Aerobie 80R08 AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
by Aerobie
|
List Price: Our Price: $25.95 You Save: $6.04 (19%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $16.99 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
|---|
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Aerobie 80R08 AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Customer Review: Fantastic coffeemaker!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best espresso/coffee maker I have ever owned! I've used perkers, drippers, French pressers and real espressers, but this is by far the easiest to use and easiest to cleanup of any makers. Plus, it makes one of the best espressos or coffees I've ever drank. Preparing a cup of espresso is easy, particularly if you have a microwave oven and two matching cups. Just heat water in one cup, get the other cup and Aeropress ready to go (you have plenty of time before the microwave timer goes off), pour the 175 degree water in the Aeropress, wave your magic wand and in less than 30 seconds you have a cup of smooth, delicious coffee. Total time from start to finish is less than 2.5 minutes. Clean up is as easy as pushing the plunger over the trash can and a quick rinse at the sink. If you make a mess with the aeropress, it's not the Aeropress' fault.
The Aeropress' claim to fame is the use of a small round filter that traps the debris associated with French presses. It comes with a large supply of filters that can be reused if you run low on filters. The device is compact and can be stored in the smallest drawer, cabinet or shelf. The Aeropress is the coffee/espresso maker to have for a small kitchen or galley on recreation vehicles or boats. It would also be great for camping or backpacking since it's very sturdy, easily packed and very light in weight. The coffee you carry probably weighs more than the device. The Aeropress and it's accessories are extremely sturdy and should last for years. My only concern is the rubber cap on the plunger that seals the tube and provides the plunging/cleaning of the brewing tube. This rubber cap may deteriorate or shrink if stored in warm or hot conditions, but I think it should keep well under normal kitchen conditions. I bought it for use in the small galley on our boat, so I'll find out if setting unused in the heat affects the rubber plunger.
I first heard about this coffee maker on The Daily Giz Wiz, a Leo Laporte podcast. They made it sound so good, I ordered one immediately. I'm totally satisfied and plan to give this device to family and friends.
Customer Review: This Bumped Up French Press is a Winner!
Summary: 5 Stars
This little baby is a bumped up French Press. It allows Espresso making because it uses little filters instead of the usual French Press mesh on the super-fine grind. I've had mine for a week, and I pretty much agree with all the positive reviews given.
Here's another aspect of it that's a winner: It is compact and stores easily. It 'resets' instantly, all fits together: some extra filters fit in the column, the funnel goes in, and the scoop and stir fit in also. As neat and compact as you'd want for your kitchen, your dorm room, or your hotel when traveling. This thing needs one little rinse with 1/3 cup of water and thats's it to clean it!
I don't know how valid the complaint about using too much grounds...I am making regular coffee by almost filling the cylindar with water, adding a single scoop of grounds, then adding just a bit of water afterwards...and it makes a great mug with only a tad more coffee than I'd regularly use...and only then because the scoop is a bit larger than normal.
Haven't tried espresso yet, no espresso beans and I want to give it a good attempt, but since my preferences are Americanos, I am really happy with this device.
Believe what they say about smoothing out the bitterness. I think this thing could make Robustas almost drinkable.
1 month later and I still love this machine. With espresson beans and an espresso grind, it will make an espresso that is milder than the usual, not quite as gut-wrenching. It excells at making a regular mug of coffee, tho.
After using various varieties of coffee, and tasting the results, I am anxious to buy new varieties for the mazchine...they are all great tasting.
I notice that I can drink more coffee and have far less caffeine reactions...so if you love coffee and are limited by the caffeine content, you'll love this little gizmo. More coffee, less sour stomach.
This will be next Christmas' gifts to all. I've given two this Christmas, and both coffee-nuts love the Aeropress.
Customer Review: Uses More Coffee
Summary: 5 Stars
I made my first two mugs of coffee this morning. I had been using a French Press, where one heaped coffee scoop gave me a perfect mug. I was therefore surprised that the instructions called for two scoops. The product scoop is comparable to the scoop that came with my grinder. Foolishly, I made the coffee with my usual measure & the effect was watery coffee. I quickly added another one-scoop shot, & the result was excellent.
When I finished the mug, I felt as though I had just drunk two mugs, in terms of caffeine.
When I made my second mug with two scoops, the result was perfect. However, it was clear to me after drinking it, that I was getting more caffeine than I was used to.
