I’ve tried a lot of coffee makers over the years, but one I have returned to frequently is the Bodum Brazil French press I’ve owned for two decades. It’s simple, reliable, and yields a flavorful cup of coffee, so I’ve never felt the need to replace it. Until now. Recently, I was introduced to Pure Over’s new glass French press, and its superior performance and sleek appearance impressed me so much that I’ve decided to finally say bye-bye to my Bodum—or at least give the vintage “heirloom” to my niece for her new apartment.
Like the editor-loved Pure Over pour-over system, the body of the brand’s French press is made entirely of glass so it’s completely free of microplastics and toxic chemicals. It has a double-walled body with a squared handle that gives it a modern flair. A stainless steel plunger and filter are attached to the flat lid, and a glass stir stick is included for agitating coffee grounds. The Pure Over French press also comes with a ceramic base to set the carafe on while brewing and serving coffee.
Before I unboxed the French press, I thought it might be too fragile to actually use. I’ve broken quite a few glass kitchen items in the past, including a water-filtering pitcher that immediately shattered when it hit my sink’s faucet the first time I washed it. Once I held the Pure Over French press in my hands, however, I was happy to find that it had some heft to it. In fact, its carafe was actually much thicker than my Bodum’s.
Making coffee in Pure Over’s French press is as straightforward as any French press: Add roughly half a cup of coarsely ground coffee to the carafe, pour boiling water to the top connection point of the handle, then stir the grounds for about 30 seconds with the glass stick to saturate them and let them bloom. Add the lid, wait four minutes while the coffee steeps, then slowly push down on the plunger until all the grounds are at the bottom of the carafe.
The first few times I used the French press, I was still convinced that it would break. Because it didn’t have a supporting frame I couldn't escape the feeling that the glass would crack as soon as I poured in boiling water or stirred the grounds. But the Pure Over proved me wrong—the thick glass is extremely durable. It excels at retaining heat while keeping the carafe just slightly warm to the touch. And I’m smitten with its slightly angled handle, which looks stylish, provides a firm, comfortable grip, and stays completely cool while lifting and pouring.
But what I really love about Pure Over’s French press is that it makes an incredibly delicious cup of coffee—dare I say even better than my Bodum. It has a rich, robust flavor with a smooth mouth feel and no bitterness or acidity. And the results are consistent. Every time I use it to brew coffee, I get a satisfyingly bold and nuanced cup. I also appreciate that the French press is easy to clean: I just compost the spent grounds and give the carafe, plunger, and filter a quick hand washing (the plunger and filter are dishwasher safe, FYI).
The Pure Over French press, which is also available as a set with matching glass coffee mugs, is the upgrade I didn’t know I needed. It looks so chic in my kitchen and sparks joy in me every time I use it. If you’re looking for a top-quality French press with no plastic parts or harmful chemicals, use your bean and get the Pure Over.