Am I right in thinking you can make four 'espressos' at once?
yep
I want one for our camping trip.. my wife is resisting.. 🙁
Yep 4 "espressos" there is nothing to resist.
I take it backpacking as my luxury
yep, simple & easy
I use it more at home than camping, threw my stove top espresso maker in the camping kit instead. You can get them in the Maxx for under a tenner on occasion, hopefully your purchase review limit is over that 😉
4 shots - really? so four scoops of coffee? brew for how long?
Yup 4 scoops. I usually let it brew for about a minute ie as long as it takes me to faff.
I've never quite got the Aeropress adulation thing. I’ve got one at work which I use every day and it does an adequate job, the grounds don’t flush up the side of the gauze like they do in a Cafetiere. But it doesn’t perform miracles or anything. Don’t quite get the reverence which some people bestow on it.
It’s a fairly simple solution to a fairly simple problem.
It’s a fairly simple solution to a fairly simple problem.
So they're cheap, simple and effective - is that not exactly why people like them?
I got the missus one as a backup when the espresso maker went in for a service. Quality seems good enough. It will be going in for camping/travelling as it's much easier quicker and cleaner than any of the other options.
I've never quite got the Aeropress adulation thing.
What he said. However, I will throw my sleeping bag overboard to make space for my [url= http://www.handpresso.com/ ]http://www.handpresso.com/[/url]
Ah.. handpresso are better? Prohibitively expensive in this case though I think.
Handpresso actually makes espresso, and not just some strong filter coffee. Downsides are:
a) expensive
b) uses Illy ESE pads(*), which are expensive and bulky but make great coffee
c) heavy
d) only makes one at a time
Despite all that, I love it 🙂
(*) EDIT - you can get one that uses normal ground coffee
It’s a fairly simple solution to a fairly simple problem.
It's a fairly simple solution to the problem of making a single cup of filter coffee, and I would say it's better at that (cleaner brew, less clearing up) than a cafetiere, but it is not in any way an espresso maker.
(and yes I have tried it using proper espresso grind and proper espresso water volume, it just really is not the same thing)
I've played with a handpresso (a mate has one). It makes something much closer to espresso than an aeropress, but an aeropress makes a better quality filter coffee than a handpresso makes espresso, if that makes sense...
but an aeropress makes a better quality filter coffee than a handpresso makes espresso, if that makes sense...
Yes, but if espresso is what you want ... 🙂
What I want is good coffee whilst camping. Aeropress seems to fit the bill. Other option is a stove-top pot, which I already have, but it seems to be far slower than using an Aeropress.
I've got both the Aeropress for home and the Handpresso for work and occasionally at home. The Aeropress is definitely the quickest and easiest, and makes better coffee than a caffetiere, however the Handpresso makes the best shot though. If you go for the Handpresso wild it'll also take ground coffee aswell as the pods.
To get the best out of an Aeropress you need to grind your own beans too. Supermarket "for all" grinds are too coarse and their espresso grinds too fine, although the latter is probably best of the two.
At places such as [url= http://www.artisanroast.co.uk/ ]Artisan Roast[/url] you can buy an Aeropress specific grind. This is something I've been trying to replicate with my hand grinder, just about there I think....
I agree with Aeropress ? Espresso. But it's better than a cafetiere and maybe a Moka pot in my opinion.
I'd vote Aeropress for camping
I got one to take camping a couple of weeks ago. Once I'd got over the initial "twenty quid for a few bits of plastic" shocker, it's actually remarkably good.
There may well be better ways of brewing coffee, no doubt for "proper" coffee I really need beans passed through a stoat and then ground between the thighs of an Eastern European pole dancer, brewed in a genuine pre-war Italian espresso machine using polar spring water dripped off the nose of Chris Bonnington, but I tell you what; in terms of faff-free, mess-free making of fresh coffee the Aeropress is hard to beat.
Nescafe freeze dried instant or supermarket equivalent, problem sorted unless you love the pretentiousness, which is why I'm guessing these things are so popular?
I hate instant coffee and love actual coffee.
Why carry something I hate?
I could carry smash for carbs but I don't does that also make me prentious?
Nescafe freeze dried instant or supermarket equivalent, problem sorted unless you love the pretentiousness, which is why I'm guessing these things are so popular?
No it's because instant is horrible and real coffee is nice.
Took mine to Yorkshire whilst camping and had some admiring comments from the waft of my coffee so best thing I packed. On using the Aeropress I use the inverted method myself and find one and a half scoops of fresh ground is enough courtesy of
Inverted method?
Actually, that's a point.
The gadget itself is ace, but the instructions were pish. What's the point of the 1-2-3-4 graduation markings on the plunger, can anyone enlighten me?
Cougar inversion method... Turn it upside down with plunger in. Add cofee and water, fix filter on then turn over into cup. Benifits... Its not pouring through.
I think the plunger graduations might be to portion said espresssos.
