Belwares French Press Review: Is It Worth It?
Welcome to another double-wall stainless steel French presses review from my shop, I'm Sam. We have served the batch brew near Di Fara Pizza for 12 years. The Belwares French Press is a double-wall 304 stainless steel press from a US kitchenware brand launched in 2014.
The press comes in 34 oz and 50 oz sizes, in silver or matte black. A four-level filter and two spare filters come in the box. It holds a 4.6 rating across thousands of ratings and keeps coffee hot for about an hour. I give plain answers on heat retention, black finish peeling and cleaning steps. Belwares gave no input.
The black coating is the weak point, since it peels or chips within months. The silver finish avoids that problem. The 50 oz silver costs $36.99, or $0.74 per ounce, which is $6 less than the Secura 50 oz. The Secura 34 oz wins at the smaller size. The silver 50 oz is the pick.
What Is the Belwares French Press?
The Belwares French Press is a manual double-wall French press made of 304 stainless steel. Belwares is a US kitchenware brand launched in 2014. The press brews with a plunger and a reusable metal filter, so it needs no power and no paper filters.
Grade 304 is also sold as 18/8 stainless steel, with about 18% chromium and 8% nickel. Both names describe the same family of food-grade steel. This steel forms the carafe, which is the part that holds the coffee and water.
The box holds the carafe, a four-level filter set, two extra filters and a user manual. The carafe has a handle, a pouring spout and a twist lid. Measurement marks inside the carafe guide the amount of coffee. A cup in Belwares sizing is 4 oz (118 mL), not a full mug.
Belwares sells the press in two sizes and two finishes. Brewers use it at home, in the office and while camping. The listing also names loose leaf tea and cold brew as uses.
The metal body replaces the thin glass of a classic press. The listing notes no thin glass to crack or shatter at home, in the car or out camping.
The Bodum Chambord is the classic glass press. Serious Eats found it silty and a little weak. The Belwares trades a view of the brew for a body that cannot shatter.
Which Sizes Does the Belwares French Press Come In?
The Belwares French Press comes in two sizes, 34 oz (1 liter) and 50 oz (1.5 liters). The 34 oz press brews 8 cups of 4 oz (118 mL). The 50 oz press brews up to 12 cups of 4 oz.
Each size comes in silver stainless steel or matte black. The 50 oz model carries the model number BW-SFP50.
The 34 oz press fills about 2 mugs of 16 oz (473 mL). It also fills 2 to 3 mugs of 12 oz (355 mL). The 34 oz size suits one or two drinkers. The 50 oz size suits three or four, because it pours 3 to 4 large mugs.
A 16 oz (473 mL) mug takes about 3 pours from a full pot. A 12 oz (355 mL) mug takes about 4.
The label does not show the whole story, since the usable fill line can sit below it. A fill of 42 oz (1.2 liters) was measured on the 50 oz model.
Belwares French Press sizes:
| Size | Capacity | Cups of 4 oz | Silver price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 oz | 1 liter | 8 | $29.99 |
| 50 oz | 1.5 liters | 12 | $36.99 |
| 50 oz matte black | 1.5 liters | 12 | $39.99 |
How Does the Belwares French Press Work?
The Belwares French Press works by steeping coarse grounds in hot water, then pushing a metal filter down through the pot. The listing gives a brewing time of 4 minutes. The plunger holds the grounds at the bottom while the coffee stays above.
The method is immersion brewing. All the water touches all the grounds for the full steep.
Belwares tells brewers to use coarsely ground coffee. Coarse grounds look like coarse sea salt. A burr grinder cuts an even size. A blade grinder makes fines that pass through the mesh and add silt.
The maker also says to leave room below the lid. Pressing the plunger slowly and without force is the maker's own rule.
The amount of coffee must match the amount of water. Serious Eats tests use a 1:16 ratio of coffee to water. Their water sits at 195 to 205 F (90 to 96 C). For the 34 oz press, 1,000 mL (34 oz) of water needs about 62 g (2.2 oz) of coffee.
The 50 oz press holds 1,500 mL (50 oz) of water. That volume needs about 94 g (3.3 oz) of coffee at the same ratio. A fill of 42 oz (1.2 liters) takes about 78 g (2.7 oz).
