I love this thing! I own a very large coffee travel mug and this size is perfect for that large mug.......to take me to and through my first hours of work/or it fills two large java mugs at home. French press is the way to go. I also own a coffee grinder and it has the ability to go from a very course grind (perfect for this press) or to an espresso grind.....for my cappuccino and auto drip machine. With the coarse ground I have NO grinds from this French press and I've been using it everyday since receiving it. I'm frugal, but I use the nation's number one tested whole bean for home: Eight O'clock coffee (according to Yahoo's survey) and just love the quality of my Cup of Joe. It's unbeatable in any coffee house in my opinion! My appliances: the grinder, auto-drip pot, and French press all sit on their own little tray on my kitchen counter and I must say... this French press totally classes up the place! The stainless steel compliments my kitchen nicely. And my coffee reminds me of the islands.... Jamaica, Hawaii, Bahamas........silky, rich, and very dark.