How to Clean a French Press

First, get rid of the grounds

• Once the French press has cooled, remove the plunger and empty the grounds from the beaker with a spoon or by tapping the beaker gently over the bin.
• Do not pour the grounds down the sink; they can build up in the drain pipe and cause a blockage (how to clean a bathroom drain).
• Swirl the remaining grounds with a little water and empty them into a strainer or the bin.

How to clean a French press: step by step

• Remove the glass beaker from the metal frame; if the frame is fixed, wash the beaker together with the frame.
• Fill a basin with lukewarm water and add a little TETİK Dishwashing Liquid.
• Wash the beaker inside and out with a soft sponge or bottle brush; pay attention to coffee marks on the bottom of the beaker.
• Take the plunger and filter apart as described below and wash them separately.
• Rinse all parts with plenty of water, dry them and reassemble only once completely dry.

How to clean a French press filter

A French press filter usually consists of a metal mesh, a spring and a carrier disc and is screwed onto the plunger rod. Unscrew the filter from the rod and lay the parts side by side so you remember their order. Clean the mesh and disc with lukewarm water, a little dishwashing liquid and a soft brush, brushing the coffee particles trapped in the mesh from both sides. Rinse the parts with plenty of water, dry them and refit them in the same order. If the mesh is torn or deformed, use the manufacturer's spare part.

The glass beaker and coffee marks

• Soften dark coffee marks built up in the beaker by soaking briefly in warm soapy water, then wipe them off with a soft sponge.
• Do not put the glass beaker in cold water while hot; a sudden temperature change can crack the glass.
• For coffee splashed on fabric and worktops: how to remove coffee stains.
• For glass jugs: how to clean a water jug.

Stainless steel French press

Double-walled stainless steel French presses do not break and keep the heat longer. Wash the steel beaker with lukewarm water, a little dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge, rinse with plenty of water and dry immediately so no water marks remain. Steel wool and abrasive powder scratch the steel. For general care of stainless surfaces, see the guide how to clean stainless steel.

Can a French press go in the dishwasher?

A French press goes in the dishwasher only if the manufacturer allows it. The glass beaker can break by knocking against other dishes in the machine, and on models with wooden or plastic handles the handle can be damaged. If the manufacturer allows it, place the beaker and the dismantled filter parts in the top basket so they do not touch. Coffee particles in the filter mesh may not come out completely in the machine; brushing the filter by hand is more effective.

What not to do

• Pouring the grounds down the sink.
• Putting the glass beaker in cold water while hot.
• Using limescale remover in a French press.
• Using steel wool and abrasive powder.
• Settling for just rinsing the filter without taking it apart.

For cafés

In cafés, French press service is used over and over throughout the day; throwing the grounds in the bin after each service, taking the filter apart and brushing it at the end of the day and protecting glass beakers from sudden temperature changes make for a consistent routine. For a daily cleaning routine, see our guide how to clean a café. TETİK Dishwashing Liquid is produced in 750 g, 5 kg, 20 kg and 30 kg packs; for bulk purchases you can request a quote.