When KitchenAid reached out to me and asked if I wanted to review one of their new craft coffee brewers, the Precision Press, I excitedly agreed. I do not hide that Single Edition Media sponsors this review on behalf of KitchenAid, but I assure you that the review is fair and just.

The first thing that struck me about the KitchenAid Precision Press as I liberated it from its cardboard casing was its stainless steel, double-walled body.

We use French presses at Yellow House Coffee with this same body type, and they work wonderfully. I’ve never seen any coffee device maintain such a consistent temperature over time.

The Precision Press boasts this design feat proudly.

The next feature of note is the control panel built into the handle. This panel controls two important functions that are key to brewing incredible coffee: a gram / ounce scale, and a timer.

Timing is Everything

The timer function is simple, yet effective. You press the button; it begins to count up. Bam! You’re a timer master. You can reset the timer by holding the button.

I was honestly a little underwhelmed that it did not include a count down feature and an alarm, but being able to step away and rely on the timer to let you know when it’s time to plunge is not essential.

Even without the count down, the Precision Press timer feature still remains incredibly useful and easy to use.

Timer Feature = Simple, Effective

Masters Use Mass

If you’ve never used a kitchen scale in your coffee brewing routine, you’re missing out. Thankfully, the Precision Press includes one, freeing you from having to set up another piece of equipment. You can weigh your beans, click the scale button to tare the reading, and then weigh your water to achieve the perfect ratio and most balanced cup.

The best scales for coffee brewing give immediate feedback. Unfortunately, Precision Press’s feedback is delayed, updating the reading every half a second or so. For most home users, this is not a problem.

For the coffee geeks, just remember to pour a little slower once you get close to your target water weight so you don’t accidentally over-pour in between readings.

Scale Feature = A Powerful Tool

Other Features

A common weakness of most French press-style brewers is the unavoidable tendency to drip all over the counter when pouring the coffee into mugs. Seriously, you just can’t help it. I’m not exactly sure how they did it, but the designers behind the Precision Press somehow solved this problem entirely. The pouring action from the device is very controlled and the coffee is only going where you want it: in the mug.

The stainless steel filter has also been improved upon. The usual design leaves plenty of room for the sides of the filter to become bent and deformed, allowing small amounts of larger coffee grounds to find their way into the mug. The filter of the Precision Press seems far more steady and strong. It is built to last.

The Conclusion

Between my wife and I, six different French presses have served us coffee over the years. None of these devices can compete with the KitchenAid Precision Press in terms of functionality and design. It truly is a superior product in every way.

Between the stainless steel, double-walled body; the built-in timer and scale features; and the lasting, spill-free design; this is the king of french presses.

That being said, this prestige does not come without cost. The press will run you about $150, a chunk of change that could land you a smaller, far less amazing french press and a low-end grinder. Do you splurge on the highly functional, well built, romantic KitchenAid Precision Press that will last you a lifetime, or do you go the cheap route with some other brand?

Whatever road you take, give a visit to KitchenAid’s social media outlets for further updates and discounts on their craft coffee brewers: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.

I also recommend checking out their other craft coffee devices: an automatic pour over machine (SCAA certified too!), an automatic Siphon, and a burr grinder.

Update:

We took the KitchenAid Precision Press on vacation over Thanksgiving and Christmas and were not left wanting. There was no need for an extra scale, timer, or carafe for large pour overs.

This french press plays multiple roles on the road, reducing the need for additional equipment.

Excellent!