Guides/Brew guide
Brew guideHow to Make Plunger Coffee (French Press)
In shortUse 30g of coarse ground coffee to 500mL of water just off the boil. Stir, steep for 4 minutes, scoop off the foam, then press slowly and pour it all out straight away. Wait a few extra minutes before pressing for a cleaner cup.
By The Killer Coffee team
Jump to method
Grindcoarse (our Ground Plunger)
Recipe30g coffee, 500mL water (about 1:16)
Steep4 minutes
Waterabout 93°C (boil, then wait 30 seconds)
What you'll need
Method
- Warm it. Rinse the plunger with hot water, then tip it out.
- Coffee in. Add 30g of coarse ground coffee.
- Water in. Pour in 500mL of water that's been off the boil for about 30 seconds, making sure all the grounds get wet.
- Steep. Sit the lid on top, plunger up, and wait 4 minutes.
- Break the crust. Give the top a gentle stir, then scoop off the foam and any floating bits.
- Press and pour. Press the plunger down slowly and steadily, then pour it all out straight away.
Method 2: The slow press (cleaner cup)
A method made popular by coffee educator James Hoffmann. It takes longer, but there's almost no sludge in the cup.
- Follow steps 1 to 3 above.
- Steep for 4 minutes, then stir the crust and scoop off the foam.
- Wait another 5 to 8 minutes. The fine particles sink to the bottom.
- Push the plunger down only as far as the top of the coffee. It's there to strain, not to squeeze.
- Pour slowly, and leave the last bit in the plunger.
Dial it in
- Sludgy or bitter: the grind's too fine. Plunger coffee needs coarse, like rock salt.
- Weak or sour: use more coffee (try 35g), or steep a minute longer.
- Don't leave it sitting: coffee left on the grounds keeps brewing and turns bitter. Pour it all out, or tip it into a jug.
- Press gently: forcing the plunger stirs up silt.
- Clean it properly: take the filter apart now and then. Old coffee oils make the next cup bitter.
Which Killer coffee
FAQ
What's the best ratio for plunger coffee?
About 1:16: 30g of coffee to 500mL of water. Use a little more coffee for a stronger cup.
How long should plunger coffee steep?
4 minutes. For the slow press, steep 4 minutes, then wait another 5 to 8 before you press.
What grind is best for a plunger?
Coarse, like rock salt. Our Ground Plunger is ground for it.
Why is my plunger coffee bitter?
Usually the grind's too fine, or the coffee was left sitting on the grounds after pressing. Use a coarse grind and pour it all out once it's pressed.
Can I use espresso grind in a plunger?
It's not a good idea. Fine coffee slips through the mesh and over-extracts, so the cup ends up muddy and bitter.
Is a plunger the same as a French press?
Yes. Plunger is the Australian name for a French press, also called a cafetière.
