French Press vs Drip Coffee: Which Brewing Method Is Best For …

The debate between French Press vs. Drip Coffee has been a long-time subject for coffee lovers all across the globe for decades, and it’s going to continue for many decades more.

This ancient coffee conundrum needs to be put to an end, so we are going to find out which produces better coffee.

While it is true that it will go down to preference, knowing the benefits of French press coffee and drip coffee will educate you on which among the two options will fit you the most.

What is a French press?

The French press is a popular classic device often referred to as the coffee plunger. You can find this in hotel rooms and many American homes.  

Millions of avid coffee drinkers love to use this because it delivers a flavorful cup of coffee similar to an expensive espresso machine. 

This is a cylinder-shaped container where you fill it with your go-to coffee grounds and add hot water. You abruptly stir the grounds and wait for the coffee grounds to steep.

As soon as you are satisfied with the brew’s strength, you slowly push down the plunger-filter, so the coffee grounds stay at the bottom of the container and your flavorful brewed coffee is at the top.

So, are French press coffee makers better? Let’s dig a little deeper.

What is a Drip Coffee Maker?

You can easily find these drop coffee makers in offices and homes. They are a must for offices where employees need an instant perk-me-up cup because it keeps hot coffee ready for drinking anytime. While it is true that innovators keep on modifying these drip coffee makers, it still follows the same fundamentals (1) on its operations.

These machines are automated, so all you need to do is to put your preferred coffee inside the coffee filter and turn the machine on. The appliance extracts the flavor from the coffee beans, producing a rich cup of brewed coffee.

French press vs. Drip coffee maker

We have discussed each of the device’s basic functions, let us learn the advantages of French press coffee and the drip coffee maker as well as their disadvantages. Check out the pour overs vs. drip coffee review to learn more.

Brewing Time

If you need a cup of Joe on the fly, the length of brewing time plays a big factor in your buying decision. Both devices brew coffee at a reasonable amount of time.

However, the French press is faster by two minutes as it brews coffee between five to eight minutes, whereas the coffee drip is anywhere from five to ten minutes. This is because you have to spend a few minutes for the unit to warm up before you can use it.

While the brewing time may differ, the clean-up time for both devices is the same. It only takes a few minutes to clean your French press. Simply run it through the water along with the filter, and you are good to go. Meanwhile, the coffee drip requires changing the filter and swiftly rinsing the pot.

Brew Capacity

Drip coffee makers give you more benefits in this area because of their large brewing capacity. A regular drip machine can deliver more than 12 cups of coffee in one brewing cycle, making it a practical purchase if you want coffee refills in an instant. This is also beneficial if you are living with coffee lovers as well.

As mentioned earlier, you can set the programmable timer in advance for convenience. On the other hand, the French press can only yield 2-4 cups of Joe, although other units can yield 8 cups of coffee.

The leftover coffee from the machine remains hot, so you can always count on it to give you a fresh brew anytime. However, a French press coffee quickly goes cold. Reheating may be an option, but it won’t yield the same rich and flavorful taste.

User-Friendliness

The battle between Filter coffee vs. French press in user-friendliness is a close one as there are a lot of factors that come into play. You have to consider the ground texture, water temperature, and coffee brew time.

The rate where you plunge the French press is vital. If you wait too long, the taste becomes over-brewed. If you plunge it too early, it tastes weak.

You are going to invest some time to get your preferred brew. You can check out informative guides (2) on the internet to help you get the perfect French press coffee faster.

The case for the drip coffee machine is different. It is almost impossible to get messed up. Measure the recommended amount of ground coffee, put it in the appliance, and push start. Leave the machine alone for a few minutes and come back to a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

The only drawback is the grind. Just make sure it is not too coarse or too fine by changing the filter after each usage, which will only take a few seconds to do so.

Brew Quality

The debate between French Press vs. Drip Coffee started because users swore their preferred method gives the better brew quality. It’s time to put an end to this debate.

French Press gives you the power to control every variable there is, so you can brew your preferred cup of Joe. While it is more complex, it does give you a personalized experience, making it one of the reasons why the French Press is still popular to this day.

What you are after is the coffee oils as it is responsible for the coffee’s rich flavor. The drip machine’s filter holds most of these oils, so brewing taste is compromised. Meanwhile, the French Press maximizes the ground’s flavor potential.

Avid coffee fans love the personalized experience the French Press delivers, remarking that it gives you a stronger and bolder taste. The coffee drip machine is notably weaker and lighter, but there are caffeine lovers who like their coffee that way.

Another thing worth mentioning is how these coffee machines constantly heat the coffee. After a few hours, the flavor becomes burnt.

Reliability

How reliable is the French Press in comparison to the drip coffee machine? Unsurprisingly, it is very reliable. It does not have any mechanical parts, so there are significantly fewer complications.

The worst-case scenario is accidentally dropping the cylinder-shaped container to the floor and breaking it. However, the French Press is affordable and you can easily buy a replacement in your nearest local shop.

You can also bring it with you on travels, simply put it in your backpack, and you have a reliable buddy to accompany you everywhere you go. Of course, bringing an entire drip machine to your solo travel trips is out of the question.

The Drip coffee makers can be reliable, but you have to look out for an interrupted electricity supply, which may lead to technical complications and damage to your machine if it often occurs. 

Drip coffee makers are also pretty reliable. The main potential issues you could be experiencing are an interrupted electricity supply or a broken heating element.

French Press vs. Drip Coffee: The Winner

Weighing the pros and cons of both appliances, it is safe to say that it still depends on your preference. Both do not disappoint as they can serve coffee drinkers perfectly.

Here is a short recap on both units.

The French Press is for people who:

• Love to experiment and customize. This gives you a full-bodied cup of coffee that maximizes the flavor of your preferred coffee beans.
• Want their cup of coffee stronger and bolder in taste.
• Are looking for a handy unit to bring with them on their travels and vacations.

The Drip Coffee machine is for people who:

• Want a quick and easy caffeine fix anytime of the day.
• Like to set their coffee timer in advance for a convenient brew.
• Keep on refilling their cup of coffee throughout the day.
• Live with other coffee lovers as it serves up to 12 cups of coffee in one cycle.

It is important to know what you are looking for before making the purchase. Weigh the pros and cons of each and find out which one fits the most for your lifestyle. Read the best drip coffee maker review so you will have an idea on what to purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions