For years, I made coffee using glass and gleaming metal tools, attempting to achieve cleanliness of appearance and delicate flavor. But using the Coffee Gator French press for making coffee allowed me to appreciate the joy of a simple device that works so well.

The stainless-steel material focuses more on making great coffee rather than looking fancy. While I prepared my first pot, I appreciated robust flavors that my simple tools could not provide.

What I originally assumed was not so anymore perfectly fits my modern-day coffee appliances. Its sturdy build integrates an industrial aesthetic with great craftsmanship.

The Coffee Gator has become a low-key hero in my coffee tools. It brings a more robust feel without and keeps me on my toes with the knowledge that a French press is only as good as the coffee it brews. Glass or stainless steel, a coffee maker's value lies in the cup it fills.

The Coffee Gator isn't for everyone—some prefer devices that will blend into the background. But for others who desire an uncomplicated brewing sidekick that will start their days off right, its utilitarian cuteness is hard to resist.