Bodum Chambord Buyer's FAQ: Sizes, Finishes, Cups and Which to Buy

The Bodum Chambord is the brand's best-known French press, but "a Chambord" can mean nine different listings on Bodum's US store. They come in four capacities (3, 4, 8 and 12 cup), several finishes (chrome, matt chrome, black, off white, cork and copper) and with prices from $32.99 to $65.99. This buyer's FAQ answers the questions that matter before you choose one: what Bodum means by a "cup," which size fits your routine, what each finish changes, and how the October 2026 recall affects which size you buy.

All specs, prices and stock status below come from Bodum's US product pages, checked on November 4, 2026. Many Chambord listings showed "Out of stock" that day, so check availability before you plan around a particular model.

What does "cup" mean on a Bodum French press?

This is the most common source of confusion. Every Chambord page carries the same footnote: "All of our coffee and tea makers are measured in European cup sizes: 1 Cup = about 4oz." So the 8-cup Chambord holds 34 oz (1.0 liter), about four standard 8 oz mugs, not eight. Use the ounce or liter figure in the listing title, not the cup count, when you compare sizes.

Which Chambord sizes and finishes are there?

Here are the nine US listings we checked, with the dimensions Bodum publishes for each (width × height × depth):

On the day we checked, only the two 3-cup models (black and chrome) and the 4-cup chrome were in stock.

Which size should I buy?

Base the choice on how much coffee you drink in one sitting. French press coffee is best poured soon after it brews, so buying a pot much bigger than you need doesn't save much. Using Bodum's own ounce figures:

• 3 cup (12 oz): about one large mug or two small cups. This is the solo-drinker size, and the 3-cup models are also the cheapest Chambords ($32.99 to $43.99).
• 4 cup (17 oz): one generous mug with a top-up, or two regular cups. It was the only listing tagged "Bestseller" on the pages we checked.
• 8 cup (34 oz): about four 8 oz mugs. This is the classic household size and has the most finish options.
• 12 cup (51 oz): about six 8 oz mugs, for families, guests or batch brewing. It is also the tallest and widest Chambord at 25.3 cm high.

Height can matter more than you expect. The 8- and 12-cup models are 24.5 to 25.3 cm tall, about 6 cm taller than the 3- and 4-cup models, which matters if your press lives under wall cabinets.

How much coffee do I use in each size?

Bodum's brewing instructions are the same for every size: "Add one rounded teaspoon or one Bodum scoop of coarsely ground coffee for each cup/4oz water," then "leave four minutes to brew, then slowly lower the plunger." Remember the 4 oz cup, so:

• 3 cup: about 3 rounded scoops for 12 oz of water.
• 4 cup: about 4 scoops for 17 oz.
• 8 cup: about 8 scoops for 34 oz.
• 12 cup: about 12 scoops for 51 oz.

These are starting points from Bodum's ratio. Adjust to taste once you know how you like it.

What is the difference between the finishes?

Every Chambord uses the same basic recipe. The pages describe a carafe made of "non-stain, heat-resistant borosilicate glass," a stainless steel plunger, and a polypropylene handle "with a matte finish." What changes between versions is the frame, lid and knob:

• Chrome: the standard look. Bodum describes the frame and lid as "durable stainless steel that's undergone several chrome-plating processes." Available in every size.
• Matt chrome (8 cup): the same 8-cup dimensions and price as chrome ($54.99), with a matt chrome finish.
• Off white (8 cup): also $54.99, in an off-white finish.
• Black (3 cup): listed as "s/s" in the title and "Black" in the specs, and the cheapest Chambord at $32.99.
• Cork (3 cup): the materials list adds cork, which forms the lid, at $43.99.
• Copper (8 cup): the materials list includes "Stainless steel, Copper, Brass, Borosilicate glass, Plastic," and it costs $65.99, $11 more than the chrome 8-cup.

If you want the same press with a different look, finish is purely a style choice. Before you pay extra for a finish, check that the product page lists the spare glass you would need later.

Is the Chambord's glass shatterproof?

No. The 4-cup Chambord page lists "Shatter Proof: No" in its specifications. The carafe is borosilicate glass, which handles heat well but can still break if it is chipped, cracked or knocked. That matters because of the recall below.

Does the October 2026 recall affect which size I should buy?

