Stupid Aeropress questions.

How easy to use is an Aeropress?

Very easy

Can you use pre-ground coffee

I do

what is a V60 about?

what is a V60?

Aeropress is how I make a decent mug of coffee for myself. If it's for me and MrsSC I use a Bodum 1L Pour Over Coffee Maker with filters.

A V60 is that cone thing - looks to me like a posh version of those Douwe Egberts things you used to see that sat on top of coffee cups.

aeropress is easy to carry and use but i just wish it was bigger!

but but reusable metal filter, saves you chasing a paper one around in the wind 😀😀

Aeropress is a doddle to use, easy to clean, very portable and makes great coffee. Only downside is it's a bit antisocial as it only makes coffee for 1 at a time or 2 at a push. My wife drinks instant (I know, I somehow wonder why we're together too). So it's not an issue for me. I grind beans for it, but you don't have to. If you buy pre ground beans though, it likes a fine grind. Maybe not quite espresso grind but a lot finer than for a cafetiere.

Very easy, some would say it takes a bit of experimentation to get the temperature and the brew time/method right but I find it a pretty forgiving method. 2 teaspoons, water boiled and then wait a minute or so, inverted brew method...... job done.

Yes, you can use ground coffee; the aeropress is well enough known now that if you ask a roaster to grind for it they'll know. Or In a push I'll use supermarket, cafetiere grind. It still works and gives a decent brew. Mainly I'll grind my own beans (blade grinder, burn me!) but a mate that knows his beans literally reckons that in the hierarchy of differences method of grinding is of lower importance than other factors such as temperature of brew, freshly ground vs old and stale, etc. and I reckon the aeropress is even less fussy on type and consistency of grind.

V60 - doesn't appeal.

James Hoffman's favoured technique (which I use) is to fill with water to the top then put the plunger in at the top. This stops the water draining out. Leave it for 2 mins and then press. This way, it doesn't matter how fine your coffee is ground so you can use supermarket pre-ground (which is too coarse for most things). And it always tastes great.

Downside is that you can only make for one person at a time, but making two or three cups at once using the official method is problematic anyway.

We find that we get great results with Lavazza especially the gold or espresso varieties (Lavazza is a finer grind than cafetiere grind) and water straight out the kettle. Paper filters can be reused with care - the stainless filter we were gifted let a lot of yuk through so have stuck with paper.

Only downside is it’s a bit antisocial as it only makes coffee for 1 at a time or 2 at a push.

Aeropress XL available now 👌

An aeropress is easy to use. But don't overlook the Clever Dripper, I use one at work and it's also an easy way of making a decent brew.

Aeropress XL ?? Crivvens

Aeropress is extremely easy to use and simple to clean.

I have a coffeee subscription and the supplier grinds the coffee to suit Aeropress. No problems so far.

The regular Aeropress can make enough for two people. The hardest part is pouring the coffee from one cup in to the other without spilling any.

The Aeropress Go is great for Bikepacking (or use in the office) but only makes enough for one cup.

I have never used my Aeropress to make an espresso though. I always top up the cup with boiled water to make a 'long' coffee.

Also what is a V60 about?

It's a pour-over coffee cup thing. I use for all my coffee at home.

Aeropress XL available now 👌

😍 what a time to be alive! 😀

I have never used my Aeropress to make an espresso

Nobody has

It's a really simple to use device that can make great coffee.

Coffee heads will of course insist that the process needs to be more complicated. 😊

but but reusable metal filter, saves you chasing a paper one around in the wind

+1, can leave it in the press too which means you don't forget to take it with you... Does let more of the oils through than paper, whether that matters is up to you.

At home I use a v60, for me it's a nicer coffee.

I'm resisting buying another gadget i don't need and I'm telling myself the coffee will have the same taste as a cafetiere. Am I wrong?

I also like V60 - zero thinking required first thing in the morning before my brain has fully engaged. Too many times I've used an aeropress and ended up spraying coffee everywhere through utter and complete stupidity on my part.

