How to Use the AeroPress: The Best Method

If you’re on a quest for the best coffee you can brew at home, you may have heard of the AeroPress. As a coffee enthusiast, I’ve spent my fair share of hours pushing water through ground beans using various devices, and the AeroPress is one that often stands out in my kitchen. It’s a fantastic piece of equipment that allows for a wide range of experimentation, including the inverted brewing method, which is my personal favorite for its consistent results.

In this article, I’m going to teach you how to make AeroPress coffee using the inverted method. I’ll also show you how to brew using the traditional AeroPress recipe, which is a good option if you want to make something a little bit more espresso-y.

What is the AeroPress?

The AeroPress was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler. It was designed to be a simple, yet versatile, method for brewing outstanding coffee. Adler’s goal was to create a brewing device that could produce coffee with richness and complexity, similar to espresso, at a much (MUCH) more accessible price point.

It quickly gained a cult following and has since become one of the most popular ways to brew coffee at home. The AeroPress is loved by coffee aficionados and beginners alike due to its:

• Flexibility: It provides numerous brewing variables to play with.
• Portability: Its compact size makes it travel-friendly.
• Durability: It’s constructed from sturdy materials that can withstand drops and tumbles.

But, like any method, it has its limitations. The AeroPress isn’t the best choice for brewing large quantities, given its small chamber size. It also has a slight learning curve, which makes it a bit more challenging to pick up than something like the French press.

The Inverted Method

Let’s dive into my preferred AeroPress brewing style: the inverted method. This technique involves steeping the coffee grounds entirely before pressing, which offers more control over extraction and typically leads to a fuller-bodied cup.

The inverted AeroPress method is an immersion brewing method, so it’s somewhat similar to making coffee with a French press. The main difference between AeroPress coffee and French press coffee is that AeroPress coffee is pressed through a paper filter using high pressure, while most French presses use metal mesh filters. That means that AeroPress coffee is usually much cleaner and less sludgy than French press coffee.

French press brewing also doesn’t use any pressure to force water through fine grounds the way AeroPress brewing does, which makes AeroPress coffee more concentrated than French press coffee.

Brewing with the AeroPress takes much less time than brewing with a French press, but the AeroPress has a much more limited capacity. If you’re just making one cup of coffee for yourself, the AeroPress will save you some time, but if you’re brewing for a crowd, you’ll have to make several batches.

My Favorite AeroPress Recipe

Here’s how you to make AeroPress coffee using the inverted method:

1. Place your AeroPress plunger at the 4 mark and stand it on the plunger end.
2. If you’re using a paper filter, pre-rinse it with hot water.
3. Add 17 grams of coffee, ground medium-fine, into the chamber.
4. Pour in 200 grams of water at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit, making sure to saturate all the grounds.
5. Stir the slurry gently for 10 seconds.
6. Place the pre-rinsed filter and cap over the AeroPress.
7. After steeping for 1 minute, flip the AeroPress onto your mug or carafe.
8. Gently press the plunger down for 30–45 seconds.
9. Stop pressing when you hear air starting to escape from the brew chamber.
10. Enjoy your perfectly brewed coffee!

Troubleshooting Inverted AeroPress Coffee

Although the AeroPress is fairly forgiving, it’s not immune to issues.

Troubleshooting AeroPress coffee uses the same principles as troubleshooting any type of coffee. If you find your coffee too weak, your grind could be too coarse – try a finer grind. For coffee that’s too bitter, the grind is likely too fine or you’re over-extracting; shorten the brew time or use a coarser grind.

 It can take a few brews before you get your grind dialed in, so don’t get discouraged if your coffee doesn’t come out great the first few times you use your AeroPress.

Here are some tips to help you sort out common AeroPress problems:

1. Incorrect Grind Size: Using a grind size that’s too fine or too coarse can affect extraction and flavor. AeroPress typically requires a medium-fine grind, similar to table salt.
2. Water Temperature: The ideal water temperature for AeroPress is around 200°F. Using water that’s too hot or too cold can lead to under-extracted (sour) or over-extracted (bitter) coffee. I usually don’t recommend messing with your water temperature, but it can help when you’re using an AeroPress. I like to use fairly fine-ground coffee when I use the AeroPress, so I usually make the water slightly cooler than I use in a V60.
3. Uneven Extraction: If the coffee grounds are not evenly saturated, it can lead to uneven extraction. This might happen if the water is poured too quickly or if you don’t stir the slurry enough.
4. Plunger Issues: Difficulty in pressing the plunger smoothly can occur, which might be due to too fine a grind, overfilling with coffee grounds, or a misaligned filter causing resistance.
5. Leakage or Spillage: If the AeroPress is not assembled correctly or if the seal of the plunger is not tight, it can lead to leakage or spillage during brewing. Make sure the plunger is fully seated and that it’s aligned with the brew chamber before you plunge.
6. Filter Misplacement: Placing the filter incorrectly can lead to grounds in the cup or poor extraction. The filter needs to be placed firmly in the cap and wet slightly to stick in place. Make sure it’s covering the opening completely before you attach it to the brewer.

