The Complete Cafetière Buying Guide
Few pieces of kitchen kit are as honest as a cafetière. No electricity, no capsules, no paper filters: just ground coffee, hot water, and four minutes. This guide covers every model we stock, how to choose between them, how to brew well, and how to keep your cafetière in good shape for years to come.
Overview
- A cafetière (also called a French press or coffee press) brews by immersion: ground coffee steeps directly in hot water before the plunger separates it.
- The metal mesh filter lets coffee oils through, which is what gives cafetière coffee its full, rich body.
- We stock cafetières in glass, enamelled stoneware, and double-walled stainless steel, each with different strengths.
- Grind size and brew time are the two variables that matter most. Get those right and the rest follows.
- All models we stock work for loose leaf tea as well as coffee.
Decision helper
- You want to watch coffee brew and prefer a lighter feel: Choose a glass model: Gefu Diego, La Cafetière Pisa, or Monaco.
- Design and colour coordination matter to you: Le Creuset Stoneware in one of 14 colours.
- You want coffee to stay hot longer, or need something unbreakable: La Cafetière Insulated or Elia, both double-walled stainless steel.
- You want the best warranty: Gefu Diego, with a 20-year guarantee.
- You brew for one or two people: Choose a 3-cup (350ml) model. For families or entertaining, go for the 1L size.
Why Choose a Cafetière?
The cafetière has been around since 1929 and remains one of the most popular brewing methods in the world. No electricity, no capsules, no filters to throw away: just coffee and hot water.
What makes cafetière coffee different- Full-bodied flavour: No paper filter means coffee oils and fine particles remain in the cup, creating a richer, heavier taste.
- Complete control: You control grind size, water temperature, and steeping time.
- No electricity needed: Works at home, in the office, when camping, or travelling.
- No ongoing costs: No capsules, no filters, no subscriptions.
- Environmentally straightforward: Ground coffee goes in the compost; nothing is disposable.
- Doubles as a tea maker: All our models work well with loose leaf tea.
| Method | Cafetière advantage | Where the other wins |
|---|---|---|
| Filter coffee | Fuller body, richer oils, no paper waste | Cleaner cup, no sediment |
| Espresso machine | Much cheaper, portable, no maintenance | Concentrated shots, milk-based drinks |
| Coffee pods | Better taste, no waste, full bean choice | Speed and consistency |
| Instant coffee | Incomparably better taste and aroma | Speed |
How Cafetières Work
The cafetière uses immersion brewing, the simplest and oldest method of making coffee. Understanding the process makes it easier to brew consistently well.
- Coarse grinding: Coffee beans ground to a breadcrumb consistency, coarser than filter coffee.
- Contact time: Ground coffee fully immersed in hot water at 92–96°C.
- Extraction: Water dissolves the coffee solubles over four minutes.
- Separation: The stainless steel mesh filter is pressed down, trapping the grounds at the bottom.
- Serving: Coffee is poured from the spout, leaving the compressed grounds behind.
Why metal mesh instead of paper? The stainless steel mesh allows the flavourful coffee oils through whilst stopping most grounds. This is what gives cafetière coffee its characteristic body. A thin layer of fine sediment at the bottom of your cup is normal and part of the texture.
Our Cafetière Collections
We stock cafetières from four brands, each with a distinct approach to the classic French press design.
German precision engineering with an exceptional 20-year warranty, the longest of any cafetière we stock. Available in 600ml and 1L sizes, both with heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafes and a pour-through spout design. Fully dishwasher safe. A strong choice for anyone who wants quality they can rely on for the long term.
La Cafetière
Four distinct ranges, each with a different character. The Pisa has a vintage-inspired design with a natural birch wood handle. The Monaco takes a more premium approach with an all-stainless steel frame. The Insulated uses double-wall construction for thermal retention and is completely unbreakable, making it the best choice for families or anyone who regularly breaks glass. All ranges are available in 3-cup (350ml) and 8-cup (1L) sizes.
Enamelled stoneware in 14 colours, from Azure to Volcanic. The stoneware retains heat exceptionally well, the enamel is scratch-resistant, and the whole thing is dishwasher safe and freezer-to-oven safe. Available in 1L only. The obvious choice if you want to match your Le Creuset cookware, or simply want something beautiful on the table.
