French Press Technique


Videocast #2 - French Press Technique from James Hoffmann on Vimeo.

I know I cross posted this on the Square Mile Blog, but I thought I should post it here too. Feedback is always welcome, and yes - I am still totally obsessed with brewing on scales!

Comments are open again!

Related posts:

  1. More on the French Press Technique After the
  2. Brew Temperature and the Chemex I remember
  3. The best feeling in the world Everyone t
  4. Final Quick Post on the whole French Press thing For people
  5. Videocast #4 – Stovetop/Moka Pot I wanted t

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14 Comments

  1. Posted November 16, 2008 at 12:27 am | Permalink

    Hi James -
    All your videos have an excellent, professional quality about them. They convey your point clearly and without any unnecessary "noise." I'm curious what your video editing software of choice is. I'll be doing some training and PR videos for my coffeehouse once it opens early next year and would like them to be as professional.

  2. Posted November 16, 2008 at 1:52 am | Permalink

    Excellent idea! Less cleaning for sure! Thanks...

  3. Posted November 16, 2008 at 8:41 pm | Permalink

    I purchased a Rocky grinder to accompany my new Rancilio Silvia and I actually considered using the grinder for "normal" coffee as well. Your video suggests I should simply adjust it to the coarsest setting possible. Do you or any readers have experience with using espresso grinders for press coffee or drip coffee? Which setting do you use?

  4. Posted November 16, 2008 at 9:08 pm | Permalink

    Cool video!

    I think that song is actually Ghostwriter by Rjd2, and is there another spot on the site where you talk about hard vs. soft water, how to test it, etc?

  5. michael P
    Posted November 17, 2008 at 1:21 am | Permalink

    that is a lovely little scale there. I have been thinking someday I should get serious enough to do that with my brews, your video was just the motivation I needed. I noticed that is was a salter but could not seem to find one online that looked like it. Do you recommend that particular model and if so could you tell me what it is called?

  6. Posted November 17, 2008 at 7:54 pm | Permalink

    Awesome video! Thanks.

    I am also curious as to where you got that scale. Any other models you would suggest?

  7. Posted November 17, 2008 at 8:53 pm | Permalink

    Adrian - The video is edited in Adobe Premier, and some nice touches put in through After Effects.

    Martin - you should get a reasonable grind from your Rocky, it may have a few extra fines so will probably benefit from the technique. Lots of people use their espresos grinders for multiple functions.

    Daniel - yup, somehow I got the track name and LP name confused. I should know better! I will try and get a short video on water up by the end of the week.

    Michael and Eric - the scales are by Salter and cost £16 in John Lewis. All of the scale is the weighing surface, despite the nice metal disc implying that only that is the weighing point. You can buy them here: Salter Scales

  8. Posted November 21, 2008 at 9:27 am | Permalink

    Excelent good article and blog. I wish good luck

  9. psu
    Posted November 21, 2008 at 9:23 pm | Permalink

    Where did you get that coffee mug? I used to go to a diner in North Carolina called Elmo's. Could it be the same place?

  10. Posted November 21, 2008 at 9:27 pm | Permalink

    It is indeed the same Elmo's. Cindy, Anette and I stopped there for breakfast whilst visiting Counter Culture!

  11. Nathania
    Posted November 25, 2008 at 8:16 pm | Permalink

    I'm new to French press technique and now I wonder if I've been doing it right at all.

    I use a glass Bodum french press pot. And i pour water in until it reaches six cups (I'm in the states, btw) - it's marked on the glass. Not sure if that's as good as a scale.

    Then I stir it with a chopstick before I let it steep. You had "the break" after the steep, but it didn't seem anywhere near like the stirring I've been doing. (Again, I'm new to this)

    Am I doing it wrong?

  12. Posted November 29, 2008 at 1:41 am | Permalink

    Interesting video - thanks a lot.

  13. Jeff D.
    Posted November 30, 2008 at 11:43 pm | Permalink

    Hey james,
    What is the total elapsed time for the brewing including the brew, scraping and plunging. Have to admit, I am personally not a much over 3 min. total, guy. I prefer a tighter grind with less time. I find that I get a clearer picture of what the coffee tastes like and that it doesn't seem over extracted. I do stir but clearing the blume... Never thought of that. Kinda like the reverse press pot if you've seen that. However, your reputation does precede you so I will most certainly entertain your thoughts and experience.

    I really appreciate the scale to measure the water idea. Perfect! I usually preheat a measuring cup then measure out the water for accuracy and wait till it drops to the right temp to pour into the pot but this will save so much time and give me one less dish to wash.

  14. Paul
    Posted December 26, 2008 at 7:58 pm | Permalink

    i'm curious - why did you omit the plunge from the video? seems kind of odd to have a video french PRESS technique but omit the press!

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