Siphon Coffee vs French Press (Which One Is Better For Me?)

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siphon coffee vs french press

Siphon Coffee Vs French Press: let's see if we can settle that debate once and for all.

Siphon and french press coffee are two popular at-home brewing methods since both are easy to brew and make an awesome, flavorful cup of coffee.

But which one should I get? 

Well, in this post you'll learn;

  • What is siphon and french press coffee and how they differ 
  • The pros and cons of each
  • And which one is better

Let's dive in!

What Is Siphon Coffee And How Does It Differ From The French Press

Siphon coffee may seem like it's a new, trendy, and scientific way of brewing coffee, but it's been around forever. In the early 1800s, coffee brewers unanimously agreed that boiling coffee kills its flavor and started using vacuums and vapor pressure techniques to preserve coffee's flavor.

It works by using vapor to push water up into the top chamber, and this water combines with the coffee grounds. Next, when you remove the heat source, coffee will filter down into the bottom chamber, creating a clean, smooth, and flavorful cup of joe.

Siphon coffee takes longer to prepare than a french press, but the resulting coffee contains more flavor notes since it never came in direct contact with heat.

What Is French Press And How Does It Differ From Siphon Coffee?

The french press is a staple in every coffee enthusiast's kitchen. It quickly makes quality coffee that gives you a caffeine kick essential to every coffee drinker's survival.

The french press, also known as a coffee plunger, is a brewing device that uses a filter to press down all the coffee grounds resulting in a well-brewed cup of coffee.

Siphon coffee usually takes a while to prepare, make, and clean, while the french press is more convenient, quick, and easy to make. This makes it a more popular method of brewing.

Now that we know what each is, and how they differ, let's walk through the process of making coffee using these methods.

How Do I Make Siphon Coffee

A person siphoning coffee.
Barista using a syphon coffee maker

Making siphon coffee isn't difficult, but it's time-consuming and inconvenient. 

  1. Firstly, add boiling water to the bottom chamber of your siphon.
  2. Next, connect the top chamber to the bottom chamber and place it over a heat source.
  3. When most of the water goes to the top chamber, add your grounds and stir. Aim for a tablespoon of medium ground coffee for every 5 ounces of water.
  4. Wait 1 minute. Feel free to preheat your cup during this time.
  5. Remove your heat source, and you'll see the coffee pouring into the bottom chamber. 
  6. Lastly, pour the coffee into your cup of choice and enjoy.

Now that we know how to make siphon coffee let's make french press coffee.

How Do I Make French Press Coffee

using a french press
Making coffee with a french press

The french press is a quick and convenient way of making top-shelf coffee at home.

  1. Preheat your french press jug by adding boiling water and letting it sit.
  2. Grind your beans to a medium-coarse consistency. Don't grind your beans finely as you'll taste coffee grounds in your coffee.
  3. Measure a tablespoon of coffee for every 4 ounces of water. This is the magical ratio.
  4. Toss out the boiling water in your jug and add your grounds.
  5. Slowly pour boiling water over your grounds and wait 4 minutes. This will allow the coffee to brew correctly.
  6. Lastly, press slowly, pour, and enjoy!

But which brewing method is better? Siphon coffee or french press?

The Pros and Cons of Siphon Coffee

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Pros

  • If you're having dinner with friends or family, whip this bad boy out, and everyone will be impressed with your vacuum coffee.
  • Siphon coffee works better for lighter and more expensive roasts.
  • The flavor you get from siphon coffee is better than the french press since the coffee never comes in direct contact with heat.
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Cons

  • A siphon beaker is a real pain to clean up.
  • The bottom chamber is impossible to clean properly because it's tiny, and no cloth can fit in it.
  • And it's fragile and easy to break.

The Pros and Cons of French Press Coffee

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Pros

  • It's quick and convenient, which makes it great for busy mornings.
  • It's by far the easiest and cheapest way to brew quality coffee at home.
  • And french press coffee is usually stronger than siphon coffee because it brews for longer.
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Cons

  • It's not as flavorful compared to siphon coffee.
  • It can easily over-extract if you grind the coffee beans too fine.
  • And you can't impress your friends with a french press like you would with a siphon beaker.

So, Which One Is Best For Me?

For most people, the french press is better. 

It's more practical because it's cheaper and easier to use and clean compared to a siphon brewer.

But if you already have a french press and find it boring, opt for a siphon brewer. It'll give you better flavor, and it's a terrific conversation piece for when people come over.

Offer to make a cup of coffee and show them how a siphon brewer works and the physics behind it.

Siphon Coffee Vs French Press Coffee: The Final Word

Instead of wondering about siphon or french press coffee, why not try both?  A siphon brewer and french press each have their roles in a coffee lover's kitchen.

When you're rushing to work in the morning, use a french press to get a caffeine kick. And if you're expecting guests later in the day, impress them by whipping out your siphon brewer.

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