jerseysteve Senior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 38 Location: nj Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Mon Jan 30, 2006, 6:44am Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Alan - after using the Aeropress for 3 days it seems to me that my coffee (americano) is not coming out as strong or as flavorable as it did the first 2 days - what could I be doing wrong? I am using the same coffee etc. Is it possible that the vaccum seal is not as tight anymore? Also I am noticing that it drips by me also (a decent amount considering that the whole brew is only 2 ounces) however I don't remember if it was when I first got it am I doing anything wrong?
Posted Mon Jan 30, 2006, 8:23am Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Hi Jerseysteve,
We have seals that are like new after 500 pressings. We've never had one leak, but there's always a first time. If your seal leaks the plunger will reach the liquid before the bed of coffee turns dry. If that's happening, let us know and we'll send you another seal ASAP.
With regard to drip-through. Below is from my post of a few days ago.
"Dribbling the water in slowly for the first few seconds allows the coffee to wet and swell and thus reduces drip-through. A double (or larger) has less drip-through than a single. But don't worry about drip-through. It doesn't impact the final result significantly. During the initial phase of AeroPress development I stirred the coffee and hot water in measuring cup, then filtered the slurry in the AeroPress. Of course that had zero drip-though. After a few months I realized that there would be one less item to clean by stirring right in the press. Both methods produced the same flavor and same brew strength, as measured by my Brix meter."
The most likely cause of weaker brew is coarser grind. Tell us about your grinder. If it's a blade grinder, you should let it chop two scoops for 30 seconds. At the end of that time, you'll have to dig the powder out of the grinder with a spoon (or our paddle) and the pressing will be slow. But that's the only way to get a rich pressing with a blade grinder.
CaliforniaBear Senior Member Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 18 Location: San Mateo Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Le'lit PL041 with PID Grinder: La Pavoni PGC Vac Pot: Aeropress Roaster: Moksha
Posted Mon Jan 30, 2006, 3:53pm Subject: Problem solved with Aeropress
Alan gave me a call soon after my post and discussed my Aeropress method. He inquired about my grinder, water temperature, etc., and gave me a few pointers. After implementing his suggestions, I can definitely say the quality of my Aeropress brew has improved a great deal, to the point where my wife said "It's very good!".
For the record, here's what he said, with a few notes of my own:
1. Be sure to use the supplied scoop. It is more than a typical coffee measure but the Aeropress trades extra coffee for smoothness. 2. If using a blade grinder, as I was, grind for at least 30 seconds. I tried 32 as well as 40. I find that 40 yielded better brew. I'm going to try even longer tomorrow. This greatly reduces dripdown. 3. For two lattes, fill to the top of the #2 oval. Otherwise the volume of coffee isn't enough and gets diluted by the milk.
I have to say that I'm now impressed and sold on the product. I still have to refine my process to get absolutely the best coffee, but I think it's definitely doable.
Many thanks to Alan for going the extra mile to make this customer happy.
Posted Mon Jan 30, 2006, 9:15pm Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Hello All,
I'm delighted that things are much improved for CaliforniaBear and Jerseysteve. We all learned from our off-forum exchange.
I learned that some people didn't realize that our oversize scoop is important. AeroPress is smooth because it doesn't extract as hard as other brewing methods. But that requires bigger scoops of coffee.
I also re-learned the importance of running a blade grinder long enough. I had posted the 30 second recommendation on our website (FAQ's) but most people haven't seen that.
Blade grinders are a like/dislike situation for me. I like the fact that if run long enough they grind sufficiently fine -- and that's not the case for cheap burr grinders. I dislike the fact that when run long enough, they make a lot of fine powder which is hard to dig out of the grinder bowl and slows the pressing process. A good burr grinder is a pleasure by comparison. The grind pours effortlessly out of the grinder, and the pressing is easy.
