AeroPress Brew Guide

What You'll Need

  • AeroPress (standard or Go)
  • AeroPress filter (paper or metal)
  • Burr grinder
  • Fresh roasted Bluestem coffee
  • Filtered water (200–205°F)
  • Scale (recommended)
  • Timer
  • Mug

Coffee to Water Ratio

1:15 – 1:17 (coffee to water)

A standard single cup:

  • 15g coffee : 225g water
  • Stronger: 1:15
  • Balanced: 1:16
  • Lighter: 1:17

The AeroPress is forgiving — experiment freely and adjust to your taste.

Grind Size

Medium-fine for the standard method — similar to table salt. Go finer for a more concentrated, espresso-style brew. Go coarser for a longer steep.

Brewing Instructions (Standard Method)

1. Prep & Preheat

Insert a paper filter into the cap and rinse with hot water to remove any papery taste. Attach the cap to the AeroPress chamber and set it on your mug. Discard the rinse water.

2. Add Coffee

Add your ground coffee to the chamber.

3. Add Water & Stir (0:00)

Start your timer. Pour hot water (200–205°F) over the grounds, filling to your target weight. Give it a quick stir to make sure all grounds are saturated.

4. Steep (0:00 – 1:30)

Place the plunger on top to create a seal — this slows the drip and holds heat. Let it steep for about 1:00–1:30.

5. Press (1:30 – 2:00)

Apply slow, steady downward pressure on the plunger. It should take about 20–30 seconds to press fully. Stop when you hear a hiss — that's air, not coffee.

6. Serve

Drink as-is, or dilute with a splash of hot water for a longer cup. Enjoy immediately.

Inverted Method (Optional)

Prefer more control over steep time? Flip it:

  • Assemble the AeroPress upside down with the plunger inserted about 1cm
  • Add coffee and water, stir, and steep
  • When ready, attach the cap, flip onto your mug, and press

The inverted method prevents any drip-through during steeping and gives you a cleaner extraction window.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Pressing too fast — Rushing the press agitates the grounds and can make the cup harsh. Slow and steady.
  • Pressing past the hiss — Once you hear air, stop. Pressing further forces bitter compounds into the cup.
  • Wrong grind size — Too fine and it'll be hard to press and over-extracted. Too coarse and it'll taste thin.
  • Skipping the rinse — Always rinse the paper filter. It makes a noticeable difference in taste.
  • Using stale coffee — The AeroPress is transparent enough to show off freshness. Use beans within a few weeks of roast.

Final Note

The AeroPress is one of the most versatile brewers out there — fast, forgiving, and great for travel. Once you find your recipe, it's hard to beat for a quick, clean, delicious cup.

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