The AeroPress and French press are two of the most popular manual methods for brewing coffee. If you visit the home of most coffee lovers, you will find either an AeroPress or French press. However, finding a coffee lover with the two brewing machines is also possible.
The two devices never disappoint when used in the right manner. They will always prepare you the best cup of coffee. But does this mean you need the two machines to enjoy a cup of coffee daily?
Well, as much as the two are excellent, you don’t have to get them simultaneously. Instead, you can start with one and later try the other one.
Deciding which device to try first can be daunting, especially when you have little information about them. But worry not; this post has wrapped up some information to help you decide which device or brewing method fits you best. So, keep reading to learn more.
The AeroPress
The Aeropress, invented by Aerobie, is a piston-style brewer that forces coffee through a thin paper filter directly into a cup. The paper filter stops oil and sediments from getting in the cup resulting in a perfect cup of coffee. The AeroPress is made up of two plastic cylinders. The larger one is the brewing chamber, and the second cylinder is the plunger that fits into the chamber.
The plunger once pressed down, pushes the water, adding pressure for better coffee extraction. The pressure is generated completely by hand as you compress the coffee between the plunger and the ground coffee bed/micro-filter.
Standard Method vs. Inverted Method
When it comes to Aeropress brewing methods, you can choose between the standard and invented methods. The standard method is also called the traditional method.
For the traditional method, you have your cup on a flat surface at the bottom of the press. First, rinse the paper filter; then add your favorite freshly ground coffee and pour hot water into the larger cylinder. After a couple of seconds, you fix the smaller cylinder on the top and slowly press down to push the delicious coffeeinto your cup.
On the other hand, for the invented method, you start the inverted process by inserting the plunger into the larger cylinder and removing the filter from what is now the top of the device.
Then, you put in the coffee grounds and water, stirring as usual before rinsing the filter and placing your cup upside-down. Finally, steep it for a few minutes, and in one fluid motion, you flip the entire set-up and press down.
The inverted method’s main difference is that the flavor is a little darker and richer, making it a bit more similar to what you get with a French press.
Why the AeroPress
- More control over the brewing: The design of AeroPress is perfect for allowing coffee lovers to adjust variables (pressure, temperature, water volume, time, and ground coffee quantity) during the brewing process. This freedom it guarantees during the brewing process makes it stand out compared to its competitor, the French press. For example, by allowing pressure change during brewing, every coffee lover gets a desirable cup. It is also good to note it is designed to brew just a single serving of coffee at a time.
- Short brewing time: As mentioned above, time is one of the variables you can alter when using AeroPress. And not just altering, compared to the French press, Aeropress brewing time is short. This means that you will enjoy your cup of coffee in just a few minutes. It takes about a little more than one minute to prepare your coffee using Aeropress and about 5-7 minutes using the French press. This short extraction time makes Aeropress common among many coffee lovers.
- Portable and durable: The design and size of the AeroPress make it a favorite device among travelers and campers. So, if you are looking for a brewing device you can carry anywhere, this has to be the only option. Besides, the plastic used to design it is durable enough to travel.
- Easy to clean: Designed in a way that used coffee grinds are pushed through the brewing chamber by a rubber seal, it becomes easier to empty them into the bin. This means you don’t get any leftover grind in your coffee cup, which would often happen with the French pot.
French Press
The French press, also known as a press pot or cafetière, is a simple device consisting of a plunger with an attached filter screen (metal mesh), a carafe, and a lid. You place coffee in the carafe, pour in hot water, and allow it to brew for at least three minutes. Once brewing is complete, the plunger is gently pressed down, and the finished coffee can be enjoyed.
Why the French Press
- More aroma and bite: The French press is best known for brewing stronger and tasteful coffee. This is because it uses metal mesh to treat coffee rather than the micro-filter used in AeroPress. This means that you will find odd coffee grains in your coffee cup. Besides, this means you will also find your coffee having more oil and other tasty properties from the coffee beans. The soluble solids and the aromatic oils in your cup of coffee are the reason behind the delicious and rich flavor of a good cup of French press coffee.
- Brew more than one cup: The French press is still a favorite among coffee lovers because of its size. It is bigger than the AeroPress. It can brew more than one cup. If preparing coffee for your family or running a retail coffee shop, a French press will not disappoint.
Takeaway
Now let’s have a summary of the two brewing devices.
| AeroPress | French press | |
| 1 | Use pressure to improve extraction | Does not use pressure to improve extraction |
| 2 | Has the shortest brewing time, a little more than one minute | Need around five minutes to brew |
| 3 | Uses fine a fine grind | Use coarse grind |
| 4 | Coffee gets hotter | Coffee gets colder |
| 5 | Creates a cleaner beverage | The resulting coffee has more oils and suspended solids |
| 6 | Only brew one serving at a time | Prepares more cup at a time |
| 7 | Easy to clean | You need more time to clean the French press |
| 8 | Portable, common among travelers and campers. | Most models are not great for travel. |
Conclusion
Both devices work well, and many coffee lovers have them at home. But if you are only interested in having one device, the information above will help you pick the right one. Hopefully, this article was helpful. For more details, feel free to reach us; we are here to help.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
