Review: Aerobie AeroPress Coffee & Espresso Maker from Single Serve Coffee.com

Review from Single Serve Coffee.com - Coffee Pod Reviews The staff here at Single Serve Coffee.com have been kicking the tires on the new Aerobie Aeropress for over a month now. Did you notice something about the title of the coffee maker? Yes. The same company that makes the Aerobie flying discs and other fun outdoor products makes the Aeropress. If you've ever thrown an Aerobie you know it really works. The frisbee like rings are much easier to throw than frisbees and go very far. So we had high expectation s for the Aeropress coffee maker from such an ingenious inventive company.

Since this is a little different than other single serve coffee makers we normally review we want to ensure you that it is in fact a single serve coffee maker. Yes - you will need espresso ground coffee from either your grinder or by purchasing some pre-ground coffee from coffee companies like illy but making a cup of Aeropress coffee is very easy and intended to make one cup of perfect coffee or espresso.

Grinding Some Aeropress Coffee

You'll need a decent coffee grinder to get the nice fine grind the Aeropress likes. If you want to compare the grind of a coffee to get it right, pick up a can of illy espresso grind coffee to use as a benchmark. We used various Pete's coffees for our Aeropress testing along with our grinder from Starbucks we had received as a gift.

Once you've ground up your coffee to a nice find grind the Aeropress comes with a measuring spoon to make sure you put the right amount in the chamber.

Making a Cup of Aeropress Coffee

Aero Press System 01 The Aeropress really is an entirely new way to make coffee. Yes, you could compare it to a french press but you would be wrong. Because of an almost giant syringe like coffee gadget you build air pressure by pushing espresso ground coffee through the chamber with a filter paper on the bottom of the Aeropress. Though a french press has this plunger like action the amount of pressure you build up in the Aeropress and extraction is much much higher.

You can push as fast or as slow as you want and creating different strengths of coffee but Aeropress recommends letting the coffee mix in the main chamber for about 20 seconds, and then a slow push of 30 seconds or so to make your coffee. We also recommend keeping the water temperature in the 174-180 degrees F range. The coffee will come out without any bitter aftertaste provided you keep the temperature a little down.

Here's what you do in a nut shell:

First you put a filter on the bottom of the Aeropress
You put the Aeropress on top of your favorite coffee mug
You then put a scoop of coffee in the chamber
You then pour in the amount of hot water you want in the chamber
You use the stirrer to mix up the contents
You put the plunger on the top after waiting 20 seconds for things to mix up
You then push very slowly feeling the extraction
Take off the plunger and walk over to the trash and pop out the espresso grounds
Enjoy a perfect cup of bitter free coffee

We would also like to say if you want to make a Cafe Americano cup - just add a little water at the end in your coffee cup and be sensitive to the crema on the top.

Cleaning up the Aeropress is also very easy. Since everything is plastic you can pop out the espresso cookie, and then quickly wash up the parts and place them in a dish rack or on a towel. We were surprised how easy the plunger cleaned up but the coffee isn't all over the inside like in a french press it's in a tight compact cookie like wad in the bottom.

Our Impressions of Aeropress Prepared Coffee

Delicious. Very non-bitter and always got the flavor of the coffee we were using. We could also depending on the mix time and the amount of time we took pressing the coffee out of the Aeropress get various strengths of coffee. We really enjoyed having almost total control over the type of coffee we produced and it all felt very zen like when you would get in tune with the Aeropress.

We tried various combinations of water temperature, grind, and time to press. In the end we got what we wanted with 176 degrees F water, 30 seconds of mix time, and around 35-40 seconds of press time using a Pete's Coffee or the illy dark espresso pre-ground coffee.

Conclusions

The Aeropress works and is really fun and makes terrific cup of coffee. We really enjoyed using it and will continue to use it. Since the clean up and preparation is very simple, we think if you want to really get into creating your own signature coffee pulls (a little espresso term there for pulling a shot) then you'll want to pick this up. It's fun and best of all very affordable at $30 for the quality of coffee and espresso it delivers.

