The AeroPress is one of the most versatile and beloved coffee makers in the world. Its compact size, portability, and forgiving nature make it perfect for beginners, travelers, and professionals alike.
Whether you like your coffee strong like espresso or light like a pour-over, the AeroPress can do it—and more.
In this complete step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to brew coffee with the AeroPress using both the standard method and the inverted method, along with pro tips to customize your brew for flavor, strength, and consistency.
What Is the AeroPress?
Invented by Alan Adler in 2005, the AeroPress is a manual coffee maker made of BPA-free plastic. It uses pressure—created by manually pressing a plunger through a brewing chamber—to extract coffee in under two minutes.
The result is a cup that’s smooth, low in bitterness, and remarkably clean.
Why It’s Loved:
- Fast brewing (under 2 minutes)
- Easy to clean
- Travel-friendly
- Wide range of recipes and customization
- Can mimic espresso or pour-over profiles
What You’ll Need
Equipment:
- AeroPress (plunger + chamber + filter cap)
- Paper or metal filter
- Stirrer or spoon
- Kettle (gooseneck preferred for control)
- Grinder (burr grinder ideal)
- Digital scale (optional but helpful)
- Timer
Ingredients:
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Hot water (195°F–205°F / 90°C–96°C)
Method 1: Standard AeroPress Method (Upright)
This is the official method included in the AeroPress instructions.
Step-by-Step:
- Insert the filter
Place a paper filter into the filter cap and rinse it with hot water to eliminate paper taste. - Assemble the AeroPress
Attach the filter cap to the brewing chamber and place it on top of your mug or carafe. - Add coffee
Use 14–17 grams (1 rounded scoop) of medium-fine ground coffee. - Pour water
Add 200 ml of hot water (just off the boil) quickly. Start your timer. - Stir and steep
Stir for about 10 seconds to ensure even saturation. Insert the plunger just enough to create a seal (this stops dripping). - Wait
Let the coffee steep for 1 to 1.5 minutes depending on your desired strength. - Press
Slowly press down the plunger over 20–30 seconds. You’ll hear a hiss when done. - Serve and enjoy
Dilute with hot water or milk if you prefer a longer drink. Clean the AeroPress by popping out the puck and rinsing.
Method 2: Inverted AeroPress Method
The inverted method is a favorite of many AeroPress enthusiasts because it allows for a longer immersion time without leakage.
Step-by-Step:
- Assemble inverted
Place the plunger on a table, rubber side up, and attach the brewing chamber upside-down over it. The numbers on the AeroPress will be upside down. - Add coffee
Use 14–17 grams of coffee. You can go coarser with grind size here due to longer steep time. - Add water
Pour 200 ml of hot water. Stir gently. - Steep
Let it brew for 1.5 to 2 minutes, depending on flavor preference. - Attach cap and flip
Rinse your filter and attach the filter cap to the top. Then carefully flip the AeroPress onto your cup. - Press
Press gently over 30 seconds. Stop when you hear a hissing sound. - Adjust
Add hot water for an Americano-style drink, or enjoy it as a concentrated brew.
Grind Size for AeroPress
One of the AeroPress’s best qualities is its flexibility with grind size:
| Grind Size | Result |
|---|---|
| Fine (espresso) | Short, intense, bold shot |
| Medium-fine | Balanced, sweet, clean |
| Medium-coarse | Bright, complex, less body |
Most recipes work well with medium-fine, similar to table salt. Finer grinds reduce steep time; coarser grinds allow longer steeping.
Brew Ratios and Adjustments
Start with a 1:15 ratio (e.g., 15g coffee to 225g water), then adjust based on taste:
- Want stronger? Use more coffee or less water.
- Want smoother? Use lower temp or a coarser grind.
- Want more body? Stir more or steep longer.
The AeroPress is designed for experimentation, so play with your variables.
Filter Choices: Paper vs. Metal
The filter you use also affects flavor:
Paper Filters:
- Cleaner cup
- Less oils
- Less sediment
- Slightly muted mouthfeel
Metal Filters:
- Fuller body
- More oils
- Slight grit
- Reusable (eco-friendly)
Tips for Better AeroPress Coffee
- Preheat everything – The plastic can cool your water quickly.
- Use fresh beans – AeroPress brings out delicate flavor notes.
- Stir thoughtfully – Too much stirring can increase bitterness.
- Press gently – Forceful pressing leads to over-extraction and bitterness.
- Try bypass brewing – Brew a strong concentrate, then dilute with hot water.
AeroPress vs Other Methods
| Method | Body | Acidity | Brew Time | Portability | Cleanup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AeroPress | Medium | Medium | 2 mins | Excellent | Easy |
| French Press | Full | Low | 4 mins | Good | Messy |
| Pour Over | Light | High | 3–4 mins | Moderate | Moderate |
| Espresso | Intense | Medium | 30 sec | Poor | Complex |
AeroPress sits comfortably in the middle of most metrics. It’s easy to learn, yet deep enough to master.
Final Thoughts: AeroPress for the Win
The AeroPress proves that making exceptional coffee doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a few minutes, some ground beans, and hot water, you can craft a brew that rivals your favorite café—whether you like it strong, smooth, or bright.
Its blend of portability, versatility, and ease of use makes the AeroPress one of the best coffee tools ever made. Master the basics, then let your creativity take over.
Marcelo Oliveira is a coffee enthusiast and content creator specializing in barista skills, brewing methods, equipment reviews, coffee-related health insights, and fascinating curiosities from the coffee world. With a deep passion for every step of the brewing process, he turns technical knowledge into accessible and engaging content for both beginners and seasoned coffee lovers. Marcelo’s goal is to help readers appreciate the full experience of coffee—from bean to cup.