If you are new to coffee brewing, you may want to start with simpler equipment and gradually upgrade as you improve. I’m telling you that you can have great coffee from the start, and it won’t cost more than 30 dollars!
I am sure that it sounds too good to be true, but it is not. There are two popular brewing methods for beginners, the AeroPress and the French Press, that both produce great coffee. So, which one should you choose?
This text provides information about two different brewing devices, and explains which one is better for different coffee needs.
Differences between AeroPress and French Press
There are many similarities between these two brewing devices, but there are also some key differences you should be aware of. The different brewing devices can mean the difference between a good cup of coffee and a bad cup of coffee for coffee drinkers and coffee lovers.
So let’s get to know the AeroPress and French Press a little better, shall we?
1. Taste
The taste of the coffee is the most important factor for anyone who wants to invest in a coffee brewing machine. After all, we want our coffee to taste good!
The French Press coffee maker produces coffee with a more intense flavor profile than other brewing methods. This is because the French Press doesn’t have a paper filter to absorb any of the coffee’s oils, and also because it uses a courser grind.
The AeroPress coffee maker produces coffee with a more mellow taste profile. Grinding coffee beans finely and using a paper filter removes most of the coffee’s oils, making the coffee weaker.
Some people might not like the taste of coffee from an AeroPress, but many people actually prefer it. It really just comes down to personal preference.
2. Grind size
As I said before, The grind size you use will definitely affect the taste of your coffee, so it’s important to choose the right grind size for each brewing method.
-For the AeroPress, you’ll need to grind your beans more finely than you would for a French Press. This is because it takes longer to brew coffee using a French Press, and using a coarse grind will result in a slower extraction.
The exact opposite is true for AeroPress. Because the brewing time is short, you need to use a finer grind to prevent your coffee from tasting weak or watery.
This is an example of when you would need a very fine grind. When you brew coffee with an espresso machine, the brewing time is only a few seconds, around 20-30.
3. Brewing time
The amount of time it takes to brew coffee is an important factor to consider when choosing a coffee brewing device.
If you are short on time and need to get your coffee fix quickly, the AeroPress is the way to go. From start to finish, the brewing process only takes 2 minutes.
The French Press takes around 4 minutes to brew, making it a slower option. Although it will take more time, it is worth it. The AeroPress is more forgiving than the French Press because it is easier to use.
Let’s start with how they’re similar. Both brewers are what we call “immersion brewers”. The water and coffee grounds are left to sit together for a period of time before being filtered. It’s the first moment you let hot water touch the coffee grounds. This is the first step in making coffee, initiated by the coffee lover, where hot water is touch the coffee grounds.
The two brewing methods, AeroPress and French Press, differ mainly in the techniques and processes used.
After a few minutes, you press the plunger down, which forces the grounds to the bottom, and pours the coffee into your cup **The way to brew coffee using a French press typically goes like this: you put coarse grounds and hot water in the glass carafe. After a few minutes, you press the plunger down, which forces the grounds to the bottom, and the coffee pours into your cup.** After your coffee has been brewing for four minutes, you can remove the filter, pour out the coffee, and enjoy your drink.
The mesh filter on the end of the metal rod separates the grounds from the brewed coffee. It’s easy, it’s painless.
The AeroPress brewing process uses pressure to help make coffee. The new element of the AeroPress makes it easier to make coffee and gives producing the perfect cup an increased sense of control, making it ideal for coffee enthusiasts. The process is simple, and anyone can follow it.
To make coffee, you put medium to coarse grounds in the brewing chamber and pour hot water over them. After 1-3 minutes has passed, you press down on the plunger. This causes a lot of pressure to build up and forces the coffee through the filter.
The AeroPress has two main orientations that you can use to brew with. To make coffee using the “regular” orientation, attach the filter cap to the brewing chamber and set the chamber on top of your mug.
If you’re like me and you prefer the “inverted” orientation, all you have to do is attach the plunger to the brewing chamber and leave the filter cap off. This way, the opening is face-up.
This stops coffee from going through the filter too early, but you have to flip the AeroPress over onto your mug. The first few times you do it, it’s scary, but then you get used to it.
Although both the French Press and the AeroPress are easy to use, they are different from each other. The French Press is generally simpler and more consistent than other methods. The AeroPress is a good choice if you like to experiment with different ways of brewing your coffee.
4. Cleaning and maintenance
Let’s be honest, neither of these brewers cleans up. The French Press has more parts than other types of coffee makers, but it is still very easy to clean.
You only need to do the following to clean your French Press: disassemble it and rinse all the parts with water. Clean your coffee maker after every use to stop coffee residue from making your coffee taste bad.
The AeroPress is quick and easy to clean – simply remove the coffee grounds and filter, then rinse the brewing chamber and plunger with warm water and soap. That’s it!
5. Price
When choosing a coffee brewing device, it is important to consider the price.
Both coffee makers are afforbale, with the AeroPress costing around $30 and the French Press around $25. The real difference between the two types of cars comes into play when you need to replace a part.
If you need to replace the bottom chamber of your AeroPress, it only costs around 10 dollars. If you want to replace the carafe of your cafetière, it will cost you around 20 dollars, especially if you had a glass French Press.
