French Press Vs Drip Coffee Maker: Which One Should You Get?

Gone are the days when you had to visit the coffee house if you wanted a decent cup of Joe. Thanks to coffee making machines, anyone can brew a good cup of coffee within the confines of their home. Of course, the big question remains, which coffee machine you should get? Given how there are many different types out there, things can quickly become confusing.

In this article, we are going to discuss two of the most popular coffee making machines: the French Press vs Drip Coffee Maker. Let’s get started.

The French Press Coffee Maker

The French Press Coffee Maker has been around since the 1850s. It was invented by Paolini Ugo, and in 1929, it was patented by Attilio Calimani and Giulio Moneta. It is simply designed and consists of:

• A stainless steel container
• A handle
• A cylindrical piece (also made out of stainless steel)
• A steel cover
• A portable plunger

The brewing method used in this coffee machine is fairly simple. You add an appropriate amount of ground coffee beans, followed by hot water. Next, you place the lid on top and wait for the coffee to brew. Then you slowly press down on the portable plunger, so that the coffee grounds settle at the bottom. The brewed liquid rises to the top, and you can pour out the coffee.

The Drip Coffee Maker

Drip coffee machines are slightly more popular than the French Press. The first electrical drip coffee maker was invented in 1954 by Gottlob Widmann.

This coffee maker makes use of a filter at the beginning of the brewing process. Unlike the French press, the Drip coffee maker is automated. You need to add an appropriate amount of ground coffee to the filter. Next, fill up the coffee maker with water and then turn the machine on. The coffee maker will do the rest.

Now that we have a basic understanding of how these coffee machines work, let’s take a look at their differences.

French Press vs Drip Coffee Maker: What Are the Differences?

There are five areas of differences between a French press and Drip coffee maker.  These include the brewing method and time, the flavor, the ease of use, the price, and the number of cups you can make. Let’s take a look at these aspects in more detail.

1. The Brewing Method and Time

When it comes to the French Press vs the Drip Coffee Maker, the biggest difference is the brewing method. A French Press helps you brew coffee through a process called steeping. This is one of the simplest ways to make coffee. All you have to do is mix hot water with ground coffee and then separate the brewed liquid from the coffee grounds. The result is a cup of rich, strong, and flavorful coffee. It also has the advantage you just need hot water and can brew your coffee anywhere.

However, there is also a drawback to the steeping method. If you take too long to press down on the plunger, you will get a bitter cup of coffee. On the other hand, if you separate the coffee grounds too quickly, you will get a weak cup. Brewing coffee using a French Press is a matter of trial and error, and it might take you a while before you can make the perfect cup and avoid the most common french press mistakes every beginner does.

The Drip coffee maker helps you brew coffee through the process of drip filtration. We have already discussed a little bit about how this works. Unlike steeping, drip filtration gives you a good cup of coffee each time.

The two coffee makers also differ in terms of brewing time. A French Press is faster than a Drip coffee maker. It has a brewing time of 5 minutes. A drip coffee maker, on the other hand, takes 4 to 10 minutes. You need to wait for the machine to warm up before it brews your coffee.

 

2. The Flavor

This is another important difference between a French press and a Drip coffee maker. A French press coffee maker extracts the natural oil found in coffee beans. The coffee grounds also get to mix with the hot water a little longer. This adds more flavors to your coffee and gives you a full-bodied cup. On the other hand, the drip coffee maker gives you a lighter brew. This is because the paper filters used in this coffee machine absorb some of the coffee oils. The result is a cup of coffee with light and uniform taste. If you are looking for a cup of coffee with more nuanced flavors, then we suggest you go with the French Press.

On the downside, studies have suggested a link between coffee oils and increased levels of cholesterol. For example, if you drink 5 cups of French press coffee every day, then this can increase your blood cholesterol levels by 6 to 8%. In the case of drip filtration, research suggests that the paper filters used in this method retain the lipids found in coffee grounds. In doing so, they reduce the risk of high cholesterol.

 

 

3. Operating the Coffee Maker

The drip coffee maker is automated. As a result, it is much easier to use than the French Press. Even first-timers can brew a decent cup of coffee using this machine. The only room for error when operating this coffee maker is how coarse your coffee beans are. If the coffee grind is too fine or too coarse, you will get a bad cup.

 In the case of the French Press, we mentioned earlier how brewing coffee using this coffee maker is a matter of trial and error. You can opt for this coffee maker if you have the time and patience to learn the art of making good coffee. Once again, the coarseness of the coffee grind is important here. If you do not use coarsely ground coffee, the resulting brew will have colloids and suspended coffee dust.

4. Number of Cups

As far as the number of cups is concerned, both the French Press and the Drip coffee maker hold up well. Both machines will give you up to 10 cups of coffee in a single-use. However, depending on their size, some drip machines can also give you more than 12 cups. If you need to make large amounts of coffee to serve to a big group of people, then the drip coffee maker is a better choice. You can also use it to make a uniform cup of coffee. Using the French Press may be cumbersome in this case, since there is plenty of room for error.

The Drip coffee maker also comes with a heat plate. This keeps the coffee warm for a longer period. A single brew will last you for hours. In the case of the French Press, you will have to drink your coffee at once. You can keep it hot by using a thermos, but this isn’t the most convenient alternative sometimes.

Given the convenience of the Drip coffee maker, it is easy to guess why it is the go-to coffee machine in most offices.

5. The Price

This is another significant difference between a French Press and a Drip coffee maker. You can get a good French Press coffee maker for between $10 and $70. In the case of the Drip coffee maker, the price varies between $20 and $300. This is because the French Press is operated manually. The Drip coffee maker, on the other hand, is fully automated. As a result, it is more expensive than a French Press.

The Final Verdict

When it comes to making coffee using the French Press vs Drip Coffee Maker, there is no real winner. Despite the differences between these two coffee making machines, the final decision depends on your personal preferences. If you have a busy routine and are looking for convenience, then using a Drip coffee maker may suit you more. On the other hand, if you enjoy a full-bodied cup of coffee, then the French Press is the ideal choice.