Difference between Aeropress and drip filter?

[DavidA23]

Having read a lot of positive stuff about the Aeropress I bought one.
Now I'm wondering why.
As per the instructions I attach a filter, add ground coffee followed by water.
I then am supposed to stir the brew, leave for 30 seconds then insert the plunger and push down to filter the coffee into the cup.
However, as soon as I add water to the ground coffee it leaks through the filter and into the cup leaving no time to stir, brew and plunge.
So, the question is: How is this different to a standard drip filter?

 

[PinkRose]

Hello DavidA23

Welcome to the Coffee Forums!

Does all of the water leak through, or just some of it?

Take a look at these instructions and photos of how to use the Aeropress. Maybe you'll spot something that you're doing that's not quite right, or maybe you'll discover that you have a defective Aeropress.

Aeropress - Stumptown Coffee Roasters

Also, there are a lot of YouTube videos showing how to use the Aeropress. It may be worth taking a look at some. I found that the instructions that come with the Aeropress aren't very clear.

Rose

 

[DavidA23]

Thanks for your reply.
The video you linked shows using the Aeropress upside down which I just tried & it works fine.
The instructions with Aeropress use it the other way up as do some other videos (which I can't link until after my fifth post).
Now on the Aeropress instructions it suggests that if the water drains through immediately then try using a finer grind.
Initially I purchased some pre-ground coffee from Rave Coffee (ground for Aeropress) to check how fine to grind my beans.
So, it seems odd that Aeropress & others show a method that doesn't work!
In future I'll use it upside down as your link suggests.
Thanks

 

[DavidA23]

Hi PinkRose.
Yes, all of the water leaks through before I have chance to use the plunger. I tried using 2 filters but it makes little difference.
I looked at various videos and I can't see what the problem is.
Following another post to this thread I tried using the inverted method. This at least gives the coffee time to brew but then when you turn it up the right way again the coffee leeks through the filter, more slowly this time, but still hardly allows use of the plunger.
So, it seems that the only difference between the Aeropress and a standard drip filter method is that a drip filter takes longer for the coffee to drip through to the cup.

 

[CoffeeJunky]

There isn't anything wrong with your Aeropress. Let me assure you that.
1. you need to pre-heat the filter by pour over hot water.
2. You put the ground coffee. Please make sure your coffee is properly ground for the aeropress use.
3. Put about 1/4 cup of hot water and make sure there aren't any dry coffee left by mixing it with stir.
4. Pour over the rest of the water for brew. put back your piston quickly and back out to create vacuum in the chamber.
5. Press down the coffee.

If you follow these steps, you won't have any problem that you are having right now.

Good Luck

 

[dstrand]

Hi David23,

I've been using the Aeropress for awhile now, and had the same trouble at first. However, I discovered that if I inverted the thing it works really well!

In other words;
Assemble the press, (but don't attach the filter holder) and turn it upside down.
Pour the ground coffee into the press so that it lands on the rubber plunger.
Add hot water, stir
Twist the filter attachment onto the press and let it sit for 1 minute.
Carefully turn the press right side up, and set it on top of your coffee cup.
Press the coffee through using a constant gentle pressure.

No mess. No drips. It's my favorite way to make coffee now.

Let us know how it works for you.

Regards,

 

[CoffeeJunky]

Hi David23,

I've been using the Aeropress for awhile now, and had the same trouble at first. However, I discovered that if I inverted the thing it works really well!

In other words;
Assemble the press, (but don't attach the filter holder) and turn it upside down.
Pour the ground coffee into the press so that it lands on the rubber plunger.
Add hot water, stir
Twist the filter attachment onto the press and let it sit for 1 minute.
Carefully turn the press right side up, and set it on top of your coffee cup.
Press the coffee through using a constant gentle pressure.

No mess. No drips. It's my favorite way to make coffee now.

Let us know how it works for you.

Regards,

That is kind of different way to use Aeropress. But if it works, and you like the coffee... why not right?

 

[CoffeeHiker]

Isn't the big extra that with an aeropress your not supposed to compress the ground after draining the water?

 

[TheCoffeeGourmet]

Why would you use the Aeropress instead of a traditional French press? The French press makes absolutely amazing coffee. Was there a specific recommendation to use the Aeropress? It also seems like more work than the French press, so if it's more work for less taste, than I'd abandon the Aeropress ship!

 

[PinkRose]

The Aeropress makes coffee that's similar to espresso. It's good for making espresso based drinks.

As you know the French Press makes coffee that's basically like brewed coffee.

 

[trk_koa]

We use our AeroPress because it makes a great tasting cup of coffee without fines or mud and is very easy to clean.

We use stainless steel permanent filters. We have septic and don't want to put grounds down the disposal. So we push the puck out of the AeroPress into a container that we subsequently compost.

My husband and I drink different coffee every morning so we have two.

We started using the AeroPress after our small French Press broke during a cruise. The AeroPress travels way easier.

Nancy

 

[CoffeeJunky]

I don't know aeropress makes espresso like coffee but it is also known to be one of the best way to brew your coffee. Many people consider Aeropress and Siphon coffee maker are the two best way to brew your coffee.

I like both ways and I use french press when I don't have much time but I will also use siphon coffee makers to brew mine everyday.

 

[PinkRose]

Naturally, it's not totally like espresso, but it makes a good base for espresso-based drinks, such as cappuccinos or lattes (or Americanos)
The Aeropress makes a strong coffee, and a lot of people need to add some extra hot water or milk in order to get it the way they like it.

 

[TheCoffeeGourmet]

Just looked up a picture... so that little thing is supposed to be a quick replacement for an Espresso machine then? I wanted to start making Americano's at home here and there for a change of pace, but figured I needed an espresso machine to make it worthwhile. Is the Aeropress actually a viable alternative, or is it a poor substitute?

 

[peterjschmidt]

Is the Aeropress actually a viable alternative, or is it a poor substitute?

It depends on whether you've had properly extracted espresso, and what your expectations are. If you simply want a strong, very concentrated coffee, the AP is for you. If you want genuinely-made espresso, extracted under pressure, you'd be dreaming to think a $25 piece of plastic is going to give you that.

For $25, you may want to find out for yourself; it might be worth the time/effort/money to experiment. If you do go that route, you may want to consider the Able disc for another $12; it's a stainless filter that replaces the paper filter, and lets most of the coffee's oils through for a fuller/silkier brew vs. the paper filters.