Workshop Insulated Press

How long does it stay hot?

60 to 90 minutes at drinkable temperature, longer if the lid stays on. The double wall is the difference, the coffee does not cool while you read the paper.

Why is the plunger on my Workshop Insulated Press hard to push down?

Usually the grind is too fine: fine grounds clog the stainless mesh and push through. Grind coarse, like sea salt, and the plunger comes down without resistance.

Will it crack like a glass press?

No, stainless steel does not crack. Drops dent it. Heat does not bother it. A daily-driver press.

12 oz or 27 oz?

12 oz brews one mug, 27 oz brews two large mugs or a small carafe for the table. The mesh and plunger are identical.

Can I use it on the stove?

No, it is a brewer not a cooker. Use a kettle to heat the water, pour into the press.

Will there be sediment in my cup?

Very little with a coarse grind. The two-stage stainless mesh holds the grounds back, though a light silt at the bottom of the last cup is normal with any metal filter.

How often should I clean the Workshop Insulated Press's mesh filter?

Once a week: take the filter screen apart, brush the mesh, rinse and dry it, since trapped grounds dull the brew. The press can go on the top rack after disassembly, though hand washing keeps the brushed finish longer.

Can I make cold brew in it?

Yes. Add coarse coffee and cold water, leave it in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours, then press and pour.

Which French press keeps coffee hot the longest for a slow weekend breakfast?

Go for a double-wall steel press. The Workshop Insulated Press and the Pro Thermal Press are listed at 60 to 90 minutes hot. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press is also double-wall 304 steel and stays cool to the touch outside. Keep the lid on and pour the coffee off the grounds once pressed so it does not over-extract.

Can I put a stainless French press in the dishwasher?

It depends on the model, so check the care section on each page. The Workshop Insulated Press can go on the top rack after disassembly, though hand washing keeps the brushed finish longer. For The Signature Stainless Steel French Press, we recommend hand washing: unscrew the plunger to rinse the mesh screen and plate. A cleaning set helps: the Barista Care Kit.

I'm shopping for a good French press coffee maker for two people. Which size and model?

For two people, look at the 27 oz class. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press in 27 oz serves 2 to 4 per its page, and the Workshop Insulated Press in 27 oz is listed for two large mugs. Both are double-walled stainless steel, so the pot stays hot while you finish the first mug. Pick the Signature if you want the etched fill gauge inside; pick the Workshop if heat retention is your priority.

I want a coffee press maker that's simple to use and simple to rinse out. Which one?

The Workshop Insulated Press is a good fit: its page says soap is fine on the stainless body, grounds rinse off the mesh easily when fresh, and the filter screen comes apart for a weekly brush. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press also has a two-part plunger you can take apart. Rinse right after pouring and the job takes a minute. A cleaning set for narrow spots: The Barista Care Kit.

What's the most durable French press you sell? It needs to survive a move and a couple of kids.

Choose steel over glass. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press, the Workshop Insulated Press and the Pro Thermal Press are all stainless steel bodies with no glass carafe. The Bench Stainless Press uses a glass carafe in a steel frame, and its page warns against thermal shock, so it needs more care. Steel collection: stainless steel french press.

Which French press pours cleanly without dripping down the side?

Look for a spout and lid designed for pouring. The Signature Stainless Steel French Press has an anti-drip pour spout, a knobbed lid and a stay-cool tubular handle. The Workshop Insulated Press lists a spout that pours clean and a lid that seals tight. Pour slowly and steadily, and let the grounds settle a moment first.

Which setting on the Precision Manual Grinder gives a coffee press grind?

The dial at the base turns from fine for espresso, to medium for pour-over, to coarse for French press, so set it toward the coarse end. Start there, brew, and adjust by one step: bitter or muddy means go coarser, weak or sour means go slightly finer. The Precision Manual Grinder shows the grounds through a viewing window. Brew in the Workshop Insulated Press or the Signature Stainless Steel French Press.