3+ Best French Press Alternatives

A French press is one of the most popular affordable coffee makers around, loved for its simplicity and ability to brew a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee. But what if you don't have a French press? Or perhaps you just don't like using one. 

Whatever the reason, there are several alternatives that can provide a similar coffee experience. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the best alternatives to French press that you can use to make great coffee.

Top alternatives to French press coffee maker

The Chemex, Clever Dripper, Aeropress, and Hario V60 are the four main French press alternatives that can help you brew coffee with the same or similar flavors as a French press. You can use any of them if you don't have a French press.

In this article, we will discuss these French press replacements in detail. Let’s begin.

1) Aeropress‍

What is Aeropress?

The Aeropress is a unique brewing device that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler, a retired Stanford University engineering professor.

The Aeropress is a combination of a French press and an espresso machine, and it produces a smooth, rich cup of coffee that is similar to what you would get from a French press.

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What is the brewing method for Aeropress? 

The brewing method for Aeropress involves inserting a paper filter in a plastic brewing chamber, adding coffee grounds, and pouring hot water over them. After a few seconds of immersion, the plunger is pushed down, which creates pressure and extracts the coffee into the cup.

Difference between Aeropress and French press

The main difference between Aeropress and the French press is the brewing method. Aeropress uses pressure to extract the coffee, while the French press uses immersion. Aeropress produces a clean and bright cup of coffee, while French press produces a bold and full-bodied cup of coffee.

Advantages of Aeropress

• Produces a clean cup of coffee
• Easy to use and clean
• Lightweight and portable
• Quick brewing time

Disadvantages of Aeropress

• Brews a limited amount of coffee at a time
• Requires paper filters

‍2) Clever Dripper‍

What is a Clever dripper? 

The Clever dripper is a hybrid between a pour-over coffee maker and a French press. It combines the simplicity of the French press with the cleaner taste of a pour-over. 

The Clever Dripper has a valve at the bottom that allows you to control the flow of coffee, which helps produce a full-bodied cup of coffee similar to what you would get from a French press.

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What is the brewing method for Clever Dripper? 

The brewing method for the Clever Dripper is similar to a pour-over coffee maker. It involves adding coffee grounds to the paper filter and pouring hot water over the grounds. The coffee is allowed to steep for a set amount of time, and then the valve at the bottom of the dripper is opened, releasing the coffee into the cup.

Difference between Clever dripper and French press

The main difference between the Clever dripper and the French press is the filtering method. The Clever Dripper uses a paper filter that produces a cleaner cup of coffee. The French press uses a metal mesh filter that allows more coffee oils and sediment to pass through and produces a more robust cup of coffee.

Advantages of the Clever Dripper

• Easy to use and clean
• Produces a clean and smooth cup of coffee
• Can brew large batches of coffee than Aeropress

Disadvantages of the Clever Dripper

• Requires paper filters
• Limited capacity (can only brew one cup at a time)
• Not as portable as Aeropress

 3) Chemex

What is a Chemex? 

The Chemex is a classic pour-over coffee maker known for producing a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. It was invented in 1941 by Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, a chemist passionate about making coffee.

The Chemex has a unique hourglass shape and uses a thick paper filter to produce a clean and flavorful cup of coffee.

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What is the brewing method for Chemex?

The brewing method for Chemex involves adding coffee grounds to the paper filter and pouring hot water over the grounds in a circular motion. The coffee is allowed to drip through the filter and into the carafe.

Difference between Chemex and French press

The main difference between Chemex and the French press is the use of a paper filter and the brewing method. Chemex produces a clean and flavorful cup of coffee, while the French press produces a bold and full-bodied cup of coffee. Some people find that the Chemex can be a bit finicky to use, and it requires a bit more attention to detail than a French press.

Advantages of Chemex

• Produces a clean and flavorful cup of coffee
• Can brew large batches of coffee than Aeropress
• Beautiful and elegant design

Disadvantages of Chemex

• Requires paper filters
• More expensive than other alternatives
• Fragile and can break easily

4) Hario V60

What is a Hario V 60?

The Hario V60 is another classic pour-over coffee maker that has been around for a long time. It is known for its unique design, which includes a conical shape and spiral ridges on the interior of the device.

This design helps produce a clean, flavorful cup of coffee similar to what you would get from a French press.

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 What is the brewing method for Hario V 60? 

The brewing method for the Hario V60 involves placing a filter in the device, adding coffee grounds, and pouring hot water over the top. The coffee is then allowed to drip through the filter and into your cup. The spiral ridges on the interior of the device help to ensure that the coffee is evenly extracted, which produces a clean, flavorful cup of coffee.

Difference between the Hario V 60 and French Press

The French Press is a full-immersion brewing method that tends to produce a more robust and full-bodied cup of coffee but can be harder to control the extraction. Whereas the Hario V60 is a drip-brewing method that allows for more precision and control over the extraction process.

Advantages of Hario V60

• Produces a clean and flavorful cup of coffee
• Easy to use and clean
• Can brew large batches of coffee than Aeropress

Disadvantages of Hario V60

• Requires paper filters
• Requires a slow and controlled pour
• May take some time to master the technique

Conclusion

While the French press may be a popular coffee maker, there are several great alternatives out there that can produce similar or even better results. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the Clever Dripper or the elegance of the Chemex, there is a device out there that can help you achieve the perfect cup of coffee.

So, if you don't have a French press, don't worry, you can still enjoy a great cup of coffee with these alternatives.