CaliforniaBear asked me if I had a recommendation on a cheap burr grinder. I didn't. I've tried several in the $50-$60 range which couldn't even grind fine enough for drip! I told him that the least expensive grinder I've been satisfied with is the Solis Maestro. I paid $130 for mine, but there are better deals available now. My Maestro was great for AeroPress, but not fine enough for an ordinary espresso machine. I graduated to the Masetro Plus which worked for everything. Then recently I got a Virtuoso, which I've written has the most uniform grind I've ever seen. It's grinder nirvana. The name Virtuoso always reminds me of my favorite cartoon, which is attached below.
Here's a tidbit that may interest some of you:
When you brew with any kind of brewer, some of the water ends up trapped in the damp grounds. How much? I've measured this hundreds of times with the AeroPress and it runs about a half ounce of water for each scoop of coffee.
So the amount output AeroPress brew (prior to dilution) will equal the amount of input water, less about a half ounce for each scoop of grind.
JPR Senior Member Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 9 Expertise: I live coffee
Posted Tue Jan 31, 2006, 7:17am Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Barry - I find that the SCAA sensations listed under "acidy" are greatly reduced in the Aeropress. These include sensations labeled as "piquant" and "nippy". To me, this is a negative.
The "bitter" and "carbony" profiles are also reduced. This may be the "edge" people are talking about. Most people would consider a reduction of this side of the taste profile a positive I suppose.
But it can also reduce some of the more positive profiles, especially the "fruity" ones. In this case it is not unlike an espresso extraction.
Overall, I find the profile with the aeropress different than the same coffee made as an espresso, french press, or drip. Unfortunately, I am not trained enough to actually do a description of the profile.
I can describe some of the effects. For instance, I did an Yrg that had a good bit of blueberry as a drip and especially in the press. As espresso and with the Aeropress the blueberry was totally gone.
I did a carbony generic *$s roast- Cafe Verona . The Aeropress removed mosat of the "ashy" profile and revealed the sweet (or "sugar browning") profiles in the coffee, making it almost pleasant to drink.
Posted Tue Jan 31, 2006, 7:32am Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
JPR Said:
Barry - I find that the SCAA sensations listed under "acidy" are greatly reduced in the Aeropress. These include sensations labeled as "piquant" and "nippy". To me, this is a negative.
The "bitter" and "carbony" profiles are also reduced. This may be the "edge" people are talking about. Most people would consider a reduction of this side of the taste profile a positive I suppose.
But it can also reduce some of the more positive profiles, especially the "fruity" ones. In this case it is not unlike an espresso extraction.
Overall, I find the profile with the aeropress different than the same coffee made as an espresso, french press, or drip. Unfortunately, I am not trained enough to actually do a description of the profile.
I can describe some of the effects. For instance, I did an Yrg that had a good bit of blueberry as a drip and especially in the press. As espresso and with the Aeropress the blueberry was totally gone.
I did a carbony generic *$s roast- Cafe Verona . The Aeropress removed mosat of the "ashy" profile and revealed the sweet (or "sugar browning") profiles in the coffee, making it almost pleasant to drink.
jerseysteve Senior Member Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 38 Location: nj Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Tue Jan 31, 2006, 7:51pm Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Alan - I guess I will have to start grinding my own beans and I was wondering what is the cheapest and smallest (my wife thinks I have enough toys) grinder that will work with the Aeropress. I noticed that you posted not getting satisfactory results with cheap burr grinders but how about a blade grinder? I see them in Walmart for arount 20 bucks - will they be of any use for me?
Posted Tue Jan 31, 2006, 9:15pm Subject: Re: Aerobie Aeropress
Hi Jerseysteve,
If you'll re-read my prior post, you'll see my mixed feelings about blade grinders.
I've experimented with three of them. Given the choice between using one and buying coffee, ground at time of purchase to my spec (between drip and espresso) at the local Starbucks, supermarket or whatever, I lean towards the latter.
However there are many happy AeroPressers out there using blade grinders.
If you still have the urge to macerate your own beans with a blade, I'd advise against the Mr. Coffee with "Chamber Maid Cleaning System". The idea intrigued me, but they've accidentally made it harder to get the grind out of the chamber. The simpler ones without the "Cleaning System" are better.
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