The AeroPress is immersion and pressure in a plastic tube, and it's almost impossible to ruin. Short steep, gentle push through a paper filter, clean cup, ninety seconds start to finish. It's the most travel-proof brewer made and the one with the largest community of people arguing about recipes — inverted, standard, bypass. Start standard, then go down the rabbit hole.

Original Method

Step 1: Set Up

Place paper filter in cap, rinse with hot water, attach to AeroPress. Set on a sturdy mug.

Step 2: Add Coffee

Add 17g medium-fine ground coffee.

Step 3: Pour & Stir

Pour 220g water at 200°F. Stir 3–4 times. Place plunger just at the top of the chamber to create suction and prevent drip-through.

Step 4: Steep & Press

Steep 1:30–2:00. Press slowly and steadily for 20–30 seconds. Stop when you hear a hissing sound.

Bitter: Water too hot, grind too fine, or you pressed too hard. Lower temp to 185°F or grind coarser.

Sour / thin: Grind finer or use hotter water. The AeroPress is extremely responsive to temperature changes.

Hard to press: Grind is too fine. Should press with moderate resistance.

What's the inverted AeroPress method?

You flip the AeroPress upside down during brewing so water can't flow through until you choose to press. This gives you more control over steep time and is preferred by many competition brewers.

Can AeroPress make espresso?

No, but it makes a strong, concentrated coffee that works well diluted with water (Americano-style) or over ice. It lacks the 9-bar pressure of a real espresso machine.