STERLING PRO FRENCH PRESS REVIEW: A COFFEE MAKER MADE TO LAST

I recommend the Sterling Pro French Press to anyone looking for an affordable way to add a high-capacity durable insulated coffee press to their brewing kit.

I review many French presses, and honestly, it’s often hard to spot their differences. So, I can empathize with the average consumer trying to buy the best possible coffee maker.

The Sterling Pro makes my job easy by having a few defining features that help it stand out from the crowd. It’s incredibly durable, keeps brewed coffee hot for longer than most, and comes in large-capacity models. 

Does that sound like the brewer you’re looking for? Then keep reading this Sterling Pro French Press review for the details.

A Full Review Of The SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker

The Sterling Pro is a simple but well-made double-wall insulated French press. It stood out to me for its durable construction, impressive heat retention, and large-capacity options. If you regularly serve a crowd – or like to brew a big pot of coffee to sip all morning – the Sterling Pro should be on your list.

How We Rated It

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

4.3

• See On Amazon

This French Press Might Outlive You

The quality of the build was the first thing that struck me when I unboxed the Sterling Pro Press. It’s made entirely of high-end 18/10 stainless steel with no plastic parts, even on the exterior. But it wasn’t only that. In fact, most metal presses are made from 18/10 stainless steel (also known as 304 grade) (1). 

Everything fit together smoothly, with no gaps or tight spots. The filter assembly and plunger felt solid rather than flimsy, and the handle was comfortable. These are the little things you notice when you test a lot of French presses.

It’s available in three finishes: mirror-finish stainless steel, brushed stainless steel, and matte black coating. Any of the three would make an elegant addition to your coffee bar, though I admit that I find the Sterling Pro emblem detracts a bit in every case.

The weak point of any coffee press is always the fine mesh screen, which must be delicate by design. If you’re not careful, it will eventually warp or start to unravel. Happily, Sterling Pro provides two extra screens to counter this eventuality. This could easily be the first and last French press you ever need to buy.

Double-Wall Insulation And A Double-Screen Filter

This is a double-wall vacuum-insulated French press, which means it has a design principle similar to a thermos (2). There is limited heat flow from the interior to the exterior, so your coffee stays hot while your hands stay cool. Alternatively, it can also keep cold brew cold.

I performed a simple heat retention test and found it took over three hours for water at 200 F to drop below 120 F, making this one of the better-insulated French presses I’ve tried – and certainly the best at this price point.

That said, because French press coffee continues to extract as long as it stays in the press, I generally still advise drinking your brew within the first 30 minutes (or decanting into a coffee thermos) if you want to avoid over-extraction and the resulting bitter flavors.

Two Filter Screens

It’s not uncommon to find filter screens doubled up in French press coffee makers these days, but apparently Sterling Pro was the first to do it back in 2014. They back this press with a “zero granules promise,” which might or might not be true depending on how you define a granule.

The double screens did an excellent job keeping any grit out of my coffee and definitely produced a cleaner brew than a single-screen filter. But there was still the characteristic layer of French press sludge at the bottom of my mug.

Aside from brewing hot coffee, the fine filter system is useful for making other types of drinks, such as cold brew, tea, hot chocolate, nut milks, and lemonade. You can even use it to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos!

But, before making any final decisions based solely on the features of this French press, we suggest comparing it to other similar models to make sure you’re buying the best product. Here’s our comparison table:

	Reviewed item
Manufacturer	Sterling	BaristasBuddy	Fellow	Bodum	Bodum
Model	Pro	The Parisian	Clara	Starbucks french press	Chambord
Product category	French press	French press	French press	French press	French press
Housing material	Stainless steel	Food-grade stainless steel	Stainless steel	Plastic and glass	Stainless steel
Color options	Stainless steel	Black, Mint, Pink, Yellow (matte)	Black Matte	Black	Chrome
Carafe	Stainless steel	Food-grade stainless steel	Stainless steel	Plastic	Glass
Available sizes	3	1	1	1	4
Water tank size	34, 51, 60 fl oz	34 fl oz	24 fl oz	34 fl oz	51, 34, 17, 12 fl oz
Number of cups	8, 12, 14	4	3	8	12, 8, 4, 3
Plunger type	Double-screen stainless-steel	Stainless steel	Enhanced-filtration mesh	Rubber gasket-covered plunger	Stainless-steel plunger
Lid type	Stainless steel	Stainless steel	BPA-free plastic	Plastic	Dome-shaped lid
Double wall	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Brews with	Ground coffee	Ground coffee	Ground coffee	Ground coffee	Ground coffee
Brew styles	4	4	4	3	3
Dishwasher safe	Yes	No	The mesh only	Yes	Glass carafe and the press
Dimensions	4.4 x 6 x 9 inches	4.1 x 7 x 8.4 inches	4.53 x 6.69 x 7.87	10.24 x 5.98 x 5.71 inches	4.2 x 5.5 x 9 inches
Customer review	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5
Warranty	1 years	30-day money return	30 days	1 year	1 year
SCA certified home brewer	No	No	No	No	No
Price	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.	No products found.
	SEE ON AMAZON	SEE ON AMAZON	SEE ON AMAZON	SEE ON AMAZON	SEE ON AMAZON

