Slide the glass part (recipient)in the plastic part (with the handle). Put the amount of coarsely ground coffee you want in it. Pour hot water in it, stir with a spoon wait for a few minutes then put the 3rd part (lid and plunger/filter) on. Push on the round part slowly -- keeping the rod upright, this will push the coffee grains down. Make sure the striped open part of the lid is align with the exit part and you can now pour your coffee into a cup. Demos are available on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmm0M17_tRQ