Fellow Clara French Press Coffee Maker - Portable Stainless Steel Coffee Press, Insulated Manual Brewer, Matte Black, 24 oz Carafe

Product Information

Here are Forbes Vetted, we consider ourselves pros on all things coffee, from top-notch beans to essential gear. We’ve tested and reviewed the best coffee makers and coffee subscription boxes, and we’ve rounded up the best espresso machines, Nespresso machines, coffee grinders, milk frothers and much more. Thanks to this knowledge, we knew exactly where to start and which experts to consult when curating this list of the best French presses—and we stand behind all the models we’ve highlighted. Ceramic, or stoneware, French presses are a favorite among design-oriented people. The material is often more striking and provides a more personal touch than glass and stainless steel. While prices vary, ceramic French presses drift toward the more expensive end, at least compared to glass. As for insulation, a ceramic French press should keep coffee hot longer than a glass one but not as long as a stainless steel model. Make sure to rinse ceramic French presses with boiling water before brewing to preheat them and maximize their insulation. Did we mention it's beautifully made? The quality of construction and brew makes this French press worth investing in. One thing to note is that the basket filter is very fine, so you may consider grinding your coffee beans finer to find the perfect fit for your taste preference. Because the filter is so fine, there is no worry that the grounds will end up in your coffee. This French brand has long been heralded for its colorful cast-iron cookware. For almost 100 years, Le Creuset has manufactured everything from skillets to Dutch ovens to French presses. It does not have a wide selection to offer, but its best-known French press stands out compared to others on the market. The Le Creuset Stoneware French Press is a high-end option made from sturdy enamel and available in 10 colors.

Press down the plunger and pour out your beverage. Try to leave the last five percent of the liquid in the French press to avoid too much sediment reaching your cup. Whether you're a Le Creuset collector or you've been waiting for the opportunity to invest in the right piece, the brand makes a beautiful, semi-affordable (at least in comparison to some of its other products) French press. Unlike many of the presses on this list, Le Creuset's is not made of metal or glass but stoneware. It comes in 12 beautiful colors — 5 of which are sold at Williams Sonoma — with a lid that brings to mind the brand's iconic enameled cast-iron cookware. Plus, the porcelain will keep your coffee warm for longer, and it's dishwasher safe. Still, do those features make it worth the extra money compared to other devices? Not really. If you like the sleek and sophisticated design, it’s probably worth it, but if the aesthetic is not that important for you, we suggest opting for a less expensive French press. Yes, the Fellow Clara produces full-bodied coffee that’s above average, but it’s not three times as delicious as coffee made by other French presses. Our VerdictWhile it’s always best to use precise measurements where you can, this means that for beginners or those without much other equipment, the Fellow Clara remains accessible. How To Make The Best French Press Coffee With The Fellow Clara For a French press, the best coffee grind size is coarse or around the size of flaky salt. Be sure not to grind your coffee beans too fine because that will result in bitter, over-extracted coffee. What to Look For in a French Press Glass vs. Stainless Steel The plunger is made from stainless steel with a mesh filter that helps extract the aromatic oils while leaving the grounds behind. Our home tester said it's a great value-for-money buy and an excellent starter choice for those new to French presses. The plunger felt a little wobbly at times during our testing process, which might lead to some stray coffee grounds in your mug—an issue that higher-end French presses typically avoid. The steel frame can also move around at times, but this is not a sign of durability issues. We expect the Chambord to hold up after years of use as an everyday brewing device.

A high-performing press that comes with spare filters and double-wall insulation to keep the reservoir warm As for the quality of the coffee, because many French presses have a certain sandiness or sludginess due to the particles finding their way into your cup, the brewing method can leave coffee with a heavier mouthfeel. Many people love the full-bodied brew. However, with other glass ones, you can expect a steeper drop – to around 160F, which shows the advantage of that double-wall insulation. A French press comprises of a carafe, a filter, and a plunger. Really, that's it. While a French press can come in various shapes and sizes, the design is practically the same throughout. Fun fact: French presses are in fact French in that they were first used in the 1800s by the French, but the first patent for the design was filed by the Italians in 1929. How do you use a French press? The carafe is made from two layers of stainless steel—advertised as "double-walled"—so the coffee stays warm longer than in glass presses. We measured coffee temperature 10 minutes and 30 minutes after brewing for our insulation test, and the Frieling French Press ranked in the top half of all the models. So the insulation is better than average but not outstanding, which is a slight letdown considering its hefty price tag.I can spot a Le Creuset Dutch oven from a mile away, and the French press is no different. With its beautiful glaze and vibrant colors, this coffee maker is a timeless classic. This particular model is available in 11 colors, and they’re all equally eye-catching. Bodum Caffettiera French Press Coffee Maker: A slightly more colorful version of the classic Chambord, the Caffettiera fell flat on flavor tests. Plus, its glass construction couldn’t hold the temperature as steady as its dual-walled competition.

