When it comes to finding the perfect french press, for me, size definitely matters. But with so many different sizes on the market, it can be tricky to know which one is right for you. That’s why I’ve put together this ultimate guide to french press sizes.
I’ll cover the most popular sizes on the market and give some tips for choosing the perfect one for you. So, let’s begin!
Popular French Press Sizes
- 3 Cup French Press ( 1 – 3 people), 0.35 liters.
- 4 Cup French Press (4 cups), 0.50 liters.
- 8 Cup French Press (8 cups), 1 liter.
- 12 Cup French Press (12 cups), 1.5 liters.
Why Does The Size of Your French Press Matter?
When it comes to making a great cup of coffee, the size of your French press can greatly impact the flavor. After all, different sizes will brew different quantities of coffee. And if you’re trying to make a small batch for just yourself, using a large French press might result in coffee that’s too strong or too weak.
On the other hand, if you’re trying to make coffee for a group of people, using a small French press might not be enough. You’ll need to consider how much coffee everyone wants to drink, and then choose a size accordingly.
Therefore, the size of your French Press really does matter.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
3 Things To Look For In A French Press
When it comes to making coffee, I’ve tried various brewing methods. But nothing beats the simplicity and straightforwardness of making coffee using a French press.
In case you don’t know what a French press is, let me explain.
A French press is a type of coffee maker that allows you to brew coffee by steeping ground coffee beans in hot water and then pressing the plunger down to filter the coffee.
French presses come in a variety of sizes, so it’s important to choose one that is best suited for your needs. Here are three things to look for in a French press:
1. The Right Size
Size is really important when it comes to choosing a French press. You need to make sure that you choose a size that is appropriate for your needs. If you’re only making coffee for yourself, then a small 3 cup French press should suffice.
But if you’re making coffee for the whole family, then you’ll need to choose a larger size, like an 8 cup French press.
2. The Right Material
French presses are typically made from glass, stainless steel, or ceramic. Glass is the most popular material for French presses because it is durable and easy to clean.
Stainless steel is also a popular choice because it is durable and doesn’t absorb flavors from the coffee.
Ceramic is a less popular choice because it is more fragile and can absorb flavors from the coffee. In the old days, ceramic was the most popular material for French presses, but now glass and stainless steel are taking the lead.
3. The Performance
When it comes to choosing a French press, you need to make sure that you choose one that brews a great cup of coffee. After all, that’s what it’s all about!
There are a few things to look for when it comes to performance.
- Quality of the brew: Make sure that the French press you choose produces a rich and flavorful cup of coffee.
- Ease of use: The French press should be easy to use so that you can make a great cup of coffee without any hassle.
- The Price: Of course, price is always a consideration. But you don’t want to skimp on quality just to save a few bucks.
- The Ease of Cleaning: Make sure that the French press is easy to clean so that you can enjoy your coffee without any worries.
- The Look: The look of your French Press is optional, but it is something to consider. After all, you’ll be looking at it every time you use it!
All French Press Sizes Explained
Let’s go over the different sizes of French presses so that you can choose the right one for your needs.
3 Cup French Press
The three-cup French press is the smallest size available on the market. It is ideal for those who want a single serving of coffee or tea. This size can also be used to make cold brew concentrate.
This French press is ideal for making coffee for one or two people. If you are looking for a small French press to take on camping trips or to use at work, this is the perfect size for you.
4 Cup French Press
Next on the list with have the four-cup French press. The 4 cup french press is the most commonly used size for the home kitchen.
It is also popular with offices and small businesses who want to make a quick cup or two without having to make a large pot (I know the company I used to work for had one in the break room).
This size is also good for traveling since it doesn’t take up much space and can easily fit in a suitcase. The four-cup press is also good for making iced coffee since it doesn’t make a lot at once and you can easily control the amount of coffee to water ratio.
I will say, that I have had a four-cup press for years and it has been great. I have also had friends who have had them and they have been happy with their purchase as well. If you are looking for a small, personal press, then the four-cup is probably your best bet.
8 Cup French Press
When it comes to Large French press sizes, the next size up from the four-cup is the eight-cup press. The 8 cup french press is twice the size of the four-cup and can make up to eight cups of coffee at once.
This size is good for medium to large gatherings, or if you drink a lot of coffee and want to make a pot at once. I will say, that I have never personally owned an eight-cup press, but I have used one before and the only downside is that you can make a mess if you’re not careful.
Other than that, the press works just like the four-cup, but makes twice as much coffee. If you think you will need to make more than four cups at a time, then the eight-cup press is probably a better choice for you.
12 Cup French Press
Last on the list, we have the 12 cup french press. The 12 cup press is the largest size that I am aware of and it can make up to 12 cups of coffee at once.
This size is best for cafes and restaurants who want to make a large pot of coffee at once. Keep in mind, that the 12 cup press is very large and will take up a lot of counter space.
You will also need more ground coffee and more water for this size press. If you think you will need to make more than eight cups of coffee at a time, then go for it. But I wouldn’t recommend it to the casual coffee drinker.
Which Size Is The Best French Press For Beginners?
If you’re an inexperienced coffee drinker, or someone who is just starting out with a French press, I would recommend getting the four or eight-cup press.
The four-cup press is a good size for beginners because it doesn’t make a lot of coffee and it’s easy to control the amount of coffee to water ratio. The eight-cup press is also a good choice because it makes more coffee, but it’s still easy to control the ratio.
I would not recommend getting the 12 cup press because it’s very large and it will make a mess if you’re not careful. It’s also difficult to control the coffee to water ratio with a large press like that.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Ounces in A French Press?
The ounces that your French press will be able to hold will depend on the size of your press. Here is a list of the common French press sizes and how many ounces they can hold:
- Three cup french press: 12 ounces
- Four cup french press: 16 ounces
- Eight cup french press: 32 ounces
- Twelve cup french press: 48 ounces
How Do I Know What Size My Bodum French Press Is?
If you’re unsure what size your Bodum French Press is, there are a few ways to figure it out.
1. Measure the pot itself: To measure the pot, use a ruler or tape measure to find the length from top to bottom and the width at the widest point.
2. Count the number of cups it makes: To find out how many cups your Bodum French Press makes, fill it with water to the line indicated inside the pot, and then pour that water into a measuring cup. One cup = 8 fluid ounces.
Last Thoughts
I believe that the size of the French press you need depends on how much coffee you drink and how many people you typically make coffee for.
If you’re a single, living your life alone then the three cup french press is probably all you need.
If you have a small family or entertain guests often, then the four or eight cup french press is a good choice.
Happy Brewing!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
