You make french press coffee because it makes some of the best coffee possible but did you know that an insulated french press makes coffee even better because the insulation stabilizes the brewing temperature significantly?
I’m going to guess that you do probably know that already but I’ll take a second to drive home the point.
The best temperature to brew coffee is roughly 190-195 degrees and if you were to slowly drip water at this temperature over your grind then that would be awesome but a french press will lose temperature consistently throughout the 4-minute brewing process.
How Hot Does a French Press Brew Coffee At?
If you pour 200 degree water into your glass french press and then wait four minutes the temperature will have dropped all the way to 168 degrees by the time you press your coffee, this is obviously far less than an ideal water temp for brewing coffee.
On the other hand when I pour 200 degree water into my double walled Coffee Gator french press, after four minutes the water temp only drops to around 182 degrees. This is still less than ideal but it’s far better all things considered.
There is no doubt that using an insulated coffee press of any kind will yield better tasting coffee than a glass press but there are still differences between all the different kinds of insulated coffee presses. They are not all the same.
Larger french presses will hold temperature better than smaller presses so the bigger the french press is the better it will make coffee.
I frequently use a Coffee Gator but there are better made options such as those from Espro which are just as well insulated but they filter coffee grounds out better yielding a better brew and a cleaner cup.
This is the gold standard in making the best coffee possible if you ask me.
Coffee Gator uses a standard style plunger but it’s built strong. If you want something a bit cheaper similar style press pots that may not last “quite as long” include brands like Secura which offer customers a great value in that they are well insulated and sell for a somewhat low price.
Of course these aren’t the only options so I’ve fully reviewed my six favorite insulated coffee presses below. To start let’s summarize the six models in the following table:
| Image | Product |
|---|---|
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The P7 Espro Press Double Wall, Vacuum Insulated, Stainless Steel Coffee Press (32-oz)
► This is the Best Insulated French press of Them All! |
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Frieling Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker w/ Dual Screen (36-oz)
► The Best Insulated Press That Uses No Plastic |
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Double-Wall French Press, 18/10 Stainless Steel w/ Double Screen Filter by SterlingPro (35-oz)
► Excellent Performance For An Affordable Price |
 Check Price on Amazon |
Secura Stainless Steel Thermal French Press Coffee Maker 18/10 (1-Liter)
► The Best Value By Far!! |
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The Bodum Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot
► A Best Seller For Many Years |
 Check Price on Amazon |
The 34-ounce Dishwasher Safe French Press Coffee Maker with Dual-Wall Insulation by Coffee Gator
► Most Durable For Your Money |
In addition to these units I also recommend a lot of my readers to opt for single cup French presses or dual filter press pots. These make it easier to make coffee and not have to keep it hot while still in the beaker.
For people looking to just get a large press you can also pick up an inexpensive thermal carafe to pour the extra coffee into so as to prevent over extraction from your grind.
Make sure to read my full reviews below and compare pricing; you should find the decision a lot easier… at least that’s my goal.
Insulated French Press Reviews – These are the Best Double Wall Cafetieres Sold Today
So, there are quite a few models available out there that provide you with a double wall insulation. You might easily find yourself in a situation where it’s hard to make up your mind about which one you should go for. Well, there’s nothing to worry about because Gamble Bay Coffee is here to help you out.
Espro Press Stainless Steel Coffee Press Double Wall, Vacuum Insulated (6-8 cups, 32 oz)
One of the top models, if not THE top model when it comes to insulated French presses is the Espro Press Stainless Steel vacuum insulated French press. As you can easily see from its name, this machine has a vacuum insulation. Double wall is good, but making a vacuum in the middle is great, because it’s hard for heat to travel through empty space! This gives it one of the best levels of insulation that you can achieve.
This 32 oz machine has a beautiful look, as you can see from the picture. This is because of the fact that it has a stainless steel body, which makes it both durable and aesthetically pleasing.
Frieling USA Double Wall Stainless Steel French Press Coffee Maker with Patented Dual Screen, 36-oz
And then comes the model from Frieling USA. This is one of the most respected and loved models by the people who just pick one, as well as by the people who use every model to find out the best one. It’s not only loved for its unique and attractive look, but also because of the fact that it’s really durable.
