Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
by Aerobie
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Our Price: $22.96
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Category: Kitchen
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: AerobieBrand: Aerobie
Model: 83R01
Color: Gray
Product features:
- Unique coffee/espresso maker uses total immersion and gentle pressure to produce coffee with extraordinarily rich flavor
- Makes American style coffee or an espresso-style shot perfect for use in lattes or cappuccinos
- Because of the lower temperature and short brew time, the acid level of the brew is much lower than conventional brewers
- Micro-filtered coffee so pure and particle-free that it can be stored for days as a concentrate
- Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Customer Review: If you use other manual brewing methods, try this!
Summary: 4 Stars
After reading through the reviews, I decided to go ahead and give this method a try, and I'm glad I did. I've used a number of brewing methods, including drip, vacuum pot, French press, and combinations of those methods, but the time, effort and mess involved with some are a turnoff, so I most often use manual drip as the best tradeoff for getting a decent cup of coffee in the morning.
Like many people, I spent a considerable amount of time reading the reviews before making a decision. Now after using the AeroPress, I think I see where some of the comments and complaints come from.
1) It uses a lot of coffee
Yes, it does. I normally follow the SCAA guidelines of about 50 grams per 1 liter of water, but the AeroPress method (if following the directions) uses around 17 grams per 5 ounces (0.15 l). That makes it about half as efficient as other methods. For me, that isn't a problem, since I only make coffee for myself, and drink 1 - 2 mugs per day. However, I would certainly think twice before using the AeroPress to make coffee for more than 2 people. That said, I haven't yet tried cutting back on the amount of coffee, as some reviewers have. That's something I'll probably try in the future, but I'm enjoying the current results so much that I hate to tamper with it right now.
2) The plunger is too hard to push down.
I think this may be one of two things: a) The grind - if you have a blade grinder, you may be getting a significant amount of dust in your coffee, which could clog the filter. I would recommend a burr grinder. I seem to be getting good results by having mine set between Drip and Espresso. b) Plunging too fast - it takes 20 - 30 seconds to complete the process, which seems like a long time when you're actually doing it. That said, I do have to admit that there is a certain fear of tipping the whole shebang over while you're plunging. But then I can be a little paranoid with things that might burn me....
3) Difficult cleanup or too much effort
I don't know where these complaints came from. For me, it's a snap. I pop the used filter and puck of spent coffee out into my composter, give the plunger end of the unit and the stirrer a quick rinse under running water, and that's it! Done in seconds. The only method that is as simple is drip, and I like the AeroPress results better. (Keep in mind that I am used to a bit of manual labor when I make coffee in order to have better control of the result, so if you have one of those brewers where you just pop in a cartridge and push a button, this will seem like having to grow your own cotton to make a shirt. ;-) )
4) It doesn't make "real" espresso
Nope, it sure doesn't. It makes a concentrate, but it's different from what comes out of an espresso machine. It will probably work just fine as a base for most drinks, but if I were the manufacturer I think I would shy away from saying "espresso" and maybe just say "espresso strength coffee concentrate" or something.
5) The coffee it makes is no better than/not as good as X method
That seems to be a matter of taste. I know some coworkers who would hate the coffee that the AeroPress produces, but they like coffee made with 1/2 of the normal amount of grounds per pot - yet what they make is undrinkable for me. With the AeroPress, what you get is a cup with plenty of body, but less bitterness than with most other methods. If you like more bitterness, or maybe some "chew" or oils with your coffee, stick with a French Press. As a side note, I would NOT use this method with the typical pre-ground brands that you can purchase in the supermarket, or you will just exacerbate the negative aspects of the coffee. Use high quality, freshly roasted beans, and grind them yourself if possible - but I would make that recommendation to anyone wanting to make good coffee, no matter what the method.
I've found this product to be well designed, convenient, and easy to use and clean. It makes a very smooth, yet full-bodied cup of coffee. While I won't be throwing out my espresso machine or Cona vacuum pot (it's just WAY too cool!), this is an excellent solution for me, and I intend to make heavy use of it.
I would love to give the AeroPress 5 stars, but knock it down to 4, only because it does use a lot of coffee, and I don't think it should bill itself as an espresso maker.
Description of Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
The AeroPress is a completely new kind of coffee press that brews absolutely delicious, rich coffee without bitterness. In one minute, the AeroPress will make 1 to 4 cups of American or espresso style coffee. Coffee brewed in an AeroPress is rich but smooth for good technical reasons. The first and most important reason is brewing speed. Coffee yields its rich flavors quickly. From when you add hot water to when you are ready to drink, the AeroPress takes about 30 seconds, just like a fine espresso machine. The time required to fill a drip coffee maker pot or the steeping time required for a traditional coffee press is measured in minutes, not seconds, and because of that, they brew bitter, acidic coffee. When brewing coffee with an AeroPress, you use very hot but not boiling water, you use finely ground coffee, and the filter prevents any grit from getting into your cup, all of which are additional important reasons AeroPress brewed coffee is so remarkably delicious. Amazon frustration-free packagingFrench Presses
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