I find it completely different to a cafetiere, mainly because of the different grinds I’d use for each. But if using pre-ground coffee I still think the Aeropress tastes better compared to a cafetiere. With pre-ground “suits all coffee makers” coffee, a cafetiere often gives gritty/sludgy coffee.
My Aeropress method (non-inverted):
– Assemble with paper filter and place on top of cup.
– Get water to ~85*C and pour some through the filter. This seems to prevent drips when steeping and also warms the cup
– Pour away water in cup (I sometimes forget and end up with overflow!)
– Add coffee in
– Cover coffee with small amount of water, so its just covered. Stir.
– Wait 10-20 secs or so
– Gently add water up to number 4 level, with no stirring*.
– Plunge, stopping before the air comes out.
The total time the coffee is in contact with the water is about 60 sec.
*If you stir at this point the coffee grinds form into a mound and this means water can ‘bypass’ the grinds at the edges of the mound