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[Reidus]

Hi all. Hope your week's going well.
I'm having the best cup of coffee I've ever made. And I didn't use a lick of electricity, lol. I was looking for a single-serve coffee maker that I could take home to ATL with me. And I came across this:
Amazon.com: Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker: French Presses: Home & Kitchen

This appealed to the foody in me, as I can control everything about the brew, from the temperature to the strength. And it's only $25! So I ordered it and it came in today. Wow! I heated water on my gas range, got it to temp (not boiling; never put boiling water on coffee beans), filled it, let it steep for a bit and voilà. Wonderful cup of joe! So when my power goes out, I can still make coffee. You can even take this bad boy camping! Of course, now this means I'm gonna start being a snob, grinding my own beans, filtered water, etc. Downside of course is that you can't just mindlessly get up, start the pot and have coffee ready immediately.

 

[bert1983]

Hi all. Hope your week's going well.
I'm having the best cup of coffee I've ever made. And I didn't use a lick of electricity, lol. I was looking for a single-serve coffee maker that I could take home to ATL with me. And I came across this:
Amazon.com: Aeropress Coffee and Espresso Maker: French Presses: Home & Kitchen

This appealed to the foody in me, as I can control everything about the brew, from the temperature to the strength. And it's only $25! So I ordered it and it came in today. Wow! I heated water on my gas range, got it to temp (not boiling; never put boiling water on coffee beans), filled it, let it steep for a bit and voilà. Wonderful cup of joe! So when my power goes out, I can still make coffee. You can even take this bad boy camping! Of course, now this means I'm gonna start being a snob, grinding my own beans, filtered water, etc. Downside of course is that you can't just mindlessly get up, start the pot and have coffee ready immediately.

The Aeropress has come with me to every convention so far, and I have to say it's easy to travel with. Nick and I used the coffee maker in the hotel at ECC to make warm water for the Aeropress XD I use mine every day, and got a 7 cup water boiler from Target that you can set the temperature on. If you are looking for some great coffee that is readily available across the country for a decent price, I recommend Cafe Bustello. It's super good, and realllllly strong if you get the caffeinated variety!

 

[Reidus]

The Aeropress has come with me to every convention so far, and I have to say it's easy to travel with. Nick and I used the coffee maker in the hotel at ECC to make warm water for the Aeropress XD I use mine every day, and got a 7 cup water boiler from Target that you can set the temperature on. If you are looking for some great coffee that is readily available across the country for a decent price, I recommend Cafe Bustello. It's super good, and realllllly strong if you get the caffeinated variety!

I've seen it but never tried it. I'm currently using pre-ground Community dark roast. It's locally roasted. Funny story: when I first moved here, I left my apartment one morning (I was living in the Quarter then) and smelled smoke. Since I knew that the Quarter had burned down 3 times in the past, I was quite concerned. That is until I saw a neighbor who informed me that Community was roasting coffee, lol. As far as the electric kettle, I was trying to avoid yet another appliance. I have a perfectly good Pyrex tea kettle, and if I'm in a hurry, I can always nuke some water. I've got a Pyrex measuring cup.

BTW, do you use the method suggested in the instructions or the inverted method?

 

[Cyclin]

Did you see this little guy?

 

[Reidus]

Nice! It sure looks like espresso. The Aeropress, though it says it makes espresso, really doesn't. Given the pump action, this one actually might. I'm wondering how strong that pump is though. My hand was sore just watching, lol.

 

[Reidus]

Here's the Aeropress in action.


This is the method I'm using, with 2 exceptions: 1) I don't weigh my grounds, lol. I just use the scoop that's provided. and 2) I'm using the paper filters for now. 350 of them come with it. I'm putting the SS filter on my Christmas wish list (I like to include inexpensive things for my nephews to get me).

What I like best is the cleanup: as you see, all you do is take the cap off and push the grounds into the trash. Wipe off the top and you're done.