You can learn more about the Aeropress at Aerobie.com and purchase at Amazon.com

Read More in: Reviews | Single Serve Coffee Machines

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Posted by Jay Brewer at January 11, 2006 8:42 AM

I got one of these last week and it is great! I have to say though that contrary to what is mentioned in this review, Aeropress actually recommends your coffee be drip grind, especially if you are making multiple cups. You DON'T need espresso grind to get a great espresso-like cup, though you MAY use espresso grind. Alan thanks for the tip on dribbling the water. I know it mentioned that in the Aeropress instructions, but it didn't say why. I assumed it was to keep the grounds from splashing out, but your note that it allows the grounds to expand makes more sense. I also wasn't aware that different rates of press would yield different strengths of your brew. That's something to try. I seem to be going through my coffee reserves twice as fast now that I have this thing. I make my coffee two ways w/ my Aeropress. One is that I make 4 cups just as directed. This is like a coffee extract. I pour a little in a cup and add hot water to the strength i like (strong). the rest goes in the fridge until another cup is wanted. The other way is to drop in one scoop of coffee, but fill the tube w/ water for 4. This gives me a nice strong single serving drink w/out the need to mix water in. (BTW, I use my normal 1/8 cup coffee scoop, rather than the ginormous scoop that comes w/ the unit.)
Posted by: Rich at March 9, 2006 4:36 PM

I've had the Aeropress since April 2006 and have enjoyed it immensely. I find though that it isn't necessarily better than using an espresso machine, but just different. The micro-filter tends to filter out bitterness, but bitterness is part of the taste of coffee. It's sometimes a good kind of bitterness, and depending on your taste... it isn't always a desireable thing to reduce the bitterness. I have hence taken the splurge to buy a Gaggia espresso machine (a small one) that produces very good espresso with great crema. The foam that the Aeropress produces is not crema. Sorry, but it just isn't. Crema is not that delicate. Crema has a richness and a almost "fattiness" to it that the Aeropress can't produce most likely because of the micro-filtering and low temperatures. It does reduce acid which my stomach is happy for. I use the Gaggia at home, and the Aeropress at work. It is a happy situation. I get my second cup of espresso/americano with less acid and it's great! All without having to futz with the espresso maker which doesn't exist at work. And I can press out a doubleshot with a fine espresso grind (which is the only way to grind), but I must admit that I lean into it with my full 200 pounds. I can't imagine my 100 lb wife using it. In any case, the Aeropress has made me a coffee/espresso addict, and I must have put in at least $700 into coffee products over the last year... (not even including buying coffee drinks). Thank God that the Aeropress is only $30.
Posted by: Jeremy K at June 20, 2007 1:00 PM

Hi Gang, I bought my Aeropress a few years ago at Palo Alto Toy and Sport (Hi Alan!)after suffering through a weekend of long coffee lines at a music festival campout. Frequently, the coffee would be completely out by the time I reached the urn, or would be so bitter as to be un-drinkable! This amazing press allows me to skip the coffee lines entirely and go directly to the hot water urn and make my own coffee. It makes a very nice cup of coffee (or two!)and is less messy and less breakable than a french press. All good when you're camping! Plus, it has the added benefit of making the other campers jealous, and listening to the comments about what the dang thing resembles. (Look Mom, is that a breast pump? A turkey baster? A livestock insemination device?) I solved the "drips too early into the cup" problem by placing the plunger partway into the tube and letting it rest there while the coffee brews. This stops the dripping until you are ready to push. I was told (in-person demonstration in the store!) to wet the filter before adding the coffee, this cuts down on grounds escaping and allows the coffee to mix better, and also to wet the rubber seal on the plunger before inserting into the tube, this stops the rubber from sticking and allows a weakling like me to push more evenly. One confusion: all of the previous comments which state that the aeropress "ships with 350 filters". Mine only came with about 30 in the box...did I buy the floor sample or something? Did I buy an earlier beta model? No matter, I have found online sources for filters, but really, Alan...Toy and Sport should carry them for us locals...
Posted by: Beatrice at September 2, 2007 1:17 PM