I’m resisting buying another gadget i don’t need and I’m telling myself the coffee will have the same taste as a cafetiere. Am I wrong?

It'll taste different IMO. Better is subjective...

I’m resisting buying another gadget i don’t need and I’m telling myself the coffee will have the same taste as a cafetiere. Am I wrong?

A cafetiere can make decent coffee. I use one when we have guests.  I use an Aeropress out of preference though when it's just me. This is because I do prefer the coffee it makes and its a lot easier to clean.  Both can make a rubbish brew if you're not consistent with your method.  As in all things coffee, James Hoffman is the guru.

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I generally use lavazza red in my aeropress, though occasionally I'll get a fresh ground one from a roaster, as others have said just make sure it's fine.

I do the James H method above with a measure of coffee, fill to just about the top, leave a minute(don't like it took strong) and then plunge.

The paper filters last me quite a while. I just take it off rinse it and put it back in the bottom bit of aeropress,lock it back on, put the plunger it and leave it on it's little stand until the next coffee.

I’m resisting buying another gadget i don’t need and I’m telling myself the coffee will have the same taste as a cafetiere. Am I wrong?

I much prefer the Aeropress coffee. I'm a massive philistine really but aeropress coffee just tastes stronger, I never managed cafetiere coffee that didn't taste slightly insipid by comparison.

I had slipped into a takeaway coffee once or twice a week habit when I'm in the office. At that rate an aeropress pays itself back in about 6 weeks AND makes better coffee, win win!

I’m telling myself the coffee will have the same taste as a cafetiere. Am I wrong?

Yes, I think so. It's much nicer than a cafetiere. In terms of coffee quality for money they are superb. If you are short of space I'd ditch the cafetiere and get an Aeropress 🙂 It's probably the same or less faff as there's almost no cleaning.

Ueshima Tokyo blend makes really really lovely coffee in an Aeropress.

Coffee heads will of course insist that the process needs to be more complicated.

I'll just leave this here: https://aeromatic.app/

In all seriousness, I liked mine so much it replaced my modded Gaggia Classic as my everyday coffee maker. They're that good.

I've been using aeropress for years and it makes great coffee. I've got the krupps burr grinder (after another thread on STW) which does a good grind. Ordered the new Flow Control Filter which is supposed to produce a more espresso type of coffee, that will turn up tomorrow so I'll report back.

There was also a premium model announced back in March, but no word on release date yet or price. It's glass and metal so don't think it will be cheap.

I saw the flow control filter on the website - it’s supposed to help it work with a courser grind?

Will be interested to hear if it makes much difference.

If you use supermarket/cafetiere grind, then the water drains through too quickly so by the time your ten seconds is up there's not much left to press. And when you do, there's no back pressure, and the pressure is important for extraction. The Hoffman method or the upside-down method get round this by stopping the water draining out.

The problem with the OEM method (in the instructions it comes with) is that how easy it is to press depends on if you are making multiple cups. So one possible solution to lack of pressure is to make more cups.

It's still better with a finer grind though.

How do people find the taste difference between a V60 and an aeropress?

I was doing a pour-over in a v60 but I found it a bit weak/bland. I drink it black, and have gone back to a Moka pot and a smaller cup. But I prefer a medium roast (not really into the full-on dark roast stuff)

Edit - just seen molgrips post above. I use supermarket grind so maybe that's why I found the v60 a bit weak.

Surely aeropress easy makes coffee for two unless you drink quadruple shots.

if you want a big mug full just top up with hot water, we do that all the time. It’s plenty strong enough if you put in a decent heap of grounds.

Oh and also a metal filter is good.

It’s been our standard method for years now though I sometimes make a cafetiere for a change.

Oh I either use espresso grind lavazza or else grind my own as fine as I can with a decent burr grinder.

