Does your French Press plunger tend to get stuck when you least expect it?
I have been experiencing the same problem for quite some time.
Then one day, I woke up and decided to do something about it.
The most common problem with a stuck French Press plunger is that your coffee is too finely ground, but there may be other reasons.
Keep reading, and find out what you can also do.
Using A French Press
Using the French Press coffee maker makes a great cup of coffee maker, which tends to taste a bit different than using a standard drip coffee maker.
One of the advantages of having a French Press coffee maker is that you get total control over the brew time because you can let those grounds steep as long (or as short) a period of time as you like.
Another great thing about a French Press coffee maker is that brewing a tasty cup of Joe only requires two ingredients: hot water and fresh ground coffee.
But there are times when your French Press will act up and the plunger will get stuck.
This happens when you’re trying to press your French Press plunger down.
When this happens, you will feel like pulling your hair out.
Hey, you’re not alone in this; 80% of French Press plunger users find themselves in that situation.
This article highlights some causes of blockages and how to avoid them. But before we jump in, first things first:
Why is your French Press plunger stuck?
Your French Press plunger may not be working correctly for several reasons.
First, it could be because you ground your coffee beans finer than necessary.
But there are other reasons your French Press plunger as well.
Some of them include the following:
- You grind your coffee beans far too fine.
- You don’t clean your French Press plunger properly.
- You use an old model that needs replaced.
- You don’t stir the grounds of your coffee thoroughly.
Let’s delve deeper into each reason and give you valuable tips that you can use to avoid having a stuck French Press plunger:
1. Clean your plunger filter regularly.
Cleaning your filter is one of the first key things you should consider doing.
There are various ways that you can go about doing this.
For instance, you can use a sharp object like a knife to clean your French Press plunger.
From there, you can either use vinegar or water to clean it.
Follow these easy steps to clean your French Press plunger:
- Remember, it’s always a good idea to separate the pieces when cleaning your French Press plunger. So, first and foremost, unscrew all the filter pieces.
- Rinse your plunger thoroughly to get rid of the grounds.
- Use dish soap to clean the bottom.
2. Use the correct type of grind.
Pay attention to the type of grind that you will be using.
Does it look too fine?
If so, avoid using a grind that is too fine as it can clog your plunger.
Ideally, use a coarse grind, but not too coarse, as it will help to allow the water to go through the French Press plunger.
3. Stir the grounds of your coffee thoroughly.
Another thing that you shouldn’t ignore is stirring the grounds of your coffee thoroughly after adding the water.
Always take your time to stir the mixture well so that the grounds don’t clump.
You can do this immediately after pouring the coffee grounds and hot water.
4. Avoid using French Press plungers that are of inferior quality.
Check the model that you are using. Is it of the best quality?
And how good is its filter?
Those are some of the questions you need to ask yourself when buying a French Press coffee maker.
Only go for the latest model that will allow you to brew the best cup of coffee for yourself, your family, and your guests. N
ever settle for inferior quality.
Last thoughts
If you try the above tricks, but your French Press plunger still gets stuck, perhaps you should consider changing the side of your plunger screen. Enjoy your coffee!