AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker

I've been using the AeroPress for a month or so, and I really like it.

First, the negatives:
They fib - it doesn't make espresso, although it will make a very concentrated coffee. I generally don't drink espresso, so I don't care too much. However, a manufacturer should be truthful.

It uses more coffee than other brewing methods.

It takes longer to make multiple cups than a large capacity brewer. I wouldn't want to make coffee for a large group with this.

The positives:
It makes an excellent, strong cup of coffee. I love that I can get a very strong cup with far less bitterness than other methods.

It's simple to use - put on a filter, add coffee, add water, stir, plunge, pop the used coffee, rinse, add water to cup.

It's inexpensive, and doesn't take much room to store.

Because it makes concentrated coffee, it can be used to make iced coffee (add hot coffee to ice, and it dilutes to a decent strength) or as a base for a mocha, latte, etc...

Clean up is so easy - pop the used coffee into the trash/compost and rinse. The "10 second clean up" claimed by the manufacturer is too long; it's faster than that.

Try it and enjoy a great cup!

A very convenient and compact coffee maker. Ideal for people who travel a lot. Makes a very good brewed coffee, and takes up only the space of a travel mug in your luggage.

I have been using the aeropress coffee maker for about a month, and I will never use anything else again! I love the taste of coffee, but not the bitterness or the acidity. Strong coffee frequently upsets my stomach. The aeropress allows me to make a cup of coffee that is less acidic and less bitter. It has a smoother taste and the coffee flavor comes through more. This coffee maker might not be for you if you like extremely strong coffee. Otherwise, I suggest you give it a try!

There are abundant positive reviews that I don't need to add on top of what's been said. It does make good espresso, smooth, brings out just right amount of coffee and not the bitter stuff deep in the beans. Easy to clean, east to use. But it is not getting a 5 star from me.

My wish list
1. made of glass and not plastic
2. filter holder can have a little smaller holes... water seems to go thru a little too easily even w/o the plunge (fine espresso grind already)
3. and my biggest complain.. WHERE IS THE AROMA?!

When I use either the classic stovetop italian espresso pot, ie Bialetti, or the pump driven espresso machine, I always get roomful of aroma. With AeroPress? barely any... so that's kinda of a let down

I began using my AeroPress about a year ago when my employer dropped support for our coffee club. I am so glad they did. After a year of use and experimentation, I have some comments in reply to other's problems. Begin with following the recommendations that come with the press. I have varied everything and ended up back close to the beginning. Use proper water temperature. Too hot increases bitterness. To cold lacks flavor. Leaving the water in the chamber too long increases bitterness, not really the flavor. Only put in the amount of water recommended, too much water also increases chances of bitterness and a kind of sour tinge. (Over extraction?) I always use very fine grind, making a single cup, using ~180 deg. water, in the amount recommended, brew about 10 seconds (stirring with the supplied stirrer so it doesn't disturb the filter), and press very hard. Once I learned the right temperature, I use the same amount of water each day, microwaved for the same time to get the same temperature each time. (Consistency is a good thing to get a consistent, quality cup.) When I pour the water into the press, some dribbles out at first, (a common complaint I have seen) but so what; it just goes into the cup. I use one filter for a week, and then throw it out. It is easy to rinse off the tiny bit of coffee that sticks, pat dry a little and replace in the filter cap. Sometimes I forget and use two weeks. No difference.

When it comes out good (which it nearly always does, now that I know what to do and not do) I notice there is a foam on the bottom of the filter cap. While this may or may not be the same as the "crema" from an espresso machine, I notice its presence is usually a sign of a good cup. My thought is, this is from the oils in the coffee, and if it goes too long or is too hot, other products are extracted that cut the foaming like an anti-foaming agent. These other products are what make the coffee bitter. The oil is the flavor. The only drawback is, if you are after the caffeine, it is bitter, so you have to choose. Great flavor, no caffeine, or bitter with caffeine. Or, like some people, maybe you like the bitterness. With this little gem you can dial in your preference by varying temperature, amount of water, or length of brew. Your choice.

Oh yes, on care: just wash it out; I always wipe the rubber end of plunger to remove any residue so it doesn't add bitterness to later cups, and store plunger outside the chamber. Storing the plunger in the chamber keeps the rubber end compressed leading to not as good of a seal when plunging. Also you obviously want to use a sturdy mug with a flat base, not a dainty tapered teacup, and press straight down.