What's the point of the 1-2-3-4 graduation markings on the plunger, can anyone enlighten me?
Number of shots I thought. One scoop of grounds per shot, top up with water to the mark.
Aeropress is not espresso, just looks vaguely similar written down. Makes a nice shot of coffee though, and that's all I ask of it.
The 4 marker is where I fill it to using normal method or where I put the plunger using inverted method
I generally follow this -
but without using scales or a timer. Did it a few times weighing everything and timing, then just guess now. I know where 15g of beans comes to in the grinder hopper, I know where the amount of water comes to in the press, around 4.
Benifits... Its not pouring through.
Ah! Cunning, ta.
I think the plunger graduations might be to portion said espresssos.
This is my "unconvinced" face.
I think cougar is reffering to the extra numbers on the plunger.
The 4 marker is where I fill it to using normal method or where I put the plunger using inverted method
... on the body of the outside bit, yes. I'm talking about similar markings on the plunger itself.
I am not ver convinced either but its the best i couldcome up with.
on the body of the outside bit, yes. I'm talking about similar markings on the plunger itself.
You have to make them line up otherwise the coffee won't be as good 😀
Whats the longest you have used a filter for?
2weeks for me. Use, rinse, dry.
Is that a bit tight?
Is that a bit tight?
I'm going with yes.
I've got a stainless steel filter for mine, so I don't have to carry around the paper filters.
I keep intending to get one of the metal filters, where did you source yours?
You pour kettle water into the plunger up to your shot number. Dip thermometer in and wait to hit your target before pouring it onto the grounds. I've always done this its in the instructions?
Aren't these just a variation on the French press, only with the added 'benefit' of a paper filter?
joshvegas, on Amazon:
However, given your paper filter strategy, it's probably going to be around 2048 before you run out of the ones they supplied you in the box.
If you use it the right way up, add a small amount of water to the grinds and stir to make a paste, then wait a few seconds before adding the rest of the water, it limits the drip through to next to nothing. Also putting the plunger in so it's just the tip in, (ooh err, missus), stops the coffee running through because of the vacuum effect.
You know when you've hit full on pretentiousness, when you take the Aeropress, Triangia kettle and stove, and make good coffee on the beach. 😳
You pour kettle water into the plunger up to your shot number.
Aha! I just used the amateur method of adding water directly onto the coffee.
I've always done this its in the instructions?
I'm 99% sure it wasn't, on mine at least. I'll check (assuming I still have it).
You know when you've hit full on pretentiousness, when you take the Aeropress, Triangia kettle and stove, and make good coffee on the beach.
Pre-ground beans? How common of you.
No, I get my Man to do the grinding. Nothing says middle class like the manual labour of grinding beans.
Stove top pot is part of our camping "tradition"...
... wouldn't be a proper camping trip without it
so how do you make a best coffee with the Aeropress. I've bought one and get freshly grounds beans from Pact every two weeks. But to be honest I'm underwhelmed by it all so wondering if I'm missing a trick.
I add a scoop of coffee, add boiled water then leave it for 30 secs to a minute. Then plunge for 20 secs. I also then add boiled water to my cup to make a mug of coffee with a splash of milk. So it's an americano with milk I'm making really.
You will always be underwhelmed... who puts milk in nice coffee??
It can get a bit spoddy, but as a starter:
https://timwendelboe.no/resources/brewing-guide/aeropress/
For me, freshly ground coffee makes the biggest difference.
You know when you've hit full on pretentiousness, when you take the Aeropress, Triangia kettle and stove, and make good coffee on the beach.
Trangia.... Pffft kelly kettle heated on drift wood submerged for a minimum of 2 years then dried in the sun.
Aren't these just a variation on the French press, only with the added 'benefit' of a paper filter?
Higher pressure helps, apparently.
Fun fact: the French press was invented by an Italian
[i]Higher pressure helps, apparently.[/i]
With what?
Is the stainless filter worth the money? Reviews seem a little iffy.
Nescafe freeze dried instant or supermarket equivalent, problem sorted unless you love the pretentiousness, which is why I'm guessing these things are so popular?
Nestlé is boycotted in this house. Even if we drank instant (we don't) I wouldn't by Nescafé. Vile coffee, vile company.
With what?
Sales?
Is the stainless filter worth the money?
Seems like a step backwards to me; more mess, more to wash. No?
Ah right. Marketing/sales BS. Cool
Is the stainless filter worth the money?
I think it makes a tastier cup. It's a nice to have rather than an essential.
Downsides as per reviews, are that it is a tight fit in the Aeropress (they do say how to remedy this on their website http://www.kaffeologie.com/s-filter-fitting-guide), you can't just squeeze grinds and filter into the bin (well, you can, but remember that you did this before rubbish collection day), and you end up inverted brewing.
Edit: Not much more to wash, just rinse it off with the rest of the Aeropress.
Seems like a step backwards to me; more mess, more to wash. No?
