What Can You Do With A French Press? A Lot!
Although I’m not a coffee drinker, there are so many other practical uses for french presses that I ended up buying one of my own! Because as it turns out, you can do a lot more with a “french press” coffee maker than make coffee!
In less than an hour of research on the topic, I discovered 9 other uses for french presses that were so clever and useful. I had no idea that such a low-tech kitchen tool could be quite so helpful! Check out those 9 french press uses below — I bet you’ll be as surprised and delighted as I was!
Related: 20 Brilliant Uses for Coffee Grounds
9 Surprising French Press Uses
1. Rinse Grains
It’s so quick and easy to rinse grains like rice, quinoa, and farro in a french press coffee maker! Just pour the grains into the carafe and cover them with water. Put the top in place and press the plunger down to separate the water from the grains. Pour the water out, and your grains will be rinsed and ready to cook!
Related: Should You Rinse Rice? The Answer Is Surprisingly Important
2. Infuse Oils
You can use a french press to make delicious herb-infused olive oil. Toss a handful of fresh herbs into the french press (rosemary makes a great choice!) and cover them with olive oil. Put the top in place, then put the french press into your fridge for a couple of days. Then press the plunger down, and pour your deliciously infused oil over bread, fish, vegetables, and more!
Related: DIY Flavored Cooking Oils + 4 Other Homemade Gift Ideas!
3. Rehydrate Dried Foods
Whenever you need to rehydrate a dried food like cranberries, peppers, or mushrooms for a recipe, reach for the french press! Just place the dried food inside and cover with hot water. Let the food rehydrate for a few minutes, then press and discard the water. Easy!
4. Froth Milk
Did you know that you can froth warm milk using a french press? It’s true! Just fill your french press about halfway with warm milk, then slide the plunger up and down to start frothing the milk. Continue this for about 30 seconds, or until the milk is frothed to your liking! Use it in your morning coffee to make it extra special.
5. Strain Wet Foods
Frozen foods can be really convenient, but thawing them often leaves you with a lot of extra moisture that you don’t want. To get rid of all that extra water, use a french press! Place thawed spinach, thawed shredded potatoes, or any other kind of wet food in the french press. Press the plunger down firmly and pour out the excess water.
Related: The Best Foods From The Freezer Aisle + A Quick Pasta Salad
6. Make Tea
French presses aren’t only useful for coffee—you can make tea in them too! Measure out your tea leaves and place them in the bottom of the carafe. Cover with the correct amount of hot water, and let the tea steep for the recommended amount of time. Then just press the plunger down and pour yourself a lovely cup of tea!
Related: All-Natural Tea Treatments for Common Ailments
7. Make Almond Milk
Have you ever tried making homemade almond milk? I highly recommend giving it a try! It’s delicious and not as complicated as you might expect. Check out the directions at the post below, and make it even easier by using a french press instead of cheesecloth when it’s time to strain the almonds.
More Ideas You'll Love
Related: How To Make Homemade Almond Milk
8. Infuse Water
Use a french press to make tasty and refreshing infused waters! Just add fruit and/or herbs to the french press and cover them with cold filtered water. Put the french press into your fridge overnight, then press and enjoy the next day! (Try infusing water with strawberries and fresh mint leaves—my favorite!)
9. Keep Herbs Fresh
Many fresh herbs last longer when stored with their stems in a little bit of water, including cilantro, mint, and dill. A french press is perfect for this purpose!
Just pour an inch or two of water into the bottom of your french press, then insert the top piece about halfway. Place your fresh herbs upright between the strainer and the lid, then press the plunger down just enough to submerge the stems. Store the whole thing in your fridge to help keep your herbs fresh!
Related: 36 Easy Food Storage Tips That Will Save You A Fortune
Looking For More Posts Like This?
- I’ve written dozens of blog posts about creative alternative uses for everyday items, and now there’s a quick and easy way to peruse them!
- Check out all of my “Uses For” posts here.
Do you use a french press coffee maker at home?
Love your tips they are the best amazing how baking soda n vinegar clean so much
Please log in or create a free account to comment.N cost less
You put a tip on here about cooking quinoa in a french press, but I can’t find it now Could you dig it out again for me please? Thanks, I love OGT
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Linda! I actually only posted about cleaning quinoa in a french press, I’m not sure that you can cook it in one. Sorry for the confusion :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Haha, trust me to read it wrong Thank you anyway
I’ve tried using the coffee press to strain my almond milk, but it oozed up above the strainer, probably because of the extremely fine texture of it since I made it in my Vitamix, running it for about two minutes. My pulp is not grainy at all. I found a way around this that works, but it IS an extra step, albeit one that works VERY well, making the extra step worth the time and effort. I strained it through a very fine-mesh piece of nylon cloth I happen to have (one could also use a clean section of nylon hosiery), then twisting the nylon to hold it closed, I placed it in my potato ricer and gave it a good squeeze. I got lots more milk from it because I can get some leverage with the ricer that I can’t usually get just using my arthritic hands, plus it all stays in the nylon mesh during the process and leaves a nice crumbly dry pulp. Now I have a great second use for that ricer that lies around in a drawer. I also use the ricer to remove water from frozen spinach. Works like a dream! And guess what I never use the ricer for. You got it, ricing potatoes! LOL
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Awesome ideas! I bought mine for making herbal tea in…I have wild mint growing in my field. I’m always needing a way to infuse it, the cloth bags you can buy leave a ‘fabric’ taste to me, and the tea ball lets leaves get loose…but these other ways are wonderful, especially the almond milk idea…I have been wanting a way to make mine a bit less grainy, I think this will work! The other ideas are amazing also…I will give them a try as well. I do like infused waters, oh and the way to rinse the tiny grains – GENIUS! Thank you so very much! Blessings.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Chrissie!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love these suggestions. Wow, who would have thought a coffee press could do all this? I have one that never gets used but it will now.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Ruthann!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Good ideas! I also use mine to make cold brew for my iced coffee drinks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love to make coffee in my press but just don’t get it out – but I sure will now. I adore frothy milk in my coffee and really want to try the mint/strawberry trick for drinking more water. I also want to try to make a coffee dessert by mixing softened ice cream with coffee and this press may be just the thing to make it. Now I’m off to experiment – thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea. I think I’d prefer using a press over a cheesecloth. Thanks!
If anyone is watching their potassium intake, this website has a similar recipe for making homemade almond milk. It states the almond meal is what contains the most potassium. I make this almond milk for my mom without any sweeteners or salt.
https://www.davita.com/recipes/beverages/homemade-almond-milk/r/12155
Hope this helps
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you I will try this French press options !
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Also, you can put just the glass section in the microwave with milk in it and froth either before or after to have hot milk for coffee. Thanks for all your great ideas.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a french press sitting in a drawer, and I love these ideas. Thank you for the tips!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for putting out OGT every day…I look forward to it. May I offer a suggestion though for your readers? Can you tell the person who designs your website to have the subject line (ie Almond Milk) above the commentary and then the picture? The readers user experience doesn’t flow as it’s currently designed. It seems like the subject line from the previous tip is for the next picture.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks and continued success!
I agree. It frustrates me too to see the pic and then the description. It’s a little thing but it would be helpful to have t the other way around.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve gotten used to the format, but I agree it is awkward. I haven’t said anything because sometimes when a reader suggests a format change the blogger gets all offended, saying it is HER site and she will do it however she wants. It is true, but I’m sure most bloggers would like to make their pages easier for their readers to browse and will welcome constructive suggestions.
Thanks for your suggestions, I’ll have to reconsider the layout :-)
So simple but brilliant ideas! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Olga!
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