Are you wondering how to use a French press? Maybe you’ve seen one in a store or cafe, and you’ve been curious about what it does. Or you’ve got one, but you aren’t sure if you’ve been using it right.

French press coffee is arguably the easiest way to make coffee—you pour hot water over coffee grounds, wait, and then pour coffee out. There’s no percolating, slow dripping, or portafilter involved.

Some folks are happy with the battered old Mr. Coffee they bought at a yard sale. Some will only drink from a ...