Bodum Brazil French Press

Before using the Bodum Brazil for the first time, wash the carafe, lid, and plunger assembly in warm soapy water and dry thoroughly. All parts are dishwasher safe.

Understanding the Press

The Brazil uses a stainless steel plunger and multi-layer filter to separate grounds from brewed coffee. The lid rotates to open and close the pour spout — keep the spout closed while the coffee steeps to retain heat, then rotate it open before pouring. The 8-cup model holds 1.0L / 34oz. Bodum cup sizing is based on a 4oz European cup — eight cups refers to eight 4oz servings, not eight standard US mugs.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

Use one rounded teaspoon or one Bodum scoop of coarsely ground coffee per cup (per 4oz / 120mL of water). For a full 8-cup press, that is approximately 8 rounded teaspoons or 8 Bodum scoops — roughly 55–60g of ground coffee. Adjust to taste.

Brewing Step by Step

1. Preheat the carafe by rinsing it with hot water, then discard. This helps maintain brew temperature.
2. Pull the plunger fully up and out of the carafe. Add your coarsely ground coffee to the empty carafe.
3. Heat water to approximately 195–205°F (92–96°C) — just off the boil. Pour slowly over the grounds, filling to within at least 1 inch (2.5cm) of the top. Do not overfill.
4. Stir gently with a plastic or wooden spoon — avoid metal, which can crack the glass.
5. Set the plunger assembly on top of the carafe without pressing down. Rotate the lid so the pour spout is in the closed position to retain heat.
6. Steep for 4 minutes.
7. Press the plunger straight down slowly and steadily with even, gentle pressure. Do not force it — if there is strong resistance, the grind may be too fine.
8. Rotate the lid to open the pour spout and pour immediately.

Grind Size Matters

French press requires a coarse grind — similar in texture to coarse sea salt. A grind that is too fine will pass through the filter and produce muddy, gritty, over-extracted coffee, and will also make the plunger very difficult to press. A grind that is too coarse will produce weak, watery results. If you are using pre-ground coffee, look for a grind labeled specifically for French press.

Pour Immediately After Pressing

Once the plunger is pressed, pour the coffee right away or transfer it to a separate carafe or thermos. The grounds remain in contact with the water even after pressing, and the coffee will continue to extract — becoming increasingly bitter the longer it sits. French press is best enjoyed fresh.

After Each Use

Disassemble the plunger by unscrewing the filter assembly from the rod. Rinse all parts — carafe, lid, plunger rod, filter plate, cross plate, and spiral plate — under warm running water to remove coffee grounds and oils. All parts are dishwasher safe and can go on the top rack.

Deeper Cleaning

Wash all disassembled parts with warm soapy water and a soft sponge periodically to remove oil buildup. Coffee oils left on the filter and plunger rod can turn rancid over time and affect the taste of future brews. Rinse thoroughly and allow all parts to dry completely before reassembling.

Glass Carafe Care

The borosilicate glass carafe is heat-resistant but not impact-resistant — handle it with care and avoid setting it on hard surfaces without the base. Do not use abrasive scrubbers on the glass. Never place a cold carafe on a hot surface or add boiling water to a cold carafe that has not been prewarmed — thermal shock can crack the glass.

Plunger Is Difficult to Press Down

The grind is too fine. French press requires a coarse grind — a fine grind compacts against the filter and creates excessive resistance. Use a coarser grind setting and try again. Do not force the plunger, as this can crack the carafe.

Coffee Is Gritty or Has Grounds in the Cup

This is typically caused by a grind that is too fine, allowing particles to pass through the filter mesh. Switch to a coarser grind. Also check that the filter assembly is fully screwed together and that the spiral plate, cross plate, and filter plate are all properly seated — a loose filter allows grounds to bypass the mesh.

Coffee Tastes Weak or Watery

The grind may be too coarse, the steep time too short, or the coffee-to-water ratio too low. Try steeping for a full 4 minutes, increasing the dose slightly, or adjusting the grind slightly finer. Also ensure the water temperature is in the 195–205°F range — water that is too cool will under-extract.

Coffee Tastes Bitter

Bitterness usually indicates over-extraction — the coffee steeped too long or the water was too hot. Pour the coffee immediately after pressing rather than letting it sit in the carafe. Also check that you are not steeping beyond 4 minutes.

Carafe Is Cracked or Broken

Replacement glass carafes and filter components are available directly from Bodum at bodum.com.