This model, obviously, has a double wall structure, too. However, that’s not all that there is to it. This machine also has a capacity of 36 oz, which is fairly large, to be honest.
SterlingPro Classic European Style Double wall Stainless Steel French Coffee Press
Let us now discuss a model with a classic design that everyone simply loves. Yes, I’m talking about none other than the SterlingPro model with the Classic European design. This model, too, has a double wall structure to make it perfectly insulated.
Despite its classic design, it is made of stainless steel that gives it modern day aesthetic looks as well as the good old durability where the model tends to outlive the owner only to be found by some future progeny in the basement- still as good as new.
Want to have something ready for the museums in the future? Here’s your chance!
LeMeilleur French Press Coffee Maker – Shatterproof 18/10 Stainless Steel Coffee Press with Double Wall Double ScreenAnd next in line is a surprisingly advanced model, the LeMilleur French press coffee maker. This is also a really great machine and a really beautiful one, as you can see in the adjoined picture.
However, that’s not all that there is to it. It’s also highly functional. This machine has a double-wall, double-screen setup that makes it really versatile while also being made from 18/10 stainless steel that grants it great looks and durability. Above all, this is one of the very few models that openly claims to be shatterproof.
So, if you’re looking for something of elite quality, this is one of those options you can’t miss!
Bodum Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot
Bodum is a famous company when it comes to coffee. In order to understand why, we just have to take a look at what the people who have used them have to say. In this case. all of them simply love it and claim that they would never go for anything else.
Now, we have to find out why it’s so loved by the people. The main reason is because of the fact that it’s one of the most durable and best known models out there that assure you of safety, quality and aesthetic pleasure at the same time. Plus, it’s a famous company- that’s often singly enough to make it a bestseller!
Secura Stainless Steel Thermal French Press Coffee Maker 18/10
Secura is one of the companies that you might find in case of a lot of appliances. There are Secura pressure cookers as well! So, it can be said that Secura is a pretty large company although you might not see a lot of their French presses around.
However, they are one of those large companies which have really great product. Let me explain why their French Press is a really great product:
- First of all, it’s just like any other stainless steel model, providing you with a great look.
- Needless to say, durability is something that comes with the steel and the name of Secura.
- Secura is known for making affordable models.
- Finally, this model, just like every other one on this list, has two walls making it greatly insulated.
Buyer’s Guide
Now, it might be already obvious to you that some things have been taken into consideration when writing this article. But it’s important for you to know what those factors are. This will make it easier for you to judge the models based on your specific needs. So the main things we have taken into consideration are as follows:
- Obviously, the top factor for this list was Double-Walled Insulation. So that needed to be kept in mind in order to keep the whole article related and relevant to the main subject.
- Next, we kept the capacity of the models in mind too. Of course, everyone has different capacity in needs and so we tried to dwell on the standard capacity models. This would make it easier for the maximum number of people to go with them.
- And we also considered the durability of every model. We believe that durability is a really important factor for just any model because it actually indirectly pays for itself. So that’s one of the things we’ve kept strictly in mind when making this list.
- Finally, the affordability for every model was also considered. We understand that all of us have to be economic, once in a while, and to keep a budget on things. Because of that, we have also kept that in mind when it came to compiling this list in order to find the best models that you can afford to go for.
Insulated French Press Comparison Information
As you can see, we’ve got our priorities sorted out on this. We know the points that we are going to take into consideration when we compare the models. Since we are giving you a generalized comparison, we can’t take your specific points into consideration.
However- you can! So you must keep in mind that the right model for you depends on your specific needs and you must always judge according to them. In that way, you can easily find the right model, and, once again, the above mentioned points have been taken into consideration in our case
We have tried to arrange them properly in order to be able to compare all the models and from that, we have shortened the choices up to this list. We have listed these models because we believe that all these models are really special and these models deserve mention. Now judge for yourself, won’t you?
Thermal Press Pot FAQs
While there are quite a few questions that you might have been wanting to ask, I believe that I’ve already answered most of them over the due course of the article. However, a few things might still be made clear so that you have no hesitations or uncertainties.
- What is insulation?
Insulation is the property that slows, or prevents, heat from moving from objects with high heat to those with low heat. It can keep things hot, like a blanket, and keep things cold, like a cooler. - Is insulation really that important?
