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The exact coffee-to-water ratio for every Bodum french press — Chambord, Brazil, and Eileen in 12oz, 17oz, 34oz, and 51oz.
Quick answer
All Bodum french presses use a 1:12 ratio. For the most popular 34oz Chambord, use 83 grams (16 tablespoons) of coarse-ground coffee with 1000ml of water. Steep 4 minutes, plunge slowly, pour immediately.
| Size | Water | Coffee (g) | Coffee (tbsp) | Serves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cup / 12oz | 350 ml | 29 g | 6 tbsp | 1 mug |
| 4-cup / 17oz | 500 ml | 42 g | 8 tbsp | 1-2 mugs |
| 8-cup / 34oz | 1000 ml | 83 g | 16 tbsp | 3 mugs |
| 12-cup / 51oz | 1500 ml | 125 g | 24 tbsp | 4-5 mugs |
All measurements at 1:12 ratio. Bodum "cups" are roughly 4oz — a "12-cup" press makes about 4-5 standard mugs.
Bodum measures in European "cups" — roughly 4oz (118ml) each. So their "8-cup" Chambord holds 34oz (about 1 liter), which is three American-sized mugs, not eight. The "3-cup" makes a single large mug. The "12-cup" makes enough for four or five people. If you're buying a Bodum for the first time, think in ounces or milliliters, not cups.
The 34oz (8-cup) is the most popular size and the best value for daily use by one or two people. It makes three generous mugs — enough for a couple's morning routine or one person with a refill. The 17oz works well for solo use when you want just one mug. The 51oz is for households or hosting.
Preheat the glass. Bodum Chambords and Brazils use borosilicate glass which holds heat well but starts cold. Pour hot water into the empty press, swirl, and dump before adding grounds. Skipping this step drops the brew temperature 5-10°F, which is enough to noticeably affect extraction over a 4-minute steep.
Replace the mesh filter annually. The Bodum mesh filter stretches and loosens over time, allowing more fines through into your cup. Replacement filters are inexpensive and available directly from Bodum. If your coffee has gotten progressively grittier over months of use, the filter is the likely culprit — not your grinder.
Hand wash only. Bodum's glass carafes technically survive dishwashers, but the metal frame and plunger components degrade faster with repeated dishwasher cycles. The cross-plate filter especially warps in high heat. A quick rinse with hot water after each use and a thorough scrub with soapy water once a week keeps everything clean without damage.
Have a specific question? “How much coffee for my 34oz Bodum?” or “Why does my cold brew taste weak?”
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For a 34oz (1000ml) Bodum Chambord at a 1:12 ratio, use 83 grams of coarse-ground coffee — about 16 level tablespoons. Fill with water just off the boil (200°F), steep 4 minutes, plunge slowly, pour immediately.