If you love brewing your coffee using the best french press method but find you just don’t know what to look for in the best coffee plunger, Australia, you’ve come to the right place! Manually brewing coffee yourself doesn’t have to take forever and, with the best french press coffee maker, you can achieve a smooth, full-bodied brew in minimal time. These coffee makers are also the best portable coffee makers as they don’t need any power and they are lightweight.
If you’ve tried countless plungers but just can’t seem to find the best coffee press, don’t worry because this article has you covered! In these coffee plunger reviews, I not only take you through all the various factors to consider when purchasing the best press coffee maker, but I also compare some of the best french press brands currently on the market in Australia.
Before we even get to my coffee press reviews, I’ll answer some of your biggest questions like “what is a coffee plunger”, “how to use a coffee press” and “what is the best coffee for french press”.
Haven’t got time to read all of my in-depth reviews…..
My pick for the Best French Press: Bodum Chambord
The Bodum Chambord coffee plunger is a classic glass carafe french press that is easy to clean, comes in a range of different sizes and won’t break the bank. Why change something that has worked perfectly for years!
Comparison Chart – Best Coffee Plunger, Australia 2020
Below is a handy table where you can see all the best cafeteires reviewed in this article. Keep reading below for more in-depth information on each of these top-rated french press coffee makers.
What is a Coffee Plunger
You might know coffee plungers by another name such as “french press”, “cafeteria” or “coffee press” but they all refer to the same things. Some people, incorrectly, refer to them as percolators but these are actually a completely different style of coffee maker.
So what is a french press? A modern coffee plunger is made up of of a beaker, where the coffee itself is brewed, and a lid with a fitted plunger that fits tightly in the beaker and has a fine mesh filter. When you press the plunger handle down the grounds are filtered from the brew and the coffee can be poured from a spout.
How to Use the Best Coffee Plunger, 2020
So, now you know what a french press actually is, it’s time to look at exactly how to use a coffee plunger to make a great cup of coffee.
Follow these simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to knowing how to use coffee plungers perfectly:
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- Remove the lid from the beaker and preheat by filling with boiling water.
- While the jug warms, grind the coffee beans. The best grind for french press coffee makers is medium coarse. Avoid using the fine espresso grind as you may end up with sediment in your coffee cup.
- Empty the beaker and add the right amount of ground coffee (about 1 heaped teaspoon per cup)
- Add hot, not boiling, water to the jug – allowing the boiled kettle to sit for 30 seconds to 1 minute should be enough.
- With the plunger handle pulled all the way up, replace the lid onto the beaker.
- Wait approximately four minutes for the coffee to brew (this time will depend on your coffee and grind so might take some experimenting)
- Push the plunger down slowly to separate the grounds from the coffee.
- Pour coffee and serve as preferred
This list is a great starting point but, if you want to know how to make the best plunger coffee possible, this article goes into some more technical details.
What coffee do you use in a plunger though? Well, any coffee really and you can use any of your favourite brands. The best ground coffee for french press coffee is any with a medium-coarse grind.
What to Consider When Purchasing The Best Press Coffee Maker
Here are all of the features you should consider when looking to purchase the best rated french press coffee maker:
Capacity
Coffee plungers come in a huge range of sizes so it’s worth thinking about your needs and paying close attention to the capacity of a plunger before you purchase, nothing would be worse than buying a single cup coffee press if you entertain a lot and have to waste time emptying and refilling for every guest.
I’ve found an 8 cup french press is perfect for us, a couple who love their coffee and have a few each in the morning and sometimes entertain so need the larger capacity. Remember, you don’t have to fill the plunger to capacity every time, so going too big is always better than going too small.
If you only have the odd cup of coffee or one cup in the morning is enough to satisfy you, a 1 cup plunger would probably do the job.
Material
Glass french press coffee makers are the kind you probably think of when someone says “coffee plunger” but there are also stainless steel plungers on the market as well.