Yes, depending on your specific needs, it might be that important. While some people don’t really seem to mind it much and it’s really one of the most underrated factors, as I said, it’s actually something that a lot of things depend on. The main thing, obviously, being how long your coffee will remain warm. Most coffee drinkers hate it when their good coffee gets cold and dull. - What is the most important thing to keep in mind?
When it comes to insulation, materials and techniques must be kept in mind. Some insulating materials are better or longer lasting than others. It also might happen that some models might gradually lose insulation because of some kind of problem or just from age. If it’s well over the warranty date, then you might go for a new model. However, it’s better to stick to a reputable company so that you can get a replacement if it’s within the warranty date. - How important is the economic factor in this case?
Well, in most of the cases here, it isn’t really too important, because these machines aren’t too expensive, but you must be aware about how much you can spend. You have to make a budget before you go out to buying anything if you don’t want to end up in serious trouble. So, you have to take care of that and buy a model that fits your budget.
Lastly, let’s consider the main point of this article one last time – the quality of insulation. Each french press discussed on this page will brew your coffee at a higher and more consistent temperature due to thermal insulation in the body of the carafe and lid.
Some however will keep your brewed coffee hotter longer if you don’t pour it out while others will make better filtered brewed coffee so “best” is in the eye of the beholder.
I believe the following list is comprised of your six best options in order but you still need to shop smart, compare features, and stick to a budget.
The 6 Best Insulated French Press Coffee Pots:
- The Espro Press P7 Vacuum Insulated Thermal Coffee Press
- The Frieling USA Double-Wall Insulated French Press Coffee Maker
- The SterlingPro Classic, A Stainless Steel Thermal French Press
- LeMeilleur’s 18/10 Double Walled French Press Coffee Maker
- The Bodum Columbia 8-Cup Thermal Coffee Press Pot
- The Secura Thermal French Press Coffee Maker – Very Affordable
These are all standard thermal coffee presses best used in the home. If you want to look at some better options for travel or for single servings then see our article on french press travel mugs here.
6 of the Best Insulated French Press Coffee Makers (2024 Update)
Insulated French press coffee makers are for you if:
- You prefer to drink coffee using a French press
- You like to make a large amount at once to drink throughout the day
- You are trying to find a way to keep your coffee hot without reheating
- and more importantly, you want to make the best tasting frenchy press coffee possible.
We always advise our customers to buy a thermal french press over a standard glass cafetiere because they make better coffee. You can get thermal models in single serving sizes as well as big 12-cup sizes.
Our selection of French press coffee makers includes insulated ones because we know that the regular ones may only keep your coffee warm for a couple of hours at best. Although the pricing may be higher some insulated coffee makers, we’ve done our best at Gathering Grounds Café to select a wide variety of insulated French presses that fit every price preference. They provide you not only with excellent quality coffee, but will also give your kitchen a touch of style.
Each french press listed below is insulated to keep your coffee hot during the brewing process or inbetween cups.
Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot
Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press PotThe Columbia french press is a long time best selling thermal french press.
Made by Bodum it’s actually one of the best french press pots available and it sports thousands of highly positive reviews over with Amazon customers.
The Columbia is made from stainless steel and it is made with vacuum double walls giving it excellent thermal retention meaning your coffee will brew at a consistent temperature and then it will stay hot as long as it’s inside this coffee press.
Thermos 34-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless-Steel Gourmet Coffee Press
Thermos 34-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless-Steel Gourmet Coffee PressThermos has been make a ton of awesome insulated pieces of coffee equipment for many many years and this vacuum insulated coffee press is no different.
It will keep your coffee hot while you brew and drink it all morning and it is priced to sell.
There are other higher priced french presses but dollar for dollar we think you’ll find this to be one of the best value models out there today.
Here are a few alternative options for you to review.
Frieling Brushed Stainless Steel French Press, 36-OunceGrunwerg Cafe Ole Double Wall Insulated 8 Cup/35oz Stainless Steel French Coffee PressBonJour French Press Triomphe 8-Cup Double Wall Insulated Stainless Steel with Flavor Lock BrewingLa Cafetiere TQ080200 Thermique 35 fl oz Coffee Press, Stainless Steel
In addition to these make sure to look at our favorite french press travel mugs for making coffee on the go!
