I finally ditched my espresso machine for a French press

Used to chase perfect shots with a $600 machine and a fancy grinder, but last month I traded it all for a $20 Bodum and a kettle. Now I get better flavor with zero fuss - am I the only one who went backwards and loved it?

3 comments

3 Comments

victorb172mo ago

Oh man, I gotta disagree with you on this one. A French press is great for convenience but it's a totally different ballgame in terms of clarity and texture. That silt at the bottom always drove me crazy, and I feel like the flavor is muddier compared to a properly pulled espresso shot. Plus there's something about the ritual of dialing in the grind and watching that perfect creta form that just makes the morning feel right, you know? If you're happy with less hassle then fair enough, but I could never go back.

murray.spencer1mo ago

Haha, honestly I had a buddy who was the exact same way. Swore by his French press for years until he visited me once and I let him pull a shot on my Gaggia. He literally sat there staring at the creta for like five minutes going 'how do you get that, it looks like liquid velvet'. Now he's got a cheap espresso machine and a grinder on a payment plan and texts me every morning about his shots. Guess the ritual gets you eventually.

grantadams2mo ago

@victorb17 you're not wrong but my $20 setup proves I'm just lazy with bougie taste lol.