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M. Cleminshaw |
Date: 2009-01-06
This product solves all the problems I have with a French Press.
French presses are recommended for full extraction without paper filtration. But I find that once the coffee steeps it's not as hot as I like it. Cleaning a french press leaves grounds all over the sink.
The Aeropress offers full extraction and makes delicious hot coffee. You clean it by shooting the puck of grounds right into the trash. You can also throw it in the suitcase for travel. The paper filter is very thin and doesn't interfere with the flavor.
I find it best for making 1-2 cups. Five stars for coffee taste, convenience, durability, and cleanup.
Joe Tex |
Date: 2009-11-10
I have had my AeroPress about a year or more now. I bought mine to use at work and bought a second one for home. It is very soundly made, the only thing you need to watch out for is to be sure you use a sturdy, squat cup, not a tall thin cup, or you may tip it when pressing the brew out. It took some experimentation, but I would like to share what I have found.
Temperature, the amount of water, and the brew time all affect the result. Surprisingly, I believe the amount of water is the most critical with temperature being second. I have combined the use of my AeroPress with the idea of the recent popularity of cold brewing by using water that is only warm (about 150 deg F) and not more than about 2 ounces of water per scoop of coffee. (2 oz is about what the AeroPress is marked to allow per cup) I allow it to brew about 40 to 60 seconds, stirring the whole time before pressing out what is left. This may seem like a long time to French press users, but since so little water is used, and the temperature is low, it works perfectly. Some of the brew will drip through the filter during this time, but I have found that if I add more water, it depreciates the flavor significantly. Seems counter-intuitive, but that is what I have seen. You will end up with almost a slurry in the press at the end of this time, and it will have a tan creamy top that must be some kind of oil from the beans. I have tried adding more water just before pressing, but that ruined the flavor. I also tried beginning with more water, but that also ruined the flavor. There seems to be a critical water to grounds ratio that controls the flavor. Using water that is not too hot also prevents some of the acids and other bitterness from coming out. I end up with a very smooth, bold flavored coffee.
Obviously, after brewing the two ounce espresso-like shot, you can top up the cup with hotter water for a hot cup, or even use some ice and cold water for iced coffee. Brewing a cooler, more concentrated cup this way allows ice to not dilute the result so much, and you can have that iced coffee immediately without waiting for the brew to cool.
Apparently, regular drip machines make poor coffee because the distributor runs so much very hot water over the same grounds for some time, over-extracting some chemicals that add to bitterness and acidity. If you read up on the cold brew devices, they also use much less water, and make a concentrate that is later diluted to make a standard cup of coffee. My method is similar, but a little faster since it uses warm water to speed up the process.
Enjoy, hope yours comes out as good as mine.
Photographer |
Date: 2009-02-24
This inexpensive coffee maker is great. I first heard about it when it was being touted by a local jazz DJ - [...]. For under $[...], I had to try it. The coffee is easy to make - effortless, I'd say. It's easy to clean - again, effortless. It makes one or two cups at a time, with consistent taste. Nothing to plug in and nothing to go wrong. I've put my $300.00 espresso maker away and use my AeroPress, even for guests, since it's so fast. The instructions are short and to the point. What more is there to say? If you want clean, smooth coffee, one or two cups at a time, you can't go wrong with this little device.
J. Martin |
Date: 2009-06-30
When my drip maker died, I went looking for a new coffee maker and came across this device. Every since receiving it, this is the only coffee I drink now. This is a great little coffee maker, and makes a fairly decent espresso as well. I use an electric kettle to heat the water in, and experimented with water amount and time so I know exactly how long to heat the water to get the proper temperture without having to use a thermometer each time. With this device, I can go from start to drinking coffee in well under 3 minutes. I did find that when making my morning "Americano" that the recommended level scoop of finely ground coffee made it too weak for my tastes. I found about a scoop and half works well for me, even though I now go through more coffee than I used to. This device takes an espresso grind, very fine, so either grind your own coffee or have it finely ground. If you try using a normal drip grind, you will probably be dissappointed. Clean up is too easy. Pop the used coffee puck in the trash, a quick rinse, and it is ready for the next cup or storage. I normally don't write reviews on anything, but this device deserves one. Just follow the instruction's (especially the part about stirring before pressing), and experiment a little to find the right combination for your taste. Bottom line, I love this device and won't be going back to drip coffee again.
Suzanne Perry |
Date: 2009-01-29
I have purchased the Aerobie Press 5 times, the first time was a few years ago after I saw a review in the NY Times. I like the simple design and I like the coffee it makes. It is small, light and portable. I take it in my carry-on when I travel to avoid awful mornings such as the one when I learned that my host did not drink coffee, did not have coffee or coffee maker in the house and did not know where any could be found in the neighborhood. Every one that sees it and tastes the coffee wants one, so I gave Aerobie Press gifts to five family members in North and South America. So easy, just try it.