Product Descriptions
- Our insulated French press coffee makers relatively range in price from the low end to the high end and can hold from 30 oz to 36 oz of liquid.
- These coffee makers come with handles designed for easy pouring and carrying. They also come with removable tops that allow for fast and efficient washing by hand.
- Although these French presses keep coffee extremely hot, they maintain the handle at a regulated temperature so you won’t burn yourself.
- All options come with a built-in, 3-piece filtering system, which means – no paper filter.
- For the material, you can select from stainless or brushed steel, or BPA-free plastic.
Materials
Stainless or brushed steel: stainless steel or brushed steel provide better insulation (keeping beverages hot or cold longer) than other materials, and does not stain as easily. However, many of these coffee makers require hand washing, so please check the product description if you prefer it to be dishwasher safe.
Plastic: plastic insulated French press coffee makers are lightweight, designed to be shatter-resistant, and usually can go in a dishwasher; however, they may stain and scratch easier as opposed to stainless steel ones. If you’re worried about the type of plastic, make sure the coffee maker you’re buying is “BPA-free plastic.”
Additional Perks and Information
- Each insulated French press provides about 8 cups of coffee, depending upon the ounces mentioned in the product description.
- These will hold in heat longer than regular French press coffee makers, as well as some normal coffee makers.
- Choosing an insulated French press saves you money in the long run because they require no electricity. All you have to do is boil the water and pour it into the coffee maker – its internal design brews your coffee without having to use any buttons or plugs, and you’ll have hot coffee for hours!
- Just remember to use coarsely ground coffee when brewing with a French Press.
Alternatives
If you want to use a French press, but don’t need to retain heat for a long period of times – have a look at the standard French press coffee makers. They also come in various sizes (holding from as little as 8oz) and materials (like glass).
See our french press travel mugs here or click here to see the small one serving French presses here.
Considerations
One of the inherent problems with insulated french press coffee makers is that the longer the coffee sits in the press pot the more coffee grind extraction takes place.
Large insulated pots can over extract a lot if coffee is allowed to sit in them for long periods of time. We invite you to see this page and consider getting a stand alone coffee carafe to keep your french press coffee hot after brewing.
What Are The Best Insulated French Press Coffee Makers?
I’ve been using a simple french press coffee maker almost daily for nearly three months now. I actually go back and forth between it and my moka pot which I use to make stove top espresso both for myself and for my wife’s Americanos.
There is no denying that cheap french press coffee makers make coffee that is awesome – Howard Schultz, the president of Starbucks, uses one in his own home after all, but the biggest complaint I’ve had regarding my french press is not the size or the quality of coffee it makes but the fact that if I make a whole pot for myself I have to pour it into a thermal carafe or travel mug to keep it hot while I drink my first cup.
Sure, if you make a 32 ounce pot of french press coffee and pour it into two 16oz travel mugs and both you and the spouse head out the door then the thermal insulation is not necessary but for people like me who make 32oz for myself it’s annoying that my basic Bodum Brazil lets the coffee cool up substantially by the time I get to cup #2.
So I’m adding to my long and growing list of “I-Need-That” coffee gadgetry an insulated french press coffee maker. And before you go off thinking “Brian, you don’t need to drink 32oz of coffee in the morning” let me say this. I sometimes only drink 16 but I like to drink it out of smaller cups. I don’t always use my gigantic travel mug after all.
Even if I make half a pot of french press coffee I still get two standard 8 ounce cups out of it and this is more extreme. 8 ounces of coffee sitting in a non-insulated glass container gets cold rather quickly.
In any event, I haven’t purchased on of these yet but I intend on doing so in the next month or two. I think it will be good for me and will give me the opportunity to upgrade to something a bit more stylish for a minimal cost.
These are the best insulated french press coffee makers sold en masse today and they are the one’s I’m looking at although I think I’m going to end up buying the Double Walled Bodum Chambord because it’s the right size for me and I like the way it looks. I’m not to keep on drinking off of plastic but I’m fine having a little bit of plastic in my plunger. It’s not that big of a deal.
The Best Double Walled French Press Pots Are Stainless Using Little Or No Plastic
Insulated Glass French Press Coffee Makers Are Slightly Cheaper And Still Top Of The Line
You can also the french press store here on the site for more ideas.
