AeroPress - espresso & coffee - any good?

[718]

I hear it's wonderful!

I also hear the filter and low temperature take out all the nice flavors and aromas...

Anybody have experience with this thing?

[LWJ]

Funny. My neighbor was raving about this just yesterday. I don't see how it is any different from the french press I currently use. She insisted it was better?

[manbridge 74]

Rarely am I an early adopter but I got one of the first aeropresses because I liked the creators work on the Aerobie frisbee. It's going on 10 yrs old and as been pretty good at making the joe.

I don't use the low temp recommendation and it makes a similar cup to a French press. I do wish it was made of glass instead of plastic. Excels in camping or where space is tight.

[Mericet]

I use mine most days. I do like the fact that it makes clean up really easy (especially compared to the french press) and it makes a really good cup of coffee. I also use a higher temp for the coffee. If I make coffee for more than one person, I find using the french press easier.

[s_wilwerding]

You can use whatever temperature water you want - most people use just-off-the-boil water, but the point is that it can actually make a decent cup with lower temp water - I've made it both ways, and generally prefer hotter water, but you get far less acidity with the cooler water, so it's personal preference.

Also, it doesn't make espresso - that's kind of a misleading statement - it can make very strong coffee, but not espresso.

That said, it is the best coffee maker I've ever used - if you grind the beans fresh, use the correct temp brew water and the correct timing, it is superb coffee - I like it better than the french press because the coffee is so much "cleaner" - there is no sediment.

This is the best video I've seen on how to use the Aeropress, and this is exactly how I make it:

Aeropress: Looks awful. Works well. - YouTube

[jyl]

I hadn't heard of these but after some research, they make a lot of sense.

[manbridge 74]

While it won't make true espresso you can pour off the top of the mix through a small strainer before you plunge it to get some crema like effect.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I don't understand why you would use this rather than a French press. Or why it would be better. I use a French press every day, it just works, cleans up fast, like that it's glass and stainless.

[TimT]

Shaun, it is a French Press... with a paper filter...

less mud in your joe..

[Vipergrün]

First time I saw my buddy using one at the office I was wondering what he was doing with a male enhancement pump at work.

But it does make good coffee... :--)

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by TimT

Shaun, it is a French Press... with a paper filter...

less mud in your joe..

I like that mud.

[LWJ]

Thanks for the clarification. I sorta like the mud as well.

[dyount]

Biggest difference I see between using an Aero and a french is clean up. All ya gotta do when you are done is take off the end and plunge the leftover into the trash. I've been using one every day since July and love it.
As well, I work out of my truck at times and can't stand brown water at most stores... My truck has a 120V ac that can boil water on a construction site and I'll brew a cup and back on the road to the next inspection

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

I like that mud.

I brew about 20 oz in my FP every morning, and don't see the advantage...I don't get "mud" in mine....what am I doing wrong ?

ps: I don't poor the last oz or so into my mug...maybe that's where I screw up!

Cleanup of a FP...pour grains down the drain and rinse...I must be doing it ALL wrong. Don't like paper filters here either...

[manbridge 74]

I believe the AP is usually less bitter than the FP as the water is not in contact with the grounds as long. It's good for people that might have a more sensitive stomach like when you have coffee on an empty stomach, etc.

I like both.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by KC911

I brew about 20 oz in my FP every morning, and don't see the advantage...I don't get "mud" in mine....what am I doing wrong ?

ps: I don't poor the last oz or so into my mug...maybe that's where I screw up!

Cleanup of a FP...pour grains down the drain and rinse...I must be doing it ALL wrong. Don't like paper filters here either...

I used to mix beans at Whole Foods to create different profiles but had bought some Trader Joe's House Blend once. For my taste, it is perfect. For 2 years I've had it and not gotten bored or wanted something different. I love the all the oil in these beans. The most important element to get my taste is the grind, then time. Morning ritual at work is grind the beans, probably more quantity than is recommended, in a little Krups spice/coffee grinder. The kind everyone says not to use. I grind it so that half are "grounds" and half is powder, like dust. Into the FP it goes, boiling water to the top, 6-7 minutes later it's perfect. 4 minutes and it's not as flavorful.

The dust gives you the mud.

and I agree, clean-up in a FP is nothing.

[manbridge 74]

^^ Have you tried getting some green coffee beans and roasting your own? A lot of good oils present in a 72 hour old roast.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

I believe the AP is usually less bitter than the FP as the water is not in contact with the grounds as long. It's good for people that might have a more sensitive stomach like when you have coffee on an empty stomach, etc. .

I ALWAYS have an empty stomach when I get up...it's like a lead lined vault though...gimme the hard stuff

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

^^ Have you tried getting some green coffee beans and roasting your own? A lot of good oils present in a 72 hour old roast.

Man, I've gotta get back into roasting my own...went through a couple of POS made in China air roasters several years back and never got back into it. That is, unless a Trader Joe's opens up close by (rumored)...I've heard good things. There's a TJ's near where I used to work and plenty of local roasters, but none are convenient. Packaged Peet's has been my whole bean of choice for several years now...

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by manbridge 74

^^ Have you tried getting some green coffee beans and roasting your own? A lot of good oils present in a 72 hour old roast.

Haven't gone there. How do you roast your own beans?

[onlycafe]

you could roast them in a hot air popcorn popper.