If you’re a coffee enthusiast, you know how good it feels to experiment with different kinds of brewing methods.
It’s all part of the wonderful adventures that a good cup of coffee can provide. You can now brew the perfect coffee at home with the most amazing appliances available.
The French Press and the V60 are two different appliances that are popularly used to make aromatic and delectable coffee. They are immensely popular for their quality and refinement.
But what’s the difference between them? Which one is more suitable for your daily caffeine adventures? Dive right in to find out everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What Is A French Press?
The French Press, also commonly called the cafetiere or a coffee press is a straightforward apparatus to extract great flavor from ground coffee beans. The French Press coffee maker comprises a distinct cylindrical glass container.
The coffee beans and the hot water go into the cylinder. The ground beans and hot water are pressed together with the plunger. The bottom of the cylinder also has a filter that helps separate the grounds from the brewed coffee.
What Is A V60?
The V60 Coffee Maker extracts the vital aromas and tastes from the coffee bean with the help of a vacuum.
This brewing process differs significantly from the French Press in terms of how the coffee is made.
The dripper of the V60 is in the shape of an inverted cone.
It pours boiling water all over the ground coffee in the cone filter to produce a bed of coffee grounds through which the water will permeate.
Because of the vacuum procedure, the brew is uniformly removed.
What Are The Differences Between a French Press and V60?
Operation
The water temperature for brewing in the French Press is roughly 92-96 degrees Celsius or 195 degrees Fahrenheit, which keeps the coffee oils from floating to the top of the machine during brewing.
A French press plunger helps extract all of the valuable aromas and oils from the beans, adding more depth.
For the V60, the favorable water temperature is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit, over 5 degrees higher than the temperature required for brewing using a French Press. This is because the coffee machine employs a vacuum to brew the coffee, necessitating additional heating.
Grind Size
Talking about the grind size, coarse ground coffee is ideal to make coffee in a French Press.
The grind size of the beans for French Press will be somewhat coarser than espresso coffee but not coarser than those used in drip coffee machines.
V60 has a medium to fine grind size. This is due to the fact that with the pour-over technique, a finer grind is preferable to obtain an evenly flavored drink.
And while a V60 is excellent, it isn’t quite as great as a French Press.
Taste
The aroma and flavor of French Press coffee are pretty peculiar and rich.
The French Press extracts about the same amount of caffeine as other techniques but considerably quicker.
This makes it more appealing to coffee drinkers since it has a smooth texture.
The flavor of V60 coffee is robust and delicious. It has a mild, smooth, and light taste. This is the place to go if you want to get the ultimate coffee experience possible.
V60 also makes a large amount of coffee at once; hence it is appropriate for a large group of people or a family.
Ease Of Use
Even for those with limited experience of brewing fresh coffee at home, the French press coffee machine is simple to operate.
You’ll be able to produce fresh French press coffee in minutes every morning once you learn how to make the coffee and clean the device correctly.
It prepares coffee with just the right amount of milk. But, if you want to learn about the intricacies of coffee, this approach isn’t the one for you.
Compared to the French Press, the V60 requires more experience and expertise. Water can pass through the coffee in various ways, and the technique depends on the user.
Different factors such as temperature, filter washing, pre-heating the pour-over, aggressive pouring, and so on you must consider while using a V60.
Cost
The price of a French Press is relatively low. It will set you back at approximately $15, which is quite affordable.
The French Press is an excellent choice for someone who enjoys coffee and wants to enjoy the rich flavor at home. If you are looking for an affordable French Press then make sure to read our full review.
V60 is priced at about $40. Hence, you’ll have to pay more than what you would pay for a French Press. It is pricey, but you can purchase a V60 in various colors and designs, making it worth the price.
Cleaning & Maintenance
It’s effortless to clean the French Press, and hence it is very easy to maintain. Just use some warm soapy water, and you are good to go. It’s finished once you rinse out the internal chamber and the plunger with warm water.
However, dissembling the apparatus every time can be complex. Just keep in mind to clean the machine every once in a while.
Cleaning the V60, however, is a little more difficult task than cleaning the French Press, but it’s still doable. You need to remove the V60’s filter and fill it with soapy water. You can rinse the cone with water as well. Then repeat the same for the dripper, and it’s done
| Aspects | French Press | V60 |
| Operation | The ground beans and hot water are pressed together with the plunger to obtain high-quality coffee | The flavor from ground coffee beans is extracted with the help of a vacuum |
| Taste | French Press gives you rich and aromatic coffee | V60 imparts a mild yet pleasant flavor |
| Grind Size | Coarse ground coffee size is ideal | Fine grind size of coffee is suitable |
| Ease Of Use | Relatively easy to use | Complex to operate |
| Cost | Inexpensive and affordable | Could be expensive |
| Maintenance | Requires less effort in cleaning and maintenance but can be complex to disassemble | Easy to clean but requires maintenance |
What Should You Choose?
If you like subtle flavors with coffee, go for the V60. It could be quite susceptible to differences in grind size or pouring method, so it’s ideal for those who get the satisfaction of fine-tuning settings to get the perfect beverage.
You can prepare a genuinely great cup of coffee if you’re well versed with the settings and operation.
However, the V60 could be a bit pricier compared to a French Press if you are on a budget. It is also comparatively complex to use and demands skills.
On the other hand, the French Press is an inexpensive and easy-to-use device that any beginner can use effortlessly.
It is an excellent solution for producing large amounts of coffee in a hands-off manner. All you need to do is set it and wait for it to be ready.
You also get richer and more aromatic coffee with a French Press making it a great choice.
In the end, the decision revolves around your needs and preferences. You should purchase the most appropriate device keeping in mind the functions of the device, user requirements, and budget constraints.
FAQs
What Is Better: French Press Or A V60?
Both of the devices have their own set of pros and drawbacks. The French Press is simpler to operate than the V60 since it has a straightforward operation, but the coffee quality may not be as smooth.
V60 has a complicated system that allows for excellent brewing, but it requires the use of specific filters.
Which Coffee-To-Water Ratio You Can Use For Pour-Over Coffee?
Pour-over coffee uses the same ratio of coffee to water as a conventional drip coffee. For a typical cup, a 1:17 ratio, and for a stronger cup, a 1:15 ratio is suitable.
Is It Possible To Make Tea In A French press?
Yes, you can use a French Press to make tea. Place a teaspoon of loose tea in your French Press, then pour in a cup of boiling water, cover, and steep. Then press the plunger to release the liquid into the cups.
Do not keep the hot tea steeping in the French Press for a prolonged time as with coffee. If the tea is over-brewed, it will become bitter.
Conclusion
Both French Press and V60 are pretty competent at what they do. However, you get different tastes and textures of coffee with each. It would be best if you went for the one that fits right into your liking.
If you’re searching for an affordable and easy-to-use appliance for your morning coffee, go for a French Press. But in case you want a high-quality and fine coffee, opt for a V60!
