How to Brew: The AeroPress

What do frisbees and coffee have in common? Not a whole lot, except for the fact that if you throw either up in the air it’s likely I won’t catch it. Beyond this, the only real congruence is the fact that Alan Adler, the founder of Aerobie--a revolutionary flying disc company--invented the AeroPress coffee brewer in an attempt to brew a single cup of coffee at home utilizing pressurized air. Adler’s design was meant to reduce both acidity and bitterness, thus creating an exceptional aromatic coffee. 

The AeroPress combines both steeping and pressure to make a single cup brew. The traditional AeroPress method places the AeroPress on to a cup and steeps the coffee before using a plunger to push the brew through the chamber and out a filter cap via pressure. An alternative Inverted Method (my preference) steeps the coffee in an upright position before a quick stir and flip, ensuring that the coffee receives a French Press like steep before an espresso like plunge.  

While the Aero-press does create a good clean cup, its real strength lies in its versatility and portability. When my wife and I travel anywhere that requires flight, it is the Aero-Press that comes with us into our Airbnb. As long as you can get your hands on hot water, the Aero-Press is an excellent portable brewing device that you can take anywhere. It is easy to brew, easy to clean, and easy to transport. 

The Traditional AeroPress Method

Step 1: Put a paper filter into the filter holder and lock on the bottom of the brewer. 

Step 2: Using hot water, rinse the paper filter. 

Step 3: Place a mug on your digital scale and place the bottom part of the Aeropress on the scale.

Step 4: Measure out between 15 to 18g of coffee. You may use variable grinds here. Doing so gives you different kinds of results, but my go to is a finer grind akin to table salt. 

Step 5: Using a kettle, heat water to between 200 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 6: Fill the chamber to your desired spot for your strength preference. If your Aeropress has numbers, I typically fill to the number 4.

Step 7: Agitate the coffee grounds with a quick stir and then seal the top of the chamber with the plunger. Do not press down.

Step 8: Wait anywhere between 2-4 minutes before slowly plunging.

The Inverted AeroPress Method

Step 1: Put a paper filter into the filter holder but do not lock it onto the bottom of the brewer.

Step 2: Using hot water, rinse the paper filter. Set aside.

Step 3: Turn the plunger upside down (hence, inverted) and slide the brewer just barely over the top of it. Admittedly, this will look awkward and tall--you’ll get used to it. Just don’t swing objects near it. 

Step 4: Measure out coffee as noted above and place in the brewer. 

Step 5: Fill the brewing chamber with hot water. Again, this can be to your preference. Typically, I fill to the brim.

Step 6: Agitate the grounds with a quick stir.

Step 7: Steep anywhere from 2-4 minutes.

Step 8: Lock the filter holder onto the top of the brewing. You’ll easily see that the whole brew has been done upside down (again, inverted). 

Step 9: Either quickly flip the entire contraption over and set it on a mug which has a wider mouth than the brewer or put a mug over the filter during the process if you are concerned about anything spilling (you may get a couple drips, but likely no major spill as long as things are locked properly).

Step 10: Slowly push down the plunger. You’ll likely hear an airy sound as the resistance gets harder. Do be careful not to break your mug (I say this from experience). 

 

While I and others recommend learning the AeroPress using the traditional method, the benefit of the inverted method is quickly perceived. In the traditional method, gravity causes slight drippage during the brewing process. With the inverted method, you defy the gravity.

Interestingly enough, there are dozens--if not hundreds--of other methods available for the AeroPress. In fact, the World AeroPress Championship is an annual event where individuals from all over the world compete to produce the best and most unique AeroPress method and recipe. One can find all sorts of unique methods on YouTube or the www.worldaeropresschampionship.com. 

Clearly, the cult following is strong with this one.