Last Updated on November 23, 2021 by John Moretti
I love coffee. The best coffee is hot, fresh, and full of aroma. Using a French press is the best way to get all of these qualities in your morning, mid-day, or early evening coffee. If you are a fellow coffee drinker and lover, you should know the best French presses on the market. Each one has its pros and cons.
I have done a great deal of research into the matter and have selected 10 of the best large French Presses. Here is a summary of my findings:
- Cheapest Large French Press: Bean Envy
- Most Beautiful Large French Press: Starizzo Copper Finish
- Sturdiest Large French Press: SterlingPro Stainless Steel
- Largest Large French Press: Grosche Madrid
1. Café Du Chateau
The first thing to notice about this carafe is its striking design. It is made of stainless steel and glass. The steel looks more like a sleeve than a cage, which gives it a sleek look.
The Café Du Chateau holds 34 ounces of brew, and it can serve up to 8 cups of coffee. It also employs a four-layer filtration system which prevents coffee grounds from entering your cup.
This carafe is made of borosilicate glass and 304-grade stainless steel—both excellent materials. The company offers a lifetime parts replacement guarantee.
If I had one complaint about this device, it would be that it is almost too refined. It has two plunger filter screens, a spring-loaded base plate, and a filter in the lid. The more moving parts the more opportunities for one of them to go bad.
I like to have a lifetime parts replacement guarantee, but I would prefer not to use it.
2. Bean Envy
This is a respectable 34 oz French press. It is made of BPA-free plastic and borosilicate glass, which includes a 16-ounce marker. The Bean Envy also comes with a matching milk frother that has its own stand and an extra filter.
Perhaps the most appealing thing about this carafe is its price. It is one of the more inexpensive presses on the market.
I am less impressed by the look of the Bean Envy. Its design is rather clunky and unappealing. If a style is important to you, there are better options.
3. Starrizo Copper Finish
This is a strikingly handsome French press. It is simply one of the most beautiful carafes to be found on the market.
The Starrizo has, as the name implies, a very fine copper finish. This is not only aesthetically pleasing; it is also great for retaining heat. The carafe is also lined with stainless steel. This steel-copper combination provides great insulation.
The Starrizo has a large handle—another industrial design feature that enhances its appearance. It also has a lid that closes, which allows you to keep the coffee hot for at least an hour.
The Starrizo is 32 ounces and serves up to 8 cups of coffee. It is definitely the kind of carafe you want to break out when you have people over. It is absolutely gorgeous and wonderful to look at!
4. Osaka
The Osaka French press is very popular with coffee drinkers. For one simple reason: it attempts to solve the problem of grounds seeping into the coffee.
The Osaka employs an air-tight mechanism that separates grounds from the coffee. It gives you the power to stop the brewing process when you want to. When you push the filter down, it will fully lock to prevent over-extraction.
You can prepare light, medium, or dark brews. No matter how you choose to have your coffee, it will be smooth and flavor-filled.
It all sounds great, but there is only one problem. There is a concave gap at the juncture of the handle and body of the carafe. This allows coffee grounds to sneak through.
This defect is the reason why Osaka has not yet patented the mechanism. Until the flaw is fixed, I must withhold the highest marks for this cafeteria.
5. Coffee Gator
This carafe consists of vacuum-insulated stainless steel. It holds 34 ounces of coffee and serves up to 8 cups, and comes with a matching coffee canister.
The most distinguishing thing about the coffee gator is its design. It contains neither glass nor plastic. It is made entirely of steel that comes with an extraordinary range of color shades. From slate grey to rose pink, you will find the hue of your choice.
The Coffee Gator has a spring-loaded double screen filter, which is designed to stop the seepage of coffee grounds into your brew. The vacuum construction can keep the coffee hot for an hour longer than glass-made French presses.
The only downside to the Coffee Gator is the wall of steel it puts between you and the brew inside. This is a matter of aesthetic preference, but I like to see the coffee in my cafeteria. You may think differently.
