There are two methods for brewing coffee using an AeroPress that are widely known: the Normal and the Inverted method.
Although both of these methods for brewing coffee produce a strong and rich cup, they can be difficult to understand.
The most common way to use an AeroPress is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This involves adding coffee to the filter while the device is balanced over your mug.
The inverted method is the opposite of the traditional way of making coffee. You add the coffee and hot water to the upside-down device before screwing on the cap, balancing your mug on top, and flipping the whole thing around.
Both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, but before we compare them directly, let’s go back to the basics.
Aeropress
The Aeropress is an efficient and portable way to brew coffee. It uses air pressure to extract flavor, resulting in a rich, full-bodied cup of coffee similar to an espresso.
Paper filters help improve the taste of coffee by removing coffee oils, resulting in a richer and more intense flavor. You don’t need an espresso machine to get this benefit–any coffee maker will do.
The AeroPress tend to produce coffee with less acidity, especially when using water at a lower temperature.
Normal method
To make coffee using an Aeropress, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Put a filter paper or metal filter into the cap of the Aeropress and fix this in place over a sturdy mug, glass, or jug.
Put a heaped scoop of coffee (about 15-18g) in the chamber and tap it down so it’s level. The coffee should be ground to a fine, drip setting.
Mix around 30 grams of coffee with water that is around 80 degrees Celsius, or until it reaches the first marker. Stir for 10 seconds to allow blooming, then position the plunger on the top of the chamber.
To make coffee using a French press, gently press the plunger down until you feel resistance, then continue pressing until all the coffee has gone into your mug.
This method of brewing coffee results in an espresso-style drink, which can be topped off with hot water to make an americano, or with steamed milk to create a flat white, cappuccino, latte, or macchiato.
To clean the coffee maker, remove the cap and the coffee and paper filter can go in the compost. Rinse the plunger and cap (plus metal filter if using) with warm water and you’re ready to go again!
What I like about the normal method
It is easier to understand and follow for those who are using an AeroPress for the first time if they use the upright method a few times to get the hang of it before trying the inverted method.
When the coffee grounds settle at the bottom, they form a natural filter that is missing when you brew using the inverted method.
What I don’t like about normal method
The coffee will start to come through the filter as soon as you start to pour water over it, so it’s important to make sure you have your AeroPress placed over a cup to avoid any mess.
If you use too little water, your coffee will be under-extracted and may taste weak. If you’re particular about the strength of your coffee, this could be a problem.
Inverted method
The inverted method is similar to the normal method in a few ways, but it is best to think of it as up-side-down brewing.
You want to start by assembling the Aeropress so that the plunger is in place and ready to depress. Fix it so that the plunger is in line with the top (number 4) level of the brewing chamber. To start, assemble the Aeropress so the plunger is in place and ready to press down. Make sure the plunger is lined up with the top (number 4) level of the brewing chamber.
Next, add your scoop of coffee to the brewing chamber with the device held upside-down.
Pour warm water into the coffee maker until it reaches the 3 level. Using coffee scales will help you be more precise with the measurements. You should add twice as much water as the amount of coffee you’re using.
If you use 15 grams of coffee, add 30 grams of water.
Let the coffee bloom for 30 seconds and then stir it gently 3 times using the stirrer wand.
Fill the Aeropress with fresh, boiling water and let it sit for 1 to 1.5 minutes.
It’s important to note that you can make espresso-level volumes with this method, as long as you don’t add more hot water.
To attach your filter paper, add it to the cap and screw the cap in place. A good tip is to wet the filter paper slightly with warm water to help it stick in place.
Put the top of your mug upside down over the coffee machine’s cap. Carefully flip the mug and machine over together, so the mug is right-side up. With even pressure, use the plunger to push the coffee from the machine into the mug.
This method results in a richer, more full-flavored coffee, with more control over the extraction process and bloom time.
What I like about the inverted method
One advantage of the upside-down method is that you can brew and steep your coffee grounds for as long as you want without worrying about coffee dripping through the filter.
This allows you to have a coffee with a strong flavor that tastes great all the way to the bottom of the cup.
When you turn the AeroPress upside down, the coffee grounds have more contact with water, so they become saturated more quickly. You can control how long the grounds are exposed to water (the bloom time) and the overall brewing time more precisely because there are no leaks.
When you use the inverted method, the coffee grounds are not trapped at the back of the plunger’s rubber part, which makes cleaning easier. This can be helpful when you are camping and do not have a proper kitchen sink to use for cleaning.
As the grounds steep, the coffee oils rise to the top of the carafe. To enhance the taste of your brew, you need to mix the oils by turning the AeroPress upside down.
It’s a great visual treat for the eyes and it tastes good too.
You’ll get a full and rich-flavored coffee similar to that of a French press using the inverted brewing method. If you’re a fan of strong coffee, this brewing method is perfect for you!
I like that the inverted AeroPress method allows for more accurate measuring of the water-to-grounds ratio. This allows for more consistent results.
What I don’t like about the inverted method
You could spill or burn yourself if you’re not careful. Make sure to hold the cup and AeroPress body securely when flipping the brewing device into your mug to avoid any accidents.
Some coffee grounds will get stuck to the walls of the chamber when you turn it upside down.
Place the grounds into the water and stir until fully immersed.
Other modifications you can achieve with An AeroPress
Filter
The AeroPress comes with paper filters that fit perfectly into the cap. These filters help remove bitter notes and oils, resulting in a lighter, sweeter coffee.
If you want a more drip-coffee flavor, you can use any filter paper you like, rather than being limited to the AeroPress branded papers. You can choose bleached or unbleached paper, as well as paper that is thicker or thinner.
If you like your coffee stronger and with more flavor, you can buy a metal filter for your AeroPress. This allows more coffee oils and subtle flavors in, which paper filters would remove. They’re also reusable, so you save money in the long run.
Brew time
The amount of time it takes to brew coffee in an AeroPress can range from 25 seconds to 2 minutes, so you can experiment to see what works best for you.
The bloom time is the length of time the coffee grounds are in contact with water. stirring the coffee grounds, and pressing the coffee through the filter all affect the bloom time.
Water temperature
The water you use to brew your coffee should be around 80 degrees Celsius when it first comes into contact with the coffee beans, and as high as 93 degrees Celsius when you top off the brew. This is something you can adjust to suit your own preferences.
You can make the perfect cup of coffee by using a kitchen thermometer or a kettle with a built-in temperature gauge to find the right temperature.
Grind setting
A finer grind setting than espresso, but not as fine, is best for the AeroPress. This is something you can experiment with to get a coffee that tastes great. To get an even particle size throughout your coffee, a burr grinder is the best option.