French Press vs Keurig: Which Is The Better Coffee?
For coffee lovers making that perfect cup of coffee is essential. And for some, it can be elevated to an art form or a means of self-expression. Let’s look at French Press coffee vs Keurig, and when sometimes it is best to use one over the other.
Coffee drinkers all over the world have personal preferences on how to make delicious cups of coffee. In this post, we are going to look at French Press coffee vs Keurig, when it is best to use each of them, and why.
Depending on preference, there are several types of brewing methods you can use to make a flavorful coffee.
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French Press Coffee Maker Defined
The French Press originated in France in the mid-1800s and became popular in the United States around the mid-1900s.
The French press method is a very popular method for coffee drinkers and can produce a deliciously full-flavored coffee.
The French Press contains a cylindrical glass or stainless steel carafe, a plunger with a mesh filter, and a lid. It also goes by the name plunger pot or a press pot.
How To Make A Perfect Cup Using The French Press Coffee Maker
Here is a brief guide on how to make a perfect cup of coffee using the French Press coffee maker.
How To Make The Perfect Cup Using The French Press Coffee Maker
- Heat water
Place a kettle on the stove and boil water to a very gentle boil.
- Grind coffee
While the water is heating up, grind coffee beans to a coarse consistency.
- Measure coffee
Add fresh grounds to the French Press carafe.
NOTE: Approximately 1-2 tablespoons per cup of water. - Pre-steep
Pour the hot water into the carafe about 1/3 of the way up. Stir with a wooden spoon and wait 30 seconds.
- Pour
Continue to pour the heated water up to 1 inch below the rim of the carafe.
- Steep
Cover and set the timer for 4 minutes. Then slowly push the plunger halfway down and pull it back up.
- Press
When the 4 minutes are done, slowly press the plunger down completely.
- Pour and Enjoy!
Pour coffee into your favorite coffee cup or mug and ENJOY!
Types Of French Press Coffee Makers
Here are some of the best French presses, four best-selling French Press coffee makers, including the one I use, the Bodum 1928 French Press.
Secura French Press
Bodum 1928
Mueller French Press
Bodum 1548
Secura French Press Coffee Maker
- Double-walled and made from top-quality 18/10 stainless steel, both the interior and exterior. Made to outlast other coffee makers.
- A 3-layer stainless steel filter that will trap the smallest ground coffee to produce an exceptional full-bodied flavor.
- Comes with a cool touch handle and knob for comfortable safe pouring.
- All parts are dishwasher-safe.
Bodum 1928-16US4 Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
- The Bodum Chambord is a true original – the classic French Press Coffee maker that was designed in the fifties.
- 2 choices of glass; borosilicate glass or recyclable shatterproof beaker.
- Borosilicate glass is very light, strong, and heat-resistant.
- The Recyclable SAN Beaker is shatterproof and greener.
- Both are dishwasher safe and will not get cloudy.
- Flexible stainless steel spiral and filter plate.
Mueller French Press
- Contains a 4-layer filtration system so your grounds stay in the carafe and not in your cup.
- A double-walled 304 stainless steel carafe provides an insulating layer that keeps your coffee hot longer.
- The professional-grade carafe’s stainless steel handle stays cool so you can easily grasp it when pressing the plunger down or when pouring coffee into a coffee mug or cup.
- Quickly disassemble the plunger and filter to clean it. And the carafe, filter, and plunger are all dishwasher safe.
Bodum – 1548-01US Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee and Tea Maker
- Designed in the early 80s. An attractive and functional design with an affordable price tag.
- Durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass beaker with a plastic handle and base, making it easy to use and clean.
- A 3-part stainless steel plunger for premium extraction.
- All parts are dishwasher-safe.
When To Use The French Press Method
Truth be told, you can use the French press method anytime you desire a hot cup of coffee. But there are several reasons using a French press can be better than using a Keurig.
Bold Flavor
Although nowadays you actually can get a beautiful rich cup of coffee using a Keurig, the best way is to use a coffee press.
Coffee snobs wouldn’t even think of using a Keurig to achieve coffee’s best flavor. You will gain a rich dense flavor through French press coffee vs Keurig.
Serving Size
A French press coffee maker allows for multiple servings of good coffee, whereas generally speaking, a Keurig machine makes only a single cup of coffee.
Traditional
In the coffee world, the French press method has long been one of the most traditional coffee brewing methods around.
