I’ve had this French press coffee maker for almost one year. I like it because it is stainless, sturdy, has clean lines and is easy to hand wash and maintain. It makes a great cup of coffee that is not bitter, even though I brew mine fairly strong. The 17oz. version is good for one large mug or two small – medium cups of coffee. They make a one liter (34oz.) and other sizes if you are serving more. For French press generally, one is supposed to use a slightly coarser grind than regular, store bought, but with this one you can add an extra filter for finer grinds, similar to expresso. I use ordinary ground coffee, usually a strong coffee like Sumatra. Just one of the supplied metal filters works fine to keep these grounds from getting through. I have had zero problems with wear and tear. Some tips on making it: They describe it as having a double wall construction, which is the same as a thermos. It seems light enough for that to be the case. Despite its good thermal properties, I nonetheless preheat the pot by pouring hot water into the empty carafe and letting it sit for a few minutes. Ultimately, this keeps your coffee warmer as your final product does not lose as much temperature by heat transfer to the metal container. (Remember, once you mix hot water into the grounds it has to sit for 5 minutes before you pour.) Once the carafe is heated for a few minutes, dump the water you heated it with and put in your coffee grounds. Slowly pour in your hot water for the coffee, leaving enough room for the thick lid and filter mechanism. Then turn the lid to lock it (arrow facing away from the spout) and slowly push down on the press. I usually take about 15 seconds to push it almost all the way down. I believe this allows the coffee to impart flavor without bitterness. Fifteen seconds seems like a long time when doing this. The results are the reward for a little patience. (After all, you would not be using a French press if you needed an automatic brewer while heating a Pop Tart for 10 seconds in your microwave as you run for the door.) Turn the lid arrow back to align with the pouring spout and dispense gently into your cup. Highly recommended. - JPK