Bodum Chambord French Press 34 oz

Overview

Not an electric brewer, the Chambord is a manual press: coarse grounds steep in a heat resistant glass carafe held in a chrome plated steel frame, then the plunger pushes the reusable filter down to separate the brew. The matte polypropylene handle gives a comfortable grip for pouring.

Simplicity is the reason to own one: no paper, no power, and the reusable filter means the only consumables are beans and hot water. The chrome plating on the frame and lid is done in several passes so the finish lasts through years of daily use. Glass is the limitation, since the carafe needs care in a busy sink.

Who it's for

Morning coffee for a couple, weekend brunches and offices without a machine all get a brew that depends only on hot water and patience. Campers and anyone prone to dropping things in the sink should choose a steel or plastic bodied press instead.

Pros and cons

Performance notes

Flavor comes from coarse grounds steeping in water just off the boil, with the full contact time controlled by when the plunger goes down. The mesh filter lets oils through that paper would hold back, which gives the heavy body a press is known for, and a coarse grind stops fine particles from slipping past the screen. High heat borosilicate glass takes the hot water, while the steel frame and plastic handle do the holding.

Specifications