I saw the flow control filter on the website – it’s supposed to help it work with a courser grind?

Will be interested to hear if it makes much difference.

Interesting to know - MrsMC tends to buy coarse ground coffee for me when it's on offer, fine grind works better

Surely aeropress easy makes coffee for two unless you drink quadruple shots.

Depends on your water/coffee ratio. One of the great things about the Aeropress is that you can make a shorter moka-pot style coffee or a longer filter-brew style coffee.

So, have been in the Unorthodox Roasters in Kinross

They're quite an enthusiastic bunch in there!

Also what is a V60 about?

Basically a more hands-on version of how a filter coffee machine works - you pour hot water onto the coffee as it sits in a little conical filter. Simpler in principle than an aeropress, but I find it much more fiddly to do well. Can be quite a relaxing, mindful process but if I just want some coffee I usually grab the aeropress.

Both aropress and v60 are superior to cafetiere in my opinion purely from a cleanup perspective. I hate cleaning cafetieres.

Surely aeropress easy makes coffee for two unless you drink quadruple shots.

Yes, if you follow the instructions it comes with. But there are alternative methods, some of which can only be used to make one cup - but perhaps a superior one.

Nice choice, I love unorthodox,they also make a lovely hotchocolate powder. And just up the road in milnathort you get fantastic ice-cream. (These places lie between me and my folks I rarely drive that bit of the motorway 😆)

I am about to get my third aeropress in about 14years having worn two out (not a criticism, you get replacement rubber seals and you get about three seals of usage before the main part goes weird and lumpy).

I found the metal filters I got kept blocking so ended up back on paper. They make a nice coffee but when you use very nice coffee you get a very nice coffee out.

I also have a v60 it also makes a nice coffee but it's more faffy, if you just Hoi the water in it drains straight out, you need to soak the coffee and let it bloom THEN top the filter up. The plastic it's made from also didn't seem to last that well but I suspect someone at work has put it in the dishwasher.

Nothing wrong with a cafetiere or a mokka pot either but they up the faff, the mokka is faffy all round and the cafetiere is a dick to clean.

Also... Aeropress sister product is also amazing... The aerobee, the finest thing for throwing ever.

Hijack -

My aeropress go literally goes everywhere with me on any bikepacking, camping trip. The metal filter would be easier to carry than a stash of paper. Which metal filter are people using?

An aeropress is just a french press/cafetiere without a bottom, so if you can use one of those...And to be honest, if you don't need the port-ability and robustness of the aeropress, or you're in a kitchen not on a mountain top,  then given that they have a nasty plastic after-taste why anyone would choose to use one over an orthodox press is either 1. I've got used to the god-awful plastic taste, and I don't want to buy another thing, 2. I'm quirky and the aeropress says this to others without me having to, 3. leave me alone you weirdo.

If you're just starting out, get a regular press, or a pour over, or a stove top, or a drip maker...anything really to avoid having to use that stupid plastic tube to make awful awful coffee.

I was doing a pour-over in a v60 but I found it a bit weak/bland. I drink it black, and have gone back to a Moka pot and a smaller cup. But I prefer a medium roast (not really into the full-on dark roast stuff)

Also black with medium roast (usually) here. I find with a v60 I get a lot of flavour from the coffee (compared to aeropress, can't comment on moka pot) but the brew process sure is a faff - surprise, surprise it's from a James Hoffman video...

An aeropress is just a french press/cafetiere without a bottom, so if you can use one of those…

I don't know if it makes a difference (I can certainly taste a difference) but the aeropress generates more pressure to squeeze the coffee through the filter. I've sat very patiently waiting for a french press before very slowly plunging and it still comes out weaker, and still with more grounds floating about in the bottom.

I've already confessed to being a philistine, so if there is a plastic after taste, I've never noticed! 😂

I am about to get my third aeropress in about 14years having worn two out (not a criticism, you get replacement rubber seals and you get about three seals of usage before the main part goes weird and lumpy).

