Bodum 34oz Chambord French Press, Polished Stainless Steel Review (2026)

The Classic Chambord Look

This version of the Chambord uses Bodum's polished stainless steel frame, giving it a brighter, more reflective finish than the matte or colored trim options in the same lineup, while keeping the same dome topped lid and curved handle that define the design. It holds 34oz, which Bodum sizes at roughly eight standard four ounce cups, putting it in range for a couple or a single person wanting a couple of refills from one brew. The carafe itself is high heat borosilicate glass, chosen for its resistance to cracking from sudden temperature changes compared to standard glass. Bodum has produced this shape for decades, and the polished steel trim is the version most associated with the classic French press look found in cafes and kitchen supply catalogs.

Materials and Finish

The polished stainless steel used here is more reflective and glossy than brushed or matte finishes, which gives it a dressier look on a table but also means it shows fingerprints, water spots, and light scratches more readily during everyday handling. Underneath the metal frame, the glass beaker does the actual work of holding hot water and steeping the coffee, and the frame's main job is protecting that glass and providing the plunger mechanism. Both the glass carafe and the metal components are dishwasher safe, though the polished finish may dull slightly faster with repeated dishwasher cycles than it would with hand washing and drying. The plunger disassembles into its mesh discs and cross plate for a deeper clean when coffee oils start to build up on the screen.

Brewing and Everyday Use

Like other Chambord presses, this model uses full immersion brewing, meaning coarse coffee grounds steep directly in hot water inside the carafe before the mesh plunger is pressed down to separate the grounds from the liquid. The metal mesh filter allows more oils and fine particles through than a paper filter would, which is part of why French press coffee reads as fuller bodied, though it also means a small amount of sediment collects at the bottom of the carafe and in the final pour. Steeping typically runs a few minutes before pressing, and the glass carafe lets a brewer watch the coffee color to judge strength. Cleanup means rinsing the carafe and taking apart the plunger assembly to clear grounds trapped in the mesh, a bit more involved than tossing a paper filter.

Who Should Pick This Finish

This polished steel option suits someone who wants the traditional, shiny chrome look often associated with French press coffee makers, rather than the matte black or colored trim versions Bodum also sells in the same 34oz Chambord line. It fits a household of two, or one person who wants enough for a refill, but larger groups should look at Bodum's bigger capacity presses instead. Anyone prone to leaving fingerprints or water spots on shiny surfaces, or who dislikes extra polishing to keep metal looking clean, may prefer a brushed or matte finish instead, since polished steel needs more frequent wiping to stay spot free. The glass carafe inside means this is still not the choice for a household wanting an unbreakable brewer.

Durability, Warranty and Value

The glass carafe remains the most fragile part of this press and can crack or shatter if dropped or knocked against a hard edge, but Bodum sells replacement beakers separately, so a broken carafe does not require buying an entirely new press. Bodum's standard limited warranty covers manufacturing defects for one year, though glass breakage is generally excluded from that coverage, which matters if a carafe cracks from a drop rather than a manufacturing flaw. The polished finish and glass carafe combination cost more than a basic all metal French press, and that extra cost mainly buys the recognizable Chambord design and easy access to spare parts rather than a difference in how the coffee tastes. For long term ownership, being able to buy just a new beaker or plunger assembly instead of replacing the whole unit is a real advantage.

Frequently asked questions