The Traditional AeroPress Method

If you’re more of a traditionalist, or if you just want to try out the original AeroPress recipe, here are the steps to take:

1. Heat water to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place a paper filter in the AeroPress cap and rinse it with hot water.
3. Put the cap on the AeroPress and stand it on top of your coffee mug.
4. Grind 17 grams of coffee slightly finer than table salt.
5. Add the ground coffee to the AeroPress.
6. Add hot water to the AeroPress until the water level reaches the 4 mark on the outside of the AeroPress brew chamber. Use a circular pouring motion and make sure you saturate the grounds evenly.
7. Stir the slurry with the paddle included with the AeroPress for 10 seconds.
8. Insert the plunger into the end of the AeroPress.
9. Let the coffee steep for 1 minute.
10. Press the plunger down slowly. It should take 30 seconds to complete the press.
11. Stop pressing the plunger when you start to hear the hiss of air escaping from the brewing chamber.

The traditional method is a bit more finicky than the inverted method. I find that my results vary more when I use the traditional method, which is why I prefer to use my AeroPress inverted. I recommend trying out both methods and seeing which one you prefer.

How Does the AeroPress Compare to Other Brewing Methods?

Now, let’s see how the AeroPress stands up against other popular brewing methods.

Chemex

The Chemex brews a cleaner cup due to its thicker filters, which emphasize clarity and high notes, while the AeroPress produces a richer body and versatility in strength. The Chemex is slightly more forgiving than the AeroPress, and is the simplest pour-over method, in my opinion.

Some people use Chemex coffee as the barometer for testing out beans. They argue that the pure, clear coffee you make with a Chemex gives you a better sense of a bean’s underlying character. While I don’t subscribe to that perspective personally since I think you should test out a new bean using the method you plan to brew most often, it is an interesting idea.

One thing I like about the Chemex is its capacity. Even the smallest Chemex model makes more coffee than the AeroPress, so it’s a much better option if you’re brewing for a group of friends or family.

Hario V60

The Hario V60 highlights the subtlety in beans with its methodical pour-over approach. In contrast, the AeroPress tends to deliver a bolder, more robust flavor profile.

The V60 is my favorite brewing method, but it takes a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to learn how to get the most out of it. If you’re looking for a brew method you can master in one weekend, go with the AeroPress over the V60. But if you want to slowly hone your coffee-making skills over months or years, the V60 is the most rewarding brewing method I’ve found.

The AeroPress is also easier to take with you than the V60. A plastic V60 cone is durable and doesn’t take up much space, but it’s not as eminently portable as an AeroPress. I reach for my AeroPress every time I’m traveling or camping since it fits almost anywhere and doesn’t weigh much.

French Press

French press coffee is known for being full-bodied, with more oils and solids in the cup than other brewing methods. Both the French press and the AeroPress are immersion brewers, but the AeroPress’ paper filter makes for cleaner, smoother cups. The AeroPress offers a similar body but with less sediment and quicker brew time.

I make French press coffee occasionally, but it’s not my favorite method. Cleaning a French press is more time-consuming than cleaning a paper-filtered coffee maker like the AeroPress, which makes it more of a chore to use. I typically break out my French press when I’m making coffee for a larger group of people since it makes eight cups at a time.

The French press is not a good choice if you’re looking for a small, portable coffee maker. Some companies make small French presses, but most of them are made out of glass, which doesn’t travel nearly as well as the AeroPress’ thick, durable plastic.

Clever Dripper

The Clever Dripper combines immersion and drip methods. While the coffee you can make with the Clever Dripper is similar in richness to the coffee you get from an AeroPress, it requires less attention during the brewing process. This makes it a better stepping stone for people looking to get into pour-over if they’re coming from a pure immersion method, like the French press.

The AeroPress, however, is much more versatile than the clever dripper. There are countless ways to brew coffee with an AeroPress, but most Clever Dripper recipes use the same principles. The AeroPress dominates the World Barista Championship, for example, while the Clever Dripper is relegated to making coffee at home. That doesn’t make it bad, it’s just not as well-suited for making coffee with a lot of nuance.

Wrapping Up

The AeroPress reigns supreme when it comes to brewing versatility, durability, and portability, making it a standout choice for all kinds of coffee lovers. I recommend starting with the inverted method since it’s easier to learn than the traditional method. Starting with the inverted method will also be familiar to you if you’ve ever used a French press, which makes it easier to focus on tweaking your brew parameters, rather than the process itself.

If you want something closer to Alan Adler’s original vision—a concentrated coffee similar to espresso—you should use the traditional method. I find it a bit more difficult to manage the brew with the traditional method, but it’s really not that hard once you get used to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make espresso with an AeroPress?

The AeroPress doesn’t create true espresso, but it can brew a coffee with similar strength and a rich flavor profile that’s great for drinks like Americanos or lattes.

How long should AeroPress coffee steep before pressing?

Steeping time can range from 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the grind size and flavor intensity you desire. Begin with 1 minute and adjust to taste.

Can I reuse AeroPress filters?

Yes, AeroPress paper filters can be rinsed and reused several times. However, they are inexpensive, so replacing them frequently won’t break the bank.

How much coffee can an AeroPress brew at once?

An AeroPress can brew about 8 ounces (237 ml) of coffee in a single pressing, making it an ideal option for personal use.

Is the AeroPress good for traveling?

Absolutely! Its lightweight, compact design and durability make the AeroPress an excellent travel companion for coffee lovers on the go.