Sure, there are so many brewing methods on offer, but AeroPress remains a standout choice for its versatility, portability, and exceptionally clean taste. This manual pressure brewer produces a smooth, complex coffee without the complicated machinery. If you want to know how to use an AeroPress with repeatable, competition-level precision, this AeroPress guide focuses on the barista-preferred AeroPress inverted method.

Key Takeaways:

To prevent dripping and maximise control, use the AeroPress inverted method with a precise 16g coffee to 250g water ratio and a steep time of 1:30 to 2:30.
Achieve optimal flavour by brewing with water between 85°C and 95°C and ensuring your medium-fine grind allows for a 20–30 second steady press.
Stop your extraction immediately upon hearing the plunger hiss to avoid pushing harsh, bitter fines and air into your cup, which ensures a clean, sweet finish.

5-Step Barista Guide: Mastering the AeroPress Inverted Method

Our AeroPress instructions are designed to prevent drips and give you full control over steep time. Just follow this simple step-by-step workflow!

Step 1: Prep, Grind, and Ratio

The AeroPress inverted method is a popular technique where you assemble the brewer upside down (plunger side down) to prevent the coffee from dripping immediately. Before you begin, rinse one of your AeroPress filters with hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat your mug. Set up this method by inserting the plunger a centimeter into the chamber, creating a stable base.

Grind Size: Use a medium-fine grind. Finer than V60 pour over, but coarser than true espresso. This AeroPress grind size prevents clogging.
Aeropress Ratio: Start with 16 grams of coffee to 250 grams of water (1:15.6 ratio)
Pro Tip: Use water between 85°C (for medium/dark roasts) and 95°C (for light roasts) for best results.

Step 2: Bloom and Steep

Pour your coffee grounds into the chamber. Start your timer and pour only 30–40 grams of water to saturate the grounds (the bloom).

Pro Tip: Gently swirl or give one brief stir to wet the grounds. Let it bloom for 20-30 seconds, then pour the remaining water up to your target weight.

Step 3: Cap, Flip, and Press

Place the cap with the pre-wet filter onto the chamber and screw it tight. At your target total time (usually 1:30 to 2:30), quickly and confidently flip the entire assembly onto your mug.

Pro Tip: Press gently and steadily for 20–30 seconds. Stop the press as soon as you hear the hiss. That noise signals air and harsh fines are being pushed through.

Step 4: Dilute and Serve

The result in your cup is a rich concentrate. Treat this like an intense shot of AeroPress espresso. Add hot water to the concentrate for an Americano (our recommendation) or add milk for a latte. You can also use cold water and steep longer to make AeroPress cold brew coffee.

Pro Tip: If the press feels "stuck," your grind is too fine. If it gushes through, your grind is too coarse. Adjust only one variable next time.

Troubleshooting Common AeroPress Mistakes

Use this quick guide to diagnose and fix common problems when using the AeroPress coffee maker, ensuring a clean, rich cup every time.

Issue	Symptom	Likely Cause	Quick Fix
Weak / Watery	Thin body, dull flavor	Grind too coarse, short steep, cool water	Use finer grind; steep 1:30–2:00; use water ~92–95°C.
Sour / Under-Extracted	Sharp, harsh, or lemony cup	Too coarse grind, inadequate contact time	Go finer on the grind, or add +20–30s to total steep time.
Bitter / Astringent	Dry finish, harsh, woody taste	Grind too fine, too long steep, high water temp	Use coarser grind; shorten time; drop water temp by a few degrees.
Hard to Press	Plunger feels stuck, requires force	Grind too fine, overfilled basket, pressing too fast	Use coarser grind, ensure level fill; press gently over 20–30s.
Leaking / Dripping Early	Coffee runs through before pressing	Standard method + coarse grind or loose seal	Use the inverted method, or pre-wet and seat filter firmly.
Grounds in Cup	Gritty or cloudy brew	Very fine grind, aggressive agitation, torn filter	Use coarser grind, gentler stir/swirl; check filter; stop pressing at the hiss.
Inconsistent Cups	Great one day, poor the next	Changing multiple variables (grind, time, water)	Lock a base recipe (dose, water, time); change only one variable per brew.
Off-Flavors	Plastic or rubbery note	Dirty seal/chamber, unrinsed paper filter	Rinse the paper filter with hot water; thoroughly clean the rubber seal after each use.

Why Choose AeroPress for Home Brewing?