Elia Coffee & Tea Maker
A twelve-sided geometric body in double-walled 18/10 stainless steel with a triple filter system. Available in 3-cup and 6-cup sizes. The Elia is a statement piece: it brews excellent coffee and loose leaf tea and looks unlike anything else. The body is dishwasher safe; the lid and filter assembly are hand wash.
How to Choose Your Cafetière
1. How many cups do you need?| Capacity | Serves | Best for | Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| 350ml (3-cup) | 2–3 standard mugs | Solo use, couples, office | Pisa 3-Cup, Monaco 3-Cup, La Cafetière Insulated 3-Cup, Elia 3-Cup |
| 600ml | 4–5 cups | Small households | Gefu Diego 600ml |
| 800ml (6-cup) | 3–4 mugs | Small households, regular entertaining | Elia 6-Cup |
| 1000ml (8-cup/1L) | 6–8 cups | Families, entertaining | All 1L models |
Sizing note: The "cup" measurements on cafetières refer to small espresso-style cups, not modern mugs. A "3-cup" model makes about 350ml, enough for two generous mugs. An "8-cup" makes 1L, or six to eight standard cups. If you drink large mugs, size up. Leftover coffee can be refrigerated and used for iced coffee.
| Material | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borosilicate glass | Watch coffee brewing; doesn't retain flavours; lightweight; heat-resistant | Fragile; moderate heat retention | Those who want to see the brew; easy flavour changes between coffee and tea |
| Enamelled stoneware | Superior heat retention; beautiful colours; scratch-resistant; extremely durable | Heavier; higher price; can't see coffee level | Design priority; matching Le Creuset cookware |
| Double-walled stainless steel | Excellent heat retention; completely unbreakable; cool-touch exterior; never stains | Can't see coffee level; heavier than glass | Families; outdoor use; maximum thermal performance |
- Modern and minimal: Gefu Diego, clean stainless steel and glass.
- Colourful and iconic: Le Creuset Stoneware in 14 colours to coordinate with your kitchen.
- Retro with warmth: La Cafetière Pisa, birch wood handle and vintage-inspired shape.
- Premium retro: La Cafetière Monaco, all stainless steel with a sophisticated finish.
- Classic café style: La Cafetière Insulated, mirror-polished thermal press.
- Architectural statement: Elia, a twelve-sided geometric body unlike anything else on the market.
| Model | Warranty | Durability notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gefu Diego | 20 years | Glass carafe; replacement glass available if broken |
| Le Creuset Stoneware | 10 years | Enamelled stoneware is chip-resistant and practically indestructible with normal use |
| La Cafetière Pisa | 10 years | Borosilicate glass; spare filter included |
| La Cafetière Monaco | 10 years | Borosilicate glass with all-metal frame; more robust than plastic-framed alternatives |
| La Cafetière Insulated | 10 years | Double-wall stainless steel; completely unbreakable |
| Elia Coffee & Tea Maker | 10 years | Premium 18/10 stainless steel; completely unbreakable |
Warranty vs. durability: All warranties cover manufacturing defects, not accidental damage. The most common failure point across all glass models is the carafe, which is user error rather than a manufacturing issue. Stainless steel models eliminate this vulnerability entirely. The rubber plunger seal is the other wear item across all models, typically needing replacement every three to five years.
- Best value: La Cafetière Pisa, excellent quality-to-price ratio with a spare filter included.
- Mid-range glass: La Cafetière Monaco, premium stainless steel frame with retro styling.
- Mid-range with long warranty: Gefu Diego, where the 20-year guarantee backs the German engineering.
- Thermal upgrade: La Cafetière Insulated, double-wall construction, unbreakable, keeps coffee hot significantly longer than glass.
- Premium stoneware: Le Creuset, collectible, 14 colour options, matches the full Le Creuset range.
- Premium stainless steel: Elia, architectural design, 18/10 steel, triple filter system.
How to Brew Cafetière Coffee
The method is straightforward, but small details make a real difference to the result.
