COFFEE GATOR FRENCH PRESS REVIEW: DOES IT MEET EXPECTATIONS?

The Coffee Gator French Press is highly rated by buyers, so I set out to discover if it meets coffee nerd standards.

The Coffee Gator French Press is one of the highest-rated coffee presses on the market, so naturally, I couldn’t resist buying one for testing and review. Does it earn its high praise because it brews great coffee? Or are buyers just smitten with its reasonable price tag? I brewed dozens of batches of coffee to find out. Read on for my answers.

A Full Review Of The Coffee Gator French Press

The Coffee Gator French Press Coffee Maker is one of a slew of similar-looking mass-produced French presses on the market. I expected it to work, but I didn’t expect to be wowed. However, once I got my hands on one, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a few extra touches that helped it stand out from the crowd. I’ll detail the good, the bad, and the unique in this review.

How We Rated It

• Build Quality
• Features
• Coffee Flavor
• Capacity
• Value For Money

4.4

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Why I Love A Good Insulated French Press

Vacuum-insulated coffee presses are often advertised as keeping coffee hot for hours. While this is technically true, it’s not a feature I particularly value. Let me explain. 

Even after you press the plunger, as long as your coffee grounds are sitting in hot water at the bottom of your French press, they’re continuing to extract. Eventually, they’ll over-extract and produce a bitter coffee taste. In my experience, this happens after about 30 minutes. It doesn’t matter that a vacuum-layered stainless steel carafe keeps your coffee warm for hours if it no longer tastes good.

However, I still prefer an insulated French press because it ensures a consistent water temperature throughout the steeping time. That results in a more even extraction and a more flavorful and balanced cup of coffee. As an aside, this is also an excellent reason to preheat your Coffee Gator brewer with a rinse of hot water, especially if it’s a cold morning at the campsite.

If I can’t finish a full pot of coffee within 30 minutes, I’ll pour what remains into a thermos or travel mug designed to keep coffee hotter for longer.

How To Use The Coffee Gator French Press

This coffee maker is very easy to use and incredibly forgiving – general traits of most coffee presses. It works well regardless of bean type or roast level and even delivers a passable cup using pre-ground coffee if you don’t have a good grinder.

Coffee Gator includes a recipe with this brewer that suggests steeping your grounds for 9 minutes. This sounded crazy to me, but I felt compelled to test it out in case they were on to something. They were not. Don’t steep your coffee for 9 minutes unless bitterness is your favorite flavor.

Here is my recipe for coffee brewing with this press, which you can (and should) adjust to your taste.

1. Add 50 grams of coarsely ground coffee to the carafe.
2. Heat 900 mL of water to 200 F.
3. Add enough water to the carafe to completely saturate the grounds and let them bloom for 30 seconds.
4. Add the remaining hot water and put the lid on, ensuring the filter isn’t touching the water’s surface. 
5. Steep for 4 minutes.
6. Press the plunger gently and smoothly. Serve and enjoy!

Is it easy to clean?

This is not the easiest French press to clean. Once you’ve scraped the grounds into the compost, you need to completely disassemble the filter system to remove any trapped fine grounds between the two filters. Then, wash all components in warm, soapy water, as this brewer is not dishwasher safe.

Does The Coffee Gator Brew Good Coffee?

I was really pleased with all the coffee I brewed with the Coffee Gator Press, and I brewed a lot – light and dark roasts, blends and single origins, freshly ground and pre-ground. I tasted black coffee as well as coffee with cream.

The Coffee Gator stands out from the competition thanks to a double-screen filter, which keeps more of the sediment in the press and out of your cup (1). My coffee had a robust and complex flavor and a heavy mouthfeel but without any grit. Even the inevitable layer of silt at the bottom of my mug was minimal.

The double screen filter allows you to experiment with slightly finer grind sizes than a typical French press without worrying about an overly muddy cup. This feature, coupled with the double wall insulation, makes this brewer a particularly excellent choice for light roast coffee lovers.

