Aeropress - Step by Step Brew Guide

The AeroPress is a single-cup coffee brewing system invented by Alan Alder (who also created the Aerobie Frisbee), that will provide an excellent cup of coffee with no clean-up at home, when travelling or even in the office. The device works like a giant hypodermic needle by using a plunger to force water through coffee, which is similar to a French Press. The pressurisation that occurs in the plunging action is similar to an espresso machine, making the AeroPress a true combination of methods for brewing coffee. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to the traditional method of using an AeroPress... 

 

How to Brew Coffee Using An AeroPress

1. Turn on kettle to boil water

2. Warm your mug or cup and pour water through the AeroPress paper filter inside the screw-cap. This is to maintain heat of your final brew and also remove any bad taste from the paper itself, which might spoil your coffee.

3. Place the black cap with filter and screw it together with the bottom section of the brewer (piece with the hexagon shape).

4. Using a scale, measure out 28 grams of whole-bean coffee. Grind coffee to a medium-grain size (similar to coarse sand) and put the ground coffee into the AeroPress, placed on top of a mug. Use the funnel if you don't have a steady hand, to make this easier. 

5. Place the mug and AeroPress on the gram scale and 'tare' the weight to zero. Start the timer (or use the AeroPress timer mobile app) and begin pouring water (just cooler than boiling, about 30 seconds after boiling a kettle) into the AeroPress until the scale reads 280 grams.

6. Stir the coffee gently for up to 10 seconds and then insert into the top piece of the brewer. Carefully move the mug off the scale onto the counter. 

7. Wait around 60 seconds for the coffee to extract into the water, then remove the top and stir gently. Replace the top piece. 

8. When the timer reads 1:45, stir one more time. Then re-insert the top piece and plunge as slow as possible (you will need a little elbow grease for this part). The brewed coffee will press through the filter into the mug. Don't push too hard at the end of the plunge. 

9. Top up with water if you want a slightly longer coffee.

10. Leave the AeroPress to cool before unscrewing the cap to push the hockey puck of coffee and filter into the bin or recycling. 

11. Meanwhile, enjoy your brew.