I know from searching that there are at least a few other AeroPress users here. I’ve had mine for about two months now, and am still experimenting with different brew methods. This is one of the things I like most about the AeroPress - the incredible amount of control you get over the important factors that determine the taste of a cup of coffee.
I’m liking the inverted method from Has Bean, as show in this video (although they seem to have left out the step of actually putting the filter in the filter cap, but maybe they assume we’re smart enough to figure that out). I think I’m going to experiment with a bit of a longer brew time then the 30 seconds they suggest, though.
I’m roasting my own beans as well, and that freshness has also been making a huge difference in taste.
I’ve been flirting with the Aeropress… however, there *are *a zillion reviews at coffeegeek (which is a totally fun site). Also good comments on the Aeropress page at amazon.
Since I don’t have one (yet), I have nothing to contribute… but I’d like to know what you think of it and how it stacks up against other methods you’ve tried and use regularly.
What kind/brand of coffee do you use in it?
<ThelmaLou prepares to sit at your feet and listen… with a cup of coffee in hand, of course…>
I love it! Like I said, I’m still experimenting with it to discover how to best use it. As you’ve noticed, there’s a lot of information on it out there, and so many different ways to use it. This site has a nice selection of brew methods, and the slight variations really do make a difference. Anything from water temperature to brew time to whether you do it according to the directions on the box or one of the inverted methods… all makes a difference, but I haven’t had it make a bad cup yet. The AeroPress is pretty idiot-proof.
I like it better than French Press, to be honest. I just like the mouthfeel and lack of sludge, and the shorter contact with the grounds produces a less acidic brew.
I also have a Hario V60, a Japanese slow-pour method brewer, which I like quite a bit. I’m not sure I can explain why, but I enjoy the Hario V60 for an afternoon cup off coffee, and the AeroPress for my morning coffee.
As far as to what types of coffee… I had been using a blend from my favorite local roaster, which they call Casablanca… it’s a blend of medium strength Central American and a darker French Roast. But lately I got the bug to start roasting my own again, and pulled out the ol’ roaster. My first batch was a Costa Rican, and it turned out very, very good, if I do say so myself!
I definitely recommend the AeroPress. It’s very reasonably priced (about $25 from Amazon), and the filters are cheap too and last forever (supposedly, you can wash them off and use them multiple times, but I haven’t tried that). It’s incredibly easy to use clean. And fun to use!
Well, since God speaks/works in mysterious ways, I’m taking your post to be a message from God to get the Aeropress. *(Funny how often God speaks to me about shopping issues… do you suppose my theology is wobbly… no matter!) *
Do you have to Buono kettle to go with your Hario?
I bought this for a friend for his birthday. His eyes widened and his jaw dropped in a particularly gratifying way when he saw it. Hell, the BOX is practically worth the price of admission, all covered as it is with Japanese writing and instructional illustrations.
Lately I’ve been using my stovetop moka pot, and got a good tip from coffeegeek, namely, start with cold water. I had been bringing the water to a boil before I poured it in the lower chamber so as to speed up the process. But I read that the buildup of pressure resulting when you start with cold water in the bottom chamber is where it’s at. I can be taught. I can learn. The coffee is reallyreallyreally good.
I do not have the Buono kettle yet, but it’s actually next on my wish list! That was a great gift. I’m jealous of your friend!
But I do have that grinder! It’s a bit of a workout in the morning to hand grind it, but it’s not so bad. Takes a few minutes of grinding. Gives a nice, fairly consistent grind. Definitely worth the money if you’re in the market for a grinder but don’t want to spend a ton of cash.
I don’t have a moka pot, but I’m sure I will someday. Chemex is next on my obsessive list of methods to buy. Sounds like a good tip, though!
Glad you’re going to give the Aeropress a try. Hope you like it!
Anamorphic, another question: what grind works best in the Aero? Espresso, i.e., powder? Some of the coffeegeek discussion said finding the right grind was a trial-and-error (or trial-and-Aero ) process. When mine gets here, I may come to you for tips.
Congrats! Definitely feel free to ask me questions. Keeping in mind I’m only a bit ahead of you on the Aeropress curve!
The grind should be on the fine side, somewhere between espresso grind and drip grind. Yes, it is a bit of trial-and-error, but it’s actually fairly easy to figure out the range. Too coarse, and the water will start dripping through the filter before you press. Too fine, and it’ll be difficult to press.
My Aeropress came today. I just watched the *DARLING *video on the HasBean site. I also read the directions that came with the device. (I’m one of those people who always reads manuals and directions.) .
I’m going to try to make a cup of coffee in a bit. After I meditate for a while and get myself together.
Congrats! Hope you do end up liking it as much as I do. It may take some experimentation, so don’t get frustrated if the first cup isn’t perfect. Yes, I’m another person who reads the instructions no matter what. And I followed the included instructions to a T (not to tea) the first few times I used the Aeropress, and it was good, but some of the other recipes work out much better. I think, especially, their recommendation of water at 175 degrees is too low.
And yes, VERY amused that there’s a Aeropress World Championship! But I admit to a bit of a crush on winner Marie Hagemeister… very cute, and apparently makes a hell of a cup of coffee!
Then the Aeropress is PERFECT for you. It really is astoundingly easy to clean.
Step 1: twist the filter cap off.
Step 2: Hold the Aeropress over the trashcan, and depress it the rest of the way so the filter and the coffee grind puck falls into the trash.
Step 3: rinse off the parts of the Aeropress in the sink.
AnaM- what timing do you use during the process? How long to stir and then do you let it stand or start to press right away? One of the many methods had you let it stand for 2 minutes. That would cool it off a LOT.
I made my first cup and it was tasty, but not nearly hot enough.
12 seconds of stirring, 30 seconds steeping after that.
Oh, important tip to prevent premature cooling – pre-heat the mug and the Aeropress itself before you put everything in. I’ll fill my mug with piping hot tap water while the coffee water boils, and run the Aeropress under the hot water tap just before making. That will help slow the cooling process down.
I just watched the *DARLING *video on the HasBean site. I also read the directions that came with the device. (I’m one of those people who always reads manuals and directions.) .