I have one of the Frieling presses and I have to say it's pretty awesome. I've not used any other presses, so I have no comparison, but it's held up great, makes a great cup of coffee, and looks very nice.
The reason we bought one of these instead of a glass or plastic press was that we wanted to take it camping and not have it break when it was packed, but also not have to take great care packing it - this press is perfect for that as it stands up to just about any abuse you can throw at it.

I just asked Santa for one of these :)

Wow, two days ago it was the stainless steel compost bucket and today it's the stainless steel Frieling press, and I have both of them! My toaster is stainless steel as well, so you can start to envision what my kitchen looks like ;-)

I'm a fan of the Frieling press too; I've had it for about three years now, which is the longest any French press has lasted for me. The glass ones break easily (I've broken many over the years), the plastic ones worry me in terms of what I might be drinking with my coffee, and drip machines or filter-funnel jobs just don't make satisfying coffee for my tastes.

My only complaint about the Frieling is that the design is rather institutional, which makes sense because they make hotel equipment. The press looks like something you'd see in a hotel restaurant, and I don't mean that as a compliment. It's not really "industrial" looking (which I would like), but just institutional; it reminds me of eating at places where the chef graduated from some cookie-cutter culinary arts school.

But hey, it makes great coffee and it doesn't break. There is only one functional improvement I'd suggest, which is something I've seen on other French presses: a fine-mesh filter through which you pour your coffee. I do end up with some grounds in my coffee because invariably a bit of the ground coffee ends up on the sides of the pot above the press iself, and those make their way into your cup. But it's not a big deal.

I have 2 Freiling teapots, one for home and one for work. Keeps the tea quite warm, though not for hours. I like the look of the design, and bought the matching creamer and sugar bowl for my kitchen. They are durable and I don't have to worry about them chipping.

I've had mine for 2+ years. Works great, holds up well, and is easy to take apart to clean. Also good for brewing loose tea.

I should have added that I have owned the first of the teapots for 3.5 years.

I have the Bodum Columbia which is essentially the same thing. It's lasted forever and makes great coffee. I looked a while back for replacement filters. I recall having a hard time finding them. I am still using my original filter which has a silicon or something seal rather than the glass presses which seem to just have the screen pressing against the wall of the press. Either way, the whole thing has lasted many years and I still use it every day.

I bought the Nissan $36
http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80791

Great for travel/camping.

I've had mine for about 5 years, and I only wish it was little lighter so I could whimper less about it on backpack trips. Otherwise, its nearly bulletproof. I used to break other presses routinely, and now I don't even think about it. As to its design, I'd say that it will never increase in loveliness, or decrease in ugliness, but it will always toe that function over form line. Which means it will work well a long time. Reminds me of Bauhaus design stuff.

This one is much prettier than the one I have, but mine was half the price. I have the ANRIK from Ikea ($29.99). A local cafe had these and I really like their coffee, so I asked about the pot/maker. They bought a case of them from Ikea and have been very happy.

@ Michael: That's a great price. And it's not bad-looking, either.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50112868
Have you had the Ikea pot for long? Is it durable?
--es

anrik doesn't appear to be a press. how could it be with angled sides? plastic insert doesn't sound good.

Hi elon,

I've had mine for about 6 months, but only used it several dozen times; it's holding up fine. I decided to get it because a local cafe uses them. I talked to the owner and she has been very happy with them for almost two years of heavy use.

archer,
The inside isn't angled. There is a lot of space within the double wall. I imagine this helps keep things warm. I don't know if there is any other insulation in between.

fair winds,
Michael

Thanks for the feedback, Michael. --es

Have had one of these for a while. Unfortunately, although they look good and are robust, the real story is that they just don't keep the coffee hot for much longer than one cup. Might as well get something else.

Max-I wonder if you pre warm your frieling. I always fill mine with hot water out of the tap and let it sit until I'm ready to put the grounds in it. I live in a very cold climate, meaning my house is chilly in the am before the furnace gets going- pre heating seems to get me at least 2 hours of hot coffee.

James- the bodum has plastic parts in the lid and the press- They are made in China- it is not the same. Have you dropped your bodum? I read some reviews that the lid can break and make in unsable.

it sure is unbreakable but i always get grinds in the finished product. have to use a strainer all the time