What you'll need- Your cafetière
- Fresh whole coffee beans and a grinder, or ground coffee. If you're using ground coffee, buy a coarser blend
- A kettle; variable temperature is useful but not essential
- A timer
- A spoon for stirring (be gentle using metal spoons)
Start with 60–70g of ground coffee per litre of water.
- 1L cafetière: 60–70g coffee (around 12–14 tablespoons)
- 600ml cafetière: 36–42g coffee (around 7–8 tablespoons)
- 350ml cafetière: 21–25g coffee (around 4–5 tablespoons)
Adjust to taste from here. More coffee means a stronger brew; less means lighter.
- Preheat (30 seconds): Rinse the cafetière with hot water to warm it. Discard the water.
- Grind: Coarse grind, breadcrumb consistency. Too fine produces bitter, muddy coffee and makes plunging difficult.
- Add grounds: Place the ground coffee into the warmed, empty cafetière.
- Pour and start timer: The ideal temperature is 92-96°C. Any hotter and your coffee can taste burnt, any less and you won't get the full flavour. Pour slowly and evenly over all the grounds.
- Stir gently: Use a spoon to ensure all grounds are saturated. Do not over-stir.
- Place lid and wait (4 minutes): Put the lid on with the plunger raised. Set a timer for four minutes.
- Press slowly (20–30 seconds): Apply steady, gentle pressure. High resistance means the grind is too fine. If the plunger drops freely, the grind is too coarse.
- Serve immediately: Pour all the coffee into cups or a thermal carafe. Do not leave it sitting on the grounds, as it continues extracting and turns bitter.
For better coffee: Use freshly roasted beans within four weeks of the roast date. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, not in the fridge. Use filtered water if your tap water has a strong mineral taste. Grind size is your main adjustment variable: this is where most brewing problems are solved.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bitter, harsh taste | Over-extraction | Coarser grind, reduce brew time to 3 minutes, slightly cooler water |
| Weak, sour taste | Under-extraction | Finer grind, increase brew time to 5 minutes, add more coffee |
| Too much sediment | Grind too fine | Coarsen the grind significantly. Grounds should resemble coarse sea salt. |
| Hard to plunge | Grind too fine | Coarser grind. Never force the plunger. You risk breaking the glass. |
| Plunger drops too fast | Grind too coarse | Finer grind. There should be noticeable, steady resistance. |
All our cafetières work well for loose leaf tea. Use one teaspoon per cup plus one extra, steep at the right temperature for the tea type, and press gently to trap the leaves at the bottom. Clean immediately after tea to prevent staining. Temperature guide: black tea at 95–100°C for 3–5 minutes; green tea at 75–80°C for 2–3 minutes; white tea at 70–75°C for 2–3 minutes; herbal teas at 100°C for 5–7 minutes.
What Customers Ask Most
What's the difference between a cafetière, French press, and coffee press?
They're all the same thing. Cafetière is the French word and the most common term in the UK. French press is American terminology. Coffee press is a generic descriptor. The device was invented in France in 1929 and the original name stuck in British usage.
Why does my coffee have so much sediment at the bottom?
Your grind is too fine. Cafetières use a metal mesh filter that allows coffee oils through but lets very fine particles escape too. Adjust to a coarser setting. Grounds should resemble coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs. Some sediment is normal and part of the full-bodied character of cafetière coffee, but it should not be muddy.
Can I make just one cup in a large cafetière?
Not recommended. Cafetières work best when at least half full. The plunger won't reach the grounds properly in a too-large cafetière, resulting in poor extraction. If you regularly make single cups, a 3-cup (350ml) model is the right choice.
My plunger is really hard to press. What's wrong?
Your coffee is ground too fine. The mesh filter becomes clogged with fine particles, creating resistance. Use a much coarser grind next time. The plunger should move smoothly with gentle, steady pressure. Never force it. You risk breaking the glass.
How long does brewed cafetière coffee stay fresh?
30 to 60 minutes at most. Once brewed, coffee begins degrading immediately. Coffee left sitting on grounds continues extracting and becomes increasingly bitter. Always pour immediately after brewing into cups or a thermal carafe.
Can I use pre-ground coffee from the supermarket?
Yes, but check the grind size. Most pre-ground coffee is ground for filter machines, which is too fine for a cafetière. Look for packaging that says cafetière grind or coarse grind. Freshly ground whole beans produce significantly better results, as coffee oxidises rapidly once ground.
