Here's the pattern that fixes all three mistakes at once:
- Preheat the press with hot water for 30 seconds.
- Use water right off the boil—don't let it sit. Boil, wait 30 seconds, pour.
- Grind slightly finer—one or two clicks finer than your usual coarse.
- Steep for 4.5 to 5 minutes—set a timer.
- Stir gently after steeping, then press.
This pattern works because it addresses the root cause: low brew temperature. By preheating, you keep the water hot. By using boiling water, you start hot. By grinding finer, you increase surface area. By steeping longer, you give extraction time.
