Bodum Brazil French Press: We Got Our Rich Cup Of Joe

Here’s how we would sum up Bodum Brazil French press coffee maker in a few words after using it for six months: good size, quick rinse clean, easy to use, and able to make full-bodied coffee.

However, before you click on the “buy now” button, you should know it’s not all rainbows and roses. Truth be told: some areas of this French press still need improvement. We’re going to cover all features of this French press, so you can finally decide if it’s a perfect solution for you.

Here’s how Bodum Brazil French press faired when we trailed this product.

Summary: The Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker

• Dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to clean
  
• Made of premium quality borosilicate glass and reusable stainless steel filter
  
• Available in several different coffee measurements
  
• Easy to use and great for beginners

Does what it’s supposed to and is easy to use. Good quality product at a good price.

– Customer review

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The Bodum Brazil French Press Review

You’re bound to come across Bodum when shopping for a French press. This brand has been manufacturing presses for years and is among the most popular French press brands. Even famous Starbucks stocks Bodum presses despite having their own French press model.

French presses are all about the material, construction, and filter; all those factors determine ease of use and, most importantly, coffee quality. Let’s look at these critical characteristics of the Bodum Brazil coffee maker.

Bodum Brazil French Press Review

• Aesthetic Appeal
• Ease of Use
• Custom Brewing Features
• Portability

3.9

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Aesthetic Appeal – 4/5

Bodum Brazil coffee maker has a durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass beaker that won’t crack even under high temperatures (1). The glass is resistant to stains and odours, which means it’s not going to alter the coffee’s natural flavour. Apart from the heat-resistant body, there is a stainless steel filter and plunger.

The design is simplistic, and the housing is minimal. The glass body lets you watch the infusion as it happens. Also, the simple design makes it easy to use and maintain the coffee maker. It’s lightweight, and you can wipe it down with a sponge.

This French press coffee maker also has plastic parts, such as housing. Bodum uses BPA-free plastic, so you don’t have to worry chemicals will get into your coffee (2). Moreover, the handle is a cool touch thanks to the plastic housing.

Note: You need to be careful with handling this French press coffee maker. If you drop the press or tap too hard, it’ll crack. We also advise against using it with metal spoons. Keep in mind, the warranty doesn’t cover the glass parts. So just opt for a plastic or wooden spoon to stir the grounds.

Ease of Use – 4/5

Bodum Brazil French has a three-part filtration system. A stainless steel mesh is held in place by a spiral plate on top and a cross plate below, and it’s easy to disassemble and clean.

This superb coffee maker is dishwasher-safe. You can remove the stainless steel plunger and clean the whole press in the dishwasher. However, it’s also easy to wash it by hand. It’s less time-consuming than loading it in the dishwasher and waiting for the cycle to be done (and if you’re a coffee fiend like us, you will like having access to your press at all times). Once you manage to dump out brewed ground coffee, rinse the press underwater with some soap, and the press is good to go again in minutes.

Custom Brewing Features – 4/5

French presses use metal filters, which allow coffee oils into your cup. This results in a full-bodied brew that French press coffee lovers like.

The filter is the central aspect that determines coffee quality. The Bodum Brazil has a stainless steel filter with dual-layer filtration and a spiral plate that nicely fits the beaker to prevent grounds from reaching your coffee cup.

Generally, very few coffee grounds get through the mesh, no matter how well-designed a press is. If you find French press coffee too grainy, try adjusting the fineness of the coffee grounds — the coarser the grounds, the lower the chance they’ll end up in your cup. Medium or coarse grinds are the best.

Finally, here’s how to brew delicious coffee step-by-step:

1. Measure the coffee beans and use 1 g of coffee for 15 g of water.
2. Grind the beans. It’s best to use a coarse grind when brewing coffee in a French press to prevent over-extraction (3).
3. Pour a little water into the French press to lightly saturate the coffee grounds, and wait about 30 seconds for the coffee to bloom.
4. Pour in 340 ml of hot water.
5. Let the coffee steep for four minutes before plunging.
6. Let the coffee settle for a few seconds, and pour your freshly brewed coffee.

French presses generally don’t have any bells and whistles, and the same goes for the Bodum Brazil. However, you can use it for making other drinks apart from the coffee brew:

• Tea — Brew loose-leaf tea in the French press. The plunger removes the sediment, so you have a clean cup of tea (4).
• Cold brew coffee — Cold brew is one of the slowest coffee extraction methods. You need to steep coarse coffee grounds in cold water for at least 12 hours to get a low-acidity brew. You can do this in a French press glass carafe by leaving it in the fridge overnight and using the stainless steel plunger to strain the grounds.
• Milk froth — Use a French press to froth the milk. Heat the milk, pour it into your French press, and raise and lower the plunger rapidly to aerate the milk and get a thick milk texture (5).

Overall, a French press isn’t the most advanced coffee brewing method. But you can experiment and customize your brew. Change the grind size, water-to-coffee ratio, and steeping time, or use it for brewing other drinks.

Portability – 3.5/5

The Bodum Brazil French press coffee maker is lightweight and small, and the lid prevents spillage. This French press comes in three sizes:

1. Bodum Brazil 3-cup French press — 12 oz./0.35 litres
2. Bodum Brazil 8-cup French press coffee maker — 34 oz./1 litre
3. Bodum Brazil 12-cup French press — 51 oz./1.5 litres

The first size is best for one person, while the second is more suitable for a group. The last one is appropriate for a coffee-drinking family or your office needs. If portability is essential for you, the smallest size is the best choice, as it’ll easily fit anywhere.

However, the main downside that hampers portability is the glass carafe. You have to be extremely careful how you pack the press, where you place it in your luggage, and avoid bumping or hitting it.

Value for Money – 4/5

The Bodum Brazil coffee maker is not the cheapest option, but it is far from the most expensive one. If you add up the money you spend buying coffee every morning, you’ll realize how much you’ll save by using a French press.

The filter is well-designed, and your coffee won’t have too much sediment. This French press is an affordable coffee maker that makes delicious coffee you’ll enjoy for years.

Do Not Buy the Bodum Brazil French Press Coffee Maker If…

• You want a French press with an unbreakable carafe — If we compare the Sterling Pro French press vs. Bodum Brazil’s durability, the SterlingPro French press is a clear winner. Unlike the Bodum Brazil, it doesn’t have a glass carafe but a double stainless steel one. Not only is it unbreakable, but it keeps your brew hot for longer. Plus, you won’t burn yourself by touching the carafe.
• You want a stylish French press — If aesthetics are a priority for you, check out another popular Bodum press — the Bodum Chambord. It has a more premium build compared to the Brazil press. The carafe is glass, and stainless steel accents make it modern-looking and stylish.
• You want a portable French press — Brazil’s glass carafe doesn’t make it the best option for use on the go. If you want a French press to take with you, check out the French press from Starbucks. It’s light and portable and has a locking lid that ensures your precious brew won’t spill. Finally, it’s made of plastic, so it can handle bumps and taps.

The Verdict

Overall, the Bodum French press coffee maker is a simple device. It’s unassuming and won’t win any modern design awards soon, but it fits nicely in the kitchen and produces flavourful coffee.

The Bodum Brazil French press is affordable, easy to use, and clean. The filter and the screen do a good job of brewing residue-free brew, and the various sizes make it easy to match different needs.

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