Coffee dose at a 1:16 ratio:
| Water | Coffee | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 mL (34 oz) | 62 g (2.2 oz) | 34 oz press, full |
| 1,242 mL (42 oz) | 78 g (2.7 oz) | 50 oz press, real fill |
| 1,500 mL (50 oz) | 94 g (3.3 oz) | 50 oz press, label fill |
A weaker ratio is also accepted. The Specialty Coffee Association Golden Cup standard is 55 g per liter, about 1:18. Its water temperature is 200 F (93 C), give or take 5 degrees. At 1:18, the 34 oz press takes about 56 g (2 oz).
The plunger does not stop extraction. Coffee left on the grounds keeps extracting and turns bitter. Pour the whole pot right after pressing. A thermos holds the extra coffee.
How Does the Belwares French Press Filter Work?
The Belwares French Press filter works as a stack of four stainless steel levels on one removable assembly. The levels catch grounds as the plunger moves down. A tight seal at the carafe wall keeps grounds from slipping past.
Each level of the stack is a separate screen, and the plunger comes fully apart. Because of this, every level can be rinsed clean.
The filters are metal and reusable, so they need no paper. Two spare filters come in the box, so a worn screen has a replacement.
Replacing a screen depends on freeing the filter assembly with the handle knob. That knob can stick, and a stuck knob blocks a filter swap.
Does the Belwares French Press Keep Coffee Hot?
Yes. The Belwares French Press keeps coffee hot for about an hour and warm for about an hour more. The double wall holds the heat in, and the outside stays cool to touch.
Heat retention draws 131 mentions, and 119 of them are positive. Another 12 are negative. Some owners call the coffee warm, not hot.
The listing gives no hours and no degrees, so other double-wall presses offer a useful check. Serious Eats tested several of them. The Fellow Clara still read 122 F (50 C) after three hours. The Frieling press in the same test dropped 92 F (51 C) over three hours.
Serious Eats preheated each press with boiling water before brewing. A hot rinse helps any insulated press hold heat, so the same step suits the Belwares.
The type of insulation also limits how long a press stays hot. The Belwares site says double wall and does not say vacuum insulated. A vacuum bottle holds heat longer than a plain double wall. The Belwares sits closer to the plain double wall.
Does the Belwares French Press Make Gritty Coffee?
No. The Belwares French Press does not make gritty coffee when the grind is coarse. Four filter levels catch the grounds. Owners report a cup free of grounds.
The filters work only if the grounds are big enough to be caught. The maker requires a coarse grind. Fine grounds pass through any mesh.
Even a well-filtered press pot leaves a little silt, and that is normal. The Coffee Gator, a double-filter press under $40, still let a little grit through in Serious Eats tests. That same press gave one of the cleanest cups in the test.
Metal filters let coffee oils through, including cafestol. Paper filters trap most of it. The oils add body to the cup. A little silt at the bottom is normal.
What Do Belwares French Press Reviews Say?
Belwares French Press reviews are strongly positive, with a 4.6 average on 5,180 ratings of the 50 oz press. Those ratings come from Amazon Canada. Five stars make up 76% of ratings.
Four stars add 15%. Three stars hold 4% of ratings, two stars hold 2% and one star holds 3%. Low scores total 5%.
Star split on the 50 oz press:
| Stars | Share of ratings |
|---|---|
| 5 stars | 76% |
| 4 stars | 15% |
| 3 stars | 4% |
| 2 stars | 2% |
| 1 star | 3% |
In the US Amazon store, the 50 oz press has 4,514 ratings and the 34 oz press has 3,823. Both average 4.6 stars.
Serious Eats tested French presses, and its test list holds no Belwares model. The ratings above come from owners, not a lab.
Quality draws 269 mentions, and 254 of them are positive. Temperature retention draws 131 mentions and durability draws 145. Durability is the one topic with a large negative share, at 51 of 145.
What Do Owners Like About the Belwares French Press?
Owners like the quality, the easy cleaning and the large size of the Belwares French Press. Of 269 quality mentions, 254 are positive. Cleaning scores 58 of 63 and size scores 53 of 56.
Value earns 61 positive mentions out of 66. The two spare filters and the metal body add to that value.
The steel body wins over glass presses that broke. Owners use the press on camping trips, on a boat, in an RV and in an office.
