AeroPress Coffee Maker review

Alfie loves a good cup of coffee, but he doesn't have one every day, so it's difficult to justify the expense of an espresso machine or good drip machine. Besides, we don't have the counter space. We recently reviewed a coffeemaker that's making waves on the internet: the AeroPress coffee maker by Aerobie. It's small in size but big in taste, and it's just right for us!

Here's more information on the AeroPress: The AeroPress coffee and espresso maker is a $30 coffee press that has become popular with coffee lovers because it brews an absolutely delicious cup of coffee or espresso. The AeroPress utilizes a rapid, total immersion brewing process that is unlike that of other press-type coffee makers. AeroPress brewed coffee is smooth and rich, without the bitterness and high acidity found in coffee brewed by traditional, press or drip processes.



The AeroPress is kind of like an upside-down French coffee press. You start by placing the main chamber on top of a cup, with a filter paper at the bottom. Then add a couple of scoops of ground coffee into the chamber, add hot water, and stir. Then you plunge the airtight syringe into the chamber, which forces the water through the coffee grounds, and into the cup underneath. Here is a video we made of how it works:




It's the highest rated coffee maker on the internet. It has gathered over 700 five-star ratings on Amazon alone. Even coffee experts have given the AeroPress rave reviews, like this one:

I also have to add my enthusiastic recommendation to that of so many others about the brewer. The quality of the coffee it yields has to be tasted to be believed. I own every brewing device known to man and my plunger pot, Technivorm drip brewer and two vacuum pots have done nothing but gather dust since the AeroPress made its way into our house. -- Kevin Knox, 28 year specialty coffee industry veteran and author, Coffee Basics

Is all the hype justified?

According to Alfie, it is. He absolutely loves the AeroPress, and like Kevin Knox, the coffee expert I quoted above, sees no need to own any other coffee maker ever again. He gave me a taste, and I have to agree. There is no bitterness, just good coffee taste.

It's easy to use and takes up hardly any storage space at all. It's perfect for making just one or two cups, which is all we need. And it costs just $30! Who needs those expensive coffee makers, when the AeroPress makes such a great cup of coffee?

Okay, I'm starting to sound like an infomercial -- but unlike an infomercial, I will point out that AeroPress isn't for everyone:

* If you need or want to make coffee for lots of people at once, you're probably better off with a coffeemaker.

* As easy and foolproof as the steps are, it's still a lot of steps -- not good if you're the type to "set it and forget it".

* It requires a bit of strength to get the plunger down. You don't have to be Hercules, but you have to watch out because you could end up tipping your cup with the force.

* It uses a lot more coffee than a drip machine or a regular French press, which can add up for serious coffee addicts. I wish the parts were dishwasher-safe; it gets tedious to clean out all the little plastic pieces.

But when you're AeroPress fans like we are, it's easy to come up with a counterargument. Too little coffee for a crowd? Each person will get their own coffee brewed exactly to their liking! Too many steps? A good cup of coffee is worth the extra effort. Uses too much coffee? One good cup of coffee will give you more pleasure than three bad cups of coffee (quality over quantity, people). There's a reason that so many people rave about the AeroPress, and that's the taste.

Disclosure: I received a product sample to facilitate my review, but have not been paid to review the product or give my opinions. Product information is provided by Aerobie and is indicated in italics. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.