If you want to make coffee at home, one of the first things you’ll need to decide on is which type of coffee maker to get. There are many options out there, from the standard drip coffee maker to the fancy espresso machine and everything in between. One of the easiest ways to make coffee at home, however, is with a French press coffee maker. Here are some things to look out for when buying one of these handy little appliances.

The size of the water container

If you like big cups of coffee, it’s important that your water container can accommodate enough water. A large size is preferable, so you’ll never be caught off guard when you go to make another cup of coffee. A large water container means less refilling and cleanup, so it’s win-win! Also consider how easy it will be to fill up; if there are no handles or little grips on your French press, you might find yourself making more trips to the sink than necessary.

A clear indicator of which way is up 

You should always know which way is up on any device that uses gravity for brewing. If you have an accident with water spilling out over your countertops, or even worse into your electrical outlets, it could cause some serious damage.

The Size of the Ground Coffee Container

A large container will enable you to make larger batches of coffee at once, which means less time spent making coffee later on. Look for one that’s between 1- and 2-quarts, which will let you brew 6-12 cups at once. The larger your grounds container is, however, the more difficult it can be to clean. Make sure there are not too many nooks and crannies where grounds can get stuck!

The Amount of Time it takes to Brew

Although no one likes waiting, it’s essential that you select a coffee maker that brews quickly. This is important because you’ll be busy starting your morning and might forget about your coffee if it takes too long. The great thing about large French press coffee makers is that they typically brew quickly, taking between 5 and 10 minutes from start to finish.

The Heating Mechanism

There are three main kinds of heating mechanisms for making coffee. The first is steam-heating, which involves hot water being forced through wet coffee grounds with steam under pressure. The second is immersion, wherein boiling water is poured over dry grounds and steeped before serving. And third is pressurization (French Press), where boiling water and ground coffee are mixed together and forced through fine mesh or gauze by hand pressure, sometimes assisted by a rubber plunger.

Easy To Use Lid

The lid of your French press is important because you’ll want it to open and close easily. After all, you’re going to be using it several times throughout your day (well, at least if you drink a lot of coffee). You also don’t want it to leak, so make sure it doesn’t have any rough edges or seams. Most importantly, check that it can fit inside most mugs!