I have been gifted a French press. Its most evident use is for brewing coffee, but I don't like single-purpose equipment, so I'll be searching for other ways to use it.

Washing and Cleaning

• Use a brush or the plunger to soap and sud the narrow insides of the press.
• Clean the plunger and filter separately.
• If possible, disassemble the cap and plunger parts for a more thorough cleaning and drying.

General Advice

• Filter mesh is generally fragile. Push down plunger gently. Do not use to muddle or squash hard things.
• Never introduce sudden temperature changes, i.e. adding hot water to cold water or vice versa. It may shatter the press. Let the press return to room temperature between using different temperatures.
• Do not fill to the top. Allow some room for splashing.
• Press plunger down slowly and gently to prevent agitating the sediments and to prevent large splashes or cap being dislodged.

Brewing Coffee

Generally chewier than other brews.

1. Prepare water.
2. Measure and grind coffee beans.
3. Add coffee ground to press.
4. Brew using one of the following methods:

   • Hot Brew 1

     1. Pour in a small amount of hot water, around twice the amount of coffee grounds. Stir and let bloom. Make sure there are no coffee clumps.
     2. Pour in the rest of the hot water. Do not fill to the top. Stir gently.
     3. Cap. Steep 4-5 minutes.
     4. Slowly press plunger down. Do not press or compact the coffee grounds.

   • Hot Brew 2: No-Sludge

     1. Pour in hot water. Steep 4 minutes.
     2. Stir the crust that formed on top. Scoop up remaining floating bits and discard.
     3. Steep 5-8 more minutes to allow sediments to settle more.
     4. Cap. Gently push plunger down only up to surface of the coffee. Do not agitate the sediment.

   • Hot Brew 3: Paper Filter Method

     1. Acquire or cut out a coffee filter that fits in the press and covers all sides of the plunger.
     2. Pour in hot water. Stir.
     3. Wet the paper filter. Place on top of the press. Slowly push into the press using the plunger until just on the surface of the coffee.
     4. Cap. Steep 3-5 minutes.
     5. Gently and slowly push plunger down.

   • Cold Brew

     1. Add water. Stir gently and thoroughly to fully saturate grounds and remove clumps.
     2. Cap. Steep 12-18 hours on the counter or inside fridge.
     3. Slowly press plunger down.
5. Serve.

Other Uses

Brewing Tea

Pretty much the same as brewing coffee, but with tea leaves, no blooming, and more flexible steeping times and pressing.

1. Boil water.
2. Add loose-leaf tea into the French press.
3. Pour in required amount of water.
4. Cap. Let steep in desired amount of time.
5. Slowly press the plunger down.
6. Serve.

Frothing Milk

1. Prepare coffee or other beverage the milk will be added to beforehand.
2. Heat desired amount of milk.
3. Pour milk into French press.
4. Introduce air into the milk: push plunger down until just about touching surface of milk. Make a few light up-and-down movements to introduce air. Milk will slowly bubble and increase in volume
5. Incorporate air into the milk: move plunger to around half of the liquid's height. Make light up-and-down movements within the liquid. Do not raise plunger above the surface. Continue until large bubbles near surface of milk disappears as much as possible.
6. (Opt. - only for making latte art) Transfer to milk pitcher.
7. Lightly swirl and bounce. Pour into beverage.

Making Whipped Cream

1. Add 1 cup whipping cream, and desired amount of sugar and vanilla into the press.
2. Press plunger up and down to aerate the cream until it thickens, around 5 minutes.

Juicing Soft Berries and Citrus Fruits

1. Remove rinds from the citrus. Add thinly sliced non-frozen fruits to the press. Cap.
2. Very gently press down the fruits with the plunger. Repeat until fruits flatten and juice is extracted.
3. Pour juice out.

General Strainer

• For mixing cocktails, mocktails, and other infused beverages:
  • Add prepared and cut fruits into press. Add in liquids and additional juices. Stir. Cover. Store in fridge for a few hours. Gently press. Serve.
  • Pour 1/2-3/4 stout or dark craft beer into the press. Add infusing ingredients. Cap. Fridge for at least 30 minutes. Press plunger down. Fridge again for 30 minutes. Pour and serve.
    • For dark beers: cacao nibs, coffee, peppers, donuts, marshmallows, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, nuts, oak chips
    • For light beers:
      • Dramatically reduce steeping time to prevent it from going flat.
      • Hops, herbs (ginger, mint, lavender), citruses, tropical fruits, berries, peppers
    • Or just hops
• For infusing oils.
• Infusing milk
• Soup stock strainer
• Rinsing grains
• Cleaning and draining vegetables
• Squeezing out water from begetables
• Rehydrating beans and vegetables

See Also

The Most Versatile Coffee Brewer You Can Buy | Morgan Eckroth | YouTube
The Ultimate French Press Technique | James Hoffmann | YouTube
REDEEMING THE FRENCH PRESS: A Modern French Press Recipe | Lance Hedrick | YouTube
(?) 14 Uses for Your French Press that aren't Brewing a Cup of Coffee | Tasting Table
You Can Make Whipped Cream With a French Press? + More Double-Duty Kitchen Hacks | Rachel Ray Show | YouTube
How to Use a French Press to Add Flavor to Craft Beer | Craft Beer Joe