Why do my French press guts always break?

[cbelt3]

MikeF wrote:
Learn how to re-weld them?

Very small TIG required, or spot weld jig. Not easy and the equipment is expensive.

[Rolando]

I use a cheap Frensh Press from Ikea. Glass pot, metal filters, comes apart for washing.

I broke one when I dropped it in my ceramic covered iron sink. Bought another.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/upphetta-fr...-60241389/

EDIT: I re-read your post. Maybe its metal fatigue? Are you pouring boiling water in cold press? Are you rinsing a hot press with cold water? That COULD POSSIBLY cause the welds too fail...

[MrNoBody]

Just had a thought (dangerous); maybe it's the small size of the 8oz press.
Thinner, weaker components perhaps?
Consider a larger size press & just make a single cup.

[RecipeForDisaster]

Larger presses make worse coffee, IMO, if you only make a little. The proportion seems off and the press doesn’t want to go down low enough for the small volume of coffee. I did that for many years until I got a small one. I’m very gentle/even/level/slow with my press technique.

I don’t want plastic, which is why I don’t go with an Aeropress. I also don’t want to get into disposable filters.

The latest one that broke was a good steel one. Sigh.

Metal fatigue is possible - it’s room temp when hot water goes in, but I don’t rinse until it’s cooled down (because I’m drinking the coffee). I would hope it’d tolerate going from room temperature to hot water…

[N-OS X-tasy!]

I bought the 36-oz. version of this one eight years ago at Home Goods for less than half of what Amazon sells it for today — never had a bit of trouble with it (prolly cuz it’s built like a tank):

https://www.amazon.com/Frieling-Stainles...oding=UTF8&refRID=JYMTF2R6EG5DKTPJ2W17&th=1

[RecipeForDisaster]

Looks nice - that’s why I bought the steel one I did this year. I think it lasted less than any other I’ve had, unfortunately. It feels like it’s built extremely well… got and finish are super. At least I don’t think the carafe will break. The company did replace it, but I want the new one to survive!

[N-OS X-tasy!]

RecipeForDisaster wrote:
Looks nice - that’s why I bought the steel one I did this year. I think it lasted less than any other I’ve had, unfortunately. It feels like it’s built extremely well… got and finish are super. At least I don’t think the carafe will break. The company did replace it, but I want the new one to survive!

I see in your OP that your welds failed - the unit I bought has no welds. Everything screws/bolts on and is user-replaceable, if needed. Like I said, it's built like a tank - I can't imagine it ever failing.

I can't get over how much it costs on Amazon - I only paid $50 bucks for mine.

EDIT: I took a closer look at this while making coffee this morning. It does have one weld — the handle is welded to the body. Everything else uses threaded fasteners.

[RecipeForDisaster]

This one seems to have gotten its nut stripped (? How) rather than a weld going. It’s this one - I could never imagine it breaking either. https://www.amazon.com/Magicafé-French-P...B07NWCVS2C

[MrNoBody]

I got a 1L SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker six years ago from Amz
for $10 (crazy promo sale) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MMQOZ1U/

Built like a tank. No issues but then again it's not a daily driver.

[RecipeForDisaster]

I actually think the steel one I got has replaceable parts - it may be stripped and not the weld that is the issue. I don’t know how to find a replacement strange nut/rod, though(and I can’t tell where the issue is - the nut or the rod). When I wrote to the company, they just replaced the whole press.

In any case, many of the presses I have spent good money on were higher end and still have not lasted. I do I use it daily. This one is a double wall steel one… which is why I’m asking for help. Getting nicer ones has not helped my issue. I was very surprised that this happened but I’ve said that before - This is not the first good one I’ve bought.