The simple, durable design of this brewing device is why so many baristas recommend the AeroPress coffee maker for home and travel.

Cleanliness: The fine paper filter is incredibly effective. Our founder, Giuseppe Di Stefano, coined the term 'wet dust' for the harsh fine particulates that cause bitterness. AeroPress filters eliminate this issue entirely, giving you a remarkably clean cup.
Portability: Because it's so durable and lightweight, choosing AeroPress for travel allows you to brew cafe-quality coffee anywhere.
Versatility: Whether you want a concentrated shot of AeroPress for espresso, a full mug, or AeroPress cold brew coffee, this single device handles it all by changing the ratio and steep time.
Cleanup: The final coffee grounds condense into a single dry puck that can be pressed directly into the bin, making cleanup fast and simple.

AeroPress vs. Other Brewing Methods

The AeroPress's unique use of manual pressure makes it an enduring choice for home brewers. Here’s how this versatile device stacks up against popular options.

AeroPress vs. French Press: The AeroPress uses a quick, pressurised process, yielding a clean cup. The French press is slow, full immersion with a mesh filter, yielding a full-bodied, oily cup with sediment.
AeroPress vs. Moka Pot: The moka pot uses continuous steam pressure and high heat, producing a strong, often bitter concentrate. AeroPress offers cooler, faster, and cleaner extraction without bitterness.
AeroPress vs. Pour Over: While both use paper filters, AeroPress uses full immersion and pressure, resulting in a heavier body and shorter contact time than a gravity-fed pour over.

Get all the info you need to find your favourite home brewing method in our complete guide: What Coffee Brewing Method Is Best?

How to Choose the Best Coffee for AeroPress

Because AeroPress extracts complex flavors cleanly and quickly, selecting the right roast level will help you maximise sweetness and body while mitigating bitterness.

Di Stefano 109 Specialty Coffee Beans: Our top medium-dark roast blend, ideal for the AeroPress as it balances bold cherry, sweet lemon, and caramel notes for a clean, vibrant cup.
Di Stefano 1820 Strong Beans: This dark roast provides intense dark chocolate and cinnamon tones, making it the perfect full-bodied concentrate for rich, milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.
Di Stefano 1735 Organic: A lighter medium roast choice that prioritises clarity, offering delicate toffee and lime notes that shine in an AeroPress for a cleaner, brighter cup.

Conclusion: Dialing in Your Perfect AeroPress Recipe

Mastering these AeroPress instructions means embracing precision. Small, repeatable adjustments to grind and time are key. Once you lock in your house recipe, you'll be able to fine-tune any specialty bean with speed and consistency.

Ready to explore the versatility of this brewer? Shop the Di Stefano selection of specialty coffee beans today and find the perfect profile to dial in your AeroPress!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is AeroPress?

The AeroPress is a portable, manual coffee maker that uses full immersion and air pressure to quickly brew a clean, highly concentrated cup of coffee. It was designed by Alan Adler and has gained a strong following for its simplicity, speed, and durability.

What is special about AeroPress?

The AeroPress is special because it gives you unmatched control over every variable, including steep time, temperature, and grind size, allowing for endless experimentation. Plus, its unique paper filters eliminate harsh sediment, resulting in a remarkably clean and flavourful brew.

Do you use boiling water in an AeroPress?

No, you should generally not use boiling water in an AeroPress because it can scorch the grounds and plastic, leading to a burnt or bitter taste. For best results, aim for water just off the boil, specifically between 85°C and 95°C.

How long should I press the AeroPress plunger?

You should aim for a slow, steady press that takes approximately 20 to 30 seconds from start to finish to ensure an even extraction. It is crucial to stop pressing as soon as you hear a hissing sound to avoid pushing bitter fines and air into your cup.

What are some common AeroPress mistakes?

A common mistake is using a grind that is too fine, leading to a hard press and bitter, over-extracted flavour in the cup. Another error is pressing too aggressively past the hiss, which pushes undesirable harsh, dry fines into your finished brew.

Additional Reading

Keen to learn more about brewing and making coffee? We have a stack of additional content to keep you informed.

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About the Author

Nicolas Di Stefano, a third-generation Master Roaster and Director of Di Stefano Coffee, continues his family’s proud legacy of exceptional coffee craftsmanship. Blending traditional Italian roasting methods with a modern dedication to quality, Nicolas ensures every cup embodies the rich flavour and consistency Australians have come to love.