If you use a coffee press...

[journeymom]

How long do you steep it?

We use this one. The instructions indicate to let the grounds steep in hot water for 4 minutes. Other places I've read the same thing, 4 minutes.

The husband and I agree, that seems really weak. We let our steep 7 minutes or more.

Anyone with any experience here?

[mamadelbosque]

We dont time it but I'd guess we let it go at LEAST 5 and as much as 15+ minutes... but we like it strong

[womenswisdom]

I just got one and am wondering how much coffee you use? Same as for a drip? (I like mine strong as well)

[MaxMommy]

You might need a little more coffee.

We have an insulated one so we sometimes let it steep for 10+ minutes. With at glass press your coffee would be cooling off a bit by then. 4-5 minutes sounds reasonable to me, a lot of times we have very little steeping time and it's still good.

[Princess ConsuelaB]

We have an insulated stainless steel press, we use about 3 heaping scoops, fill it to an inch under the brim and let it steep for 4-5 minutes. This gives us a nice batch, not too weak and not too strong. I do stir it at the beginning and sometimes halfway through steeping. We use water that is just under boiling.

[russsk]

Your grind might be too coarse. I like it strong, and 4 min is perfect for me. Too long and you lose balance. I grind mine at about 4.5 on my grinder, which goes from 1 (very fine) to 8 (coarse), which is finer than is often recommended. Any coarser and the coffee is weak and/or unbalanced IMO.

[neptunemama]

I agree that your grind is probably too coarse, you aren't using enough coffee, or both. I also like my coffee strong, and when I use my press I steep the grounds for 3 1/2-4 min. No more, or the coffee loses it's correct flavor and begins to show the bitter unpleasant notes.

I'd try a slightly finer grind at first, and add more coffee. You still need to be able to press it, so you'll come to the right combo w/trial and error fairly quickly.

[journeymom]

Everything I've ever read or heard about making pressed coffee says to use only coarse ground coffee, including Bodum, and the owner of dh's favorite coffee shop. I'd say we consistently go more fine than recommended.

Yes, I've let it steep probably as long as 15 minutes and the taste just gets better. But then, I'll drink the last inch that's been sitting on top of the grounds from yesterday.

We use about 1/4 to 1/3 of a cup of coffee for our 8-servings carafe. We add about 3 cups of water.

Bodum says a serving is 4 ounces. Ha! One tablespoon coffee: 4 ounces water, they say. Maybe we don't add enough coffee to water!

My conclusion is that we just like it strong!

[KatWrangler]

Thats the exact one my husband has. He lets it steep about 5 minutes.

[TripMom]

I was schooled in this by my Aunt - who was a barista - 4 minutes is the time. There are actual "4 minute timers" you can buy in coffee stores that only time to 4 minute french presses! she gave me one.

[CrunchyMamaToBe]

Ours is the same size, but a different style Bodum. We use 3 scoops (those little scoopers that come with the press) of ground coffee and fill it to the silver band. Steep 5-10 or even 15 minutes, depending on how desperate we are for coffee! I have even been known to push it down part way to pour myself just one wee cup while the rest steeps properly. For us that pot makes 3-4 mugs of coffee.

[tinuviel_k]

The correct way to brew your coffee is to do it in the way that tastes best to you! So if seven minute steeped coffee tastes better to you than four minute coffee steep longer.

I'm the opposite, personally. I like my coffee kinda weak. I never follow the directions for my press or hand filter: I just do what tastes good.

[Storm Bride]

Mine says 2 minutes. If dh makes it for me, he usually does it about 2-3 minutes. I get busy with the kids, and have let it steep for as long as 15 minutes, on occasion. At that point, it's a bit too strong or bitter or...something for me. But, I love it anywhere from the recommended 2 minutes, up to about 10 or 12.

[journeymom]

Originally Posted by tinuviel_k

The correct way to brew your coffee is to do it in the way that tastes best to you!