I think this is the first time ive seen someone else mention this. I've killed two or possibly three aeropresses in a lot less than 14 years. I don't drink a lot of coffee either. They just seem to get to the point where they won't seal properly even with a new bung.

So although I like the approach I can't quite square with myself the reality of chucking away a big lump of plastic every few years 😬

I now brew coffee using in a Pyrex jug, pouring the coffee through a tea strainer to filter, a setup i think of as a poor mans cafetiere. To date I have worn through a sun total of zero jugs or tea strainers, and my up front investment was of the order of a couple of quid.

Of course the coffee is awful, but what can you do?

you get about three seals of usage before the main part goes weird and lumpy).

I thought mine was one-off faulty but it's old. Hadn't realised they all went that way. I filed/sanded the little lumps smooth once and cleaned it up and it was good but I use a Bialetti Brikka day to day in preference now, or an Aeropress Go for hotels and things like that.

Of course the coffee is awful, but what can you do?

Buy a cafetiere (glass and metal - no plastic) and follow James Hoffman's video guide on how to get the best coffee from it. Life is too short for shit coffee!

Same as many it seems

AeroPress use for many, many years now. Love it. Cafetière only used when guests are over. AeroPress go kept in the van for trips, currently in France on holiday and it’s getting use

Clean up in an AeroPress is fantastic. I use a new paper filter every time

My aeropress lives at the office for when I am there now. Use a percolator at home now. It is wonderful

@doris5000

How do people find the taste difference between a V60 and an aeropress?

I was doing a pour-over in a v60 but I found it a bit weak/bland. I drink it black, and have gone back to a Moka pot and a smaller cup. But I prefer a medium roast (not really into the full-on dark roast stuff)

I alternate between a V60 and Aeropress. I find the V60 gives a much cleaner and lighter flavour; I feel that I can taste more flavours. I also prefer the process of using the V60... very therapeutic!

I use the same coffee beans for both methods (usually Rave Number 50 or Rave 666AF) but I grind much finer for the Aeropress (Niche grinder). I always use the Hoffman method for the Aeropress and using a fine grind (almost espresso fine) it takes a lot of pressure to plunge.

When using the V60, I believe it's important to get the ratios and timing right. I use 36gms of coffee and add 540gms of water. I've adjusted the grind so the water takes about 4 minutes to pass through the grinds and paper (including 1 minute bloom time). I pour using a gooseneck, stove-top kettle.

I much prefer the V60, although I also use the Aeropress on most days too.

Edit- the V60 might sound like a load of faffing, but it takes me only a minute or two longer than the Aeropress method. And makes more coffee.

Still revert to a French press when we've got a load of guests. Rarely use the Moka pot or Espresso machine.

Stanley's post above was at the level of faff I used to be at - nowadays I much more about feel. A bit like cooking. My theory is because I've faffed about with weighing and timing in the past I know what looks and feels about right so I no longer need to bother. And the coffee still tastes great. I do think there might be a touch of directional hifi leads about the whole thing - if you've invested the time or money in the experience you categorically can tell the difference; but the rest of the world thinks you are crackers 🙂

Aeropress still has it's place. No longer goes up mountains with me (gone cowboy for that) or in the home (I flit between moka pot, pour over or french press) but it lives in the van where it's self contained clean little pucks of grounds are a bit of a win.

And as to method - Hoffman-lite for me - i.e. no longer bother inverting, just the right way up a medium fine grind and pop the plunger in to stop it draining through. Wait for a minute or two before plunging.

For fear of upsetting the purists, I use an Aeropress with Aldi's French Blend ground coffee. I only really use it when camping as have an espresso machine at home (also used with Aldi ground coffee).
Upside down method, pulled right down to 4. Chuck a couple of heaped teaspoons on coffee in, pour some hot water in that's been off the boil for a minute to near the top, put the filter and lid (?) on and leave it for a few minutes while I make a cup of tea for the wife. Plunge it in to a mug and add a dash of milk.
Then sit in the sun with the dog and watch the world go by while waiting for everyone else to wake up.

