If you’re looking for a fast, clean, and incredibly versatile way to brew, learning how to make Aeropress coffee is a great skill. This simple device can produce a cup that rivals much more expensive equipment, and it’s perfect for home, travel, or the office.
The Aeropress is a manual coffee maker invented by Alan Adler. It uses air pressure to push hot water through coffee grounds, resulting in a smooth, rich, and low-acidity brew. It’s famously forgiving, but with a few key techniques, you can make it truly shine. Let’s get started with everything you need.
How To Make Aeropress Coffee
This heading is your complete guide. We’ll cover the standard method first, which is perfect for beginners. After you master that, you can experiment with the many popular variations created by coffee enthusiasts worldwide.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Gathering your tools is the first step. You don’t need much, but each item plays a role in the final cup.
- The Aeropress: Comes with the chamber, plunger, filter cap, and a pack of paper filters.
- Fresh Coffee Beans: This is the most important ingredient. Use beans roasted within the last 2-4 weeks.
- A Grinder: A burr grinder is best for consistent size. Pre-ground coffee works, but fresh grinding is superior.
- A Kettle: Gooseneck kettles offer precise pouring, but any kettle will do.
- A Scale: A digital scale (measuring in grams) is the key to consistency and repeatability.
- A Timer: Your phone timer works perfectly.
- Stirrer: The Aeropress comes with one, or you can use a spoon.
- Mug or Carafe: To catch your delicious coffee.
Choosing Your Coffee and Grind
The type of coffee and how you grind it dramatically affects flavor. The Aeropress is flexible, but here are some good starting points.
- Coffee Roast: Medium roasts are very popular for Aeropress, as they balance acidity and body. But feel free to try light or dark roasts—the Aeropress handles them all.
- Grind Size: For the standard method, use a medium-fine grind. It should feel slightly gritty, like table salt. If your brew tastes bitter and over-extracted, try a coarser grind. If it tastes sour and weak, try a finer grind.
- Dose: A standard starting ratio is 15 grams of coffee to 250 grams of water. You can adjust this to taste.
Water Temperature Matters
Boiling water can scorch your coffee. A good range is between 175°F and 205°F (80°C to 96°C). For darker roasts, use slightly cooler water. For lighter roasts, use hotter water, closer to 205°F.
The Standard Aeropress Method (Step-by-Step)
This is the classic, straightforward method recommended in the Aeropress instructions. It’s reliable and makes a single, excellent cup.
- Heat Your Water: Bring your water to the desired temperature.
- Prepare the Aeropress: Insert a paper filter into the filter cap. Rinse it with hot water to eliminate paper taste and preheat your mug. Attach the cap to the chamber.
- Grind and Add Coffee: Grind 15-17 grams of coffee to a medium-fine consistency. Place the Aeropress on your mug and add the grounds.
- Start the Timer & Bloom: Start your timer and pour just enough water (about twice the weight of the coffee) to saturate all the grounds. Give it a gentle stir to ensure no dry pockets remain. Let it bloom for 30 seconds.
- Continue Pouring: Slowly pour the remaining water until you reach your total weight (e.g., 250g). The chamber will be nearly full.
- Stir and Steep: Stir the coffee gently for about 10 seconds. Then, insert the plunger into the chamber at a slight angle and pull up gently to create a vacuum seal. This prevents dripping.
- Press: At the 1 minute and 30 second mark, begin to press the plunger down. Apply steady, gentle pressure. It should take about 30 seconds. You’ll hear a hiss when you reach the bottom.
- Enjoy: Remove the Aeropress from your mug, unscrew the cap, and eject the coffee puck into your compost. Dilute your coffee with a little hot water if desired, and enjoy.
The Inverted Aeropress Method
Many prefer the “inverted” method for greater control and a longer steep time without premature dripping. It looks tricky but is very simple.
- Assemble Inverted: Insert the plunger into the chamber just enough to create a seal, then flip the whole Aeropress upside down so the plunger is on the counter and the chamber opening is facing up.
- Add Coffee: Add your ground coffee directly into the upturned chamber.
- Pour and Steep: Pour all of your hot water over the grounds. Stir thoroughly. You can now let it steep for as long as you like—a common time is 2 minutes.
- Attach Filter Cap: Screw the prepared filter cap (with rinsed filter) onto the chamber. Do this carefully while the Aeropress is still inverted.
- Flip and Press: Place your mug on top of the filter cap. In one confident motion, grip the mug and chamber together and flip them over. The Aeropress is now right-side up on your mug. Gently press the plunger down all the way, just like in the standard method.
The inverted method is great for avoiding any drip-through and for recipes that call for longer immersion times. Just be careful during the flip!
Advanced Tips for Better Aeropress Coffee
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, these tips can help you refine your brew and troubleshoot problems.
Experiment with Ratios
The coffee-to-water ratio is your main lever for strength. The standard 1:16 or 1:17 ratio (coffee to water) is a benchmark. For a stronger, more concentrated cup (similar to an espresso), try a 1:10 ratio. For a lighter cup, try 1:18.
