5 Best One Cup French Press Models: How To Make Single Serve?

If done right, French press coffee can be a delicious morning treat. In case you live alone or consume only a cup of coffee throughout the day, there is no sense in buying large brewers. This is where a 1 cup French press comes in handy.

Apart from it being convenient for brewing a smaller amount of coffee, its size also makes it suitable for use on the go and it requires very little storage space. To help you choose the best one we covered everything from the optimal quality level, design, weight, etc. So let us get started!

The Rundown

Can You Make 1 Cup Of Coffee In A French Press?

Unfortunately, there are no 1 cup press models. The smallest French press is a 12-oz one. It provides you with the option of brewing up to 3 servings at once. However, you can use it to make a single serve at a time by adjusting how much coffee and water you add to the press.

How Is It Different From A Standard Size One?

Not much. A standard size French press provides you with a 4-cup capacity so you only get one additional cup of coffee.

Does Its Size Determine The Price?

No, while it may be a factor, the price never solely depends on the size of an appliance. Other important factors are:

• the brand and its reputation
• design and quality level (the more materials are used the higher the price)
• filtration system and its design
• additional accessories such as replacement filters, etc. (if any are included)

Nothing But Pros…

There are many benefits to having a somewhat smaller single-serve press:

• they do not come at a high cost so you don’t have to stretch your budget
• you get to brew a small amount of coffee and enjoy it straight away
• due to their size, almost all models are super easy to carry and transport
• as you are brewing a smaller amount of coffee there is much less mess in the process

What To Look For In Single-Serve French Press?

Before you set your mind on one specific model, here are some things you should keep in mind:

Size Variations

Of course, all models come in different sizes but all are still rather small and take up very little space. They range from 3 to 8 inches in length, 3 to 7 inches in width, and 4 to 9 inches in height.

Weight And Portability

All these models weigh less than 2 pounds. As a result, you can easily carry them around anywhere you go. Since French presses make both hot and cold brew you can use them even in remote locations where you only have cold water available. In case you want to make a hot brew, you need another heat source, such as a kettle, to heat the water as presses are not made for stovetop use.

Construction Quality

The main materials that are used to make a Frens press are borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and plastic.

Borosilicate Glass
Borosilicate glass is only used to make the press body or a “carafe” if you will. It easily withstands both high and low temperatures but it might break if you accidentally drop the press. For this reason, it is often enclosed inside steel or plastic housing.

Stainless Steel
When it comes to quality, nothing beats stainless steel because of its durability, rust resistance, and excellent shock absorbance. It also offers amazing heat retention thanks to which your brew stays at its optimal temperature level.

Plastic Models
Plastic is most often used to make the handle or the presses lid, not so often in the body itself. Even if you opt for a model that is entirely made out of plastic the only thing you need to make sure of is that it is entirely BPA-free. This ensures that the press is safe for use.

Heat Retention

If this is very important to you, choose a stainless steel model that comes with an additional insulation layer. That way your brew will remain at its optimal temperature level and, at the same time, the exterior of the press will remain safe to touch.

Plunger And The Filter Mesh

The plunger is the key you need to make French press coffee. It is what you use to push the grounds down. Even more important is the mesh filter design. You want a fine mesh filter that removes all the grit from our brew. Triple-layered filters will provide you with an even better performance.

Dripless Design

No one wants to end up with a press that leaks unless it is placed atop a firm, straight surface. To ensure that, look for a model that has a silicone seal around the lid. That way the coffee won’t run out through the small gaps.

Pour Spout

Make sure that the model you like comes with a pour spout that allows you to pour coffee without spilling it all over your countertops. That way you will have very little mess to clean.

5 Best Single Cup French Presses

While the first model is entirely made out of stainless steel material and offers exceptional insulation, the second one is designed to fit better in your hand and is convenient for traveling. Read on to learn more about their differences.

Secura French Press

This press is entirely made out of stainless steel material. This includes both the plunger and the press itself. It comes with a middle insulating layer thanks to which your brew remains at its optimal temperature level for a much longer time than it usually would.

Its triple-layered filter will help you remove all the coffee grit from your brew with every single use. The great thing is that extra 2 filter screens come included in the package so you can easily replace them if they accidentally get damaged.

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ESPRO P1 French Press

If you are in a need of a travel press, this model is your best shot. It features a beautiful slim design thanks to which it will perfectly fit into the palm of your hand. Its insulated body ensures you can easily carry it around even while you have a hot brew inside.

It is specially designed to ensure that the brew does not leak out if you accidentally tip it over. By buying this model, you are getting both the press and a travel mug you can drink straight out from.

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Rainbean Mini French Press

This press is very easy to use. Everything you need to do is add your coffee grounds into the press and pour hot water over them. Once you do, stir the grounds and let them steep for about 4 minutes. Push the plunger down and pour yourself a cup of coffee.

Its handle is specially designed to remain cool to touch even when you have a hot brew inside the press. However, as the glass cup does get pretty hot, you need to be careful not to burn your hands in the process.

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Mira French Press

This is another stainless steel press you can use both for coffee and tea. The best thing is that you can use it both for hot and cold brew. Its insulating layer will preserve the initial temperature (low and high) to ensure you can enjoy your brew for a long time.

This French press for one cup comes in a modern gray color that gives it a bit more sleek appearance. You can take it on the road or use it at home. It provides a full-bodied coffee flavor without any grit in the brew with every use.

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Bodum Chambord French Press

The frame and the lid of this press are made out of stainless steel but are also plated several times with chrome. It provides the steel with an additional durability level and gives it a beautifully shiny surface.

Both its filter and the plunger are very easy to clean. You can simply pop them inside a dishwasher and let the machine do the rest. Once clean, make sure that you dry up all the parts thoroughly so you have them ready for the next use.

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Can You Make A Single Serving In A French Press?

Yes, you can. The only thing you need to do is adjust the amount of water to ensure that you end up with a single serve.

Simple Steps To A Perfect Brew

Here are some simple steps you can follow to make a perfect French press brew (all measurements are based on an 8 oz cup):

1. Heat the water to a boiling point using an electric kettle or a stovetop pot.
2. Add a bit of water into the press and swirl it around for a bit. This will help heat the press. As a result, your brew will be able to maintain its temperature for a longer time. Now, dispose of the water.
3. Add about 17 grams or 2-2.5 tablespoons of your coffee grounds into the press (medium-coarse is the best grind size) and pour 8 oz or 237 ml of hot water over them.
4. Stir the grounds using a wooden utensil, place the lid in its place, and let the coffee steep for 4 minutes.
5. Once the time runs out press the plunger down. Do this slowly and with an even pressure to remove all the grit from your brew.

That is it, if you followed all these steps, you should have a delicious brew that is ready to be served.

Can You Make French Press Coffee Without A French Press?

Yes and no. You can not make French press coffee, but, you can make a brew that resembles French press:

1. Heat the water to a boiling point.
2. Add coffee grounds into a bowl.
3. Pour enough hot water over the grounds to ensure that they get evenly saturated and let them bloom for about 30 seconds.
4. Add the remaining 6 to 8 ounces of water into the bowl and let it sit like that for up to 4 minutes.
5. Now, place a strainer over your coffee cup and pour the brew over it. Use a spoon to press out the grounds inside the strainer (that way you will drain out all the flavors but your coffee won’t be gritty.

You can also try this brewing method if you never had a French press brew. If you like it, we recommend that you buy a real press as it is much simpler to use and isn’t that expensive.