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: A brilliant device!
Summary: 5 Stars
You could spend hundreds or thousands to achieve coffee nirvana in the comfort of your home, but why would you? The AeroPress is a brilliant, sturdy, easy-to-use device that allows you to brew a cup of coffee equal to or better than high-end machines. My guests have unanimously agreed.
The AeroPress also brews a cup of coffee superior to a french press--for the same or less money. No sludge. Zero bitterness. Much easier to clean. Tons of flavor. My french press has been collecting dust since I acquired this device.
If you are hesitating to purchase the AeroPress because you don't think it'll extract as much caffeine as other brewing methods, not to worry.
Perhaps my favorite thing about the AeroPress is that it allows you full control over the strength and quality of your brew. You can experiment with various grind settings and bean-to-water ratios until you find the perfect balance to suit your taste. If you're in the mood for a stronger or weaker brew, it's easy to achieve by adjusting the ingredients.
Visit the manufacturer's web site to view a video showing how easy it is to use the AeroPress.
My usual method (derived from experimentation to suit my taste):
(1) Boil enough water to fill a high-quality carafe (see below)
(2) Assemble the device
(3) Using a burr grinder, grind two scoops of beans on the espresso setting
(4) Dump ground beans into the tube
(5) Fill the tube with hot water (to the 4 mark)
(6) Stir for 10-12 seconds
(7) Press
(8) Top off with a bit of hot water
I highly recommend purchasing the Zojirushi Premium Thermal 1-Liter Carafe, Brushed Stainless Steel (or the larger model). Keeping hot water ready to go in the carafe means a second or third cup is just a minute or two away. I also suggest purchasing a few units of extra filters (Aeropress Filters 350 Pack).
Customer Review: My first cup of black coffee, Bold not Bitter
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow! I received my Aeropress today and was certain that I had blown my expectations out of proportion after reading the marketing material, several reviews from different sites, then finding a warm reception for the device on Coffeegeek, I was expecting the impossible.
I have loved coffee for about 15 years, I don't know why I retained the desire for coffee after mostly drinking horrible stuff. I took to dosing it heavily with cream and sugar and enjoying the faint coffee flavors that were left over after I had masked the bitterness. I have had good coffee and really nice restaurants and other events so I know it could be done, but had no idea how to do it myself.
I went through probably common experience, I bought more and more equipment, I bought more and better beans, only to be disappointed time and time again. Well I stumbled across Aeropress Wednesday. I bought it at Amazon and had it second day aired. I got it at lunch, but needed to get back to work and had no good beans (They were delayed and will arrive Monday). I sat at working thinking about how to get some marginal beans and how great the coffee was going to be.
I stopped by out smaller grocery stores and bought a couple bags that looked somewhat fresh and well roasted. I ran some through my coffee maker and some through the Aeropress and I was blown away by the Aeropress coffee. Maybe other machines could be wielded by professionals to make a better cup, but I have never produced anything like this in my kitchen. I drank my first cup of black coffee and loved it.
I am looking forward to playing with the temp, amount of coffee and dilution ratio over the next few days to fine tune the creation, but wow. The cup was dark, dark, dark and smelled very good and very strong. There was no bitterness! A good day!
Three friends and relatives and going to order their own after hearing me go on and on about it. Great coffee, the cycle is broken!
