Pro Thermal Press

Which size do I need?

12 oz brews one mug. 25 oz brews two. 34 oz brews three to four, the carafe for a slow weekend morning at the table.

Why matte black?

It hides fingerprints, looks at home in a modern kitchen, and pairs with most counters. The finish is paint baked onto stainless steel.

What grind?

Coarse. Pre-ground beans labeled "French press" work, fresh-ground from a burr grinder works better.

How hot is the carafe to the touch?

Cooler than a single-walled press. The double wall keeps most of the heat inside the brew, not on the outside surface.

Can I take it camping?

Yes. Stainless steel, no glass. Pack it without a sleeve, brew at the table.

How long does it keep coffee hot?

60 to 90 minutes. The double-walled steel keeps the heat in the brew rather than on the outside.

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 press. Steep four minutes, then press slowly.

Will the matte black finish scratch?

It shows scratches more easily than brushed steel. Wash it by hand with a soft sponge and skip steel wool.

Is a matte black French press available?

Yes, the Pro Thermal Press: double-walled stainless steel in matte black, fine stainless mesh filter, integrated metal handle, in 12 oz (1 mug), 25 oz (2 mugs) or 34 oz (3 to 4 cups), listed at 60 to 90 minutes hot. The finish is paint baked onto steel, so wash it with a soft sponge, not steel wool.

Pro Thermal in matte black or Signature in mirror-polished steel: which one should I get?

The Pro Thermal Press is a matte black, double-walled stainless press in 12, 25 or 34 oz. The matte paint scratches more easily than brushed steel, so avoid steel wool. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press is mirror-polished inside and out, with an etched fill gauge. Black kitchen: Pro Thermal. Bright, easy-to-wipe look: Signature.

Which stainless steel coffee press comes in the most sizes?

The Signature Stainless Steel French Press comes in 12 oz (serves 1 to 2), 27 oz (serves 2 to 4) and 34 oz (serves 4 to 6). The Pro Thermal Press offers 12, 25 and 34 oz in matte black. The Bench Stainless Press has 12, 20 and 34 oz with a glass carafe in a steel frame. Pick by your usual number of mugs.

Which of your presses is truly insulated: vacuum or double wall?

The Workshop Insulated Press is described as vacuum-insulated. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press, Pro Thermal Press and Atelier Wood Press are double-walled stainless. The Walnut Glass Press has a double-wall glass carafe.

Is a warmer needed for an insulated French press?

Usually not. We do not list a warmer in this range, and the insulated presses cover the same job: the Workshop Insulated Press, Pro Thermal Press and Atelier Wood Press are double-walled, which slows cooling. Keep the lid on, and pour what you do not drink soon into a mug or the Slow Glass Carafe, so the coffee stops steeping.

Will the matte black finish on the Pro Thermal Press scratch easily?

It can: the page says matte black scratches more easily than brushed steel, and the finish is paint baked onto stainless steel. Wash by hand with warm water and a soft sponge, and avoid steel wool. Wipe the lid gasket after each brew, since coffee oils harden the rubber over time. The Pro Thermal Press comes in 12, 25 and 34 oz. For a steel finish that is easier on scratches, see the Workshop Insulated Press.

How do I look after the lid seal on a French press?

Wipe the gasket after every brew, because coffee oils harden the rubber over time. The Pro Thermal Press page says exactly this, and recommends storing it with the lid off and the plunger up. The Nomad Press Mug page says to replace a worn silicone gasket if the lid leaks. Keep a small brush handy: The Barista Care Kit.