Bodum French Press Review: Does Bodum Deserve the Positive Reviews?

Looking for a bold and strong cup of coffee? A French Press coffee maker will take your brewing to a new level for many reasons, primarily because it allows coffee’s natural oils into the brew. Today, we are going to discuss the top rated device from our French Press reviews guide.

While the French press brewing process involves a little more cleaning than the standard drip coffee maker, there are many benefits to buying one. So, is the Bodum French press worth the investment? This Bodum French Press review examines all aspects, benefits, and drawbacks of this 1950s-style product.

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About Bodum

• Stainless steel construction and an elegant design for optimally brewed coffee in 4-5 minutes
• Safety lid protects against splashes and spills
• Press system is simple and straightforward to use for all first-time and experienced coffee drinkers

Product Specifications

• Product dimensions: 10.63 inches x 6.93 inches x 5.43 inches
• Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Size options: 51-, 34-, 17-, and 12-ounce carafes
• Material: plastic, glass, stainless steel
• Product warranty: 1-year limited warranty
• Other items included: measuring spoon and French press

The Bodum company was founded in Copenhagen in 1944 by Peter Bodum, the father of the present-day owner, Joergen Bodum. Peter partnered with a Danish architect to offer a wide range of coffeemakers in Denmark. Bodum’s Santos coffee maker was a hit in the country because of the vacuum brewing system. Word spread to the rest of Europe, and the company took off.

After Peter Bodum passed away at the age of 57, his wife and their son eventually managed the company. After Joergen brought on a Danish teacher, Carsten Joergensen, they collaborated to produce the company’s first French press design in 1974. Since this year, the company has made over 50 million French press products.

Today, the company is still a 100% family-owned company. It operates in 14 countries and employs over 700 people globally. Bodum also owns holding companies in Switzerland and Denmark, three production companies, 12 sales companies, and a design business.

Bodum French Press Review

Construction and Design (4/5)

The Bodum French press comes in sturdy steel, including a chrome-plated frame, dome lid, and D-shaped handle for a versatile design. When most people envision a French press, they think of the bistro-style appearance that the Bodum Chambord comes in.

The Bodum company has produced this sleek design since the 1950s. Through time, Bodum developed this design into nine finishes and four different designs: 51 ounces, 34 ounces, 17 ounces, and 12 ounces. Depending on your intended consumption, there is an ideal size for you. If you are a single coffee drinker, the 12-ounce option is the optimal choice to take to work or on a long trip.

Filter Type and Components (3.5/5)

Bodum makes sure to pack quality and care into each element of its French press, including the filter, spiral plate, and beaker. Bodum provides a filter plate that is stainless steel, making it a critical component for the French press coffee maker. It plays a key role in separating the water and ground coffee beans once the brewing stops.

Bodum’s spiral plate, made of stainless steel, secures the filter mesh throughout the brewing process. It also ensures that water filters through without any ground coffee. The spiral’s universal design and fit adheres to glass jugs and their tolerances.

Bodum’s Chambord product line comes in both recyclable-shatterproof and borosilicate-glass carafes. The borosilicate is durable and ultra-light and delivers excellent heat-resistant capabilities. The recyclable option, on the other hand, is shatterproof and offers an environmentally friendly cup of coffee. Both carafe options will not get fogged up in the dishwasher and are safe.

Value for Investment (4/5)

The Bodum French press instructions are listed on the package and website to make the most out of the coffee maker. It also includes a how-to video online for you to follow. The Bodum French press design also ensures that first-timers can learn the ropes quickly. The glass carafe is transparent, so you can see the brew color and make sure you do not plunge too quickly.

As you test your skills with the French press, you need to hold the plunge firmly. Although the plunger does wobble a bit, the large grip does make the plunging process easier. With a tighter, smoother plunger, you might prevent coffee grounds from getting past the liner and falling to the bottom of the cup. But overall, we were impressed with the compact, minimalist design of the Bodum.

The Bodum brewing system also delivers exceptional value for what you pay. The French press brewing process with the Bodum product is slightly different from the standard way. It starts with selecting the right amount of coarse coffee grounds. For every 8 ounces of coffee, you should add two Bodum scoops or rounded tablespoons of coffee grounds into the carafe.

