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How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

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Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#111

Post by cmn27 »

garfij wrote: post #88
cag_ii wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wasn't a big fan until I read about the inverted method [0]. You might give that a try if you haven't already. [0] http://stumptowncoffee.com/brew-guides/aeropress/

Everyone talks a lot about the inverted method, but I feel like you get the same controlled steep time by easing the plunger in a little and then pulling back out a little to create negative pressure inside tube.

This x 1000. To my mind, espousing the inverted method betrays a scant grasp of vacuums and basic physics.

Allowing a drop or two of coffee to escape early to the cup massively outweighs the risks of using very hot water to give something a very high centre of gravity.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#112

Post by signal11 »

guelo wrote: post #102

Aeropress is made out of polypropylene plastic which has been found to leech quats and oleamide. I have become more and more alarmed at how often coffee is prepared or delivered via plastics that are prone to leach, specially at the higher temperatures of coffee. From plastic drip coffee machines to the lids on coffee cups sold at cafes. Even glass french presses normally have a plastic in the lid. This is one reason…

Have you tried the Moka Pot? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot It's very popular in Italy.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#113

Post by thenomad »

wampus wrote: post #28

I use my AeroPress twice a day, every day and love it. But the article is mistaken in calling it espresso. It's not even close, although someone has rigged one to produce espresso[1]. And don't let the article fool you, there are really only three important factors: water temperature, grind size, and steep time. Varying these can get different characteristics from a particular roast, and it's fun to experiment! What…

I'd argue that agitation time, press time and brew technique (inverted vs regular) are also worth considering, albeit not as important as the three you mention (plus bean choice). In particular, I find inverted brew vs regular brew using an Aeropress makes a huge difference.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#114

Post by thenomad »

pa5tabear wrote: post #67
sprice wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Absolutely agree on the three important factors. But I'd say the fourth is bean quality. Makes all the difference.

You don't think pressure matters when plunging? I've speculated that a faster plunge might extract more solutes from the coffee grinds due to greater liquid penetration into the coffee grounds from higher pressure.

From practical testing, I'd say it makes a difference, but it's second-order compared to grind size, temperature, steep time.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#115

Post by thenomad »

lightyrs wrote: post #85

I was using the AeroPress Inverted Method for about two years with varying degrees of success, however, I finally soured on the clunkiness, mess-making potential, lack of easy containment/storage, and lack of body to the coffee it produced so I sold out and got a Nespresso VertuoLine. It's such a refreshing experience to just push a button and have espresso (actual espresso) or coffee. The only downside was the lack…

You can solve the body issue with a metal rather than paper filter, FYI. Definitely worth a try.

This is the usually recommended one: http://departmentofcoffee.com/product/able-disk/

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#116

Post by thenomad »

cmn27 wrote: post #111
garfij wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone talks a lot about the inverted method, but I feel like you get the same controlled steep time by easing the plunger in a little and then pulling back out a little to create negative pressure inside tube.

This x 1000. To my mind, espousing the inverted method betrays a scant grasp of vacuums and basic physics. Allowing a drop or two of coffee to escape early to the cup massively outweighs the risks of using very hot water to give something a very high centre of gravity.

Practical point: I've had an Aeropress for years, using it at least once a week, often daily, always inverted.

I've never knocked it over. It's much more stable inverted than you might think.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#117

Post by beloch »

moultano wrote: post #97
mrmondo wrote: post #79

I've tried a great many ways of brewing coffee including several Aeropress setups - I can honestly say that Aeropress is no better than your standard French press - it's not even close to espresso or even a handpresso or similar device.

However, it is much easier to clean than a French press, doesn't require a particular grind size, and you can use either a paper or metal filter if you are worried about cafestol or like oilier coffee.

A french press can be cleaned simply by rinsing it out, with the occasional more thorough cleaning. Also, you can vary the grind size considerably. It's only superfine grinds that will clog the filter.

I have an aeropress, but I rarely use it. Maybe I'm just a clutz, but I always have to wipe the counter down after using an aeropress (especially with the inverted method), while a french press is pretty much mess-free. The aeropress is very fidly. That's great if you're in the mood to experiment but not so great if you just want a decent cup of coffee. I do like the results of the aeropress for making iced coffee, but generally prefer the flavor of french press coffee. Paper filters remove a lot of coffee's flavor-rich oils.

The one deal-breaker that some people have with french presses is the sludge they let through, especially when used with a low quality grinder that doesn't produce grounds of uniform size. If you can't stand sludge and have a crappy grinder you pretty much have to use something with a paper filter.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#118

Post by cmn27 »

thenomad wrote: post #116
cmn27 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This x 1000. To my mind, espousing the inverted method betrays a scant grasp of vacuums and basic physics. Allowing a drop or two of coffee to escape early to the cup massively outweighs the risks of using very hot water to give something a very high centre of gravity.

Practical point: I've had an Aeropress for years, using it at least once a week, often daily, always inverted. I've never knocked it over. It's much more stable inverted than you might think.

And ditto from my perspective. But it still bugs me when I have my kids running around that the exception that proves the rule will arise, and it's more robust to have the AP directed into the mug at brew time than inverted, so I just rely on the vacuum to work the magic.*

But for me, the key point is that there's no appreciable difference in the coffee either way.

*Although you might legitimately point out that the whole caboodle is taller as a result doing it the old fashioned way, which increases the chances of it being knocked over.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#119

Post by conchy »

haswell wrote: post #81
conchy wrote: post #54

Was impressed with mine, but after the first few days the mess, fuss, and hassle started to get a bit old. Next, this guy needs to invent the 21st century version, which is connected to your water supply, filters and heats the water, stores and grinds a few weeks worth of coffee, and you just press a button and out pops your coffee, with no mess.

I find it surprising that you find it to be overly messy / too much of a hassle. Maybe I've just gotten used to it, but I find it much less of a hassle than my old drip coffee maker, and it takes about 10 seconds to clean when I'm finished.

Perhaps I'm just a stickler for efficiency. If it's something that I'm going to do two or three times a day, every day, for the rest of my life, I like to think that I can economize every possible step and movement to the bare minimum. Certainly some people like the ritual aspect of crafting something by hand in multiple steps, and like I said, it was fun for me the first few days until it got old. Now I just want to press a button and have my cup of coffee.

Re: How AeroPress Fans Are Hacking Their Way to a Better Cup of Coffee

#120

Post by moultano »

beloch wrote: post #117
moultano wrote: post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

However, it is much easier to clean than a French press, doesn't require a particular grind size, and you can use either a paper or metal filter if you are worried about cafestol or like oilier coffee.

A french press can be cleaned simply by rinsing it out, with the occasional more thorough cleaning. Also, you can vary the grind size considerably. It's only superfine grinds that will clog the filter. I have an aeropress, but I rarely use it. Maybe I'm just a clutz, but I always have to wipe the counter down after using an aeropress (especially with the inverted method), while a french press is pretty much mess-free…

The aeropress is self cleaning. You just plunge it into the trash.
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