Bench Stainless Press

Is the 12 oz Bench Stainless Press too small for two people?

For two full mugs, pick the 20 oz. The 12 oz brews one generous mug or two small cups, and the 34 oz brews four cups.

What does the steel frame do?

It holds the glass carafe, carries the handle and gives the press its look. The glass does the brewing, and the vertical slots let you watch the coffee.

Which pattern is it?

Vertical grooves, classic and tactile. The pattern is cosmetic, the brew is identical.

What finish is it?

Brushed silver with vertical grooves. It is cool in tone and blends with most counters.

Why is my Bench Stainless Press coffee muddy?

The grind is too fine and slips through the stainless steel mesh. Grind coarse, like raw sugar or breadcrumbs, and unscrew the plunger mesh every few weeks to rinse out old grounds.

Is the glass fragile?

It is heat-resistant glass, which handles hot water, but it is still glass and can break if it is dropped or knocked. Avoid pouring boiling water into a cold carafe: preheat it with warm water first.

How much coffee do I use for the 34 oz?

A good starting point is 1 part coffee to 16 parts water by weight, about 2.2 oz (60 to 63 g) of coarse ground coffee for a full 34 oz. Steep four minutes, then press slowly.

French press vs pour over: which one is easier?

A French press is more forgiving: add coarse coffee and hot water, wait four minutes, press. Pour over needs a gooseneck kettle and a steady pour, and gives a lighter, cleaner cup, while the French press gives more body.

I like seeing the coffee brew. Is there a French press with glass but protected by metal?

The Bench Stainless Press has a heat-resistant glass carafe held in a stainless steel frame with vertical slots, so you can watch the brew while the frame protects the glass. Steel lid and plunger with 3-layer mesh filtration, in 12 oz (1 mug), 20 oz (2 mugs) or 34 oz (4 cups). Avoid pouring boiling water into a cold carafe to prevent thermal shock.

What should I look for in a cafetière if I like strong, full-bodied coffee?

Look at the filter and the heat. A fine stainless mesh plus a plate lets the oils through for body, and double walls keep the water hot during brewing. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press has a two-part plunger with both, while the Bench Stainless Press lists a stainless mesh plunger with 3-layer filtration. Grind coarse and fresh with the Precision Manual Grinder.

Which French press coffee pot suits a table of four to six people?

Go for the 34 oz size. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press in 34 oz serves 4 to 6 per its page, and the knobbed lid and anti-drip spout make table pouring easy. If you would rather see the brew, the Bench Stainless Press in 34 oz is a heat-resistant glass carafe in a stainless frame, listed for 4 cups. More options: our French presses.

Which French press has a glass carafe I can bring straight to the table?

The Bench Stainless Press holds a heat-resistant glass carafe in a stainless frame with vertical slots, and its page says it travels from kitchen to table. The Walnut Glass Press has a double-wall glass carafe with a rosewood lid. Glass needs gentle handling: the Bench page advises against pouring boiling water straight into a cold carafe. Glass options: glass coffee makers.

Can I use a paper filter with my press for a cleaner cup, or is there a finer filter?

Our presses use stainless mesh, which is meant to let the oils through for body. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press pairs a fine mesh screen with a perforated plate, and the Bench Stainless Press lists a stainless mesh plunger with 3-layer filtration. Neither is a paper filter, so a little fine sediment is normal. If you want the clean, paper-filtered style, a pour-over is the better match: see the Toscana Pour-Over Set.

Glass press: Walnut or Bench, which one should I choose?

The Walnut Glass Press has a double-wall glass carafe, a rosewood lid and a stainless mesh screen, in 12 oz (350 ml) and 20 oz (600 ml). The Bench Stainless Press is a heat-resistant glass carafe in a stainless frame with slots to see the brew, in 12, 20 and 34 oz. Walnut for warmth and wood, Bench for the size range and the steel frame.

Which of your presses come in 12 oz for a single mug?

Several do. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press has a 12 oz size that serves 1 to 2, at 6.4 in tall and 3.0 in wide. The Bench Stainless Press lists 12 oz for 1 mug, and the Walnut Glass Press offers 12 oz (350 ml, about 2 cups). Steel for travel and knocks, glass for watching the brew. All presses: our French presses.

Which mid-size press suits two cups without being too big?

Look at 20 to 25 oz. The Bench Stainless Press has a 20 oz size listed for 2 mugs, the Walnut Glass Press a 20 oz (600 ml) size listed for 3 to 4 cups, and the Pro Thermal Press a 25 oz size for 2 mugs in matte black stainless. Count your mug size, not just the number of cups.