I recall my first encounter with an Aeropress. Visiting, a local coffee shop and seeing it on their menu, I inquired into this weird and unheard of device. After hearing the story of what the Aeropress was and how it could change and perfect my coffee game, I decided I would purchase one… eventually. Finally, the day had come and I recieved the package in the mail. The greatest thing about this is how easy the Aeropress coffee instructions actually are. I use my Aeropress just as much as I use my chemex.
What is an Aeropress?
As always, I find it important to briefly describe what the device is that we are brewing with before going into the full break down of instructions. Of course, if you are wanting the “how-to” right now, just scroll down. The Aeropress was invented in 2004 and debuted in 2005, by Alan Adler, an inventor and retired Stanford Engineering instructor. With his extensive knowledge in engineering he began studying the brewing process to create a superior cup of coffee and oh my, did he! The aeropress is sold in over 80 countries, has its own World Aeropress Championship where more than 60 countries compete, and can be served in multiple different ways including the mot popular styles of espresso and americano.
Your Coffee Bar Setup
Before we fully get into the instructions, I promise they start right after this, we need to discuss our coffee bar setup. If, you are trying to set up an at home coffee bar, some things are very important and others are not so much. I don’t expect you to have the same setup as me, but don’t let that stop you from brewing great coffee using an Aeropress. If you find yourself stumped please feel free to leave a comment below or send an email below.
Here’s a list of what’s needed.
- Aeropress (It comes in orginal or travel size.)
- Filters for the Aeropress (I use a stainless steel filter to conserve waste.)
- Scale (One that weighs in grams – the right scale will elevate your coffee game. I found mine at the Salvation Army!)
- Kettle (I use the Bonavita Digital Variable Temperature Gooseneck Kettle which makes for easier pouring, but honestly anything will work as long at as it gets to 205degrees.)
- Grinder (I use the Breville Smart Grinder, but a hand held or having your local coffee shop grind them, will work too.)
- Filtered Water (It’s something about the pH levels, or something sciency. Seriously, it makes a difference in taste.)
- Timer (Use a kitchen one or your phone.)
- Stirring Device (Your aeropress will come with one.)
- Mug (Or coffee cup, whichever you prefer to call it.)
- Freshly Roasted Coffee (The better the coffee the better the brew. Don’t settle for anything less! General rule of thumb is to enjoy your coffee 2-4 weeks after it’s roasting date.)
As you can see this list, though extensive can be accumulated very cheaply or expensively, depending on your coffee goals. For those who are new to this world, start small and find used stuff. Slowly build your knowledge and gear. Aside from the Aeropress and those specific filters – everything else here will be used for all other brewing guides. Now let’s start brewing!
ALL OF MY RECIPES USE THE FOLLOWING RULE: 1 PART COFFEE TO 17 PARTS WATER
Step 1: Boiling Water
Fill up your kettle with filtered water. We are going to be using 235g water for the brewing and then addition to wet the paper filter and to heat the mug up. I like to recommend filling up the kettle or boiling device to the top.
Boil to 205 degrees Fahrenheit / 96 degrees Celsius.
Preheat Mug when you are able to.
Preceed with the next steps as you are waiting for the water to reach boiling.
Step 2: Weigh the Beans
Using your scale.
Set to grams and place a bowl or cup onto it.
Tare it to zero.
Weight out 14g of beans or coffee if you already have it ground (this will produce 8oz of brewed coffee)
The Aeropress is very diverse with what type of coffee you can use. If you are looking for something more on that espresso or americano style, than I recommend anything that is more medium to darker roast, such as something from Colombia or Peruvian. If you are looking for something a little lighter to medium than I recommend anything that is Costa Rican or African. However, though there is a science to brewing coffee – it requires art and experimentation, so be playful.
Step 3: Assemble Your Aeropress: The Inverted Method
Setup your Aeropress in this fashion:
- Take the bottom portion (where you screw your cap) and connect to the top portion (the part with the plunger).
- Make sure the bottom (where you screw the cap on) is facing upwards.
- It’s important that you have the plunger close enough to the bottom of the to not have any drips, but also close enough to the bottom to fill with grounds and water.
- See drawn diagram above for a better understand.
Step 4: Grind Your Beans
Medium Fine Grind
When using the Breville Smart Grinder, I set my settings to the max setting, making this more of a fine espresso grind. Anything after the 10 setting line will give you the grind level you want. Experiment! Read the instruction manual of your grinder, to get the best results. Depending if you don’t have a grinder just ask your local coffee shop to grind them.
Spoon grounds into your inverted Aeropress.
Step 5: Set Timer
Set timer to 3 minutes.
Press start!
Step 6: Place Aeropress onto Scale and Bloom
Place Aeropress onto scale and tare to zero
Slowly pour in enough water to dampen the bed of the coffee grounds
Bloom for 30 seconds
Step 7: Continue Pouring and Stir
Continue pouring hot water until you reach 235g
Stir the coffee gently 2 -3 times.
Step 8: Wet Filter and Place on Cap
Wet the paper filter (not necessary if using metal) and place into cap.
Place filter and cap onto Aeropress and twist on.
Step 9: Steep
Steep coffee for the remaing time.
Step 10: Flip Aeropress and Plunge
Empty hot water from mug of choice.
Flip the Aeropress onto mug.
Push down to plunge brewed coffee.
Step 11: Clean up and Enjoy
Remove cap.
Plunge grounds into a compost.
Drink Up and enjoy.
A side note, at this point you can add more hot water if you want something not as strong. I do both and am satisfied with each result, just depends on my mood.
The Quick Steps
Step 1 : Boil The Water – 205 degrees F / 96 degrees C
Step 2: Weigh Your Beans – 14g
Step 3: Assemble Your Aeropress: The Inverted Method – Bottom on top. Top on bottom.
Step 4: Grind Your Beans – Medium Fine.
Step 5: Set Timer – 3 minutes and start.
Step 6: Place Aeropress Onto Scale and Bloom – Tare to zero / 30 seconds to bloom.
Step 7: Continue Pouring and Stir – Pour water slowly until 235g is reached. Stir 2 – 3 times.
Step 8: Wet Filter and Place on Cap – Wet filter. Twist on cap.
Step 9: Steep – Steep for remaing time
Step 10: Flip and Plunge – Empty hot water from mug. Flip Aeropress onto mug and plunge.
Step 11: Clean Up and Enjoy – Clean Aeropress. Drink up!
Happy Brewing,
Corey J. Plummer