I'd be tempted for camping, because I wouldn't have to remember to pack filters.
Higher pressure helps, apparently.With what?
Extracting things from grounds, I would imagine. After all, espresso is pretty different to filter coffee, and pressure is the main difference.
Nescafe freeze dried instant or supermarket equivalent, problem sorted unless you love the pretentiousness, which is why I'm guessing these things are so popular?
You obviously don't like coffee.
Grantyboy...let the water cool before adding to the aeropress, too hot spoils it. Nothing worse than a scorching hot coffee which then tastes crap when it cools down.
I boil the kettle and then leave the lid open for a few minutes to cool. Until the kettle broke, then I bought one where you can tell it what temperature to switch off, 80 degrees seems about right.
I usually fill to the second mark and use a scoop and a half of coffee.
I also find trying to do two large americano's is stretching the Aeropress, seems better doing one at a time.
Extracting things from grounds, I would imagine. After all, espresso is pretty different to filter coffee, and pressure is the main difference.
Well yeah, but espresso is brewed at 16 bars, which is about 10(*) times what you get in an Aeropress.
(*) yes, I did just invent that, but it's about right, I imagine.
I'm quite happy with mine. i've never really got the obsession with minute differences in real coffee taste so it's great for me. Make me a good coffee in the morning.
Sometimes it sprays coffee out the side when I'm pressing down, any ideas?
I'm after a metal filter for mine as the let the oils through unlike paper filters.
As well as preventing early seepage, especially when using a stainless filter, the inverted method makes for a coffee with a higher oil content. The frothy head contains a lot of the oils, in 'normal' use this remains in the puck, but used inverted a lot more of the oils get through to the cup.
Slightly off topic, but, I walked past Nestle's UK HQ today.
Pride of place (visible to the outside world) on the ground floor is the Nescafe staff cafe.
Imagine working somewhere where Nescafe is the only option, and probably gross misconduct to be seen to be drinking actual coffee......
Mine sometimes comes out the side when plunging too. I reckon it's not quite a good enough fit between hard plastic parts but I also think even the tiniest spill of dry grounds into the thread causes it.
I use the inverted method but the water goes into cup before aeropress. Cools the water and warms the cup (both useful).
Anyone know why a lot of the brewing guides (from the coffee suppliers) say stop plunging as soon as you hear it hiss? Does squeezing the grinds into a puck result in affecting the end result?
Has anyone been scalded using the inverted method?
Looks dangerous to a ham-fisted monkey like me
I ha e sent the inverted method flying on two occasions messy!
If it is spraying out the side, then I would guess your coffee is too finely ground.
Knocking over an upside down Aeropress over in the office kitchen doesn't bear thinking about.
I've probably jinxed it now.
I also find trying to do two large americano's is stretching the Aeropress, seems better doing one at a time.
+1
Imagine working somewhere where Nescafe is the only option, and probably gross misconduct to be seen to be drinking actual coffee......
😆 Doesn't bear thinking about.
Just tried the reverse method. Coffee certainly seems smoother.
Aeropress is great but for camping (esp bikepacking) better to get one of these:
Bit more fiddly and involved to brew with, but can still get good filter results.
Here's size comparison v. Aeropress.
[img] 
[/img]
Interesting!
We're spending 10 days on a boat with only the prospect of instant coffee to look forward to so I think I'll try an Aeropress (could use it elsewhere as well).
Any suggestions for where to buy before I go with a bundle from Brown Bear?
better to get one of these:
I've got one, not use it yet. Will let you know in a couple of weeks.
[i]If it is spraying out the side, then I would guess your coffee is too finely ground.[/i]
I'll tell nescafe to get it sorted.
If it is spraying out the side, then I would guess your coffee is too finely ground.I'll tell nescafe to get it sorted.
😆
For the coffee / boat problem have you thought about one of these?
[img] 
[/img]
Not as fancy as an aeropress but a perfectly acceptable compromise if you are sensible enough to not drink instant.
[url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zyliss-Cafetiere-Hot-Mug-Red/dp/B00DB4JY72/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404909870&sr=8-1&keywords=smartcafe+hot+cafetiere+mug ]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zyliss-Cafetiere-Hot-Mug-Red/dp/B00DB4JY72/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404909870&sr=8-1&keywords=smartcafe+hot+cafetiere+mug[/url]
My problem with the aeropress is that it looks like a Austin Powers style vacuum penis enlarger. Given that our work kitchen is next to the gents toilet I would be very concerned to be seen several times a day walking through the office with that in my hand.
My problem with the aeropress is that it looks like a Austin Powers style vacuum penis enlarger. Given that our work kitchen is next to the gents toilet I would be very concerned to be seen several times a day walking through the office with that in my hand.
Sounds like a good reason to get one. Means you can also winking knowingly at the nubile office junior as you strut past to the kitchen. [i]Also[/i] means you are fully entitled to dress like a 70s love god.
I'm taking mine into the office.