Brewing Coffee With The Sterling Pro French Press

The Sterling Pro operates like any standard double-wall French press. Here’s a quick summary of my procedure using the 50-ounce model:

1. Heat 46 oz of water in a kettle to 200 F.
2. Add 75 grams of coarsely ground coffee to the press.
3. Add enough hot water to cover the grounds, and let sit for 30 seconds.
4. Add the rest of the water, and give everything a quick stir.
5. Top with the lid, and let steep for 4 minutes.
6. Press the plunger, serve, and enjoy!

Having used this coffee press extensively in the past few weeks, I have a few extra tips for you. 

First, when brewing with an insulated French press, it’s extra important not to use boiling water. If you have a thermometer or variable-temperature kettle, aim for between 195 and 205 F (3). If you don’t have any special equipment, bring your water to a boil, then take it off the heat and let it sit for 30 to 45 seconds before adding it to the press.

Second, if you want, you can actually fit one of the extra screens in the filter assembly to create a triple-layer filter screen. This captures even more of the fine sediments, giving you a cleaner, lighter-bodied cup.

Third, if your French press is cold, preheat it with a quick rinse of hot water before adding the ground coffee. This is particularly valuable if you’re camping on a frosty morning or want your coffee to stay hot for a long time after brewing.

Cleaning

Cleaning a French press is rarely fun but always important (4). Fortunately, the Sterling Pro is entirely dishwasher safe, which makes the process pretty straightforward.

Just dispose of the spent grounds, unscrew the filter assembly, and place everything on the top rack for a washing cycle. 

Traditional French Press Coffee

The Sterling Pro French Press brews traditional French press-style coffee, though with a bit less sediment than cheaper models thanks to the double filter. The combination of immersion brewing and a metal filter that leaves coffee oils in the cup results in a full-bodied brew with a heavy mouthfeel and bold flavor.

I love brewing with a French press because of its versatility. Despite its simple design, there is a lot of room to dial in the perfect brew. You can play with grind size, water temperature, and steeping time in order to achieve ideal extraction with your favorite light, medium, or dark roast beans.

This brewer is great for travel because not only is the stainless steel build ultra-durable, but the double filter means you can still brew a tasty and (relatively) sediment-free cup even when relying on pre-ground coffee. In that case, I like to use a slightly shorter steep time to avoid over-extraction.

The Perfect Option For Serving A Crowd

The Sterling Pro French press is available in three sizes—34 oz, 50 oz, and 59 oz—and has clear cup and ounce marks inside to guide you.

Let me put those sizes in context. The 34-ounce French press is the most common size, suitable for serving up to four people. A 50-ounce press brews roughly six servings, and it’s the largest option offered by most brands. And 59 ounces is the biggest French press I’ve encountered!

Unfortunately, there are no small sizes available. You can brew a single serving in the 34-ounce model, but that’s not necessarily practical if you’re pressed for space or planning to take this coffee maker on the road. 

Should You Buy The Sterling Pro?

The Sterling Pro French Press is a pretty spectacular value for an insulated coffee maker. Currently priced just under $30 for the 34-ounce model, it even undercuts the cost of similar made-in-China options like the Coffee Gator. The price scales with size, so plan to pay a little more for the bigger options, but in every case, the durable build and extra screens make this a great buy.

One thing to note is that this coffee maker only seems to be available through Amazon. There is no Sterling Pro website to interact with directly, which could be a downside should you have any customer service issues.

Don’t Buy The Sterling Pro French Press If…

• You want a small French press: The SterlingPro is my go-to for a stainless steel French press that serves a crowd. But what if I just want to brew a cup for myself? The elegant Frieling coffee press is available in 8, 17, or 23-oz options, or the simple Secura Coffee Press comes in 12 and 17-oz capacities.

• You prefer a traditional glass French press: If you don’t need the heat retention or durability of a double-wall metal press, there are plenty of lovely glass models on the market. The Bodum Brazil and Kona French Press are two simple and affordable options, or you might consider the slightly more upscale Bodum Chambord.

• You want a cleaner cup: The Sterling Pro’s double filter does a decent job minimizing sediment in your cup, but if you’re willing to spend a bit more money, there are a few coffee presses that upstage it. Check out the Fellow Clara or any Espro French Press for more innovative filter systems.

The Verdict

The Sterling Pro is the best choice if you’re after a large-capacity insulated French press. Indeed, it’s the only press I’ve seen with sizes up to 59 ounces. 

I was equally impressed by the quality of its stainless steel build and its insulating properties. Plus, the double-screen filter guarantees a cup that is rich but never gritty. There is more to this French press than meets the eye, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a simple and affordable way to make a hefty serving of java.