Can I put my cafetière on the hob to keep coffee warm?
No. Never put any cafetière on direct heat. Glass carafes will crack or shatter, and applying heat after brewing makes coffee bitter and burned-tasting. If you need coffee to stay hot longer, choose a double-walled stainless steel model such as the La Cafetière Insulated or Elia, which maintains temperature through thermal insulation. Alternatively, pour into a separate thermal carafe immediately after brewing.
What's better: glass, stoneware, or stainless steel?
Each has distinct advantages. Glass lets you watch the brewing process and is flavour-neutral, not retaining tastes between uses. Stoneware offers superior heat retention, beautiful colours, and exceptional durability. Double-walled stainless steel gives the best thermal performance, is completely unbreakable, and keeps the exterior cool to touch, making it ideal for families or outdoor use. Choose glass for visibility, stoneware for colour and design, or stainless steel for durability and heat retention.
The metal parts of my cafetière have tarnished. Is this safe?
Yes, it is safe and normal. Stainless steel develops a patina from coffee oils over time. This does not affect safety or function. To restore the shine, soak in equal parts white vinegar and water for 30 minutes, then scrub gently with a bicarbonate of soda paste.
Cleaning and Care
Proper cleaning after each use keeps your cafetière performing well and ensures every brew tastes fresh. Coffee oils become rancid quickly, so cleaning straight after use is important.
Daily cleaning- Remove used grounds. These can be composted.
- Rinse thoroughly with hot water.
- Disassemble the plunger mechanism.
- Wash all parts with warm soapy water, or use the dishwasher where appropriate.
- Dry completely before reassembling and storing.
- Unscrew the plunger rod from the filter assembly completely.
- Soak metal components in hot water with washing-up liquid for 15 minutes.
- Use a bottle brush to clean the mesh filter thoroughly. Coffee oils accumulate here and affect flavour if left.
- Check the rubber or silicone seal around the plunger. It should be intact and clean. Replace when it loses elasticity or shows cracks.
- Wash the glass or stoneware with a non-abrasive sponge.
- Rinse everything thoroughly and allow to air dry completely before reassembling.
- Gefu Diego: Fully dishwasher safe.
- Le Creuset Stoneware: Fully dishwasher safe.
- La Cafetière Pisa and Monaco: Glass beaker dishwasher safe; hand wash metal and wood components.
- La Cafetière Insulated: Fully dishwasher safe.
- Elia Coffee & Tea Maker: Body dishwasher safe; hand wash the lid and triple filter assembly.
- Abrasive cleaners on glass or enamel: These cause scratches that cannot be reversed.
- Hot glass directly under cold water: Thermal shock can crack the carafe.
- Leaving coffee in the cafetière: Oils go rancid quickly and taint future brews.
- Reassembling when wet: This promotes bacterial growth in the seal area.
- Forcing the plunger: If encountering resistance, the grind is too fine. Forcing it risks shattering the glass.
Glass carafes: A bicarbonate of soda paste scrubbed gently then rinsed removes most staining. A solution of equal parts white vinegar and water, soaked for 15 minutes, also works well.
Le Creuset stoneware: Le Creuset's own cleaner is recommended for stubborn marks. Bicarbonate of soda paste is a good alternative. Some darkening of the enamel interior over time is normal.
Stainless steel (La Cafetière Insulated, Elia): Soak in equal parts white vinegar and water for 30 minutes, then rinse. For stubborn build-up, use a bicarbonate of soda paste with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive scrubbers that scratch the mirror-polished finish.
Replacement parts: The rubber plunger seal is the most common wear item across all models. Replace it when it no longer creates a tight seal. La Cafetière models include a spare filter in the box. Gefu's 20-year warranty covers manufacturing defects, and replacement glass is available if the carafe is broken accidentally.
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Founded in Reigate in 1972, we've spent over five decades helping customers select quality cookware. We've been twice nominated for the Excellence in Housewares award for customer care, and we stock brands we genuinely believe in, chosen because they perform, not because of margins.
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- Half-price accidental damage replacement for two years
- Price match guarantee
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