French Press vs Pour Over

French Press Coffee Maker, 34 oz, Stainless Steel

Choosing the right coffee maker can be tough. You want something that brews a delicious cup of joe, but is also easy to use and clean. Today, we’re in the corner of two popular brewing methods: the French Press and the Pour Over. Let’s see how the MuellerLiving French Press and the Coffee Gator Pour Over Coffee Maker stack up.

Brewing Style

• MuellerLiving French Press: This is a full immersion brewer. You add coffee grounds and hot water, steep for a few minutes, then press a plunger down to separate the grounds from the coffee.
• Coffee Gator Pour Over: This is a manual brewing method that involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter. The water slowly drips through the grounds, extracting flavor.

My Experience

Coffee Gator Pour Over: 

• I tried several electric coffee pots, and always hated the taste of the plastic machines and the paper filters ruining the flavor. I visited a friend and saw they were using a pour over gator at home, and after one cup I knew I had to get one of my own. However, I quickly learned there is some real technique and skill involved with the brewing process.
• I also learned that the coffee gator is a slow involved process. You have to babysit it for 15-20 minutes while you let it slowly drip through, fill more water, let it drip through, and by the time it is done; your coffee isn’t super hot anymore.
• It makes a good cup, it’s relatively easy to clean, but it is slow and laborious.
  
  French Press: 
• I thought I hated this coffee, until I watched a single YouTube video explaining the simple process for making a good coffee with a French press. (Videos below).
• After I learned how to use it, I love this method. I did choose a metal container instead of glass because I wanted to travel with it without worrying about it breaking while I’m on the road.

Taste

• MuellerLiving French Press: The French Press is known for producing a strong, full-bodied cup of coffee. The immersion brewing process extracts all the oils and flavors from the coffee grounds.
• Coffee Gator Pour Over: Pour overs are known for producing a clean, nuanced cup of coffee. The slow, controlled pour allows you to extract the delicate flavors from your coffee grounds.

Ease of Use

• MuellerLiving French Press: The French Press is very simple to use. Just add coffee grounds, hot water, wait, and press. Cleaning is also easy, as the carafe and plunger are dishwasher safe.
• Coffee Gator Pour Over: The Pour Over requires a bit more practice to master. You need to find the right grind size, water temperature, and pouring technique to get a good cup of coffee. Cleaning is simple, as the filter is reusable.

Portability

• MuellerLiving French Press: The French Press is relatively portable, thanks to its insulated carafe. However, it can be bulky and breakable.
• Coffee Gator Pour Over: The Pour Over is very portable and lightweight. It’s a great option for travel or camping.

The Verdict

The best coffee maker for you depends on your priorities. If you want a strong, full-bodied cup of coffee that’s easy to make, the French Press is a good option. If you prefer a clean, nuanced cup of coffee and are willing to put in a little more effort, the Pour Over is the way to go.

Here’s a quick recap to help you decide:

• Choose the French Press if: You want a strong cup of coffee, Easy to use and clean, Prefer a less nuanced flavor
• Choose the Pour Over if: You prefer a clean cup of coffee, Willing to experiment with brewing techniques, you have the time and prefer the flavor.

French Press

Pour Over