Whereas touring via Japan, my husband and I ended at a specialty espresso store in Osaka. After sampling its espresso (one cup made in a French press and one other with a pour-over) we purchased among the store’s beans. The barista was happy that we favored the espresso sufficient to buy it and requested what kind of espresso makers we had at residence. My husband and I checked out one another and laughed as a result of our kitchen is overrun with brewers. We began itemizing our gadgets, and the barista nodded alongside wide-eyed.

At residence, if one in all us is making a single cup of espresso, we do a pour-over. Nevertheless, if we’re each having espresso, entertaining associates, or simply need a richer, full-bodied cup, we attain for a French press.

Although we have already got seven French presses on our shelf (and some extra in storage), I used to be excited to check out the newer one from Yeti. After testing it, I’m comfortable to say it’s earned a everlasting spot on our espresso shelf, subsequent to the Fellow Clara and ESPRO P7. 

The Exams

• Warmth Retention Check: I preheated the French press with boiling water and brewed a batch of espresso utilizing 60 grams of medium-coarse grounds and 930 grams of water, a 1:15.5 ratio (the producer’s advice). Utilizing an instant-read thermometer, I famous the espresso’s temperature instantly after brewing, and after 5 and 20 minutes. Following every temperature verify, I additionally poured and drank the espresso to judge its high quality. I then timed how lengthy it took for the espresso to drop right down to 130°F, tasting it as soon as once more.
• Style Check 1: I brewed one batch of 1:16 ratio espresso (42.5 grams of espresso and 680 grams of water) utilizing medium-coarse grounds. I stirred as soon as on the one-minute mark and plunged after 4 minutes. 
• Style Check 2: I brewed one batch of 1:16 ratio espresso (42.5 grams of espresso to 680 grams of grams water), utilizing very coarse espresso grounds, per Nick Cho’s recipe. I stirred as soon as at 45 seconds and plunged after eight minutes.
• Usability and Cleansing Check: Whereas making and sampling every batch of espresso, I took word of how snug the Yeti’s deal with was, how balanced the pot was, and if the lid dribbled. After ending the espresso, I took aside the French press, cleaned it totally, and reassembled it.

What I Discovered

The Additional Silicone Filter Cowl Was Wonderful

What makes the Yeti totally different from different French presses? The addition of a stable silicone flap that matches over the filter, which Yeti calls the “GroundsControl Filter.” It matches snuggly over the steel mesh and makes pushing the filter down barely harder. Nevertheless, the additional effort is value it, as this flap serves two functions. First, it prevents silt and sediment from winding up within the espresso. Second, this flap stops water from seeping again into the grounds, which might result in over-extraction. 

Within the closing step of this French press recipe, Nick Cho suggests pouring the espresso right into a separate vessel after plunging to stop over-extraction. Nevertheless, this methodology dirties two vessels, is overly fussy, and does away with any of the French press’s insulation that may hold espresso scorching. The Yeti’s silicone flap does the job way more merely. After an hour, espresso from it was nonetheless scorching with none indicators of astringency, bitterness, or different proof of over-extraction.

The Ceramic Inside Was Nice for Cleanup

Just like the Fellow Clara (one in all Severe Eats’ favourite French presses), the Yeti’s inside has a ceramic lining. That is sturdy and stain-resistant, and the corporate has added it to a couple of its different merchandise, together with its stackable espresso cups and mugs. 

I haven’t had the Yeti French press lengthy sufficient to correctly take a look at the stain-resistant half, however the ceramic lining completely made cleanup simpler. Espresso grounds slid proper out and hand-washing the graceful inside went quick, without having to clean off any espresso oil stains.

It Was Effectively Designed However Heavy 

Yeti states that this French press is “over-engineered,” that includes 18/8 kitchen-grade chrome steel, a double-walled vacuum physique, and a padded, non-slip backside. All of those are nice qualities, however they do add as much as a heavy French press. The 34-ounce press weighs two kilos, 12 ounces, whereas the 64-ounce model is a pound heavier. As compared, the Fellow Clara weighs simply over two kilos. 

Its Plastic Lid Was Its Weakest Function

The Yeti French press has a lid constituted of thick, sturdy plastic and twists to lock on. The lid has a gap on prime, which is the place the espresso is poured from. (It’s not dissimilar to the consuming piece on a journey mug.) This opening is about an inch from the sting.

This distance and the placement of the opening means the espresso tends to dribble down the facet of the French press after it’s poured. This facet of the design baffled me, as Yeti thought via many of the different ache factors of French presses like sediment and cleanup however didn’t take pouring espresso into consideration as a lot.

The Verdict

The sturdy Yeti French Press has a number of flaws however makes nice espresso. It’s ideally suited for people who love the total physique of French press however hate the sediment within the final cup. It’s simple to wash, well-designed, and backed by a five-year guarantee, although the plastic lid does dribble a bit when pouring espresso.

The Professionals

This French press makes an excellent cup of espresso with minimal silt. It’s simple to wash as a result of its ceramic lining and can be dishwasher secure. The vacuum-sealed physique retains espresso scorching for a minimum of three hours—loads of time to complete the pot. The French press itself is tremendous sturdy and durable, with a non-slip base.

The Cons

The Yeti is heavier than different French presses, so people with wrist or mobility points may need some difficulties utilizing it. The lid’s opening dribbles, so concentrate on that when pouring. Lastly, the 34-ounce Yeti prices $110. That is $11 greater than the Fellow Clara French press and $70 costlier than the ESPRO P3, each of which have comparable capacities and are Severe Eats winners.

Key Specs

• Capability: 34 or 64 ounces
• Dimensions: 8.25 x 6.125 x 4.25 inches (34-ounce); 10.25 x 7 x 5 inches (64-ounce)
• Supplies: 18/8 chrome steel with ceramic lining, silicone components, and plastic lid
• Insulation: Sure, double-walled
• Filter sort: Single display screen with silicone “GroundsControl” filter over it
• Dishwasher-safe: Sure

FAQs

How do you employ the Yeti French press? 

The Yeti is just like most French press espresso makers. Assemble the French press by attaching the stable silicone filter to the mesh filter and screwing it to the steel rod. Boil water and let it stand for 30 seconds to chill barely. Then add medium-coarse grounds to the pot and the suitable ratio of water. 

Typical ratios are 1:14 to 1:16, that means one half espresso grounds to 14 to 16 components water. For 2 to a few servings of espresso, this may imply 42.5 grams of espresso to 680 grams of water for a 1:16 ratio. As soon as the water is added, let it sit for one minute, stir a number of instances, after which let steep for a further three minutes. Press the plunger down slowly and steadily, then pour.

How lengthy does the Yeti French press hold espresso scorching for?

Throughout testing, I discovered espresso solely dropped to 130°F after three hours. (That’s nonetheless scorching!) Espresso at this level confirmed no indicators of over-extraction.

Why We’re the Specialists

• Irvin Lin is a former barista and coffee-obsessed drinker who owns over 25 brewers.
• He wrote the cookbook Marbled, Swirled, and Layered, which was picked by the New York Occasions as among the finest baking cookbooks of 2016.
• He runs a weblog known as Eat the Love, the place he’s developed, photographed, and written recipes since 2010. Eat the Love was nominated twice for finest meals weblog by the Worldwide Affiliation of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in 2016 and 2022.
• He’s examined and reviewed a whole lot of kitchen gadgets, together with stand mixers and saucepans.