There are different types of coffee makers to choose from, but only a few of them have become people’s favorite and have prestige. Examples of that kind of brewer that most people love are the siphon coffee maker and the French press.

These coffee makers have been embraced fully by coffee lovers. These two brewers may have a similar level of fame, but they are very different from each other. If you want to buy a coffee maker, and you don't understand the differences between the two brewers, then you shouldn't hurry to make a decision.

You have to consider both options carefully. You need to know the taste of the coffee they brew, how to brew it, and the method that suits your preference and lifestyle.  Lucky for you, we are here to make your decision easier. We will walk you through everything you need to know about these two brewers. After reading, you’ll be able to know which of them is right for you. 

FOR DESIGN

The Siphon coffee maker and French press are eye-catching, they are both made of glass (glass carafe for the French press). You might be mistaken to say they are of the same make, especially because of the design. 

FRENCH PRESS

The French press is a very simple coffee brewing equipment. As we mentioned, it is made of a glass carafe and has a filter that's made of steel. The filter is attached to the lid of the brewer, and it looks like a frame with a steel handle. The French press is fine, classic, and very dependable. 

THE SIPHON COFFEE MAKER

This brewer is also not made up of plenty of parts, just a few, but it is a bit more complex than the French press brewer. You’ll find a low bulb that suspends in the air when it is mounted. Under the bulb, you’ll find a source of heat- it comes with a butane burner. Above the bulb, you’ll see a glass cylinder that has a cloth filter. 

When the water in the bulb has boiled, it will get sucked up by a vacuum to the upper chambers of the brewer. When the brewing process is over, the heat has to be removed from the equipment. The next thing is that the vacuum will suck the already brewed coffee into the bulb, so the coffee grounds will not enter your brew, it will be left behind.

This brewer may seem complicated, but you’d get a hang of it over time. The brewing process is striking and fascinating. Some siphon coffee lovers say it makes them look like a scientist. 

COFFEE FLAVORS

Because of the dramatic differences in design between the two brewers, they will surely produce coffee with different flavors. 

French Press Produces Rich And Bold Flavors

Coffee that is brewed with a French press will have more robust flavors and produce bold flavors. The French press can even be used to brew espresso-style coffee. Because of the brewer’s design (the stainless steel filter), some of the coffee grounds can pass to your final cup, the same thing with the coffee’s natural flavors and aromatic oils. 

The coffee grounds that found their way to your final cup will add a bit of grittiness to your coffee, and it will bond so well with the acids in the coffee, masking them a bit and giving the coffee a richer and bolder taste.

The aromatic oils will add a more pleasant aroma to the coffee, and you’ll have a creamier mouthfeel when you take a sip. In summary, the French press coffee is full-bodied, strong, deep noted, robust, and gives a mouthfeel. 

Siphon Coffee is Refined And Complex

Siphon coffee on the other end is cleaner, more delicate, and fascinating. The brewing process won't produce coffee with a bold and intense flavor instead, it brings out more of the subtle flavor notes.     

This is because of the coffee filter. The stainless part of it is wrapped inside a special kind of cloth, so the coffee grounds won't be able to make their way to the final cup. However, you’ll still find the aromatic oils in the coffee.

Due to the presence of the filter, all the grittiness and deep flavors the grounds produce won't be there. So this means that the acid in the coffee will poke more than that of the French press coffee. The siphon coffee maker produces coffee with creaminess, natural oils, and acidity. So, you see why we said it's complex? In summary, the siphon coffee is clean, bright, light, and has a creamy body. 

BREWING PROCESS

Let's walk you through how to use both brewers.

How To Make The Siphon Coffee

The process isn't as difficult as people think, but it can be time-consuming.

• First, you need to add filtered hot water into the bottom chamber.
• Then connect the bottom chambers and the top chamber and place it on the butane burner.
• When the water has moved to the top chamber, you can add the coffee grounds (remember to grind fresh coffee, so you can get the full flavors).
• Use a tablespoon of medium ground coffee for 5 ounces of water. Allow the coffee to sit for a minute.
• You can preheat your mug while the coffee is brewing.
• Now, remove it from the burner, at this point, you’ll see that the coffee has gone to the bottom chamber. Pour the coffee into your mug and enjoy.

Related: How To Grind Coffee

How To Make French Press Coffee

• Grind your coffee beans in a burr grinder and add them to the carafe.
• Add some of the filtered hot water and allow it to bloom.
• Pour the remaining water into the carafe and allow it to brew for 4 minutes.
• When it's past four minutes, pull the plunger to filter the coffee.
• Pour your coffee into a mug and enjoy. Now we are going to highlight the pros and cons of the brewing method below.

PROS AND CONS OF THE FRENCH PRESS COFFEE MAKER

Pros

• The French press coffee maker is faster and more convenient, it is perfect if you always have a busy morning.
• It is one of the cheapest ways to brew coffee in your house. You can use coffee made from the French press to try other coffee drinks.
• The French press coffee is stronger and robust because it brews for a long time while the siphon coffee maker brews a cleaner cup. 

Cons

• The French press coffee maker does produce coffee with strong flavors. It can easily over-extract if you didn't use the correct grind size- maybe you used finer grounds instead of coarse.
• The French press is simple in design, so you won't impress your friends or colleagues the same way you would if you were using the siphon, coffee maker.

PROS AND CONS OF THE SIPHON COFFEE MAKER

Pros

If you are having breakfast with your family or friends, bring out your siphon coffee maker and everybody will be impressed with the work it can do. It is perfect for lighter roast coffee

Cons

It is harder to clean and can break easily The bottom chamber is more difficult to clean because it is very tiny, and no cleaning cloth can fit into it. Over time, it can start producing flavors you don't like.

WHICH ONE IS BEST FOR YOU?

For a lot of people, the French press is the best way to go. It is a faster and easier coffee maker and the cleaning process is easy too. All you have to do is remove the plunger and wash the press with water and soap, mixed with vinegar if you like. But you’ll spend some time cleaning the siphon maker. 

If you already bought a French press, and it has become boring, you want to get creative, try something new, then you should opt for the siphon coffee maker. It will give you a cleaner cup, and it is an interesting piece that will fascinate people that come over. When the visitors are around, offer to brew a fresh cup of coffee and show them how fascinating the siphon brewer is and the physics behind the brewing method. 

FINAL WORDS

There are a lot of coffee makers, but these two can give you the kind of coffee you need, check out the pros and cons for both brewing methods and find out what suits your preference and lifestyle. Then go ahead, invest in one and start brewing. Another idea is to get both coffee makers instead of wondering what it is like to own one. A French press and a siphon brewer will have different roles in your kitchen depending on what you are in the mood for.

Before you start, you should ensure that you are brewing with freshly roasted coffee beans so you’ll be sure of getting all the flavors we mentioned and making the best out of your newly acquired brewer. 

Order Freshly roasted coffee beans here and start brewing!