Master the Press
The pressing force matters. A slow, steady press (taking 20-40 seconds) is better than a fast, hard one. Too much force can extract bitter compounds. If you feel strong resistance, your grind may be to fine.
Try Different Filters
- Paper Filters: (Standard) Produce a very clean, sediment-free cup with brighter acidity.
- Metal Filters: Allow more oils and fine particles through, resulting in a fuller body and richer mouthfeel, similar to a French press.
Some people even use two paper filters for an ultra-clean cup. Experiment to see what you prefer.
Water Quality is Key
If your tap water tastes bad or is very hard, your coffee will to. Use filtered water for the best results. The mineral content in good water actually helps with extraction.
Common Aeropress Mistakes to Avoid
Even simple devices have pitfalls. Here’s what to watch out for.
- Using Stale Coffee: This is the number one cause of flat, boring coffee. Always buy fresh, whole beans.
- Inconsistent Grind: A blade grinder creates uneven particles, leading to both bitter and sour flavors in the same cup. A burr grinder is a worthwhile investment.
- Ignoring the Bloom: The bloom releases carbon dioxide. If you skip it, the gas can interfere with water contact, leading to uneven extraction.
- Pressing Too Fast: This is a common error. A rapid press increases turbulence and can over-extract, making coffee bitter.
- Not Cleaning Properly: Oils and fines can build up on the rubber plunger seal. Disassemble and wash all parts after each use to keep it functioning smoothly.
Aeropress Coffee Recipes to Try
The global Aeropress community has created thousands of recipes. Here are two famous ones to get you experimenting.
The Classic “World Championship” Style
This style, inspired by competition recipes, often uses a finer grind, lower temperature, and shorter brew time for a very sweet, balanced cup.
- Coffee: 18g, ground medium-fine.
- Water: 230g at 185°F (85°C).
- Method: Inverted. Add coffee, pour all water, stir vigorously for 10 seconds. Steep until 1:10 total. Attach cap, flip, press gently for 30 seconds. Total brew time: 1:40.
The Strong Concentrate (Mock Espresso)
While not true espresso, this makes a fantastic base for americanos or milk drinks.
- Coffee: 20g, ground fine (almost like table salt).
- Water: 100g at 200°F (93°C).
- Method: Standard. Add coffee, pour 50g water, stir, bloom 30s. Pour remaining 50g water, stir, insert plunger to seal. At 1:15, press slowly for 45 seconds. Add hot water or steamed milk to taste.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Aeropress
Proper care keeps your Aeropress working for years. It’s very simple.
- After pressing, unscrew the filter cap and push the plunger all the way through to eject the coffee puck and filter.
- Separate the chamber, plunger, and filter cap. Rinse all parts with warm water.
- Occasionally, wash with mild soap. Pay attention to the rubber seal on the plunger; wipe it clean to maintain its grip.
- Let all parts air dry completely before reassembling for storage.
With good care, the only part you’ll need to replace are the paper filters, or the rubber seal after several years of use.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best grind size for Aeropress?
A medium-fine grind is the best starting point, similar to table salt. It offers a balance between extraction and flow rate. You can adjust finer for stronger recipes or coarser if you find your coffee tastes bitter.
Can you make cold brew with an Aeropress?
Yes, you can! Use a coarse grind, room temperature or cold water, and a long steep time (2-12 hours) using the inverted method. Then press. It makes a fast, single-serving cold brew concentrate.
How do I stop my Aeropress from dripping?
The inverted method completely stops dripping. In the standard method, inserting the plunger at an angle and pulling up slightly after stirring creates a vacuum seal that minimizes dripping.
Is Aeropress coffee stronger than drip?
It can be, depending on your recipe. The Aeropress typically uses a higher coffee-to-water ratio and full immersion, which can extract more efficiently. The resulting brew is often more intense and flavorful than a typical drip coffee.
How long should Aeropress coffee steep?
For the standard method, a total steep time (including bloom and press) of about 1:30 to 2 minutes is common. For inverted methods, steeping for 2-4 minutes is popular. Taste and adjust based on your preference.
Why is my Aeropress coffee bitter?
Bitterness usually means over-extraction. Try a coarser grind, shorter brew time, lower water temperature, or a gentler press. Also, ensure you are not using to much coffee relative to your water.
Can I use pre-ground coffee in an Aeropress?
Absolutely. The Aeropress is very forgiving with pre-ground coffee, which is typically a medium grind. Just follow the standard method. For the best results, choose a grind labeled for “pour-over” or “drip” coffee makers.
Learning how to make Aeropress coffee is a journey of small tweaks and big rewards. Start with the standard method, get comfortable with your tools, and then begin to play with variables like grind size, temperature, and steeping time. The beauty of the Aeropress is its simplicity and the personal control it offers. With a little practice, you’ll be making cups of coffee that are perfect for your taste, every single time.