French Press Sizes: How To Choose

Many coffee lovers have questions about Frech Press coffee, including the various french press sizes. You can get a french press capable of making french press coffee in three cups up to 12 cups. However, a coffee press – like all coffee makers – considers a cup to be 4 ounces instead of the standard eight. 

Keep reading to learn about coffee french press sizes, how to use a french press, the amount of coffee grounds per cup, how much coffee to water, the best french press machines, and other factors for using a french press. 

What Is a French Press?

For those of you wondering, what is a french press, it’s a coffee maker that requires you to manually operate the machine to achieve a freshly brewed cup of coffee. 

A french coffee press is a glass canister – cafetière (coffee maker in French) – sometimes with metal hardware. 

With the french press, you have to do all the work to make your cup of coffee, from getting the ingredients measured to grinding the beans and plunging the press to transfer the coffee to the cup. 

The process with a french coffee press can take up to six minutes – two minutes to grind the coffee beans and four minutes to steep. 

How to Use a French Press Coffee Maker

Although a french press is a more hands-on process that takes longer to create a cup of coffee, it isn’t complicated. So, how does a french press work?

The process of a french press is pretty simple. The glass construction helps the water retain heat, which pulls out the flavor of ground coffee. 

And the press attached to the lid works as your filter, separating the solid coffee grounds from the brewed liquid coffee. 

Before we break down the different steps to making a delicious cup of coffee using a french press coffee maker, let’s check out a few crucial components of the process.

Types of Beans/Grounds

The type of coffee you pick will impact the flavor of your french press brewed coffee. If you don’t have a grinder, you may prefer to buy pre-ground coffee from a store. 

But, there are a few issues, like the grounds being stale and old. And the fine size of the grounds can get stuck in the metal mesh filter or slip through into your coffee.

If you want the best taste, it’s worth it to invest in a quality coffee grinder and use fresh coffee beans that you grind yourself. The best grind will produce a coarse mix, where the coffee is a bit thicker.

All coffee experts agree on waiting until you are ready to brew your coffee before you grind your whole beans. 

In their whole form, roasted coffee beans only have a two to three-week peak freshness. But once you ground the beans, your coffee only has the viability of 20 to 30 minutes. 

Ounces in a Cup of Coffee

When making coffee, it’s necessary to remember that there is a different measurement for the term cup. A standard cup measurement is eight ounces, such as what you’d use when baking some yummy cinnamon rolls to go with your freshly pressed coffee.  

And the typical size of an American mug is between 8 and ten ounces – 235 and 295 mL. But coffee cups typically go by European measurements, where a coffee cup is 4 ounces – 100 m. 

To understand the conversion of french press sizes, refer to this chart:

• 3 cups – 11.8 ounces (0.35 liters)
• 4 cups – 17 ounces (0.5 liters)
• 8 cups – 33.8 ounces (1 liter)
• 12 cups – 50.7 ounces (1.5 liters)

Coffee Water Ratio

You also need to understand the french press coffee-to-water ratio to get a tasty brew. The ratio affects the strength of your flavor.

The best coffee-water ratio can vary by recipe and personal taste. But a rough guideline of grind to water follows:

• Mild – creates a subtle taste by blending one part coffee with sixteen parts water
• Regular – a medium blend flavor from combining 12.5 parts water with one part coffee
• Strong – bold, rich flavor with a ratio of one part coffee to ten parts water 

Amount of Coffee Grounds per Cup

If the ratios sound a bit confusing for you to understand, there are dozens of coffee to water calculators online. 

But if you want an easier way to how many tablespoons per cup of coffee, you can save or print this helpful chart for reference. 

These ratios of tablespoons of coffee per cup to water will give you the best flavor of coffee with your French press. But don’t be afraid to experiment with ratios to create your preferred taste. 

Brewing Instructions

Now that you know that important information let’s look at how to use a french press coffee maker step by step.

Step one – Prepare Water

Heat your desired amount of water 205℉, then let sit for 30 seconds. You may want to add more than the necessary amount, as water evaporates when heated. So you may not have the same amount of heated water.

Step two – Prepare Press

Some people prefer to do a rinse before adding the beans. For this, fill your canister ¼ full with hot water. Then press the plunger down and swirl the water inside the carafe for 10 seconds. 

Next, pull the plunger up, remove the lid and empty the rinse water. Now you’re ready to begin your process of making coffee. 

Step three – Prepare Coffee beans.

The coffee grind will affect the quality of your completed coffee. If using pre-ground beans, measure the correct amount and pour it into your press. 

Otherwise, use a scale to weigh out your coffee beans. Then use a grinder – we recommend a burr – to break the beans into a coarse or medium grind.

Step four – Transfer the grounds into the Press and shake the container to make the grounds settle in an even layer on the bottom.

Step five – For the “bloom” to activate, pour half of the heated coffee evenly over the grounds. As the water settles into the grinds, it causes the coffee to expel trapped gases, which give your coffee a better aroma and flavor. In addition, you’ll notice a layer of thick “crust” forming from the grounds. 

Step six – Once you’ve poured the appropriate amount of water into your press, start a timer for 30 seconds. As the timer goes off, give the coffee a gentle 5-second stir to cause the crust to break apart and mix into the grounds evenly. 

Step seven – Add the remaining hot water into your press. Then add the lid, ensuring the plunger is all the way up. But how long should coffee steep in a french press? Let your coffee set until your timer hits 4:00. 

Step eight – For the last step, press the plunger down fully. This action causes the press to filter the debris from the brew. Immediately pour into your preferred mug. Coffee left steeping in a French press for too long turns bitter.

French Press Coffee Sizes- French Press Measurements

There are four French Press measurements – 3 cups, 4 cups, 8 cups, or 12 cups. You can also get a single-serving french press or an extra-large 16-cup press.