I bought my Aeropress some time mid 2006 (I think...) after I dropped and shattered my nice French press. I love it. I was immediately able to start making good cups of coffee with it. Now after some time of fiddling with it I still enjoy experimenting with the variables. My friends all have coffee envy -- that is those who have not been swayed to purchase their own Aeropress. One of my favorite beverages now is a delicious iced coffee. I will brew up about a liter of strong coffee (double shots) into a glass bottle (one with a good lid) and add a good bit of sweetened condensed milk. I like it thick and sweet... And then I put the whole contraption in the fridge over night. In the morning I give it a good shake and viola! The results are a thick sweet frappachino-type drink that is undiluted and perfect. For a "normal" cup, I tend to brew a med-fine double shot at around 180 degrees for about 15-20 seconds before slowly pressing it out (it is a little hard to press out). I fill the water to the top of the "3", and I like it. I like to re-use my filters. One final thought -- I am the kind of guy who to break things, but after quite a bit of regular use, a few drops and a bit of experimentation my Aeropress is still as good as new.
Posted by: Steve at October 4, 2007 1:56 PM

Just got the Aeropress, and I tried to make a shot of espresso. It tasted very good, but it seemed that much of the water dripped through the filter before I even had a chance to push down on the plunger. Am I doing something wrong or is this as designed?
Posted by: Doug at January 30, 2006 9:21 PM

Hello Doug, The AeroPress is my baby, and I'm eager to help you. About an eighth inch deep puddle at the bottom of the cup is not unusual prior to pressing. Dribbling the water in slowly for the first few seconds allows the coffee to wet and swell and thus reduces drip-through. A double (or larger) has less drip-through than a single. Also a fine grind reduces drip through and yields a richer cup. If you're grinding with a blade grinder, run it for thirty seconds. Don't let drip-through concern you too much. It doesn't impact the final result significantly. During the initial phase of AeroPress development I stirred the coffee and hot water in measuring cup, then filtered the slurry in the AeroPress. Of course that had zero drip-though. After a few months I realized that there would be one less item to clean by stirring right in the press. Both methods produced the same flavor and same brew strength, as measured by my Brix meter. Alan
Posted by: Alan Adler at January 30, 2006 9:34 PM

This thing is great! I purchased one mainly because of what I read here at singleservecoffee.com I couldn't be happier. I had been using a french press, and while the coffee tasted nice, there were 2 problems. 1. The particles. I hated this. It was like coffee soup! 2. My co-workers were angry with me for dumping the used grounds in the sink garbage disposal. The best part of the Aeropress is the cleanup. After ejecting the spent grounds "puck" there are almost no grounds left on the press. You can literally count how many you have to rinse off. Thanks Alan, for creating such an innovative and functional product!
Posted by: Paul at February 27, 2006 9:48 AM

Great to see a comment from the inventor! I just read a mention of these and found I can buy one locally. Only question -- are the filters something I can toss in the compost heap along with the coffee grounds? I'll find out ...
Posted by: Hank Roberts at May 21, 2006 10:48 AM

The aeropress is great. I just made my first cup and was extremely impressed with how well engineered this product is. The simplicity is great. It cleans easier than a french press, but makes a better cup of joe.
Posted by: Matt at June 19, 2006 3:50 PM

I've had my Aeropress for about a month now and while I bought it for work once my wife tried it out at home we've decided to sell our espresso machine and just use this instead. I agree with the other comments. It is so simple to use and clean up. I now enjoy an americano in the morning before going to work which I could never be bothered making with the espresso machine as it was just too time consuming and cumbersome. We were camping the other weekend and really enjoyed our cafe quality coffee by the tent! Great product! Great Coffee!
Posted by: Mark Macrae at June 29, 2006 4:29 AM

Question...I've been using the Aeropress for a week now. It makes great coffee. However, I have to put all my weight into pressing the coffee through. It's quite a job. If I don't press as hard, the plunger doesn't move. I used very finely ground coffee. I'm not weak and not little--125 lbs. I should be able to do this. Any suggestions?
Posted by: gsbbr at July 21, 2006 6:05 PM