If you gravitate toward fewer gadgets, and like keeping things old school, using a French press will be your best option.
Expense
For a multiple-serving French press coffee maker, you can find one relatively inexpensive. I found THIS one for only $11.99.
As opposed to the cheapest Keurig I found was THIS one for $77.59, and it is only a single-serve coffee maker.
If you want to get a multiple-serving Keurig coffee maker, the lowest price I found started at $170.
Keurig Coffee Maker Defined
Keurig is a Danish word meaning excellence.
The original single-serve Keurig coffee machines and coffee pods were originally founded by two college roommates John Sylvan, and Peter Dragone in Massachusetts in 1992.
The Keurig coffee maker is a brewing process that produces single servings of regular coffee using Keurig K-cups, versus a conventional drip machine that uses ground coffee and a paper filter.
Nowadays there are many different sizes and styles of Keurig coffee machines, from single-serve slim and mini, to elite, supreme, and plus. Some machines will make lattes and cappuccinos, while others make iced coffee.
Generally speaking, all K-cup coffee makers contain the brewer apparatus itself, along with a water reservoir container, and a drip tray to place your coffee cup. A simple and unique design.
5 Simple Steps To Using A Keurig Coffee Machine
Let’s take a closer look at the steps needed to make a flavorful cup of hot coffee using a Keurig coffee maker.
5 Simple Steps To Using A Keurig Coffee Machine
- WATER – double-check to make sure your water tank has enough water to make a single-serving cup of coffee.
- CUP – place a coffee cup onto the drip tray platform.
- POWER – press the power button to turn on the Keurig coffee machine.
- OUNCES – select the number of ounces you prefer (ex. 6, 8, 10, or 12 oz).
- START – press the start button and allow the fresh-brewed coffee to pour right into your cup. ENJOY!
Types Of Keurig Coffee Makers
There are several different types of Keurig coffee makers. Here are some examples, including the one I use, the Keurig K-Duo Plus.
Keurig K-Mini
Keurig K-Classic
Keurig K-Elite
Keurig K-Duo Plus
Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker, Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, 6 to 12 oz. Brew Sizes
- Fits into small spaces as it is less than 5 inches wide.
- Brew between 6-12 ounces of coffee using the Keurig K-cup pods.
- Coffee is made fresh and fast, within minutes.
- Cord storage for a clean countertop look and for easy transport.
- Removable drip tray to accommodate travel mugs up to 7 inches tall.
- Automatically turns off 90 seconds after your last brew.
Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker K-Cup Pod, Single Serve, Programmable, 6 to 10 oz. Brew Sizes
- Brew between 6-10 ounces of coffee using the Keurig K-cup pods.
- Large 48-ounce removable water reservoir for easy refill.
- Coffee is made fresh and fast within minutes.
- Auto-off programmable feature when the coffee maker is idle for 2 hours.
Keurig K-Elite Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer
- Brew between 4-12 ounces of coffee using the Keurig K-cup pods.
- Large 75-ounce removable water reservoir for easy refill
- Strong brew button to increase the strength of your coffee as desired.
- An iced setting for delicious flavorful iced coffee.
- Adjust water temperature between 187° and 192° Fahrenheit.
- Removable drip tray to accommodate travel mugs up to 7.2 inches tall.
- Coffee is made fresh and fast within minutes.
Keurig K-Duo Plus Coffee Maker, Single Serve, and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer
- A single-serving brewer and a drip coffee maker all in one.
- A coffee brewer with the option of making either a cup or a carafe of coffee.
- Use either ground coffee, K-pods, or reusable K-cups.
- Strong brew button to increase the strength of your single cup or carafe of coffee.
- Brew between 6-12 ounces cup of coffee OR 6-12 cups in the carafe.
- Multiple position 60-ounce water reservoir can be placed to the right, left, or back of the brewer to optimize counter space.
- The 12-cup thermal carafe keeps coffee warm for up to 2 hours.
- The programmable auto brew can set your carafe of coffee to brew up to 24 hours in advance.
- The coffee maker will automatically pause mid-brew to allow the carafe to be poured.
- The smart start system automatically heats and then brews in one process so there is no need to heat water before selecting cup size.
Coffee Quality Matters
Whether you are drinking a French press coffee vs Keurig coffee first thing in the morning, or using different brewing methods such as with a drip coffee machine or an espresso machine, the most important factor in attaining the best-tasting coffee is the quality and type of coffee itself.