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The Best Insulated French Press Coffee Makers
Without a doubt, French press coffee makers are practical kitchen equipment. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and easy to maintain.
You don’t even need electricity to make it run. Armed with great coffee grounds and hot water, you can have freshly brewed coffee in less than five minutes.
No wonder coffee lovers have more than one French press at home.
How to find the right French press for you
French press coffee makers come in different shapes and sizes. You may consider the following factors when buying a French press.
- Capacity
French press coffee makers have different sizes and can yield single serve coffee or up to 16 cups coffee in one brewing.
Capacity ranges from 8 0z to 51 oz. It’s just a matter of preference. If you are living alone or the only person at home who loves coffee, get a single serve French press or a regular sized press that can serve up to 4 cups.
- Carafe material
Glass carafe is the trademark body of a French press. Most early models of French press makers are glass. It’s easy to clean, classy and elegant. However, it’s prone to breakage and many user had to replace their French press time and again.
There are also ceramic and stoneware models that gave the French press a different look.
But it is the stainless steel model, especially those with double wall system, insulation and vacuum-seal interior that paved the way for new generation French press coffee makers.
It added more convenience and practicality. Coffee lovers can now make French pressed coffee in the morning and keep it hot for hours.
Best insulated French press
Here are highly recommended insulated French press to suit your every day caffeine fix.
Bodum 1308-16 Columbia 8-Cup Stainless-Steel Thermal Press Pot
Best features:
- Yield coffee in just a few minutes
- Double wall insulation, stainless steel construction
- 3-part Stainless steel plunger to extract coffee flavor, aroma. No more paper filter
- Durable stainless steel design, spill-proof lid and dishwasher safe
The Bodum brand is one of the best known makers of French press pots. The Columbia model is no exception to the outstanding beauty and functionality of the Bodum line. With its insulated wall feature, the Columbia can keep brewed coffee hot for up to 2 hours. With its large capacity, you can easily get a refill or serve a fresh cup when a guest suddenly arrives.
Thermos 34-Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless-Steel Gourmet Coffee Press
Best features:
- Large capacity pot for more coffee
- Thermos vacuum technology for efficient heat management
- Effective filter system to extract exquisitely brewed coffee
Thermos is known for its efficient vacuum seal technology for keeping food and drinks hot or cold for several hours. Having this Thermos French press means you are getting quality insulated material that’s design to keep the ideal temperature of your drink for up to 4 hours.
Frieling Brushed Stainless Steel French Press, 36-Ounce
Best features:
- Durable, high grade stainless steel that promises to keep coffee hot 4x longer than regular glass carafe
- All parts are dishwasher safe
- Large capacity for brewing more coffee
- Excellent filter system
This award-winning brand is recommended by hotels and restaurants because if its elegant design and superb functionality. But it’s pricey compared to others.
Grunwerg Cafe Ole Double Wall Insulated 8 Cup/35oz Stainless Steel French Coffee Press
Best features:
- High grade, stainless steel insulated carafe
- Large capacity French press
- Efficient filter system
The Grunwerg model is a durable insulated French press. Users who had been using glass carafe were happy to switch to insulated stainless model. This is a good starting point because it’s affordable for most coffee lovers. Coffee remains hot for hours and you can enjoy refilling your cup.
BonJour French Press Triomphe 8-cup Double Wall Insulated Stainless Steel With Flavor Lock Brewing
Best features:
- Sleek and elegant stainless steel design
- 8-cup capacity for more coffee drinking
- Double wall to ensure that interior is hot but handle remains cool to hold
- Patented Flavor Lock filter system to efficiently extract coffee and keep flavor and aroma
It comes with a large capacity container enough to hold 8 cups of coffee, perfect for a to medium sized family. You can even bring this to the office and share with your colleagues or pack it the next time you go out camping. It’s economical and durable.
How to extend the life of your insulated French press coffee maker
It’s easy to get a new French press coffee maker nowadays. You just get one from big online shopping sites and get it delivered to your doorstep. But there are also ways to effectively extend the life of your French press so you can maximize its usage.
- Always follow manufacturers’ instruction especially in terms of using and caring. Check if the French press carafe and parts are dishwasher safe, hand wash only and microwave safe. This will prevent improper use and handling that can affect the performance and heat management function of the insulated carafe.
