Aeropress Coffee Maker.

[JohnVF]

Just finished my first cup of coffee with an AeroPress coffee maker.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000GXZ2GS/coffeegeek-20

I have to say, its pretty dang good! And much easier to clean than my regular press. For a single cup of coffee, ease of use and cleaning, and taste- I think I've found my solution. My only complaint is that it takes a lot of coffee to get one cup out of it, but since I like to try different types of coffee that's not a bad thing (except for money spent)- I just go through it faster and will be onto the next one sooner.

It was pretty cheap, too.
I've been using a press, and will keep doing so for more than one cup. And for single cups I've been using a Melitta drip funnel. It tastes different than that- not as overtly strong, and smoother with a different overall balance.

 

[240sx4u]

That's really neat. I should have something like that at work for my afternoon fix.

 

[JohnVF]

That's really neat. I should have something like that at work for my afternoon fix.

Its kind of fun to use, too. What I'm really excited about is how much easier it is to clean than a normal press. Also, no grounds make it into the coffee.

 

[Ed in Tx]

I have one of these. Have yet to figure out the trick to getting a good cup of coffee with it. Following the instructions comes out way too strong even diluted like they say. If I use much less coffee ground very fine it works pretty well but it still tastes very much different than my Cuisinart coffee maker that uses #4 Melita cone filters.

 

[Satcom123]

Wow, $30.00 shipped. Not bad. I make a whole pot of coffee and half of it gets wasted. This would be right up my ally. Thanks. :thmbsp:

 

[JohnVF]

I have one of these. Have yet to figure out the trick to getting a good cup of coffee with it. Following the instructions comes out way too strong even diluted like they say. If I use much less coffee ground very fine it works pretty well but it still tastes very much different than my Cuisinart coffee maker that uses #4 Melita cone filters.

As it comes out, it's roughly a double espresso in concentration. Then just fill the rest of the cup with hot water. An Americano, so to speak, but it certainly tastes different than a Cuisinart (my girlfriend had one of those before switching to a funnel). I set my grinder on 'fine' and it seemed to do, wel, fine- to my taste. It was actually not as overtly strong as when I use a normal press, but in a good way.

But, I like strong coffee. Well, strong but not bitter, which is the trick.

Also, since it comes out very concentrated I guess you could make a latte or anything else you'd use espresso for.

Wow, $30.00 shipped. Not bad. I make a whole pot of coffee and half of it gets wasted. This would be right up my ally. Thanks. :thmbsp:

Its more work than an auto. But I like the ritual. I mean, its really just heating water and pressing the thing and rinsing, its not a chore.

 

[Ed in Tx]

As it comes out, it's roughly a double espresso in concentration. Then just fill the rest of the cup with hot water. An Americano, so to speak, but it certainly tastes different than a Cuisinart ..

How hot is your water, and how much coffee are you using?

If I follow their instructions which calls for 165-175°F water I'll use nearly 2/3 of the amount of coffee that I normally use to make 7-8 "cups" with the Cuisinart for one cup with the Aeropress. And to me it's darned near strong enough to strip paint! Even watered down for "American" coffee.

 

[JohnVF]

I brought the water to just below boiling then let it sit for a minute, so whatever that is. And I used what I used to put in a auto-drip maker for a half pot, on one cup. Two spoonfulls of the spoon that came with it, as suggested. Filled the water up to the '2' mark, stirred, let it sit for a few seconds then pressed for about 15 seconds, slowly. It was strong but it wasn't bitter, which is how I like it. I like my coffee really strong, however, so maybe its enough to strip paint? I can drink it really strong as long as it isn't bitter.

 

[Satcom123]

I'm the same way with my coffee. Very strong but not bitter. I usually sprinkle in some grains of kosher salt which Alton Brown says will cut the bitter taste. I think it does to a certain extent.

So it is better to grind the coffee fine for this process?

 

[Ed in Tx]

.. I like my coffee really strong, however, so maybe its enough to strip paint? I can drink it really strong as long as it isn't bitter.

I like strong coffee too, fine with me as long as it's not bitter, but it comes out of this device very harsh and bitter for me. Frustrating because the majority of the Amazon reviews say just the opposite.

 

[JohnVF]

I like strong coffee too, fine with me as long as it's not bitter, but it comes out of this device very harsh and bitter for me. Frustrating because the majority of the Amazon reviews say just the opposite.

What kind of coffee are you using?

Who knows...it certainly seems like its just not your thing. I've only had one cup with it, but I thought it was excellent. Bought it at a coffee shop up in Milwaukee on the recommendation of a guy working there. Milwaukee is like a coffee-lovers paradise for a small city. They have so many good independent coffee shops, and some independent roasters....great coffee is all over that city.