Aerobie 80R08 AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Aerobie 80R08 AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Customer Review: Best coffee on the go
Summary: 5 Stars
The AreoPress is a syringe looking type of mini press pot that uses a paper filter. Imagine a 5 inch tall clear plastic cylinder measuring 2.25 inches round with a screw on paper filter holding basket in the bottom end and a rubber ended plunger that goes in the top. (It looks just like a giant syringe, but with a filter at the end). It also comes with a funnel to aid in pouring coffee grinds into the 2.25 inch cylinder, a perfect length stirring paddle, and a filter storage holder... those little devils (filters) otherwise would soon scatter all over the place with out one. The funnel doubles as it fits securely on the bottom of the rim at the basket side- so that you can also attach the AreoPress directly into a thermos or other small necked container. Time to grind, we use 1/2 cup of beans per batch. Pouring out the pre-heat water from our thermos, we then fill it with hot milk at about 185 degrees F. Turn on the grinder to a fine grind just larger than espresso; Place the funnel in the top and dump the coffee inside. Now move the funnel to the neck of the thermos, secure the AreoPress on top of said funnel and fill with about 7 ounces of 200 degree water while quickly stirring and dispersing the thick mix of a lot of coffee grinds in a little water. Ten seconds or so later you place the syringe like plunger in the top and give it a firm push. Here I will note that finer grinds provide more resistance but a deeper flavor extraction while coarse grinds provide little resistance and slightly lighter flavor and oil extraction. I prefer the finer grind and I just expect to exert about 30 pounds of force, with slightly courser grinds this is totally unecessary/ an easiest pressing. Expect a pocket of air to be trapped between the water line and the plunger (unless you fill the water all the way to the top of the cylinder.) This air pocket is in fact the most important part of the extraction process as it expells all of the water out of the grinds and gets those sugars and oils that we want. COFFEE espresso strength in milk! Thats what I'm talking about. Now- unscrew the basket near the trash and plunge the grinds right into the can. Easy greesy!Customer Review: Fantastic coffeemaker!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best espresso/coffee maker I have ever owned! I've used perkers, drippers, French pressers and real espressers, but this is by far the easiest to use and easiest to cleanup of any makers. Plus, it makes one of the best espressos or coffees I've ever drank. Preparing a cup of espresso is easy, particularly if you have a microwave oven and two matching cups. Just heat water in one cup, get the other cup and Aeropress ready to go (you have plenty of time before the microwave timer goes off), pour the 175 degree water in the Aeropress, wave your magic wand and in less than 30 seconds you have a cup of smooth, delicious coffee. Total time from start to finish is less than 2.5 minutes. Clean up is as easy as pushing the plunger over the trash can and a quick rinse at the sink. If you make a mess with the aeropress, it's not the Aeropress' fault.
The Aeropress' claim to fame is the use of a small round filter that traps the debris associated with French presses. It comes with a large supply of filters that can be reused if you run low on filters. The device is compact and can be stored in the smallest drawer, cabinet or shelf. The Aeropress is the coffee/espresso maker to have for a small kitchen or galley on recreation vehicles or boats. It would also be great for camping or backpacking since it's very sturdy, easily packed and very light in weight. The coffee you carry probably weighs more than the device. The Aeropress and it's accessories are extremely sturdy and should last for years. My only concern is the rubber cap on the plunger that seals the tube and provides the plunging/cleaning of the brewing tube. This rubber cap may deteriorate or shrink if stored in warm or hot conditions, but I think it should keep well under normal kitchen conditions. I bought it for use in the small galley on our boat, so I'll find out if setting unused in the heat affects the rubber plunger.
I first heard about this coffee maker on The Daily Giz Wiz, a Leo Laporte podcast. They made it sound so good, I ordered one immediately. I'm totally satisfied and plan to give this device to family and friends.
Customer Review: This Bumped Up French Press is a Winner!
Summary: 5 Stars
This little baby is a bumped up French Press. It allows Espresso making because it uses little filters instead of the usual French Press mesh on the super-fine grind. I've had mine for a week, and I pretty much agree with all the positive reviews given.
Here's another aspect of it that's a winner: It is compact and stores easily. It 'resets' instantly, all fits together: some extra filters fit in the column, the funnel goes in, and the scoop and stir fit in also. As neat and compact as you'd want for your kitchen, your dorm room, or your hotel when traveling. This thing needs one little rinse with 1/3 cup of water and thats's it to clean it!