Matt
Customer Review: Im-pressed
Summary: 4 Stars
I'll get right down to the nitty gritty (or lack of it), because whether the AeroPress has too many steps, uses too much coffee, etc., it doesn't cost $1,500 and won't break down. A few people said their only complaint was a lack of flavor, and that's a huge consideration. Staying within the realm of under-$50 non-electrical devices... If my stovetop machiatta maker or French press makes a more flavorful brew, I'll take that over the smoother, less gritty closer-to-real-espresso AeroPress. I haven't given up on the AeroPress, but so far I haven't achieved that "hit you in the face" aroma that tells you you're about to dive into a great cup of coffee. The AP brew retains body (it calls for a large scoop) while filtering out bitterness and grit. However, it's hard to argue you're not removing some of the flavorful oils in the process. (One analogy: I listen to lots of old LP's. On CD transfers, noise filters are often used to reduce ticks, pops, and tape hiss. The sound is "cleaner", but there's a muting effect to the music. I'd rather live with the "grit" and hear the music the way it was intended.) The most intense, syruppy, flavorful coffee in the world is made by throwing the water and coffee in a little $5.00 pot, heating it until it boils over, then dumping it into the cup, grounds and all. However, you'll probably need to hire a Turk to get it right. God knows I've tried, and the Greek coffee (same method) I've had is often excellent in it's own right,- close, but no souvlaki. I'm going to keep experimenting with the AeroPress- closest in consistency to espresso, extremely well-made and it's really is fun to use. Not the most attractive device- it looks like a breast milk pump- but it's an ingenious one, and as far as I remember it's the first innovation since the the paper cone filter back in the '70's. There's no device that makes a shot of espresso for under $60, and I'm not about to waste money on a major brand, made in China electrical appliance that works under high pressure!Customer Review: Good cup of coffee at first, but Expensive to use and Cheap quality
Summary: 2 Stars
I might be the only one who has had a defective one of these so far, but mine stopped working right after a few days. It is surprising because there are no complicated parts. This coffee maker is SUPER SIMPLE!!!
The first 3 Lattes from this machine were amazing. This was with pre ground coffee that had been in the freezer for months. But the last 2 weeks it has stopped working right. When i pour the water in, it starts draining immediately into the cup. The instructions require you to stir the grounds and hot water for 10 seconds. By the time I have filled the water to the #2 line and grabbed the stir stick, it is nearly at the 1 mark. Then after 10 seconds you are suppose to pump the water out, well I might actually press about 1/4th of the original water.
So that is my main problem. I am very sad because i was extremely impressed and the reviews on here are glowing.
I want to mention the other 2 main problems:
1. This darn thing is plastic!!! WHAT ON EARTH. 30 bucks for a plastic cup. Are you serious!!!! That is completely ridiculous. This was a gift for my mother and she kept wanting to make sure it was not expensive because it was CHEAP as...., well you will know what I mean. I expected a glass product because of what it looked like in the picture.
2. As others have mentioned, this uses A LOT of coffee. I feel that when it was working properly, it was somewhat worth it. When it isn't working properly, well it is worthless.
So that is my review. I spent hours researching on this product before I purchased it as a gift. I also need to add that I do not drink coffee, but i was a Batista for years at many coffee shops including Starbucks. I really enjoy making coffee, but i don't actually drink it.This device can make good coffee, but i would suggest investing in a decent espresso maker instead because it will save you A LOT of money in coffee. The coffee maker is cheap when compared with years of coffee.
Customer Review: great product! amazing for camping & backpacking, too
Summary: 5 Stars
Back in the very late '70s - early 80's, I worked in a restaurant in Berkeley that a Peet's special blend named for it, and hosted coffee tastings. As a result, most folks who worked there (including myself) became insufferable jerks who won't suffer a lousy cup of coffee and will barely tolerate a mediocre one.
I've been known to brew my own in hotel rooms (and on the hood of my car), using a gas camp stove & Melitta cone or an ancient Vesuviana espresso maker, just to avoid ingesting bad coffee while traveling (the Vesuviana caused a great deal of excitement at airport security checkpoints).
I can't drink french press-made coffee; it's far too bitter/ acidic. Love me a Chemex, but they always end up exploding.
While at Catahoula Coffee Company in Richmond, I bought my first Aeropress, just to try it out. It made such a great cup-- rich, strong with "head", low to no acid, easy to make--
so, I bought 2 more: one for my daughter, who travels by backpack, has been all over N. America, and is heading for Europe.. another for my son, presently a college student & intermittent world traveler.
Backpacker daughter says: It makes the best coffee, is easy to clean & pack, and is very durable.
College student son (who also works in restaurants) says: ditto, but that it makes a "kick @$$ cup".
I alternate between Melitta cone-made coffee & Aeropress. And honestly, the Aeropress filter packs are really inexpensive if you buy via Amazon when you purchase the coffee maker.
Don't waste your $$$ on a designer espresso machine, unless you feel duty bound to support the guy who repairs them. Perhaps, the shiny expensive espresso machine fits your decor scheme & impresses your guests (too bad a good barista doesn't come with it).
Besides, when the zombies attack & sabotage your gas/electricity, you can build a fire, boil some H2O, and use this wonderful contraption to make your final cup a truly good one!