It is worth knowing about. On October 29, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Bodum USA's recall of about 5.9 million French presses with 8-cup and 12-cup replaceable glass carafes, including Chambord models (Recall No. 27-055). A damaged or cracked carafe, including damage from stirring with a metal spoon, can break suddenly and cause serious burns. The remedy is a free plastic stirring spoon and a warning label, not a refund.

What this means for buyers:

• The recall notice names 8-cup and 12-cup carafes. The 3- and 4-cup Chambords are not in that description.
• Whatever size you buy, stir with a plastic or wooden utensil, never metal, and stop using any carafe with a chip, crack or scratch.
• Our Bodum recall news report has the full recall facts and how to request the free kit. Our guide to using a glass French press safely after the recall covers inspecting and handling the glass.

Can I replace the glass if it breaks?

Yes, at least in the core sizes. The Chambord pages list matching spare beakers. The 3-cup spare glass is 6.8 cm in diameter and 13 cm high, the 4-cup is 9.6 cm and 12.5 cm, and the 8-cup is 9.6 cm and 18 cm. The 3- and 4-cup spare glasses showed "Out of stock" when we checked. Bodum also lists filter, cross and spiral plates for the plunger. Some of these parts cover a range of press sizes, so read the size range in the part description before you order. For what the warranty does and doesn't cover (glass is excluded), see our Bodum shopping guide.

Is shipping free?

Bodum's US product pages showed "Free standard shipping on orders above $65.00" on November 4, 2026. Of the nine listings, only the copper 8-cup and the 12-cup reach that threshold on their own, at exactly $65.99. Any of the smaller presses needs a spare part or another item added to qualify. Our shopping guide covers delivery times and the return policy, including Bodum's restocking fee.

Quick picks

• Solo coffee, lowest price: Chambord 3 cup in black ($32.99, in stock when checked).
• One or two people: Chambord 4 cup in chrome ($49.49, in stock, tagged Bestseller).
• Household standard with the most finishes: Chambord 8 cup in chrome, matt chrome or off white ($54.99), or copper ($65.99). All four were out of stock when checked, and the 8-cup size is named in the recall.
• Families and guests: Chambord 12 cup ($65.99, out of stock when checked; the 12-cup size is also named in the recall).

Bottom line

Choose a Chambord by ounces, not "cups," because Bodum's cup is about 4 oz. Then decide whether the look is worth paying for. Every finish uses the same borosilicate carafe and steel plunger, so finish changes the style, not how the press brews. Small households are well served by the in-stock 3- and 4-cup models. If you want the 8- or 12-cup size, read the recall details first and stir with plastic or wood whatever size you choose.

References

1. Bodum USA, "French Press coffee maker, 3 cup, 0.35 l, 12 oz, s/s – CHAMBORD (11170-01)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/11170-01-chambord
2. Bodum USA, "Coffee maker, 3 cup, 0.35 l, 12 oz – CHAMBORD (1923-16US4)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/1923-16us4-chambord
3. Bodum USA, "French Press Coffee Maker, 3 cup, 0.35 l, 12 oz – CHAMBORD, cork (1923-109S)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/1923-109s-chambord
4. Bodum USA, "Coffee maker, 4 cup, 0.5 l, 17 oz – CHAMBORD (1924-16US4)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/1924-16us4-chambord
5. Bodum USA, "Coffee maker, 8 cup, 1.0 l, 34 oz – CHAMBORD (1928-16US4)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/1928-16us4-chambord
6. Bodum USA, "French Press Coffee Maker, 8 cup, 1.0 l, 34 oz – CHAMBORD, matt chrome (1928-57)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/1928-57-chambord
7. Bodum USA, "Coffee maker, 8 cup, 1.0 l, 34 oz – CHAMBORD, off white (1928-913)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/1928-913-chambord
8. Bodum USA, "CHAMBORD French Press Coffee Maker – Copper, 8 cup (11652-18)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/11652-18-chambord
9. Bodum USA, "Coffee maker, 12 cup, 1.5 l, 51 oz – CHAMBORD (1932-16US4)," accessed November 4, 2026. https://www.bodum.com/us/en/1932-16us4-chambord
10. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, "Bodum USA Recalls 5.9 Million French Press Coffee Makers with Replaceable Glass Carafes Due to Risk of Serious Burn Injury" (Recall No. 27-055), October 29, 2026. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2027/Bodum-USA-Recalls-5-9-Million-French-Press-Coffee-Makers-with-Replaceable-Glass-Carafes-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Burn-Injury