I don't know how valid the complaint about using too much grounds...I am making regular coffee by almost filling the cylindar with water, adding a single scoop of grounds, then adding just a bit of water afterwards...and it makes a great mug with only a tad more coffee than I'd regularly use...and only then because the scoop is a bit larger than normal.
Haven't tried espresso yet, no espresso beans and I want to give it a good attempt, but since my preferences are Americanos, I am really happy with this device.
Believe what they say about smoothing out the bitterness. I think this thing could make Robustas almost drinkable.
1 month later and I still love this machine. With espresson beans and an espresso grind, it will make an espresso that is milder than the usual, not quite as gut-wrenching. It excells at making a regular mug of coffee, tho.
After using various varieties of coffee, and tasting the results, I am anxious to buy new varieties for the mazchine...they are all great tasting.
I notice that I can drink more coffee and have far less caffeine reactions...so if you love coffee and are limited by the caffeine content, you'll love this little gizmo. More coffee, less sour stomach.
This will be next Christmas' gifts to all. I've given two this Christmas, and both coffee-nuts love the Aeropress.
Customer Review: Excellent product, but overpriced.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is basically Turkish coffee, minus the grounds at the bottom of your cup. I haven't really noticed less bitterness compared to a drip machine's brew, using the same proportions.
It makes a great cup of coffee quickly, which is the main advantage in my opinion. Also, you have control over the temperature of the water, which you don't have with conventional machines.
If you wait too long, the grounds sink to the bottom and clog the filter, which can be a problem, no way to rescue your coffee.
Using the recommended proportions (two huge scoops to a little water) did not work for me, the filter got clogged. You can't stir it for ten seconds, just a whirl or two, or it's too late. Unless you own a coffee farm, that recipe can force you to mortgage your house to support your caffeine addiction. Using a single scoop with two measures of water still gives you a very strong eye opener.
The filter costs just a red penny, reusing it makes no sense. You might as well reuse the grounds too, and you'll probably get something similar or better than Denny's or IHOP's colored hot water.
AeroPress beats the French press hands down. It's quicker and easier to clean, but the price is unjustified. A fair price would be 5-6 bucks, considering that you can buy a drip machine for about $15, which requires much greater manufacturing, storage and transportation costs. I took a star off for the price.
"Espresso is a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee" (from Wikipedia). This machine qualifies in my opinion, because it uses pressure. It's even better because it uses total immersion. In espresso machines, some of the grounds may not be fully extracted, while others may be over extracted, depending on how the water runs through it all.
The 'crema' is not much to talk about, personally I don't care for it. I have a Breville espresso machine which gives an annoying amount of that foam.
Aside from being overpriced, AeroPress is a convenient little contraption.
Customer Review: Uses More Coffee
Summary: 5 Stars
I made my first two mugs of coffee this morning. I had been using a French Press, where one heaped coffee scoop gave me a perfect mug. I was therefore surprised that the instructions called for two scoops. The product scoop is comparable to the scoop that came with my grinder. Foolishly, I made the coffee with my usual measure & the effect was watery coffee. I quickly added another one-scoop shot, & the result was excellent.
When I finished the mug, I felt as though I had just drunk two mugs, in terms of caffeine.
When I made my second mug with two scoops, the result was perfect. However, it was clear to me after drinking it, that I was getting more caffeine than I was used to.
So there are two downsides to the product. You use twice as much coffee & take in more caffeine.
For those who have made the transition from drip to French press, you will know that the results are quite different. With the French press, the coffee has a vibrancy that is lacking in drip coffee - perhaps due to oils that do not pass through the filter. With the new product, you lose that aspect. The coffee flavor seems muted. I expect it is a transitional issue, & that I will quickly adjust.
Two points about the process. It is important that the unit be on top of the mug before water is poured in. Some liquid will fall into the mug even before the plunger is inserted.
Secondly, if you have heated water to 175 degrees for the brewing, you will need to boil the additional water you will need to fill the mug. Otherwise, the coffee will not be hot enough.
The only compelling reason for using this product is that it solves the bitterness problem. However, many people who use a French press, know that boiling water should never be used. Wait up to a minute for the water to cool a little. If the little bit of "mud" in the bottom of the mug is an issue, the coffee can easily be decanted into another (hot) mug. The bitterness issue is not insurmountable.