How to use the online timer
Four minutes is the standard steeping time for a plunger or French press, giving the grounds enough contact with the water to extract properly without tipping into the bitter, over-extracted territory that comes from leaving it too long. Other brewing methods run to very different timings — a pour-over is done in a few minutes total, while an espresso shot is a matter of seconds — so this figure is really aimed at immersion brewing.
Grind size and water temperature both interact with the time. A coarser grind, which suits a plunger better than a fine one anyway, needs the full four minutes to extract properly; too fine a grind over the same time can turn muddy and bitter, with sediment ending up in the cup. Water just off the boil, rather than fully boiling, is the usual target.
Once the timer's up, plunge slowly and steadily rather than forcing it down, and pour straight away rather than leaving the coffee sitting on the grounds in the pot. Coffee left in contact with its grounds past the intended time keeps extracting and turns bitter within minutes, even after the plunger's been pressed.
Common questions
Why does my plunger coffee taste muddy?
The grind is probably too fine for a four-minute steep. A coarser grind suited to a plunger extracts properly in that time without leaving sediment or bitterness.
Does it matter if I leave the coffee in the plunger after pressing?
Yes — coffee left sitting on its grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter within minutes. Pour it out as soon as it's plunged.
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