- Clean your French press after every use. To avoid hard build up of water minerals, coffee stain and stale coffee smell, wash up your French press after each use. Don’t let it sit in the sink for hours before washing.
- Make sure all parts are dry before you store them in the cupboard.
11+ of the Best French Press Coffee Makers [Updated 2020]
If you ask me the best way to make coffee from all of the various coffee brewing methods is with a french press.
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A french press is unfiltered coffee. It is rich in body and contains more aromatics from coffee oils that are retained in the brewing process.
French press coffee can be made very easily at home using hot water from a stovetop, in a hotel from hot microwaved water, or from a campsite with water boiled over an open flame.
French press coffee offers more volume for a more satisfying and lasting experience.
There’s no doubt that espresso is a good thing but the vast majority of coffee consumers will prefer to make standard coffee in the home.
So, with that being said what are the best french press coffee makers for use in the home?
The Best French Press For Use at Home
There are some really great coffee presses out there but they are all different and best used under specific circumstances. I would always advise the use of different equiopment for differnt places. This home use press pot is best for your kitchen – but I wouldn’t ever take it camping – I’ll get that that further down this page.
The Best French Press – The Espro 32 Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Press
The Best French Press – The Espro 32 Ounce Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel PressThe biggest complaint people have about french press coffee is the sediment (mud or grit) in the bottom of their cup.
With the Espro press you will simply not have any coffee grind or sediment in your cup. It’s as simple as that.
This coffee press will brew your french press coffee perfectly and keep the temperature stable during the 4-minute steep and then when you press the plunger down all of the grit will be removed.
All of it! This is worth every penny.
The Espro press is only available in 12oz, 18oz, and 32oz models from a few different styles. If you are looking for something bigger then I recommend looking at the following page where we have hand curated our favorite larger sized french presses.
What’s the Best French Press Travel Mug
Our favorite coffee press is what we like best for use in the kitchen but it’s not portable and it’s not designed to drink from like a travel mug is.
There are actually a bunch of different travel presses on the market though so which one is best?
KOHIPRESS The Original Portable French Press Coffee Maker – Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug (12 oz)
KOHIPRESS The Original Portable French Press Coffee Maker – Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug (12 oz)The best portable french press is also a great insulated travel mug and the Kophipress is an awesome travel mug!
This coffee press tumbler will easily keep your coffee hot for hours on end and best of all your coffee will not over-extract! Your coffee will not be bitter!
Your coffee will not have sediment in the last bit of coffee either due to an excellent double filtration plunger.
What’s better? It’s price can’t be beat!
The Kophipress is a close competitor to the Espro Travel Press but there are also a fewother really good options to consider too.
Many people love Bodum products and the Bodum travel french press has been a well reviewed product for a long time.
You can see these products and others on our page dedicated to our reviews of popular french press travel mugs.
The Best Insulated French Press (Double Wall Thermal)
At GGC we firmly believe in brewing your french press coffee in an insulated french press pot. Vacuum insulated carafes result in your coffee brewing under stable water temperature which will give you better tasting coffee every time.
Large French Press Coffee Maker – Double Filter, Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel By Coffee Gator (34 fl oz)
Large French Press Coffee Maker – Double Filter, Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel By Coffee GatorThis is our favorite insulated coffee press because the steainless steel body is extra think resulting in better thermal retention and improved durability.
Basically this unit is thicker, heavier, stronger, and uses a dual filter to remove as many solids from your coffee as any other french press on the market!
You would think this would be one of the most expensive french press coffee makers for sale but it’s not – it’s actually quite affordable!
Obviously Coffee Gator isn’t the only high end thermal press on the block. There are a few other great insulated coffee presses that we love and recommend. Some are cheaper than this Coffee Gator 8-cup press and some are available in smaller sizes too.
See the following pages for more hand picked items we have reviewed and recommend.
Some of these insulated presses aren’t made in smaller sizes. If you are looking for a great single serve coffee press then see the following page on our site: 12 Ounce French Presses (2 Cup).
Our Favorite French Press For Camping Outdoors
If you take coffee to your camp site then you need something that is small, portable, durable, and easy to use and to clean. I would never take a glass carafe to a campground and I wouldn’t take an expensive model camping either. This is the one I would take every time!