6. Serving size
The French Press comes in multiple sizes while the AeroPress only comes in one size, making it tricky to decide which one to buy.
The most common sizes for a French Press are 3 cups, 4 cups, and 8 cups, but there are also larger sizes available. This French Press can make up to 4 cups of coffee at a time.
The AeroPress can only brew one cup of coffee at a time, which is perfect if you’re the only coffee drinker in your household, but if you have multiple people who want coffee, it’s not the best option.
The size of the French Press you choose will determine how much time you save by making multiple cups of coffee at once.
7. Ease of use
If you are new to making coffee, the AeroPress is a good option. This coffeemaker is very easy to use, and you can’t really mess up the brewing process.
The French Press is easy to use, but there are a few more steps in the brewing process that might be confusing for beginners. How you make your coffee can be the difference between a good cup and a great cup.
8. Materials and durability
Last but not least, we have materials and durability. Both of these coffee makers are very durable and, if you take care of them, they will last you for years.
The AeroPress is made of high-quality, BPA-free plastic, while the French Press is made of glass or stainless steel.
The French Press is a bit more fragile because of the glass, but it has a superior look and feel. French Press coffee makers will make you feel like royalty while you enjoy your coffee.
If you want something that is easier to use and more affordable in the long run, then choose the AeroPress.
Both the AeroPress and French Press have a simple design that only uses a few parts. Both brewers are easy to keep clean and tidy and don’t require much effort to use. They’re often buy-it-for-life items.
A French press coffee maker typically has a metal frame, with a heat-resistant glass carafe. The lid is usually made of plastic or metal, and the filter is attached to the end of a rod.
eventually replace the glass carafe – accidents happen – but the rest of the brewer is built to serve you for a lifetime. The carafe is the only thing that you might have to replace. Don’t try to destroy your press by running it over with a car—that won’t end well.
French presses come in different sizes, from 8 oz to 48 oz. Even the larger sizes can be used to make smaller amounts of coffee.
This AeroPress coffee maker is made with a food-safe rubber that’s extremely durable under pressure. It has fewer parts than other coffee makers: a brewing chamber, plunger, and filter cap. This brewer is very sturdy and can withstand a lot of force – even being hit by a car. Don’t ask how I know.
The AeroPress comes in only one size: 8 ounces. This small item is part of what makes it special and I’ll show you why in a minute.
If you are clumsy and are worried about using a glass French Press, then the AeroPress will be perfect for you. Instead of an 8 oz brewer, choose a larger French Press if you don’t like the sound it makes.
9. Coffee flavor and quality
Now we will talk about the coffee itself, which is the good part.
The AeroPress and French Press can both make great coffee that is rich, balanced, and satisfying. The flavor of the two types of tea differ slightly, so it’s important to be aware of the subtle differences.
The metal filter on a French Press coffee maker usually produces coffee with a rich body and strong flavor. The mesh filter in a coffee maker doesn’t stop natural oils and tiny coffee grounds from getting through, which makes the coffee taste heavier and fuller.
Two things that can reduce the clarity of flavor are using cheaper cuts of meat or using a lot of different spices. Using these two things can result in a more robust and rounded flavor. Since the instructions for making coffee using a French Press are pretty much the same every time (coarse grind, 4 minutes), you can be confident that your coffee will turn out rich, balanced, and rounded every single time.
The AeroPress always ships with paper filters. Filters that produce coffee that is crisper, brighter, and cleaner than the French Press filter. The flavors in the coffee are not as strong because the natural oils and micro-grounds are not included in the final mug.
There are also stainless steel AeroPress filters for people who prefer a richer, fuller mug.
There is a lot of flexibility in AeroPress brewing recipes, so you can experiment and still produce great coffee. A recipe that calls for a fine grind setting and a short amount of time will produce a bright, crisp cup of coffee.
If you want your coffee to taste like it came from a French Press, use a coarse grind and brew it for a long time. Both options are delicious in their own way.
10. Versatility
There are advantages to both brewers when it comes to versatility.
French press coffee makers can brew hot coffee well, but they can only do it in one way. While they are excellent for holding hot water, they are also great for creating cold brew coffee or pour over coffee.
The AeroPress coffee maker can make hot coffee using various methods. You can make coffee that is rich and full-bodied, coffee that is light and refreshing, and even coffee that is very similar to espresso.
The AeroPress does not work well for making cold brew coffee, and it is not large enough to hold the amount of coffee needed for pour over coffee. Although you can use it to make Shaken Iced AeroPress Coffee.
Which one makes better coffee
After discussing various factors that affect the taste of coffee, the author still wonders which coffee maker produces better coffee.
The answer, quite simply, is that it depends. I understand that you were probably looking for a more clear answer, however it really varies depending on what you like.
Your coffee brewing method should help you achieve your desired results. Find the machine that will help you accomplish your coffee-making goals.
The AeroPress coffee maker is the best way to make coffee that is similar to espresso. The brewing process is similar, and the coffee is more concentrated.
A French press coffee is a more traditionally brewed cup of coffee that is strong and bold.