The material is a great place to start narrowing down your options. French presses can be made from glass, stainless steel, or stoneware. Each one has its own pros and cons and will bring a unique aesthetic to your kitchen. Glass is by far the most common material, as well as the most affordable, but it's the easiest to break and leads to poor heat retention. Stoneware and stainless steel, on the other hand, are pricier but make up for it with better durability and heat retention. While a French press and a coffee maker both yield delicious cups of coffee, the French press is a different approach to creating coffee. “The French press is a method of brewing coffee referred to as immersion, where all of the coffee grounds soak in hot water for the duration of the brew, unlike drip coffee or percolation, where hot water is passing through the coffee grounds,” Jones explains. Once the brew time has passed—typically between four and six minutes—the plunger is pressed down to trap the grounds and separate them from the liquid, Jones says. “You then pour the filtered coffee into your cup and enjoy.” Is French Press Coffee Really Worth It? Timeless design with a ten year warranty, Le Creuset is always a great choice and has a rich history of high-quality products. The kind of products that are handed down from grandma and stay in the family for years. Definite investment pieces, this is one brand you will be happy you splurged for. Not only do they have a chic aesthetic, but they’re also durable and can withstand temperatures up to 500°F. It just looks good in the same way most Fellow products do. It is the sort of French Press that you will be proud to leave out on the bench and will very naturally be a topic of conversation. OXO Brew GroundsLifter French Press: We initially thought this French press—which features an item called the GroundsLifter, a ladle to scoop out coffee grounds—would help produce a cup of coffee with minimal grit, but its glass build didn’t extract coffee well and produced one of the thinnest cups of coffee we tried.

One of the Fellow Clara French press’s standout elements is its double-walled insulation, so it can keep a consistent temperature for a better-tasting cup of coffee. Most of the French presses in our lineup hover around the same price and are made from similar materials. There are some exceptions, however, and more expensive presses exhibit unique designs, patented filtration systems, or are built to withstand more wear and tear. The Poliviar, Mueller Double Insulated, Espro P3, and Secura are all about the same price. It might have been hard to tell the difference if not for some of our differentiating tests. The Secura is pretty basic but delivered excellent results in all our tests, making it a high-value choice.

That being said, there’s one aspect that could be better: the ratio aid lines. Fellow added lines on the interior to show how much grounds and water to add. The thought behind this is great, and the lines can be helpful, especially for a newbie. However, the lines are difficult to see, especially the coffee line down at the brew chamber. Also, those two ratio lines are all you get. If you don’t want 700 ml of brewed coffee, you have to get a scale or guess the measurements. Filter Type – 5/5 Bodum Tribute Coffee Press: This French press is well-built, and stylish and performed well in tests, but the Fellow edged it out due to better heat retention.Stoneware is a type of ceramic known for its sturdiness and versatility. Whether it's used for bowls, plates, or French presses, the aesthetic suits many kitchens. Le Creuset's Stoneware French Press is no different. It's available in 10 striking colors, including the brand's signature Cerise option. The material has a glossy sheen that makes it pop even brighter. This piece was written by Derek Rose, the coffee and tea expert for The Spruce Eats. He tested many of the French presses that appear on this list, including the Bodum Brazil, which lasted several years as his everyday brewing device, and the Espro P7, which he found to be one of the best French presses he has ever used. Derek received an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia University and a BA in Communications from Marist College. In terms of taste, it is very nice depending on your brewing technique and of course the beans and grind consistency. The two advantages that the Fellow Clara French Press has in terms of taste are heat retention and filter quality. The double-walled body does mean better heat retention for better extraction, and the filter is very good and so leads to less silt and cleaner brews.