GSI Outdoors – JavaPress – French Press for Camping Outside (30 0z)
GSI Outdoors – JavaPress – French Press for Camping Outside (30 0z)This press by GSI Outdoors really is awesome for camping, hiking, and day tripping because it’s SUPER durable!
Not only is it thermal insulated with dual vacuum sealed walls but it is covered on the outside with tight padding to shield it against all the bumps and dings a regular stainless steel carafe would show.
The interior isn’t glass so it won’t break and it’s not metal so it won’t scratch… and yes, you know it’s BPA free too.
Some other great camping presses and coffee makers can be found on the following two pages:
Our Favorite (Cheap) French Presses – Your Best Value for the Money
If you are looking for the best option for the least amount of money then you can’t go wrong with Bodum! Historically the best Bodum french press coffee makers were also the lowest priced. These days there are better options on the market but pricing for the entry level Bodum presses still can’t be beat… at least without sacrificing quality.
This is not the lowest price french press on the market but it’s really close!
Bodum BRAZIL Coffee Maker, French Press Coffee Maker, Black, 34 Ounce (Cheap)
Bodum BRAZIL Coffee Maker, French Press Coffee Maker, Black, 34 Ounce (Cheap)For years and years thousands and thousands of people have purchased the Bodum Brazil french press as their entry level model.
Many end up sticking with Bodum because even though their products are not the best they really are the best for your money.
The Brazil is super cheap and so long as you don’t drop the glass carafe and break it it should last you for years upon years – mine is going on 15 years now!
You can find a lot more low priced presses here: Our Favorite Small [4 Cup] French Presses.
The Best 12-Cup French Press
Need (or want) to make coffee for a group of people? regular sized coffee presses aren’t big enough to serve more than 2-3 people at a time. This bigger version should mean you have to make few batches of coffee when preparing coffee for a party.
Secura 1500ML French Press Coffee Maker, 50-Ounce (12-cup), Stainless Steel 18/10
Secura 1500ML French Press Coffee Maker, 50-Ounce (12-cup), Stainless Steel 18/10Some of my favorite french presses are not made is sizes bigger than 34 ounces, luckily models like this 51 oz model by Secura are here to fill in the gap.
You should know that this is double insulated and comes with dual filters to give you a super clean cup of coffee.
You should also know that this is one of the best rated french press coffee makers for sale today! That’s a lot of social proof!
If you’re like me though you probably like having options. Take a look at the following page which features a good selection of some of the best and biggest french presses sold today.
The Best French Press For Making Cold Brew Coffee
One of the easiest and most popular methods of making cold brew coffee in the home is to do it in a french press. That;s because so many people own these already and because they don’t cost very much. Even still there are some press pots better at taking on the job of cold brew than others. Here’s our favorite model at GGC.
French Press Cold Brew Coffee Maker – 34 Ounce, 8 Cups, Clip Spoon and 2 Bonus Filter Included By Divlor
French Press Cold Brew Coffee Maker – 34 Ounce, 8 Cups, Clip Spoon and 2 Bonus Filter Included By DivlorYou will always make better cold brew coffee in a glass (see through) carafe and this coffee press by Divlor is the best for the job.
Cold brew should sit undisturbed in the french press with the plunger pressed just barely up against the grind. after your long steep on the counter or in the fridge you need to slowly pour the coffee out of the press without disturbing the grind floating at the top to keep solids to a minimum.
This Divor press will perform as good or better than any other at keeping the solids out of your coffee and you won’t have to spend a whole lot on it either.
French Press Coffee Maker With No Plastic Parts
We have a lot of customers that know a thing or two about coffee and also care a lot about their bodies and the environment.
We know plastic sucks sometimes and for those people who don’t want to compromise their values we wanted to help you find the best coffee press that doesn’t have any plastic parts on it at all – luckily it’s a really well made piece of equipment so it’s easy for us to recommend.
Frieling USA Double Wall Stainless Steel Plastic Free French Press
Frieling USA Double Wall Stainless Steel Plastic Free French PressThis is an awesome French press coffee maker that uses absolutely no plastic of any kind in it’s construction!
Not only is it a completely plastic free coffee maker but it also makes extremely good coffee. It’s built very well, has excellent thermal retention, and uses a dual screen to keep your coffee as clean as possible.
