Straight to the point
the French press yeti Heavy and durable. It brews an excellent cup of coffee with minimal silt and sediment, but it drips a bit when poured.
While traveling through Japan, my husband and I stopped at a specialty café in Osaka. After sampling the coffee (one cup made in a French press and one with pour over) we bought some store beans. The barista was happy that we liked the coffee enough to buy it and asked what kind of coffee maker we had at home. My husband and I looked at each other and laughed as our kitchen was full of brewers. We began listing our devices, and the waiter nodded, wide-eyed.
At home, if one of us makes one cup of coffee, we do that To pour. However, if we’re having coffee, entertaining friends, or just want a rich, full cup, we turn to the French press.
Although we already have seven French presses on our shelf (and a few more in stock), I was excited to try the newest From yeti. After testing it out, I’m happy to say it’s earned a permanent place on our coffee shelf, next to Colleague Clara and Espro P7.
Tests
- Heat retention test: I preheated the French press with boiling water and brewed a batch of coffee using 60g medium-coarse ground beans and 930g water, at a ratio of 15.5:1 (manufacturer’s recommendation). using Instant-read thermometerI observed the temperature of the coffee immediately after brewing, and after five and 20 minutes. After each temperature check, I would also pour and drink the coffee to assess its quality. I then timed the time it took for the coffee to drop to 130°F, and tasted it again.
- Taste test 1: I brewed one batch of coffee with a 1:16 ratio (42.5g coffee and 680g water) using a medium coarse grind. I made one move at the one minute mark and then dived in four minutes later.
- Taste test 2: I brewed one batch of coffee with a 1:16 ratio (42.5 grams of coffee to 680 grams of water), using very coarse coffee grounds, per Nick Chu’s recipe. It stirred once in 45 seconds and then dived eight minutes later.
- Ease of use and cleaning test: As I brewed and sampled each batch of coffee, I noticed how comfortable the Yeti’s handle was, how balanced the pot was, and whether the lid was dripping. After finishing the coffee, I disassembled the French press, cleaned it thoroughly, and then reassembled it.
What I learned
The extra silicone filter cover was excellent
What makes Yeti different from other French presses? The addition of a hard silicone cover mounts over the filter, which Yeti calls the “GroundsControl Filter.” It fits snugly over the metal mesh and makes pushing the filter down a little more difficult. However, the extra effort is worth it, because this cover serves two purposes. First, it prevents silt and sediment from accumulating in the coffee. Second, this cover prevents water from seeping back into the ground, which can lead to over-extraction.
In the last step of This French press recipeNick Chu suggests pouring the coffee into a separate bowl after steeping it to prevent over-extraction. However, this method dirtys both containers, is very annoying, and takes away any of the insulation used in the French press that can keep the coffee hot. Yeti’s silicone flap does the job much more simply. An hour later, the coffee from it was still hot with no signs of astringency, bitterness, or other evidence of over-extraction.
The ceramic interior was great to clean
like Colleague Clara (one of Serious Eats’ favorite French presses), the interior of the Yeti features a ceramic lining. It is durable and stain-resistant, and the company has added it to a few of its other products, including the stackable product Espresso cups and Cups.
I didn’t use the Yeti French press long enough to properly test the stain-resistant part, but the ceramic lining made cleaning quite a bit easier. The coffee residue came off instantly and the soft interior was quickly hand washed, without having to scrub any coffee oil stains.
It was well designed but heavy
Yeti states that this French press is “over-engineered,” and features 18/8 kitchen-grade stainless steel, a double-walled vacuum body, and a non-slip padded bottom. These are all great qualities, but they add up to a heavy French press. The 34-ounce plunger weighs two pounds 12 ounces, while the 64-ounce version is a pound heavier. In comparison, colleague Clara weighs just over two pounds.
Its plastic cover was its weakest feature
The Yeti French Press has a lid made of thick, durable plastic that twists to lock. The lid has a hole at the top, through which the coffee is poured. (It’s no different than the drinking piece on A Travel mug.) This hole is about one inch from the edge.
This distance and location of the hole means that the coffee tends to drip down the side of the French press after it’s poured. This aspect of the design puzzled me, as Yeti thought about most of the other pain points in French presses like deposits and cleaning, but didn’t take pour-over coffee into consideration as much.
Judgment
Permanent French press yeti It has some drawbacks but makes great coffee. It’s perfect for people who love the full body of a French press but hate sediment in the last cup. It’s easy to clean, well-designed, and backed by a five-year warranty, although the plastic lid drips a bit when pouring coffee.
Pros
This French press makes a great cup of coffee with minimal silt. It is easy to clean thanks to its ceramic lining and is dishwasher safe. The vacuum-sealed body keeps coffee hot for at least three hours – enough time to finish the pot. The French press itself is very durable and sturdy, with a non-slip base.
Cons
The Yeti is heavier than other French presses, so people with wrist or mobility issues may have some difficulty using it. It drips when you open the cap, so be aware of that when pouring. Finally, a 34-ounce Yeti costs $110. That’s $11 more than Clara’s colleague in French journalism And $70 more expensive than Espro P3They both have similar capabilities Serious Eats Winners.
Key specifications
- capacity: 34 or 64 oz
- Dimensions: 8.25 x 6.125 x 4.25 inches (34 oz); 10.25 x 7 x 5 inches (64 oz)
- Material: 18/8 stainless steel with ceramic lining, silicone parts and plastic lid
- Insulation: Yes, double walled
- Filter type: One screen with a silicone “GroundsControl” filter over it
- Dishwasher safe: Yes
Frequently asked questions
How do you use the Yeti French Press?
The Yeti is similar to most French press coffee makers. Assemble the French press by attaching the solid silicone filter to the mesh filter and attaching it to the metal rod. Boil the water and leave it for 30 seconds until it cools down a bit. Then add medium-coarse grinding and the appropriate proportion of water to the bowl.
Typical ratios are 1:14 to 1:16, i.e. 1 part ground coffee to 14 to 16 parts water. For two or three servings of coffee, this might mean 42.5 grams of coffee to 680 grams of water in a 16:1 ratio. Once you add the water, let it sit for one minute, stir a few times, then let it soak for an additional three minutes. Press the plunger slowly and steadily, then pour.
How long does the Yeti French Press keep coffee hot?
During testing, I found that the coffee dropped to 130 degrees Fahrenheit after only three hours. (It’s still hot!) The coffee at this point showed no signs of being over-extracted.
Why we are the experts
- Irvin Lane He is a former barista and coffee drinker who owns over 25 breweries.
- He wrote a cookbook Marbled, quirky, and layeredwhich he chose New York Times As one of the best baking cookbooks of 2016.
- He runs a blog called Eat lovewhere he has been developing, photographing and writing recipes since 2010. Eat the Love has twice been nominated for Best Food Blog by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) in 2016 and 2022.
- He has tested and reviewed hundreds of kitchen appliances, including Stand mixers and Pots.