Quick answer: To use an AeroPress, put a paper filter in the cap and rinse it, add 16–18 g of medium-fine coffee to the chamber, pour water at about 85°C (185°F) to the 4 mark, stir gently for 3 seconds, wait 30 seconds, then press slowly until you hear a hiss. Top up with hot water if you want a longer, milder cup.
The AeroPress has built a cult following since it launched in 2005: it is cheap, compact, nearly unbreakable and makes a smooth, clean cup in a couple of minutes. During my month of testing the AeroPress, it proved a great compact coffee maker for travel and small kitchens on a budget. Below are the standard and inverted recipes, plus what’s in the box and how to fix common problems.
Check out the AeroPress on Amazon.
In this guide 7 sections
AeroPress recipes at a glance
| Standard (official) | Inverted | |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | 16–18 g (1 heaping scoop) | 14–17 g |
| Grind | Medium-fine | Medium-fine, like table salt |
| Water temperature | About 85°C (185°F) | About 93°C (200°F) |
| Water | To the 4 mark | To 2, bloom, then to 4 |
| Stir and steep | Stir 3 seconds, steep 30 seconds | Stir, bloom 30 seconds, steep 1 more minute |
| Press | Gently, until it hisses | Flip, then press over about 30 seconds |
How do you use an AeroPress? (standard method)
Step 1: Measure and grind your coffee
Weigh 16–18 g of coffee, or one heaping AeroPress scoop, and grind it medium-fine. A burr grinder gives the most even result. If you use pre-ground coffee, AeroPress suggests a medium grind and a longer 60-second steep.
Step 2: Prepare the filter
Place a paper filter in the filter cap and rinse it with hot water. This removes papery taste and preheats the cap. Rinse the chamber with hot water too.
Step 3: Add the coffee
Screw the filter cap onto the chamber, stand it on a sturdy mug, and use the funnel to add your coffee.
Step 4: Add water and stir
Pour water at about 85°C (185°F) to the 4 mark, making sure all the grounds are wet. Boiling water works if you don’t have a temperature-control kettle. Stir gently for about 3 seconds.
Step 5: Steep and seal
Insert the plunger just far enough to form a seal, which stops coffee dripping through early, and wait 30 seconds.
Step 6: Press
Press down with gentle, steady pressure until you hear a hissing sound; that means the water has gone through and you’re done. For a concentrated, espresso-style coffee, use less water and dilute to taste, or add hot water for an Americano-style cup.
Step 7: Clean up
In my opinion, one of the best features of the AeroPress is the easy cleanup. Remove the filter cap and push the puck of used grounds straight into the bin or compost, then rinse the plunger seal, chamber and cap. It takes seconds.
How do you use the inverted AeroPress method?
Brewing upside down stops coffee dripping through during the steep, so you can steep longer, closer to a French press.
- Grind 14–17 g of coffee, about the size of table salt.
- Put a paper filter in the cap and rinse it.
- Insert the plunger a little way into the chamber and stand it upside down on the plunger. Make sure the seal is tight so it doesn’t leak.
- Add the coffee and pour water at about 93°C (200°F) to the 2 mark. Stir so all the grounds are wet and let it bloom for about 30 seconds.
- Add the rest of the water to the 4 mark and steep for another minute.
- Screw on the filter cap while it’s still upside down.
- Carefully flip it onto a mug and press gently for about 30 seconds, until it hisses.
Take care when flipping: a poorly sealed AeroPress full of hot water can spill.
Why does the AeroPress make good coffee?
It combines full immersion, like a French press, with a paper filter. All the grounds steep evenly in the water, and the paper then holds back the grit and most of the oils that a French press’s metal mesh lets through. The result is a smooth, clean cup without sediment. If you want to know why paper-filtered coffee is often considered the healthier choice, read our article on the healthiest coffee.
The short brew time and gentle pressure also make it forgiving. Pressing pushes the water through the bed quickly, so you can use a finer grind and short steep without the bitterness that a long, fine French press steep would give. Compare it with our French press method.
What comes with an AeroPress?
The Original AeroPress comes with:
- Chamber: holds the coffee and water while it steeps.
- Plunger: its rubber seal pushes air pressure down to force the coffee through the filter.
- Filter cap: screws onto the chamber and holds the paper filter.
- Paper micro-filters and filter holder: a supply of single-use filters and a holder to keep them handy.
- Funnel, scoop and stirrer: for mess-free filling, dosing and stirring.
AeroPress now sells several versions besides the Original, including the travel-friendly Go and Go Plus, the larger XL models, a Clear version and stainless-steel and Premium models. The Original is all you need to brew a great cup. If you want a stand to keep it tidy on the counter, Hexnub makes one: check them out on Amazon.
Is the AeroPress good for travel?
Yes. It is light, compact and hard to break, which is why it’s popular with campers and travellers. For more options, see our guide to coffee makers for camping. If you haven’t already, check out the AeroPress on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee do you put in an AeroPress?
AeroPress recommends 16–18 g, about one heaping scoop of the included scoop, for a mug. Use a little more for a stronger cup, or less water for a concentrate.
Why does my AeroPress coffee taste sour?
It’s usually under-extracted: the grind is too coarse, the water too cool or the steep too short. Grind finer or steep a little longer. See why AeroPress coffee turns sour.
Can an AeroPress make espresso?
Not true espresso, which needs a machine that builds far higher pressure, but it makes a strong, concentrated coffee that works well in milk drinks or diluted as an Americano.
Should I use the standard or inverted AeroPress method?
The standard method is quicker and safer. The inverted method lets you steep longer without drips, which some people prefer for fuller flavour, but it needs care when flipping.