Once you boil the water and wait for 15 seconds, you can then pour it into the carafe. For the best results, you should leave at least one inch of space at the top of the carafe. Next, stir the water and grounds with a wood or plastic spoon.

The next step involves the fun part: plunging. After you put the plunging unit on the top part of the pot, close the pour spot opening by turning the lid. Allow the coffee to brew for at least four minutes before you press down. Once the brewing process is complete, you can press the plunger down before enjoying your delicious cup of coffee.

Users also receive value through the simple and straightforward cleaning process. This disassembly only takes a couple of minutes, but it could still be a challenge for users with no motor skills or physical limitations. The product is dishwasher safe, but we recommend washing everything by hand.

When you clean the Bodum french press coffee machine, you will need to wipe down the entire system to remove any grounds or residue. The process with Bodum is slightly more detailed because you need to remove a smaller screw that connects the spiral plate, cross plate, and mesh to the plunger.

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Do Not Buy the Bodum Chambord French Press If...

Maybe a Bodum Chambord French press coffee maker is not the right purchase for you. Depending on your needs and coffee making style, there are a couple of reasons why you might choose a different option:

• You want to stick with a hands-off brewing process - a traditional trip coffee maker only requires you to push a button and let the machine do the work, which could save you some time.
• Searching for a more durable option - one downside of the Chambord is its fragility. If you intend to transport the coffee maker frequently, you might want to look elsewhere.

Verdict

For a coffee drinker who is using a French press coffee maker for the first time, the Bodum CHAMBORD is an excellent purchase. The design is minimalist, the price is respectable, and the cleaning process is easy for a French press.

We advise that you start with the 12-ounce alternative. Because it is the smallest version, it will allow you to get comfortable with the brewing process and see if it’s worthwhile to continue using and cleaning.

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FAQs

Are you still unsure of the ins and outs of the French press coffee machine? We compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions from first-time French press coffee drinkers.

Do I Need Any Extra Equipment to Brew Coffee With a French Press Machine?

The French press brewing process is simple and only requires one other piece of coffee equipment: a burr-style coffee grinder. Owning your coffee grinder will allow you to brew with fresh beans. Grinding your coffee right before you put it through the French press will produce an exotic and tasty flavor. When you grind your coffee, you also want to aim for preparing coarse grounds.

Is It Smart for Me to Pour All Coffee out From the French Press?

Yes, you should always pour all the coffee out of the French press. When you press the plunger down, the coffee beans are constantly mixing with the water. If you allow the coffee to continue to brew after plunging, you could overdo it and ruin the flavor. It would be best for you to control the variables and pour out all the liquid once plunging is complete.

Is the Bodum Chambord French Press Worth the Money?

You might think that brewing coffee with a French press coffee maker requires a lot of effort. This buying decision might also make you hesitant because it is a slightly different process than a traditional drip coffee maker. It is no secret that the French press brewing process is not as straightforward as dumping grounds into a pot and allowing it to do all the work for you.

Boiling the water and grinding the coffee beans will take around two minutes. Brewing will take up about 5 minutes, so you are only looking at 6-7 minutes of preparation time. Here are the benefits you get from this time investment:

• An elegant, tasty, and aromatic cup of coffee – the metal filter will allow the natural oils of the coffee into your cup, providing an extra kick of flavor
• Fuller feeling – the metal filter also lets tiny coffee grounds pass into the mug, which also boosts the flavor
• Satisfaction of a quality cup of brewed coffee – Bottom line, you get a feeling of accomplishment for putting in the work to press the coffee and brew it with a French press

Which French Press Coffee Maker Size Should I Buy?

Before you buy a French press coffee maker, you should ask yourself how many cups you intend to brew per day. To reverse engineer this decision, here is a breakdown of the different sizes and how many cups they typically make:

• 12-ounce French press coffee maker: 3 cups
• 34-ounce French press coffee maker: 8 cups
• 51-ounce French press coffee maker: 12 cups

If you have a large family or intend to make coffee for friends and visitors, you should lean toward the 34-ounce or 51-ounce option. If you ride solo and only prepare coffee for yourself, you will be set with the 12-ounce French press coffee maker alternative.

What Are the Important Things To Consider Before Buying a French Press?

