GADGETS & GIZMOS

For years I used a French press for my morning coffee. The flavor was unlike any other method I tried — rich, toasty and yes, a little bit bitter. But eventually I stopped because the coffee simply wasn’t pleasantly hot after letting it steep and adding a touch of cream. And by the second cup it was cold. The other drawback of glass models is if you drop the carafe or accidentally hit it on the sink, it’s almost guaranteed to break.

But now, thanks to Coffee Gator, we’ve been reunited with one of our favorite coffee brewing methods. Coffee Gator’s Premium French Press features a 34-ounce vacuum-insulated stainless-steel carafe, meaning it doesn’t lose heat the way glass carafes do. (And it won’t break if you drop it.) The press also features a double-mesh filter, cutting down on the amount of sediment in the bottom of your cup.

For piping hot coffee, I recommend rinsing the carafe with hot water before brewing to warm it slightly. If you’ve used a French press before, you likely know your preferred coffee-grounds-to-water ratio and steeping time. But if you’re new to French press, I suggest experimenting to find what you like best. I normally use 2 tablespoons ground coffee per 6 ounces of water and steep for three to five minutes, depending on the roast of the coffee. (The instructions with Coffee Gator call for steeping for nine minutes — much too long for my taste.)

The maker comes with a mini canister for storing a tiny amount of coffee beans or other items.

$60 (currently on sale for $35)