The 50 oz size fills 3 to 4 large mugs. Two people can share a morning pot without a second brew.
What Are the Common Belwares French Press Complaints?
The most common Belwares French Press complaints concern the black coating, which peels or chips. Reports of peeling start within 2 to 4 months. Durability draws 51 negative mentions out of 145.
Heat retention draws 12 negative mentions out of 131. Some owners call the coffee warm, not hot.
Capacity draws a smaller complaint. The 50 oz press can fill to only 42 oz (1.2 liters). The handle knob that frees the filter can also stick.
Common complaints:
- Black coating that peels or chips
- Heat that fades to warm
- Fill line below the 50 oz label
- Handle knob that sticks
Does the Black Finish on the Belwares French Press Peel?
Yes. The black finish on the Belwares French Press can peel or chip within a few months. Peeling reports name the black coating only. The silver press is bare stainless steel, so it has no coating to lose.
Chips appear first at the top edge of the carafe and on the handle. A full peel was reported at 4 months. Durability draws 51 negative mentions out of 145, about 35%.
Washing method may matter. Hand washing links to light wear at the base. Dishwasher use can speed the peeling. The maker says to wash by hand.
The listing does not name the coating type, so its limits are unclear. A soft sponge protects it. Steel wool and scouring pads scratch it. Flakes at the rim mean the press is better retired.
Which Belwares French Press Finish Lasts Longer?
The silver Belwares French Press lasts longer than the black finish. Owners who saw peeling advise the plain stainless version. Peeling reports in the listings name only the black coating.
A coating can peel, but bare stainless steel has nothing to peel. The silver press is brushed stainless steel with no added layer. The black finish shows wear at the edges first.
Brushed steel also hides fingerprints, so the silver press keeps a cleaner look with daily handling.
The silver press also costs less. The 50 oz silver sells for $36.99 and the 50 oz matte black sells for $39.99. The 34 oz press sells for $29.99 in both finishes.
Silver finish advantages:
- No coating to peel
- Costs $3 less at 50 oz
- Hides fingerprints
Belwares French Press vs Secura French Press: Which Is Better?
The Secura French Press is better than the Belwares French Press at 34 oz, while the Belwares costs less at 50 oz. The Secura 34 oz press holds a 4.7 rating on 36,082 ratings. The Belwares 34 oz press holds 4.6 on 3,823.
The Secura 34 oz press also costs less, at $27.99 against $29.99 for the Belwares.
The two presses are close in build. Both list 304 stainless steel, double-wall bodies and two extra filters. The Secura 34 oz weighs 2.4 lb (1.1 kg). Its size is 6.1 x 6.7 x 9.8 in (15.5 x 17 x 24.9 cm).
Warranty separates them next. Belwares lists a one-year limited warranty. Secura lists two years, so a buyer gets twice the coverage.
The price order flips at the larger size. The Belwares 50 oz costs $36.99, and the Secura 50 oz costs $42.99. Secura's 50 oz press holds 4.7 on 7,698 ratings.
Belwares vs Secura:
| Spec | Belwares | Secura |
|---|---|---|
| 34 oz price | $29.99 | $27.99 |
| 34 oz rating | 4.6 on 3,823 | 4.7 on 36,082 |
| 50 oz price | $36.99 | $42.99 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |
| Steel | 304 | 304 |
How Do Belwares French Press and Secura Prices Compare?
The Belwares French Press costs $2 more than the Secura French Press in the 34 oz size. Belwares sells for $29.99 and Secura sells for $27.99. The gap is about 7%.
Per ounce, Belwares costs $0.88 and Secura costs $0.82. List prices are $34.99 and $32.99. Both sit about 14 to 15% below list.
At 50 oz the order flips. The Belwares sells for $36.99 in silver and the Secura sells for $42.99. The $6 gap is about 14%.
Per ounce, the 50 oz Belwares costs $0.74 and the 50 oz Secura costs $0.86. Secura lists its 50 oz press at $49.99.
How Do You Clean the Belwares French Press?
Cleaning the Belwares French Press takes three steps: empty the grounds, take the plunger apart and rinse every filter level. The maker says to hand wash after use. The inner wall is smooth, so coffee leaves no marks.
Cleaning scores well, with 58 positive mentions out of 63. The plunger comes fully apart. Each filter level rinses clean under water.