Your investment in a french coffee press is a vital buying decision that requires much thought and consideration. You enter a new world of enhanced coffee brewing methods, so there are a few things to understand before you make the purchase.

Assuming you buy the french press coffee maker for your home kitchen, it is essential to consider the number of people who will use it. If you have a family of 3-4 or more people, we recommend buying a version of the product that accommodates everyone. A french press coffee maker for you personally will mean you should buy a smaller model.

In our opinion, it would be best to focus on the bigger models. Regardless of the household size, there will be days when you need multiple cups. Other days will require more cups for your family or other house guests.

French press coffee makers come in a variety of materials, ranging from glass to steel. As you scan the home goods store or research online, you might wonder the best type for first-time buyers.

Stainless steel or glass is the ideal option. It is a level higher than the cheaper plastic design, but it does not require a massive upfront investment.

We described the ins and outs of the Bodum brand, but you should also consider the quality of the company that produces the french press coffee maker. Focus on companies that have a proven track record in the industry and are constantly innovating. Family-owned companies like Bodum are also more likely to deliver products focused on the customer’s needs.

Bodum French Press Instructions

So, how do you operate French presses? Before you make the big purchase, you need to understand how to use a Bodum French press effectively. It may seem like a challenging concept to learn at first, but you can master the process in a few minutes by following this simple and straightforward set of steps.

• Grind coffee beans into an even, coarse blend for optimal results
• Once you prepare the grounds, place them in the base of the beaker
• Bring water to a boil and pour it over the grounds
• Mix the water and grounds for 10-20 seconds
• Allow the mixture to steep for 3-5 minutes (the longer you allow it to steep, the more intense the roast will be)
• After steeping is complete, utilize the press to push the grounds to the beaker’s bottom (this filters out the unnecessary oils for a cleaner cup of coffee)

Most coffee makers use a drip brewing method, which means the water will seep through the grounds before it rests within the carafe. However, a french press leverages an enhanced method called immersion brewing, which enables the coffee and water to blend efficiently to prepare a more balanced drink.

One drawback of the French press strategy is that there is more room for error. One issue could be an inaccurate water-coffee ratio. Even though the French press is easy to use, a couple of miscues could disrupt the final taste.

What Are the Benefits of French Press Coffee Makers?

What are the advantages of buying a French press? Apart from its premium taste, the French press delivers many benefits.

Compared to regular drip coffee, French press coffee blends and steeps much more efficiently. Because the grounds submerge in the water, it captures all the grounds for a tasty drink. Drip coffee machines lose grounds through the brewing process, lowering the overall quality.

Fewer paper filters are another key benefit of the French press, which means less money and trash to deal with. It also means you receive a cup of coffee with a much stronger taste. Because paper filters soak up the oil that adds to the flavor, you are not getting the taste or aroma that you would with the French press.

Depending on the French press model you purchase, most options are tiny. The compact size makes it easy to carry on the go if you need to. The smaller size also means it will be easier to clean and maintain.

Traditional drip coffee makers heat up and cool down at a rapid pace. This unstable temperature change makes for inconsistent coffee and diminished quality. Because a French press coffee maker keeps a consistent temperature throughout the immersion process, you receive a tastier coffee drink.

What Are the Downsides to French Press Coffee Makers?

Despite the numerous positive benefits of French press coffee machines, it is also essential for us to highlight the disadvantages. Apart from the slight upfront learning curve, below are some of the negatives to consider.

Compared to the charcoal or paper filters in drip coffee makers, French press filters are porous. This filter design produces more sediment and other substances that will get into the coffee. Therefore, you might notice the coffee will have more grit in its texture and taste.

With standard drip coffee machines, you do minimal work to get your cup of coffee. You press the button, input the grounds, water, and filter, and then the machine takes care of the rest. On the other hand, a French press requires you to grind the beans to the optimal coarseness, evaluate the steeping time, and stir at the perfect moment. If you perform any of these steps incorrectly or skip a small detail, then the taste will be way off.

The average French press coffee maker only prepares about two to five cups of coffee. While the Bodum model has larger sizes, they come at a higher price. Drip coffee makers, in comparison, can hold up to 14-16 cups of coffee.

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