There is no french press to make only 6 cups of coffee. So, how many scoops of coffee for 6 cups would you need to use? 

You can make six cups of coffee in a twelve-cup french press using 12 scoops of coffee to 48 ounces of water. One scoop is about the equivalent of two tablespoons. Match eight ounces of water with 1 ½ tablespoon of ground coffee for a medium-strength flavor.

Single Serving French Press

For a single serving french press, you’ll need eight ounces of water – a standard American coffee mug – and 2 to 2 ½ tablespoons of coarse ground coffee.

The process is the same as making coffee using a french press, no matter how much or how strong you’re making the coffee.

3 Cups (12 Ounces-0.35 Liters)

A 3-cup French press makes about 12 ounces of coffee, equivalent to 0.35 liters (354 milliliters). You may prefer this size coffee press if you only want to brew one coffee drink at a time. Or if you want a compact travel press. 

But you can also use this size french press for brewing enough small beverages for one to two or even three people. Each cup would be 115 ml, made from 275 mL of water and 22 grams of ground coffee beans – 2 to 3 teaspoons. 

Many people on the go but want a strong, fresh cup of brew prefer this size press. It’s also a preference for people who have the time to invest in brewing a single large cup of coffee rather than an entire pot for one. 

4 Cups (17 ounces-0.5 Liters)

You might choose a four-cup French press if you prefer to brew medium coffees for two people or a large mug for yourself. A four-cup press will produce 17 ounces of coffee. 

Most average coffee drinkers feel that anything larger than a 4 cup french press makes too much coffee. It’s less likely to see anyone using a larger press than four cups.

How many tablespoons of coffee for 4 cups? To make four cups of coffee using a 4-cup French press, you need 430 mL of water and 27 grams – 4 to 5 tablespoons – of grounds. 

8 Cups (33.8 ounces-1 Liter)

An eight-cup french press makes one liter of coffee – 33.8 ounces (1005 milliliters) – enough for two large mugs or eight 4-ounce cups. 

You may prefer the 8-cup press if you and your spouse or roommate enjoy large cups of coffee, 4 cups each (17 ounces) or if you are an avid coffee drinker throughout the day. 

12 Cups (50.7 ounces-1.5 Liters)

Choose a 12-cup coffee press if you’re brewing for the whole family, for brunch with friends, or if you love coffee.

Large presses of this size are perfect for serving four medium cups – up to 50.7 ounces (1508 mL) or 1.5 liters. So how many scoops of coffee for 12 cups using this size press? 

The answer to how much ground coffee is for 12 cups is eight tablespoons. 

16 Cups (64 ounces- 2 Liters)

The largest size is a 16-cup – 64 oz french press, which is not commonly available from all brands.

Choosing a French Coffee Press

When choosing a french coffee press, there are a few things to consider. For example, you’ll need to consider how many people you’ll serve. 

You’ll also want to think about the quantity that you prefer. For example, larger-sized french coffee presses can be better for those who like to drink large cups of coffee.

If you’re looking for the ability to carry your press along, you’ll want to find a unit with portability features. The size, material, and functionality can affect which french coffee press you choose. 

Other Uses for a French Coffee Press

You can do many things with a French Coffee press besides make the best cup of joe you’ve ever tasted. 

You can also use a french press to steep tea leaves or froth milk. But that’s not all! It can also help infuse flavors – fruits and herbs – into teas and coffee or to make cocktails. 

French Press Sizes

French presses come in several sizes, allowing you to find a size that will meet your coffee-drinking habits, whether you prefer a single small cup for one or several large cups for multiple people.

What Is the Recommended French Press Ratio?

We recommend a french press coffee ratio of 1:15. For every gram of coffee, you’ll need to add 15 ml of water. 

Another way to understand it is to use two tablespoons of coarse coffee grounds for eight ounces of water. But with four ounces of water – a typical European coffee size – use one tablespoon of coffee.

This combination of water to coffee ground ratio gives you a flavorful, strong cup of java without bitterness. But you can tweak this ratio for a stronger, bolder flavor.

What Grind Size Should I Use for the French Press?

The success of your brewed cup of coffee when using a french press revolves around the size of the coffee grounds you use. 

You’ll get the best flavor and results from a coarse to medium grind. Think of the chunkier size of sea salt with some smaller particles.

Coarser grinds give you more surface area to use for extraction. But grinds that are too fine can cause over-extraction, resulting in bitter, burnt-tasting coffee.

What Equipment Do I Need To Make French Press Coffee?

Using a French press, you’ll need a few other things to make coffee. Besides your press and coffee mug, you’ll also need a grinder – burr grinders are best – a scale and a timer.

What Size Is a Standard French Press?

A standard-size french press is 4 to 8 cups, an appropriate choice for brewing enough coffee for two to three people; or one avid coffee consumer. 

How Long Should Coffee Steep in a French Press?

Leave your coffee to steep in the french press for four minutes. No matter the size of your french press, the magic number is the four-minute mark.

What Is the Best French Press on the Market?

There are different manufacturers of french press coffee makers on the market. How much coffee you want to make at one time can affect which brand you choose. Not all brands offer larger coffee press sizes, like 12 or 16 cups. Popular French Press brands include Frieling, Bodum, and Aeropress.

The Bottom Line: What Size Coffee French Press Is Best

When deciding what size coffee french press is best, the option varies based on your needs. For example, how much coffee you need at one time, the number of people you’re brewing for, what size cup of coffee you prefer, and if you want to take your press on the go. 

Most people prefer the 4-cup or 8-cup french press for larger quantities of coffee. However, the three-cup press can be the right choice if you need a portable press that keeps your coffee consumption low.