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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

#21

Post by duncans »

x3n0ph3n3 wrote: post #13
csours wrote: post #2

I would like to "hack" together a stainless steel AeroPress, at least the outer tube, I think the press is fine. I don't know whether I've been pressing too hard or what, but I've noticed that my cylinder is expanding.

Mine has been stress-cracking from heat expansion and contraction. Definitely thinking of giving it up in favor of my glass french press.

Had mine for 3 years now. It's looking cracked/scratched, but still works just fine. Not bad for £25; I'll buy a new one in a heartbeat if/when it breaks.

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

#22

Post by cag_ii »

Gaussian wrote: post #18

I have found my AeroPress coffee to be lacking body. I returned to pour-overs and French presses. Having read this, I feel I must again tinker with the Aeropress. Likely case of "Doing it wrong."

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/

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

#23

Post by elwell »

helyka wrote: post #19
Gaussian wrote: post #18

I have found my AeroPress coffee to be lacking body. I returned to pour-overs and French presses. Having read this, I feel I must again tinker with the Aeropress. Likely case of "Doing it wrong."

Even if the AeroPress was to lack body, the coffee produced is still better than a drip.

pour-over usually doesn't mean drip (though it describes it)

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

#24

Post by elwell »

x3n0ph3n3 wrote: post #13
csours wrote: post #2

I would like to "hack" together a stainless steel AeroPress, at least the outer tube, I think the press is fine. I don't know whether I've been pressing too hard or what, but I've noticed that my cylinder is expanding.

Mine has been stress-cracking from heat expansion and contraction. Definitely thinking of giving it up in favor of my glass french press.

If it's cracking your probably using water that's too hot. I've used mine almost daily for years with no issues at all.

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

#25

Post by elwell »

jkyle wrote: post #4
csours wrote: post #2

I would like to "hack" together a stainless steel AeroPress, at least the outer tube, I think the press is fine. I don't know whether I've been pressing too hard or what, but I've noticed that my cylinder is expanding.

I would guess your grind is too fine. It shouldn't take an enormous amount of pressure.

If you push too hard anyways it will shoot out the sides. I often use mine as a pour over container anyways because I find it tastes better.

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

#26

Post by wampus »

elwell wrote: post #24
x3n0ph3n3 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mine has been stress-cracking from heat expansion and contraction. Definitely thinking of giving it up in favor of my glass french press.

If it's cracking your probably using water that's too hot. I've used mine almost daily for years with no issues at all.

Same here. I never use water over 180 degrees Farenheit and never put it in the dishwasher.

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

#28

Post by wampus »

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 found most surprising was how differently the same roast can taste from an AeroPress vs. an expensive espresso maker. If I don't like it from one, there's still a good chance it will be delicious from the other. Very strange!

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIfZ84qtBOc

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

#29

Post by csours »

subpixel wrote: post #14
joshrotenberg wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Same. I've had my eye on the AeroPress for a long time and I'm very intrigued, but I can't get past the "hot water in plastic" thing. I'm sure there are at least ten other worse things I do every day, but ...

This might be the ticket: the reverse french press http://kk.org/cooltools/archives/10162 (I also like that it sounds like some sort of judo move.)

I've tried something like this before, and the coffee tasted weird, but I may have done something wrong.

It may have just been a matter of waiting longer.

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

#30

Post by kylecesmat »

wampus wrote: post #26
elwell wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If it's cracking your probably using water that's too hot. I've used mine almost daily for years with no issues at all.

Same here. I never use water over 180 degrees Farenheit and never put it in the dishwasher.

For most coffees you're going to want to be a little higher, around 198-203 degrees for proper extraction.

Very good choice to never place it in the dishwasher, it takes just a few seconds to clean and it lasts a lot longer

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