I must also point out that a carafe’s ability to keep coffee hot for a long time is a somewhat dubious advantage. As every coffee drinker knows, you compromise the taste and potency of coffee by letting it sit for too long.
6. SterlingPro Stainless Steel
This is one of the largest French presses on the market. It holds 1.75 liters of coffee and serves up to 11 cups. Its industrial design is chic, with sleek lines that will fit well in a modern kitchen.
The SterlingPro has double-wall construction and a double-screen filter. This provides good insulation and high durability.
In fact, the SterlingPro is a favorite among people who enjoy camping. Its robust constitution makes it sturdy enough to survive the great outdoors. The carafe is also easy to clean. Soapy water is all you need.
7. Secura Stainless Steel
At 50 ounces, this is another spacious French press.
The Secura is made of 18/10 stainless steel and has double-walled construction. It comes in two sizes: 1 and 1.5 liters, the latter of which can serve up to 12 cups of coffee.
This carafe comes with three filter screens, which, if stacked together, can prevent the spillage of grounds into your drink.
Though made completely of steel, you need not worry about the risk of burns. The handle of the Secura is designed to stay cool. The plunger is also made for safe use.
This is another carafe whose total steel construction makes the coffee inside invisible. If you are comforted by the sight of watching your coffee brew, then you should go with a glass design or a design with glass in it.
8. Grosche Madrid
This French press is made mostly of glass—that is, heavy borosilicate glass. This glass is framed in a finely finished chrome with an arching handle. It is a well-designed and stylish art deco unit.
The Grosche Madrid has a dual filter system. One filter is in the plunger; the other is in the lid. The lid is designed so that you can turn and close it, which will keep the heat in a little longer.
There are rubber grips on the bottom of the frame to keep the carafe still and stable. At 51 ounces, this is another large cafeteria that serves up to 12 cups.
I should also mention the manufacturer’s commitment to corporate responsibility. A portion of each purchase goes to the company’s Safe Water project, which helps provide clean drinking water for people around the world.
9. Bodium 1932-16 Chambord
This is another glass carafe. The glass is contained in a steel frame, and it comes with a steel lid, and a black handle, and a plunger. The frame and lid have a chrome finish that adds some elegance to the unit.
The company has been around for a long time, and the design of this cafeteria has not changed since the first model was produced in the 1950s.
The Bodium’s glass is sturdy, but it may need to be replaced after a while. Another downside is that the carafe does not insulate as well as stainless steel models.
What to Look for When Buying a Large French Press
To buy the right French press, you must assess a number of factors. Here is the list of the qualities you should consider:
1. Material
Many French presses are composed of glass, metal, and plastic. However, the carafes made of stainless steel and a high-quality glass are the most robust and the most durable. They also tend to look great. Carafes made entirely of steel are the most expensive, and you will have to determine whether this sort of construction and finish is worth the investment.
2. Size
If you are someone who entertains a great deal, then you should go for a larger model. There are French presses that hold up to 1.5 liters of brew, which can serve up to 12 cups of coffee. It is better to have this type of carafe on hand than being caught unprepared when you need to play host to a large group of people.
If you live alone in a small apartment, and do very little entertaining, buying a large French press may not be worth the money. In any case, you will have little space to spare.
3. Brand
When buying a French press, it is better to go with a brand name. This cannot be said of every consumer product, but it makes all the difference in this particular market.
The cafeterias listed above are all manufactured by companies that consistently meet the highest expectations of their consumers. The list is not exhaustive. And if you are looking for more top brand French presses, then you should visit websites that are dedicated to this topic. Such sites tend to be run and updated by coffee lovers.
4. Design
Your French press is in the same category as your China and cutlery. Its design and appearance reflect your taste and sense of style. You want a carafe that is pleasing to look at, and that will impress the people you serve coffee to.
Most people store their cafeteria on the kitchen countertop or some other highly visible spot. The French press you purchase should harmonize with the larger style and design of your kitchen.