So there are two downsides to the product. You use twice as much coffee & take in more caffeine.
For those who have made the transition from drip to French press, you will know that the results are quite different. With the French press, the coffee has a vibrancy that is lacking in drip coffee - perhaps due to oils that do not pass through the filter. With the new product, you lose that aspect. The coffee flavor seems muted. I expect it is a transitional issue, & that I will quickly adjust.
Two points about the process. It is important that the unit be on top of the mug before water is poured in. Some liquid will fall into the mug even before the plunger is inserted.
Secondly, if you have heated water to 175 degrees for the brewing, you will need to boil the additional water you will need to fill the mug. Otherwise, the coffee will not be hot enough.
The only compelling reason for using this product is that it solves the bitterness problem. However, many people who use a French press, know that boiling water should never be used. Wait up to a minute for the water to cool a little. If the little bit of "mud" in the bottom of the mug is an issue, the coffee can easily be decanted into another (hot) mug. The bitterness issue is not insurmountable.
Customer Review: A brilliant device!
Summary: 5 Stars
You could spend hundreds or thousands to achieve coffee nirvana in the comfort of your home, but why would you? The AeroPress is a brilliant, sturdy, easy-to-use device that allows you to brew a cup of coffee equal to or better than high-end machines. My guests have unanimously agreed.
The AeroPress also brews a cup of coffee superior to a french press--for the same or less money. No sludge. Zero bitterness. Much easier to clean. Tons of flavor. My french press has been collecting dust since I acquired this device.
If you are hesitating to purchase the AeroPress because you don't think it'll extract as much caffeine as other brewing methods, not to worry.
Perhaps my favorite thing about the AeroPress is that it allows you full control over the strength and quality of your brew. You can experiment with various grind settings and bean-to-water ratios until you find the perfect balance to suit your taste. If you're in the mood for a stronger or weaker brew, it's easy to achieve by adjusting the ingredients.
Visit the manufacturer's web site to view a video showing how easy it is to use the AeroPress.
My usual method (derived from experimentation to suit my taste):
(1) Boil enough water to fill a high-quality carafe (see below)
(2) Assemble the device
(3) Using a burr grinder, grind two scoops of beans on the espresso setting
(4) Dump ground beans into the tube
(5) Fill the tube with hot water (to the 4 mark)
(6) Stir for 10-12 seconds
(7) Press
(8) Top off with a bit of hot water
I highly recommend purchasing the Zojirushi Premium Thermal 1-Liter Carafe, Brushed Stainless Steel (or the larger model). Keeping hot water ready to go in the carafe means a second or third cup is just a minute or two away. I also suggest purchasing a few units of extra filters (Aeropress Filters 350 Pack).
Customer Review: My first cup of black coffee, Bold not Bitter
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow! I received my Aeropress today and was certain that I had blown my expectations out of proportion after reading the marketing material, several reviews from different sites, then finding a warm reception for the device on Coffeegeek, I was expecting the impossible.
I have loved coffee for about 15 years, I don't know why I retained the desire for coffee after mostly drinking horrible stuff. I took to dosing it heavily with cream and sugar and enjoying the faint coffee flavors that were left over after I had masked the bitterness. I have had good coffee and really nice restaurants and other events so I know it could be done, but had no idea how to do it myself.
I went through probably common experience, I bought more and more equipment, I bought more and better beans, only to be disappointed time and time again. Well I stumbled across Aeropress Wednesday. I bought it at Amazon and had it second day aired. I got it at lunch, but needed to get back to work and had no good beans (They were delayed and will arrive Monday). I sat at working thinking about how to get some marginal beans and how great the coffee was going to be.
I stopped by out smaller grocery stores and bought a couple bags that looked somewhat fresh and well roasted. I ran some through my coffee maker and some through the Aeropress and I was blown away by the Aeropress coffee. Maybe other machines could be wielded by professionals to make a better cup, but I have never produced anything like this in my kitchen. I drank my first cup of black coffee and loved it.
I am looking forward to playing with the temp, amount of coffee and dilution ratio over the next few days to fine tune the creation, but wow. The cup was dark, dark, dark and smelled very good and very strong. There was no bitterness! A good day!
Three friends and relatives and going to order their own after hearing me go on and on about it. Great coffee, the cycle is broken!
Matt