You pay a bit more for all the perks but it’s a really good press so we think it’s a great buy.
Note – The Frieling has also made our list of best coffee makers that don’t use plastic. Check that out if plastic is your mortal enemy! 🙂
Why Use a French Press Anyway?
This section may be me preaching to the choir but I feel like I should at least touch on the subject of why you should be brewing coffee in a french press in the first place.
Above you see every major coffee press. They are all really good devices and most sell like crazy but I purposfully omitted the lower end units that simply don’t perform as well.
There are some really popular models that just don’t make that great of coffee even though tons of people buy them.
We advise our customers to make french press coffee to experience the best of unfiltered coffee – long coffee. That is coffee that is meant to be served in a full size coffee mug and consumed slowly and in greater volumes.
Popular alternatives to french press coffee include three different sorts:
- Filtered “Long” Coffee such as Pour-Over, Chemex, and Drip
- Unfiltered “Long” Coffee such as Percolator or Keurig pods, and
- Unfiltered “Short” Coffee such as espresso, moka, and espresso alternatives (i.e. Aeropress)
French press is an unfiltered long so it’s most closely related to the percolator – you can see our in-depth comparison of french press and percolator coffee here.
The main reason to use a coffee press is to get the unfiltered body and aromatics of the coffee leaving the oils and minimal solids in your cup.
When prepared under ideal circumstances and with freshly ground beans you get everything coffee has to offer short of crema!
Popular Alternatives to the French Press
I’m not a hard-lined kind of guy – I like lots of different styles of coffee and sometimes I crave one style over another.
Although I love me a good cup from my coffee press I also love sipping on a truely clean cup from time to time. For that I turn to the Chemex, which is my prefered source of filtered pour-over coffee.
Because the Chemex uses a thick paper filter none of the sediment or “solids” enter the cup and neither do the oils. It is really smooth stuff. If you haven’t tried one out then I recommend you do at least in a coffee shop first before splurging on yet another coffee “gadget”!
See the following for more info: Chemex vs French Press.
When I am in the mood for something short and sweet though I usually reach for my moka pot or full blown espresso machine. The unfiltered short espresso based drinks from these gives me that coffee backend with the strength and potency of rich espresso.
I’ll frequently go for moka if I want body in the drink or machined espresso if I want it to feel more clean or smooth.
Here’s a detailed comparison of stovetop espresso and machine espresso for your reading pleasure.
Lastly, a Note About Making Tea
To close I’d like to spend a bit of time explaining the techniques behind making tea in a french press.
In all honesty I can’t really peg one french press over another as best at making tea and that’s because there are so many different types of teas and they all are steeped differently.
My wife prefers tea, black tea, over coffee any day of the week and I know from experience watching her that she prefers being able to see her tea steep.
She never sets a timer she judges her tea being ready based on color most of the time so if I were forced to choose the best french press for brewing tea I would choose a glass carafe press that used no plastic at all.
Frieling makes my favorite plastic-free french press but it’s stainless steel so my alternative model would be this VERO Chambord French Press by Sovrano.
There are dedicated tea presses but having one good press to make both coffee and tea can be quite handy and save on storage space in your kitchen.
And now for those of you really looking to brew the best french press coffee possible!
On this site we have a lot of material published geared towards the coffee enthusist looking to learn more about making french press coffee.
If you would like to learn a bit more about why pressed coffee is so great or how to brew it better take a look at any of the following featured articles on the site:
► The Difference Between A Keurig And A French Press
► Are Bodum Chambord French Presses Dishwasher Safe?
You can also see curated listed of our favorite french press coffee makers from the following filtered feature sets:
► Our Favorite 20-Oz French Press Coffee Makers
► Our Favorite 16-Oz French Press Coffee Makers (4 Cups)
► Some of the Best 24-Oz French Press Coffee Makers
► My 13 Favorite Small French Press Coffee Makers
► The Best Single Serve (12-Oz) French Press Coffee Makers
► The Best 32-Oz French Press Coffee Makers (8 Cup)
► The Top 51-Oz French Press Coffee Makers (12 Cup)
► My Favorite French Press Travel Mugs (With Reviews)
► The Best Insulated French Press Coffee Makers {Updated}
Lastly, please see our alternative coffee maker section of the store for more premium brew alternatives to the French Press.