 

[bert1983]

Nice! It sure looks like espresso. The Aeropress, though it says it makes espresso, really doesn't. Given the pump action, this one actually might. I'm wondering how strong that pump is though. My hand was sore just watching, lol.

That thing looks like you need the G.I. Joe Kung Fu Grip lol...why can't the Aeropress make espresso? Also have you tried the inverted method with it yet? I guess there's some sort of international competition for who can make the best cup o joe using the aeropress annually! The great thing about that is that the winning methods are all over YouTube.

 

[bert1983]

Here's the Aeropress in action.


This is the method I'm using, with 2 exceptions: 1) I don't weigh my grounds, lol. I just use the scoop that's provided. and 2) I'm using the paper filters for now. 350 of them come with it. I'm putting the SS filter on my Christmas wish list (I like to include inexpensive things for my nephews to get me).

What I like best is the cleanup: as you see, all you do is take the cap off and push the grounds into the trash. Wipe off the top and you're done.

I use the grounds as a medium to grow my Oyster mushrooms on. They are perfectly pasteurized and full of the stuff that Oyster's love!

 

[Reidus]

That thing looks like you need the G.I. Joe Kung Fu Grip lol...why can't the Aeropress make espresso? Also have you tried the inverted method with it yet? I guess there's some sort of international competition for who can make the best cup o joe using the aeropress annually! The great thing about that is that the winning methods are all over YouTube.

The reason it's not espresso is that there's strict requirements as to what constitutes espresso. It's like technically all Champagnes have to come from the Champagne region of France. This article talks about the requirements:
Espresso - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

More importantly, espresso has crema on the top. My coffee doesn't, and I haven't seen any of the videos that did. Now does it taste like espresso? Pretty much. If anything, it's less bitter than most of the espressos I've had.

 

[Reidus]

I use the grounds as a medium to grow my Oyster mushrooms on. They are perfectly pasteurized and full of the stuff that Oyster's love!

I used to pour them into flowerpots, but my Aunt said they're too acidic for most plants.

 

[bert1983]

The reason it's not espresso is that there's strict requirements as to what constitutes espresso. It's like technically all Champagnes have to come from the Champagne region of France. This article talks about the requirements:
Espresso - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

More importantly, espresso has crema on the top. My coffee doesn't, and I haven't seen any of the videos that did. Now does it taste like espresso? Pretty much. If anything, it's less bitter than most of the espressos I've had.

The key to getting the crema to come out of the Aeropress is to have more air in the chamber, and a longer brew time.

 

[Reidus]

So do you press all of the way down then or stop when you first hear the hiss? And how long do you brew it?

 

[bert1983]

So do you press all of the way down then or stop when you first hear the hiss? And how long do you brew it?

I press it all the way down because I like the puck effect when you go to clean it. I'll have to time it tomorrow and let you know, as I usually just kind of feel it out.

 

[sedge]

Reidus. Do you like Turkish coffee?

When I have time I make a cup of it on weekends. Yummy. I got a traditional grinder, pot and cups.

 

[Wharf Rat]

Mark, I've had my Areopress for 2 years and love.... The most amazing thing is that it's made by the inventors of the Aerobie

 

[Reidus]

Reidus. Do you like Turkish coffee?

When I have time I make a cup of it on weekends. Yummy. I got a traditional grinder, pot and cups.

I do, in small doses. Otherwise I'm climbing the walls, lol. I've never made it though.

 

[Reidus]

Mark, I've had my Areopress for 2 years and love.... The most amazing thing is that it's made by the inventors of the Aerobie

I know! Who'd have thunk?

 

[Reidus]

Perfect dessert coffee: aeropress coffee and warm soy milk.

 

[DeviantDe]

do I get to freak everyone out by saying I just dump coffee and water in a random glass container, wait a day, filter, and then make coffee (usually iced) from that concentrate all week?
No fancy coffee gadgets in my house LOL

 

[Reidus]

DD, they call that a cold brew.