Grounds go in the trash or the compost, not down the drain. A spoon removes the bulk. A little water swirled in the carafe and poured through a sink strainer removes the rest.
Mild dish soap, a soft sponge and a bottle brush clean the carafe. Steel wool and chlorine bleach damage stainless steel, so both should be avoided. A soak in warm water with baking soda or white vinegar lifts oil film from the filter stack.
Every filter level needs to dry fully before reassembly. Trapped water in the stack leaves a musty smell.
Screens can wear out over time. A bent mesh or grounds in the cup signal a worn screen. The two spare filters allow a swap when a screen wears out.
Cleaning steps:
- Empty the grounds into the trash or compost.
- Take the plunger and filter stack apart.
- Wash each piece with mild soap and a soft sponge.
- Dry every filter level before reassembly.
Is the Belwares French Press Dishwasher Safe?
No. The Belwares French Press stays out of the dishwasher under the maker's care note, which says to hand wash after use. Retail listings call the parts dishwasher safe.
One listing says the filter screen must stay out of the dishwasher. Hand washing is the safe choice for the filter stack.
The finish gives a second reason to hand wash. The black version has a coating, and dishwasher use can speed the peeling. The silver press has no coating to lose, so this risk does not apply to it.
How Much Does the Belwares French Press Cost?
The Belwares French Press costs $29.99 for the 34 oz size and $36.99 to $39.99 for the 50 oz size. The 34 oz list price is $34.99. The 50 oz matte black list price is $42.99.
The 34 oz press sits 14% below its list price. The 50 oz matte black sits 7% below. The Belwares belongs to the budget tier under $40. The Espro P7 costs $120 in Serious Eats tests.
Belwares French Press cost per ounce:
| Size | Price | Per ounce |
|---|---|---|
| 34 oz | $29.99 | $0.88 |
| 50 oz silver | $36.99 | $0.74 |
| 50 oz matte black | $39.99 | $0.80 |
The 50 oz silver sells for $36.99, and the 50 oz matte black sells for $39.99. Belwares also sells direct on its own site. The 50 oz press lists at $36.99 there.
The cost per ounce drops with size. The 34 oz press costs $0.88 per ounce. The 50 oz silver costs $0.74 per ounce, a drop of 16%.
Does the Belwares French Press Come With a Warranty?
Yes. The Belwares French Press comes with a one-year limited warranty from the date of purchase. The listing names Moreno Valley, California as the manufacturer contact address.
Secura lists a two-year warranty on its 34 oz press. The Belwares term is half as long, so the extra year is a point for Secura.
The listing does not name what the warranty covers. A buyer therefore cannot tell whether a peeling black coating would qualify, and that coverage is unconfirmed.
Is the Belwares French Press Worth It?
Yes. The Belwares French Press is worth it in silver stainless steel at $29.99 to $36.99. A 4.6 rating on thousands of ratings backs the price. The black version carries a higher peeling risk.
The press has a double-wall 304 stainless steel body, four filter levels and two spare filters. Its weaknesses are a black coating that peels and a fill line that can sit below the label. Heat lasts about an hour. The coating problem is why silver is the pick.
Price per ounce shows which silver size is the better buy. The 50 oz at $36.99 costs $0.74 per ounce. The 34 oz costs $0.88 per ounce, so the larger press gives the lowest cost per ounce.
The Secura 34 oz press is the main alternative at that smaller size. It costs $2 less, holds a 4.7 rating and carries a two-year warranty. The Belwares has a one year warranty. Secura is the safer pick at 34 oz. At 50 oz the Belwares costs $6 less.
Pros:
- Double-wall 304 stainless steel body
- Four filter levels and two spare filters
- Lowest cost per ounce at 50 oz silver
Cons:
- Black coating can peel
- Fill line can sit below the label
- One year warranty
Who Should Buy the Belwares French Press?
The Belwares French Press is a good buy for households that brew 3 to 4 mugs at a time. The 50 oz silver press fits a shared morning pot. The 34 oz press fits one or two drinkers.
Campers gain a metal body with no glass to break.
Buyers who want hot coffee for several hours get about an hour of heat from this press. Buyers who want a chip-proof black finish are better off with the silver. Buyers who want a two-year warranty are better off with Secura.
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