Using the Keurig K-cups is not such a hot topic environmentally anymore because Keurig now makes disposable plastic cups recyclable.
Keurig also offers a reusable K-cup accessory so that you can select your own favorite coffee versus using the throwaway K-cups.
When I use a Keurig I choose to use the reusable K-cup accessory, so that I am able to choose a whole-bean coffee, according to my own coffee tastes, and attain the most flavor from my freshly brewed cup of coffee.
One thing to be aware of, whether you are using a French press or a Keurig, it is important to have a coarse grind coffee, rather than the fine grind like for an espresso. Using a fine grind could clog up the press as well as the Keurig filter.
French Press Coffee vs Keurig – What Is Best For Busy Caregivers
There are several good reasons to use both, the French press and the Keurig, depending on your caregiver day.
When I choose a French press coffee maker.
It’s a Sunday and Doug and I are home without any pressing commitments. We can afford a leisurely morning together – Doug drinks coffee too! 😉
I crave a rich, bold cup of coffee, and I think I will drink more than one cup.
I want to make extra coffee to save for later as iced coffee.
I want that “old-world” feeling and tradition of making coffee. I do like the feeling of using the press!
When I choose a Keurig coffee maker.
I don’t have a lot of time in the morning before running to an appointment or meeting.
I’m tired and want a coffee FAST!
Due to having Parkinson’s disease, Doug’s sense of taste is somewhat diminished, and he enjoys his coffee much stronger than I do. Having a Keurig is nice to be able to adjust the strength of each individual cup of coffee.
Because Doug has Parkinson’s, it is much easier for him to use a Keurig. If Doug wants to make me a cup of coffee, I am very happy with the Keurig coffee maker.
VIDEO: French Press Coffee vs Keurig
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many factors that go into how much caffeine a cup of coffee has including the type of coffee bean, size of the ground, water temperature, and style of brewing. That said, generally speaking, a French press cup of coffee contains more caffeine (80-135mg) than a Keurig cup (75-150mg).
A French press already contains a metal filter. However, some research has shown using a paper filter helps to reduce chemical exposure, specifically the chemical cafestol in coffee, which could contribute to elevated LDL cholesterol (ie “bad” cholesterol).
Although each coffee maker has a variety of price tags, a French press can be found for under $15 whereas the lowest-priced Keurig coffee maker is about $78.
French press coffee and espresso are two different brewing methods. A French press coffee gets steeped in a slow immersion process whereas an espresso is a quick high pressured brewing method.
It is a matter of taste. A French press coffee produces a rich, full-bodied, bold flavor whereas a drip coffee usually has a lighter, less bold taste.
There are mainly four different methods of making coffee. Steeping (French press), drip brewing (drip coffee), pressurized brewing (espresso), boiling (percolated coffee).
It is recommended to let the coffee sit in your French press for approximately 4-7 minutes before pressing down the plunger and pouring.
It is best to use coarse ground coffee, the size of sea salt, for your French press in order to avoid clogging the filter.
It is recommended to use coarse-ground coffee in your Keurig, not fine-ground like espresso, to avoid clogging the filter.
Coarse grind coffee is best used for a French press coffee maker or a percolator. A medium grind is good for drip coffee makers and pour-overs. And fine-grind coffee is best used for espresso.
Check out these other nourishing recipes and joyful living tips for busy caregivers
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Wow, this is a very complete list. French press coffee looks delicious but I don’t have the time for it. I’ll stick to my regular coffee machine but will reference this list when I’m ready to give the ol’ french press a try. Thanks!
Yes it does take a tad more effort. Maybe as an indulgence sometime when you want to treat yourself right!
This is awesome, thank you for this post. I used to use the french press a lot at my mom’s but it always left a grainy texture, almost like some of the coffee was filtering through.
I love that you included an FAQ! That’s soooooo helpful. I’m going to change my mindset to instead of 1 vs the other, maybe both but in different scenarios!
Yes having the option is always nice. Re the French press, it might be helpful to pour your coffee through a non bleached paper filter. I do this sometimes even just to ensure I don’t get any chemicals. But it will definitely help with any grit texture.
I love my French press for all things coffee and tea!
YES!!!
Such an in depth post! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. Thanks for the support!