New French Press question

Cafe Society
1

Sometimes (only sometimes, maybe half the time) I find it impossible to push the plunger down (and thus pour coffee out of the Press). If I try too hard, coffee gushes out all over the counter or (as just now) I break the entire plunger part.

What causes this to happen?
Can I do anything to prevent it? Or to speed the process along? (Usually, ten minutes or so allows me to pour coffee.
Is this a problem with the press, with the coffee, with me, with the universe?

Any ideas?

2

Coffee ground too finely, blocking the screen.

3

needscoffee is right. If you grind your own coffee, set it to the coarsest setting possible. If you have it done at a coffee place, like Peet’s or Starbucks, ask them to set it as coarse as possible. I noticed that even their coarsest setting might still be too fine, though. But grocery stores’ coffee grinders seem to always get it right.

4

Or better, use the James Hoffman Ultimate French Press Technique (Link to YouTube Video)