French Press Math

[novasurf]

So, how much coffee do you put in a French Press for the best results?

We get asked this time and time again by our customers and from the coffee semi pros like yourselves on the different boards I post on. So here it is, once an for all.

Multiply the size of your French Press in ounces by 0.057. This is the weight of the coffee you should be using, in ounces. I round up. It's an easy piece of math if you have a calculator, and you only have to do it once, ever.

Get a small kitchen scale. Use it for this once, and then you'll be able to eyeball it forever.

Have at it.

[Twill413]

I just go with 1.75oz to account for the displacement of volume the beans create in the actual press pot. I am a tad shy by the calculations, but I don't think I can taste the difference in a "tad". Tastes good to me. Of course I do eyeball it now. Plus I know how many press pots I should be able to get out of the iRoast batch, and I just eyeball thirds. Don't sweat the small stuff right? Thanks for the the thread N'erf.

[Mister Moo]

My press has a steel strap that runs around the lower section of the glass pot - it attaches to the bottom of the handle. I discovered long ago that if I fill the press with ground coffee to the top edge of the band then I get a perfect cup (for me). No idea how much it measures out to - will check.

[novasurf]

No idea how much it measures out to - will check

You have to do this if you are not sure of the fluid ounces it can hold.

Measure once. Cup forever.

[EvanS]

have been very satisfied with using a 3 Tbs scoop to feed the whole beans into the grinder. I will have to try this new math.

Funny - Twill and nova speak like this is common lore. Yet this is completely new to me, this measure by weight-not-volume. Somehow I feel they have been laughing at us for some time now.

[kjd2121]

I fill based on mood. Whatever, it all tastes good to me. -

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by EvanS

have been very satisfied with using a 3 Tbs scoop to feed the whole beans into the grinder. I will have to try this new math.

Funny - Twill and nova speak like this is common lore. Yet this is completely new to me, this measure by weight-not-volume. Somehow I feel they have been laughing at us for some time now.

A bit OCD'ie, those two. They wanna ruin it for the rest of us. A rounded tablespoon, more or less, per four ounces of water and you can't miss. All that weight measuring is for people who are still trying to figger out a use for that fancy-schmancy digital scale they bought last year... They're messin' witcher head. A rounded T always weighs pretty much the same. They're messin' witcha. Playing jokes on the west coast new kid.

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

A bit OCD'ie, those two. They wanna ruin it for the rest of us. A rounded tablespoon, more or less, per four ounces of water and you can't miss. All that weight measuring is for people who are still trying to figger out a use for that fancy-schmancy digital scale they bought last year... They're messin' witcher head. A rounded T always weighs pretty much the same. They're messin' witcha. Playing jokes on the west coast new kid.

This statement and the name of novasurf do not go together very well. Foundations have been shaken with less.

I have no more ears for your words on this subject

[smokehouse]

math smath

real cooks don't measure

[EvanS]

Originally Posted by smokehouse

math smath

real cooks don't measure

when we start cooking, we'll call you Kevin. now shoo

[smokehouse]

Originally Posted by EvanS

when we start cooking, we'll call you Kevin. now shoo

What happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by EvanS

This statement and the name of novasurf do not go together very well. Foundations have been shaken with less.

I have no more ears for your words on this subject

He's messin' witcha. That N'urf'ster is quite the coffee prankster.

[Twill413]

Originally Posted by EvanS

Funny - Twill and nova speak like this is common lore. Yet this is completely new to me, this measure by weight-not-volume. Somehow I feel they have been laughing at us for some time now.

Missed that last bit about where I don't measure so much anymore? cU

Course I do like using numbers, guess that's why I will be an accountant soon.

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

A bit OCD'ie, those two. They wanna ruin it for the rest of us...A rounded T always weighs pretty much the same. They're messin' witcha. Playing jokes on the west coast new kid.

That's what I was thinking earlier. Once ground, assuming a similar and repeatable grind, all beans should weigh roughly the same.

Fur as gud coughy gos, thars a purty big windoh methinks.

[germantown rob]

Originally Posted by smokehouse

math smath

real cooks don't measure

Now go out and buy 3 types of flower and measure out 3 cups of each, now weight. They don't weight the same, real cooks do weight when it matters!

[EvanS]

OK, I tried this. No way mister, no flippin' way.

I typically measure my beans whole using a 3 Tbs scoop. Just at or peaking over level is the word. 2 scoops for the 32 oz press, 3 scoops for the 48 oz. This comes to right at 1 Tbs for 5oz water. So I go to make a 32 oz and weigh my 2 scoops before grinding. 40 grams. French Press Math calls for 1.8 oz which is 51 grams....a 25% increase!!!

Trusting the new math, as well as Twill and novasurf, I scoop out another 11 grams and grind'er up. Go thru the normal routine and press. HUH? Why won't the press go all the way down. Oh it's because I actually AM pressing coffee now.

Anyway, onto the taste. When piping tongue-burning it hot I thought "hmmm, maybe" but when it started to cool even a little the mud came through loud and clear. Pour Tina a cup, which was a mistake. Her face is still unwrinkling.

I've trusted novasurf all along, and if he and Twill weren't laughing at us before they certainly ARE laughing at ME now. I need to go back and reread all of Norman's posts, with suspicion, mind you.