The best way to clean a French Press coffee maker I have been using a French Press coffee maker for quite some time now, and I have tried a few methods for removing the spent coffee grinds from the vessel.  It is always a bit of a chore to this in an efficient manner without making too much of a mess.  I am hoping to find a way that is quick, but does not result in grinds all over my hands or excess grinds going down the drain.  I wonder if there are any accepted or creative methods for this action.
I have a small sieve (like the one pictured) that I use for this purpose and it is very quick and easy. Slosh water in the press, pour through the sieve and dump grinds in the trash!