FRIELING STAINLESS STEEL FRENCH PRESS REVIEW: OVERPRICED?

The Frieling is an elegant stainless steel French press with double-wall insulation, but is it worth its high price?

The French press is a timeless classic, reliably delivering robust and rich cups of coffee. There are endless models to choose from, but if you appreciate the finer things in life, you might be interested in the sleek stainless steel Frieling French Press.

As one of the most expensive options on the market, I was curious how the Frieling would compare to more affordable brewers. So I picked one up and ran it through a series of tests. Keep reading to see how it fared in key categories like coffee flavor and build quality.

A Full Review Of The Frieling French Press 

The Frieling is a stainless steel French press coffee maker with double wall vacuum insulation that can keep coffee warm for hours. With its luxurious look and feel, it has a reputation as one of the best French press coffee makers – with a sky-high price tag to match. 

In this Frieling French Press review, I’ll discuss my experience with this cafetiere. I’ll weigh its values against its cost to help you decide if it’s worth your money.

How We Rated It

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

4.3

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Design And Materials

The Frieling French Press is made of stainless steel and has an undeniably premium look and build. In fact, it was awarded the 2017 Housewares Design Award in the Tableware, Serveware & Beverageware category (1).

The brand claims it is “a favorite in the best hotels and restaurants,” and while I can’t confirm that, it definitely looks the part. Available in brushed and polished stainless steel, its domed top, subtle knob and spout, and long elegant handle would look right at home with white linens and fine silverware.

It’s made from 18/10 stainless steel, which—for those who haven’t reviewed enough French presses to be stainless steel experts like me—I can tell you is the top level of food grade stainless steel. Its metal composition (18% chromium, 10% nickel) is highly corrosion-resistant (2).

Superior Heat Retention

The Frieling uses a double-wall stainless steel vacuum-insulated design, just like a thermos, to keep the interior contents hot while the exterior stays cool to the touch. It won’t keep your brew hot for as long as a thermos because the lid doesn’t seal, but you can still expect hot coffee for about four times longer than a typical French press.

This facilitates a more even extraction and is particularly important if you enjoy lighter roasts.

I tested the Frieling press by filling it with water at 200 F and measuring it at regular intervals as it cooled. It took nearly four hours to drop below 120 F. Similarly, if you use it as a cold brew coffee maker, it will keep your cold coffee chilled for hours.

Impressive Variety Of Sizes

The Frieling is available in five sizes – 8, 17, 23, 36, and 44 ounces. The 36-ounce model, which makes roughly 4 or 5 servings, is the standard choice, but a two-person household might find the 17 or 23-ounce versions more practical.

This is the first time I’ve encountered an 8-ounce French press. Most single-serve models are 12 ounces, which makes more sense, in my opinion. To paraphrase Zoolander, 8 ounces feels like a coffee maker for ants. By the time you filter out the grounds, it prepares less than 7 ounces of coffee.

Is Frieling made in China?

Yes, although Frieling is an American company, the Frieling French Press is made in China.

Patented Filter And Other Standout Features

The Frieling features a patented two-stage filter system.

The brand claims it results in “zero sediment” in the cup. I would dispute this. There is definitely a fine layer of silt at the bottom of my mug, but it is impressively minimal and never gritty like some of the cheaper presses. 

Don’t Overlook The Spout

I recognize that it is perhaps silly to devote an entire subheading to a spout. But having reviewed far too many French presses that drip, dribble, and spill, I wanted to emphasize the smooth pour of the Frieling. From the first cup to the last, I never lost a drop.

Using The Frieling Coffee Press

This stainless steel press works like any other, which is to say it is an easy and reliable way to make coffee at home. Just follow these steps, feeling free to tweak the details to your liking. Personally, I use a slightly finer grind and hotter brew water as I go from darker to lighter roasts.

1. Heat water in a kettle to 200 F.
2. Add coarsely ground coffee to the steel carafe.
3. Add just enough water to fully submerge the coffee grounds. Let bloom for 30 seconds.
4. Add the remaining water, and give everything a quick stir.
5. Steep for four minutes
6. Press the plunger down gently and steadily. Serve immediately!

How much coffee do you put in a Frieling French press?

Here is a handy chart on how much ground coffee and water to use in each size of Frieling French Press to brew with a roughly 1:18 coffee-to-water ratio.

Easy To Clean

The Frieling French Press is entirely dishwasher safe, making cleaning a breeze. Just scrape the used coffee grounds into the compost or garbage, and pop the various parts in the dishwasher. The filter assembly can be easily taken apart, but I didn’t generally find this was necessary to get it clean.

Coffee Taste, Aroma, And Body

The Frieling insulated French press delivers an above-average cup of French press coffee. Because French press is an immersion brewing method that uses a metal mesh filter, it yields a very different style of coffee than a drip coffee maker with a paper filter (ref).

The cups I enjoyed were richly flavorful with a bold aroma and heavy mouthfeel. One thing I appreciate about the French press is its versatility. Despite being a relatively simple device, you can experiment with the brew temperature, timing, coffee-to-water ratio, and grind size (to a lesser extent) in order to brew your perfect cup.

Speaking of versatility, a French press can be used just as easily to brew coffee or tea. Simply add bagged or looseleaf tea in place of the coffee grounds and adjust your brew time and temperature accordingly.

Light Roast Fans Take Note

If you’re a light roast lover, you already know that they can be challenging to extract – and that under-extraction can yield an unpleasantly sour or watery coffee. 

The Frieling is particularly useful for these dense light roasts. The fine double-layer filter allows you to use a finer grind size without getting more grit in the cup, and the insulated walls maintain the brew temperature throughout the immersion time to maximize extraction. I was impressed with the vibrant and sweet light roasts I enjoyed with this brewer once I had dialed in the variables.

How Expensive Is Too Expensive For A French Press?

The Frieling is one of the most expensive French presses I’ve reviewed. It runs between about $70 and $150, depending on the size you want. This pricing is on par with the Fellow Clara or Espro P7, both of which have unique innovations that justify their cost. Honestly, I have a hard time recommending the Frieling unless you love its elegant styling.

Five years ago, there were far fewer double walled stainless steel press pots on the market. In that context, the pricing made sense. Today, you can easily find alternatives for less than half the cost. They might not have the glossy appeal of the Frieling, but they’re just as easy to use and make the same delicious cup of coffee.

One thing the Frieling holds above the rest is an extra-long 5-year warranty. They stand behind their build quality more firmly than other brands, which I appreciate.

Don’t Buy The Frieling French Press If…

• You prefer a traditional glass French press: If heat retention and durability aren’t priorities, a glass French press can make a visually appealing addition to your coffee bar. The classy-looking Bodum Chambord has a similar vibe to the Frieling, while the Kona has a more funky modern design.

• You’re looking for an affordable alternative: If you’re on a budget, there are plenty of stainless steel double wall coffee presses that won’t break the bank. Both the Sterling Pro and the Coffee Gator Press are excellent brewers, though they don’t have quite the luxe aesthetic of the Frieling.

• You want a French press for camping: When it comes to outdoor gear, you can’t beat the Stanley brand, and their Classic Stay Hot French Press was made for life on the road. This press kept coffee hot longer than any other model I tested, and it’s so durable that it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

The Verdict

The Frieling French Press coffee maker provides an elevated coffee experience for anyone who wants a perfect cup of coffee with a touch of elegance. I have no criticisms of the brewer itself. It’s beautifully made, easy to use and clean, and delivers a fantastic cup. However, I hesitate to recommend this coffee maker to anyone for whom money is a factor. At this point, there are too many similar options on the market at far lower prices.

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