Thanks, Jay. I think I was using two filters. After using what I thought was one filter the first day, I just eyeballed the filter thickness after that. There was quite a difference in pressing this morning--much easier, even sort of meditative...I was in the joe-zone.
Posted by: gsbbr at July 24, 2006 10:59 AM

i noticed that there is a BIG difference b/w using regular pre-ground coffee from the supermarket and fresh roasted, fresh ground coffee from my coffee roast shop. The "press" is much easier w/ the pre-ground coffee you buy in a sealed bag/can at the grocery store. the fresh roasted, fresh ground seemed to really swell up and take more effort to push through the filter (yes, it was just one filter). Of course, the FR/FG coffee makes a better tasting cup of joe as well. just thought i'd post that observation.
Posted by: Rich at November 15, 2006 10:36 AM

Affinitea currently has multiple pending patent applications which extend the patented Affinitea Infusion Process into this area. Kind regards, Anthony
Posted by: Anthony Priley at February 21, 2007 1:39 AM

I enjoy my Aeropress using drip grind coffee. My question is, I see a great thick crema develop on top of the coffee/water mixture in the tube, but when I press the syringe all that beautiful crema gets trapped in the coffee grounds puck and doesn't go through into the cup. Any suggestions?
Posted by: David Kunkel at April 30, 2007 10:30 AM

i am now into the 5th month of using the aeropress and i am still excited enough by the machine and the great coffee it makes that i am making myself far too much coffee each day. i am about half way through the filters which is surprising as a claim like 'a years supply of filters' is dubious. i am still confused about brewing methods as some days my brew comes out spectacular and second to none; other days i perform the same process (or so i think) and it comes out with no creme and tastes poor. maybe i continue to drink so much so as to find that perfect technique. one observation to offer the community, go for a fine ground but if its too fine (powder like) you have no chance of pressing 2 or more shots... the filter gets clogged and no amount of pressure will get you your brew (very messy and not appreciated in the morning)
Posted by: Jak at May 5, 2007 6:59 AM

Follow up to my comment and a response to Jak: Jak, if you're using a filter a day it'll last a year--it's a pack of 350. But I personally rinse and re-use my filters about 20 times. Sue me, I'm cheap. But the coffee comes out consistent. I think your grind may be inconsistent, though, and a double shot pressed through the finest espresso grind is an exercise in frustration. I use the fourth from the finest setting when pressing a double. I figured a unique way to get at the crema I mentioned. I turned the press upside down and fashioned a mesh filter out of fine screen to fit inside the cap, and a tube extension to the cap. Now I press UPWARDS and force the crema UP through the mesh and into the tube. I pour off the crema, back off the plunger a little and remove the cap and mesh filter (HOT!), insert a moistened paper filter and replace the cap. Then I force out the air, invert the unit over my mug, and finish pressing. With no air in the tube it's easier to regulate the pressing speed and force. Presto, a nice cup of espresso topped with 1/8 of crema. OK I had to tinker a bit but that's in my nature...
Posted by: David Kunkel at May 7, 2007 2:01 PM

After using the Aeropress for only a few days, I've turned into a coffee snob. This device makes better coffee than Starbucks or any other coffee shop I've frequented. It's smooth, satisfying and very easy to make. I find myself actually savoring each cup as I read the paper in the morning. I was tired of the bad coffee I was making at home and was about ready to pop for an expensive espresso machine when I came across the Aeropress during my research on the web. It was hard to believe that a $25 piece of equipment could do such a great job, but the reviews were so glowing that I decided to gamble $25 and placed my order. I couldn't be more pleased and just ordered another for our mountain cabin. I will definitely be recommending the Aeropress to others.
Posted by: Chuck at December 1, 2007 12:35 PM

To those who have had an AeroPress for a while -- does it tend to stain over time? For example, I have an Adagio IngenuiTEA which is a plastic tea infuser and within a year or so it accumulated funky build-up and now the plastic is a dingy yellow/brown color. Rather gross. I'd like to purchase an AeroPress but hopefully it's made of non-staining material.
Posted by: Haley at January 3, 2008 1:29 PM