coarser than for filter pour-over or espresso – about sea salt consistency. Comandante C40: 30–35 clicks. Timemore Chestnut C3: 18–25 clicks. Eureka Mignon Filtro: highest grind setting range. Grinding too fine leads to sludge in the cup and over-extracted bitter flavors. Better too coarse than too fine.

How much beans per water?

Standard ratio: 1:15 to 1:17. For 1 liter of water, 60–70 g of beans. For 600 ml: 35–40 g of beans. For 350 ml: 20–23 g of beans. Adjustable according to taste and bean – some specialty roasts are stronger and need 1:18.

How long to steep?

Classic: 4 minutes. For light roasts or a less full-bodied cup character: 3 minutes. For dark roasts or more body: 5 minutes. Pour immediately after pressing so that the grounds do not over-extract and the cup becomes bitter.

Ilsa Glass or Barista & Co Steel?

Ilsa Glass (CHF 13–16): classic, you can see the brewing, lighter, inexpensive. Fragile. Barista & Co Steel (CHF 27–39): plastic-free, insulating double wall, retains temperature longer, stylish in black or copper. For an affordable start: Ilsa. For a home with design aspirations and a focus on sustainability: Barista & Co.

How do I clean the French Press?

Compost the grounds, rinse all parts (glass, screen, plunger) in lukewarm water. Important: disassemble the screen multiple times, as coffee oils can stick to the screen layers and become rancid over time. Once a week, wash in the sink with dish soap or in the dishwasher (for dishwasher-safe models). Glass models: be careful with thermal shock – do not go directly from hot to cold.

French Press vs. AeroPress vs. Pour-Over?

French Press: most full-bodied cup, all oils retained, longest steeping time (4 min), coarse grind. AeroPress: more compact, faster (2 min), more variable in methodology, clearer cup with paper filter. Pour-Over (Chemex, V60, Origami): clearest cup, more acidity and fruity aromas, paper filter filters oils. For a home with various brewing methods: all three are worthwhile. For beginners: French Press is the most forgiving.

Can I use a French Press in the office?

Yes – the Ilsa 350 ml variant or the Barista & Co 350 ml variant (black, plastic-free) are ideal for solo office workflow. Add a grinder (e.g., a compact hand grinder like the Timemore C3 or Comandante C40), hot water from a kettle, and you're done. No electricity needed.

Can I test French Presses before buying?

Yes, in the showrooms in Bern and Zurich Oerlikon. We will show you the workflow live with your preferred beans and different designs (glass vs. steel). For specialty workflow consultation, we can visit your home setup upon request.