This was yesterday morning (apologies, the mug pun doesn't work with coffee in)...

the Hoffman method for the Aeropress

Wasn't aware this had a name .. it just seemed like the obvious thing to do for a bit more brewing time when I got one. I've seen people inverting the whole thing to do similar which looked like a scalding mess waiting to be created.

No longer goes up mountains with me (gone cowboy for that)

That's the way to do it imo. I don't think people realise how great a good cowboy coffee can be and it's a load less stuff to pack.

Hang on...Kinross has a funky coffee roasters?

How times have changed.

Kinross is where they are not Milnathort, opposite where one of the pit stops on the Edi to St Andrews bike run. Is that still run ?
Much better roaster 10 miles further East in Glenrothes, perfect for my Haggis
V6 or maybe a V8 sound and go great but what's this v60 thing

I’ve seen people inverting the whole thing to do similar which looked like a scalding mess waiting to be created.

Yeah it does first time, then you learn to push all the air out before inverting it.

Eh? What am I missing? Remove filter cap, insert paper (I prewet so it sticks)

Pull plunger out to measure and a bit.

Invert plunger and cylinder and stand on plunger.

Add coffee. Add water. Stir (that's why plunger is measure and a bit, to allow space for stirring). Put filter cap on. Leave to brew.

When ready with one hand on mug and one on aeropress (you can hold at the join easily enough) put mug on top and invert both together.

As long as the seal is ok, nothing leaks at all.

The one in Milnathort is Heaven Scent (or something like that) who used to run the cafe in Dunfermline library and who buy their coffee from the Roasting Project in Burntisland, or so my parents tell me.

Can't believe my predicted text changed Gaggia to haggis
Heaven Scent is a good cafe, they were up at Knockhill circuit running the cafe last time I was there

Fwiw i did a blind taste test for inverted vs non-inverted method and couldn't tell the difference. For me, the non-inverted method is marginally less faff so that's what I use.

I agree that there's a bit of 'directional cables' around coffee at times but I still measure everything for 2 reasons:

- means I can be consistent without having to use judgement. Particularly useful for my uncaffeinated brain.
- I like weighing stuff out.

Yeah it does first time, then you learn to push all the air out before inverting it.

That would help : ) Was simply thinking how easily knocked over it would be Vs 'plugged' at the top, pre-pressing the usual way up

I guess if you're making a fairly short coffee and the plunger's well in it's more stable while inverted.

I reckon the aero press makes great coffee on the move.

i “think” the point of the aeropress over a cafetière is that it allows you to make espresso since you can use pressure with the aeropress plunger in the same way an espresso machine uses pressure to force the water through the coffee. You can’t burn the coffee either which I always think is the drawback of a stove top espresso machine

must admit I tend to use a bog standard filter machine in the mornings. Experienced guesstimating with amounts of Freshly ground “good beans” and fresh water and removing the coffee as soon as it’s brewed so it can’t sit on the hot plate seems to give a quick hassle free breakfast method. Not as “cool” as a v60 some digital scales and a swan neck kettle but I’m bad at getting out of bed until the last possible moment....

I’ve added a Fellow Prismo cap to my aeropress. Worth a look if you like the inverted method but don’t like the risk of spillage or the fact some liquid filters through before the plunger can be inserted.

I also enjoy using my 3 cup Moka with an aeropress filter in it. It fits like a glove and gives a lovely clean cup. Like a very strong aeropress I guess.

French press is alright but I’m not keen on the sludge even following JH’s method.

My daily go too is an espresso added to a small amount of hot water - a small long black.

It’s already been said but worth reiterating. It’s not possible to make an espresso with an aeropress. You’ll create at most about 1 bar of pressure vs around 9bar from an espresso machine.