Any plunger with a glass carafe should be made from borosilicate glass (basically the glass has had boric acid added to it) as this glass is more resilient to breakage and sudden temperature changes. All high-quality glass french presses should be made from this type of material so be sure to look out for it before purchasing.
The main advantage of a glass carafe if the fact that you can see inside the plunger, making it easy to check the strength of the coffee and be sure the plunger is working correctly.
Stainless steel french presses should have double-walled insulation to make them worth the money and their main advantages are that they keep liquids hotter for longer and they are practically impossible to break.
Portability
You might not think you need a portable coffee press but they could be worth taking a look at if you ever go camping or travel a lot for work and like to have a decent cup of coffee in your room in the mornings.
Glass coffee presses will need a little extra care if you intend on travelling with them, whereas steel plungers are much hardier for travel, even if they are a little heavier.
A portable coffee press cup could also be a good option for anyone who doesn’t have much time in the morning and wants to press and drink on the go. Coffee can turn bitter if left in a plunger too long but if you intend on drinking it straight away on your commute, it’s still a viable option.
Cleaning
What’s the point in being able to make yourself a quick and easy cup of coffee in the morning if you have to then spend an eternity cleaning the french press.
A good coffee plunger should be large enough so you can get your hand in with a sponge to give it a good clean and the plunger/filter section should be able to be easily rinsed under a tap to remove used coffee grounds. Bonus points if the whole thing is dishwasher safe!
Coffee Plunger Reviews, 2020
My in-depth reviews will give you a better idea of which of these top-rated coffee plungers will best suit your needs
Bodum French Press Reviews
For those that love french press coffee, Bodum is well known as one of the best coffee plunger brands around. Read these Bodum french press reviews to find out why they are so highly rated.
Best Bodum French Press: Bodum Chambord
The Bodum Chambord coffee plunger is a 1.5 litre, or 12 cup, coffee press that’s great for anyone who likes to entertain or a large family that drinks a lot of coffee in the morning.
The carafe in this large Bodum French press is made from durable borosilicate glass that is lightweight and dishwasher safe. This Bodum coffee plungers casing, lid and actual filter are made from a high quality stainless steel that won’t warp or become misshapen easily as some cheaper options do. The handle is comfortable and made from a black Polypropylene with a matte finish.
Chambord Bodum coffee presses come in a wide range of different sizes but this version is the best Bodum French press for your kitchen if you need something versatile that can make as few as 3 cups or as many as 12.
Bodum Columbia
If you’re not sure glass is the right material for you, this Bodum metal french press makes a great alternative to the traditional coffee plunger design.
This Bodum stainless french press comes as either a 1 cup coffee plunger or a 4 cup capacity depending on your needs and the double wall jug will keep your coffee hot for up to 2 hours. This is aided by the specially designed lid which completely seals the jug when in the “closed” position so steam can’t escape. The plunger is made from a silicone material and mesh to prevent scratching of the internal surface.
Anyone looking for a french press with a little more durability will love this Bodum stainless steel coffee plunger and it’s sleek, modern design will look great on any kitchen bench.
Best Small French Press: Bodum Travel Press
If you’re just looking for the best small french press and you don’t have much time in the morning, this travel coffee plunger from Bodum offers the chance for coffee on the go.
This single cup french press coffee maker is used exactly like any other coffee plunger. Just throw in your coffee, add hot water and attach the lid then you can head out the door and plunge the cup after 4 minutes rather than standing around in the kitchen waiting. The double wall design will keep your coffee hot for longer and the non-slip, ergonomically designed handle make it easy to carry with you.
This one cup coffee press is great for anyone short on time in the mornings or would make a unique gift for any coffee lover who already seems to have everything.
Other French Press Reviews
Best Cheap French Press: Maxwell Williams Cosmopolitan
Anyone just looking for the best cheap french press would be perfectly happy with the Maxwell Williams Cosmopolitan, which comes as either a one cup french press coffee maker or in 6 cup capacity.