If you prefer a slightly denser cup, you can easily remove one of the two filter screens to let a few more fines into your brew. While I prefer the coffee I brewed with both filters in place, I appreciate any design feature that adds to a brewer’s versatility. 

For a cleaner cup, you’ll need to spend a bit more for a press with an ultra-fine filter like the Espro P7 or the Fellow Clara.

A Durable Choice For Home Or Travel

The Coffee Gator French Press’s durability is one of its primary selling points. I put it through its paces, dropping it on my tiled floor and hitting the road for a camping trip, and it doesn’t even have a scratch – let alone any damage that would affect performance. Along with heat retention, this was one of the main design goals of company founder Phil Williams (2).

It’s made from surgical-grade 304 stainless steel and has walls that are, on average, about a third thicker than the competition (0.8 mm compared to 0.6 mm) (3). Adding to its travel-friendly design, it comes with a matching mini canister for coffee beans or ground coffee.

Style And Size

Design is always subjective, so I’ll let you decide for yourself. Personally, I’m a fan of the Coffee Gator French Press’s modern, industrial look, with clean lines and a subtle logo. I prefer my coffee gear free from unnecessary flourishes.

The flattened form of the top knob makes it comfortable and easy to press, and the spout is well-crafted for a drip-free pour. Thanks to the double-wall insulation, the cool-touch handle never even gets warm, despite being metal. All in all, I felt like the aesthetics and ergonomics of this brewer were thoughtfully considered.

It’s currently available in three colors. My favorite is the matte grey that has become a trademark of the Coffee Gator brand, but you also have the option of vibrant orange or brushed stainless steel. They seem to rotate color options in and out, so keep your eyes peeled if you’re not enamored with any of the current offerings.

It’s unfortunate that it’s only available in one size (34 oz), but at least it’s the most popular and practical size. You’ll see claims that it’s an 8 cup French press, but that’s a bit of an exaggeration unless you’re talking about espresso cups.

In my experience, it’s perfect for serving three or four people – or two very thirsty people. If you want to make less coffee, I found I could brew as little as a half-carafe (about 16 ounces of coffee) without negatively affecting the coffee flavor. If you want to brew more coffee, you’ll have to shop around for a large capacity option.

Is The Coffee Gator French Press Worth Its Price?

Absolutely. At around $35, the Coffee Gator is one of the most affordable stainless steel French presses on the market. It’s substantially cheaper than the Frieling French Press and similar in price to the Sterling Pro, which doesn’t include the extra filter or travel coffee bean container. Plus, given the Coffee Gator’s durable build, it could easily be the last press pot you ever buy.

Don’t Buy The Coffee Gator French Press If…

• You prefer a traditional glass French press: Glass French presses have an undeniable visual appeal, and if you’re not worried about breakage or insulation, they’re a much more affordable option. Check out the Bodum Chambord for an elegant option or the Kona French Press for something a little more durable; both include a borosilicate glass carafe.

• You want more size options: The Coffee Gator only comes in the standard 34-ounce size. Need something smaller or larger? The Secura Stainless Steel French Press is one of my favorite insulated models, and it’s available in four sizes: 12, 17, 34, and 50 ounces.

• You’re on a tight budget: The Coffee Gator is already one of the cheapest insulated steel presses, but you can pick up the BaristasBuddy The Parisian for a few dollars less. Alternatively, a glass French press like the Bodum Brazil will only run you about half the cost.

The Verdict

The Coffee Gator French Press is a robust and attractive coffee press that brews delicious coffee. The vacuum insulated double-walled stainless steel body keeps the coffee hot for longer and ensures a more consistent extraction, while the double-layered filter screen ensures a clean and sediment-free cup. Plus, it looks fantastic and is virtually indestructible.

After weeks of use, I have very few complaints about this brewer, especially given its reasonable price point. It’s a great choice for your morning coffee if you’re looking for something reliable, versatile, and easy to use.

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