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How to Determine AeroPress Coffee-to-Water Ratio, Specific Operating Methods, and Common Mistakes

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). AeroPress is a simple device for manual coffee brewing. Generally speaking, its structure is similar to a syringe. When using it, put ground coffee and hot water into the barrel, then press down the plunger, and the coffee will flow through the filter paper into the container. It combines the characteristics of French press

What is an AeroPress?

The AeroPress is a simple device for manually brewing coffee. Overall, its structure resembles a syringe. During use, ground coffee and hot water are placed inside its "barrel," then the plunger is pressed down, allowing coffee to flow through a filter paper into the container. It combines the immersion extraction method of a French press, the filter paper filtration of drip coffee (pour-over), and the rapid, pressurized extraction principle of espresso.

Coffee brewed with an AeroPress delivers the richness of espresso, the purity of drip coffee, and the smoothness of French press coffee. By changing the coffee grind size and pressing speed, users can brew different flavors according to their preferences. Besides being fast, convenient, and effective, its cleaning and maintenance is surprisingly simple – the cleaning time after use takes only a few seconds. The AeroPress also has the advantages of being compact, lightweight, and durable, making it quite suitable as a portable coffee brewing device.

AeroPress vs. Pour-Over Coffee

To prepare a complete set of pour-over equipment at home, you can't do without: a pour-over kettle, coffee grinder, drip set, filter papers, thermometer, electronic scale... Meanwhile, water temperature, flow rate, and pre-infusion method—every small difference affects the final taste of the coffee. But if you have an AeroPress, everything becomes much simpler. One device, four steps, and you can easily enjoy a pure espresso.

AeroPress Brewing Steps

❶ Take 13-15g of coffee beans and grind them.

If you don't have an electronic scale, using the AeroPress's included scoop filled level will work fine. Grind according to your preference. Generally, if the grind is too coarse, it will lead to under-extraction; if too fine, it may bring out more bitterness. If it's just for one person, a manual Porlex grinder is perfectly adequate; if making coffee for two people simultaneously, choosing an electric grinder will save more effort.

❷ Prepare hot water at around 90°C, wet the filter paper with water on the filter (you can use the dripping hot water to warm the cup), and pour the coffee grounds into the filter chamber.

❸ First pour a small amount of hot water (to the ② mark) and stir to allow the coffee grounds to "bloom" and release gas; after adding more hot water and stirring, cover with the filter cap, invert, and press down at an even speed.

❹ Unscrew the filter cap, gently push the plunger, and the pressed coffee grounds in puck form will fall out directly. Just rinse with water and cleaning is complete.

Brewing Specialty Coffee with AeroPress

So, how should you brew specialty coffees with distinct flavor profiles using an AeroPress?

Using FrontStreet Coffee's Panama Elida as an example, this bean is natural-processed, with rich fermentation aroma and preserved fruit-like sweetness.

Parameters: Grind: Medium-fine, Water temperature: 89-90°C, Coffee-to-water ratio: 1:15, Inverted pressing method.

Technique: Add water directly to 225g, stir at 1 minute, invert the AeroPress at 1 minute 30 seconds and press the coffee out.

AeroPress Tips and Knowledge

1. Why does the AeroPress come with a stirrer?

The handle at the top of the AeroPress stirrer prevents the stirrer from touching the filter paper and also avoids scratching the inner wall of the chamber, which could affect the seal.

2. Why doesn't the AeroPress have standard brewing instructions?

The AeroPress is like another siphon coffee pot invented by Americans. For Americans, French people, Germans, and other Western countries, siphon pots are just daily household items—brewing coffee is simple and convenient. However, the Japanese elevated the siphon pot from a daily household item to the level of technology and art, using various methods to extract surprisingly exquisite specialty coffee. It is precisely this spirit that created Hario, making the development of Japan's coffee industry more professional. Japanese siphon pot product manuals do not mention methods for making coffee with siphon pots, only instructions for the product itself. The Japanese emphasize that siphon pots can extract a good cup of coffee, but they do not clearly explain how to do it or what specific steps to follow.

3. What's the difference between standard filter paper and metal filters?

Using standard filter paper with AeroPress results in coffee with a clean taste, noticeable acidity, and a lighter body.

If using a metal filter, the coffee will have a heavier body, stronger aroma, and lower acidity. Different models of metal filters have varying numbers of mesh holes, so when choosing a metal filter, additional consideration should be given.