This coffee plunger is made from superior borosilicate glass and a quality 18/10 304 grade stainless steel frame making it not just the best affordable french press but also great quality. The extra filter in the spout catches any stray coffee grounds and ensures consistently good cup of coffee.
Whether you need a 1 cup french press coffee maker or something bigger for entertaining, this plunger is a quality option that won’t break the bank.
Best Portable Coffee Maker: Set of 2 Travel French Press
If you need the best travel coffee maker, this set of two portable coffee plungers and cups will make getting your coffee on the go a breeze.
These travel coffee presses are made from 100% BPA free and food-grade plastic and the silicone seal ensures a 360-degree leak-proof lid. The heat resistant, ribbed plastic handle ensures they are easy to carry and the lightweight design won’t add too much weight to your packing. The parts easily come apart and can be rinsed under hot water to clean. With two mugs for this low price they are a real bargain.
Anyone looking for the best portable coffee maker for camping trips would be happy with these french press mugs or they would make the perfect gift for a couple who love hiking and camping together.
Avanti Modena
This Avanti stainless steel coffee plunger would suit anyone looking for a more robust option without any plastic components.
Most stainless steel coffee plunger, Australia, options have some form of plastic in them but not the Avanti Modena. This 3 cup coffee plunger is made from a high quality 18/8 stainless steel, the jug has twin wall construction to help it retain heat and the lid, filter and plunger components are all plastic-free. The easy pour spout ensures a drip free pour everytime and the sleek design would look good on any kitchen bench.
If you are looking for the best stainless steel french press that doesn’t contain any plastic components, the Avanti Modena could be the way to go.
Specialty Coffee of Noosa plunger
Another plastic-free option that looks super modern and stylish is this stainless steel french coffee press from Noosa Beach Style, perfect for anyone wanting a stainless steel coffee press that not only does the job but looks great too.
This 4 cup coffee plunger has an 18/8 (304) inner and outer wall stainless steel construction which is long-lasting and withstands corrosion. The lid and mesh filter are also plastic-free and the double wall design also means that your coffee is kept hotter for longer. This plunger has been polished to a high mirror finish and looks super stylish for anyone who likes to add a touch of class to their morning coffee.
Those who need the best 4 cup french press, that also looks stylish on the breakfast table, won’t be disapointed!
Bialetti Preziosa
If you want something from one of the best coffee plunger brands on the market, this glass coffee press from Bialetti is from an iconic brand and makes an excellent brew.
The carafe on the Preziosa is made from heat resistant borosilicate glass and the holder is a high quality 18/10 stainless steel with an ergonomic handle for a comfortable pour. It comes as a 3 cup coffee plunger but there is also an 8 cup option, making it great for a couple or those who love to entertain larger groups. The whole thing is dishwasher safe and Bialettti even believe in their product so much you will get a 2 year warranty.
For those who want a coffee plunger from a high quality brand, Bialetti are about as good as it gets and this plunger even features the famous “little man” cut out, front and centre.
Leaf and Bean Portofino
Anyone looking for an unusual french press will love this completely glass coffee plunger.
This unique coffee plunger from Leaf and Bean is made from a durable and heat-resistant borosilicate glass with a stainless steel infuser and plunger. The press even comes with 2 glass mugs to make a complete set and would make a lovely gift for any coffee lover.
If you plan on taking good care of your coffee press and no it won’t be getting knocked around, this could be a real talking point at the breakfast table
Baccarat Brillante
This stainless steel french press coffee maker from Baccarat is a well made and quality coffee plunger that you will use for years to come.
This 4 cup coffee plunger is made from a high quality stainless steel and the double wall construction helps keep the brew hot, ready for your second cup. The Baccarat Brillante is completely dishwasher safe, making clean up a breeze and the easy pour spout ensures a drip free experience.
If you want the best 4 cup coffee maker that will be resilient to a bit of knocking around, give the Brillante a try.
Do you fancy real cafe-style coffee? Take a look at my ultimate guide to find the best home coffee machines to experiment with your coffee.
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