Aeropress for traveling? Or french press?

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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
I'm just curious why you're getting all defensive.

But off to other things.
A reply of "Yes it is" is usually considered strange if it brings no new information or debate to the table. I therefore assumed you had meant to infer some implicit meaning, but I now see that is not the case.

Specifically, I assumed that you agreed with my statement that the materials were different, and that you would take my meaning that the French press would be superior since glass is considered "safer" for food contact than plastic. However, my intent was to convey that the plastic was more durable, and therefore superior to the glass in this application.

In any case you are reading way too deeply into this. Please do not respond to this post.
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
35
91
I just got the Aeropress (managed to locate one in Melbourne for 50 AUD) and I'm examining it right now. I haven't made coffee with it yet.

Unless I'm missing something, the designer of this product obviously did not have compact storage in mind when making it, which is fine, because the large size should make it a more "comfortable" device to use at home. Unfortunately, there are a LOT of aspects about it that would make it a pretty bad choice for backpacking / globe-trotting.

- The pieces don't all fit together into one central unit. There are lots of loose parts, but luckily these are (mostly) all accessories.

- The coffee stirrer and measuring spoon are almost comically large, BUT I can see these being extremely comfortable to use. Nice, wide, long handles and a big plank on the stirrer for getting a lot of turbulence during the stir. But for me, these pieces are redundant and both can be replaced with a regular plastic or aluminum spoon. Not as nice to use, but has more overall utility.

- The filter holder. It's 100% a uni-tasker, unless I'm missing something. All it does is hold filters, and it's designed very well for that purpose (wide base for stability, good spacing between the walls for pinching out a filter. But replacing that with a single re-usable metal filter that stores inside the body of the Aeropress saves me a good deal of weight and volume.

- The end that fits onto a coffee cup is designed for wide-ish coffee cups (2.75" !). It most certainly will not fit over a standard Nalgene water bottle opening (the Nalgene dimensions and threads are used in a very wide array of bottles from other brands). BUT...

- The funnel is massive and doesn't collapse into anything, but fortunately it's not a uni-tasker. The funnel doubles as an adapter for narrow mouthed cups and bottles. This may be the only reason for me that I can't chuck the funnel.

- The only things that fit into the main cylinder are the plunger assembly, main cylinder, and the end cap. The funnel just needs to float around somewhere separately.

So it looks like I'll be chucking the filter holder, the filters, the spoon, and the stirrer, and buying a metal filter. I placed it in a bag in stock configuration and it was kind of comical how many loose pieces were everywhere.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
I just got the Aeropress (managed to locate one in Melbourne for 50 AUD) and I'm examining it right now. I haven't made coffee with it yet.

Unless I'm missing something, the designer of this product obviously did not have compact storage in mind when making it, which is fine, because the large size should make it a more "comfortable" device to use at home. Unfortunately, there are a LOT of aspects about it that would make it a pretty bad choice for backpacking / globe-trotting.

- The pieces don't all fit together into one central unit. There are lots of loose parts, but luckily these are (mostly) all accessories.

- The coffee stirrer and measuring spoon are almost comically large, BUT I can see these being extremely comfortable to use. Nice, wide, long handles and a big plank on the stirrer for getting a lot of turbulence during the stir. But for me, these pieces are redundant and both can be replaced with a regular plastic or aluminum spoon. Not as nice to use, but has more overall utility.

- The filter holder. It's 100% a uni-tasker, unless I'm missing something. All it does is hold filters, and it's designed very well for that purpose (wide base for stability, good spacing between the walls for pinching out a filter. But replacing that with a single re-usable metal filter that stores inside the body of the Aeropress saves me a good deal of weight and volume.

- The end that fits onto a coffee cup is designed for wide-ish coffee cups (2.75" !). It most certainly will not fit over a standard Nalgene water bottle opening (the Nalgene dimensions and threads are used in a very wide array of bottles from other brands). BUT...

- The funnel is massive and doesn't collapse into anything, but fortunately it's not a uni-tasker. The funnel doubles as an adapter for narrow mouthed cups and bottles. This may be the only reason for me that I can't chuck the funnel.

- The only things that fit into the main cylinder are the plunger assembly, main cylinder, and the end cap. The funnel just needs to float around somewhere separately.

So it looks like I'll be chucking the filter holder, the filters, the spoon, and the stirrer, and buying a metal filter. I placed it in a bag in stock configuration and it was kind of comical how many loose pieces were everywhere.

The metal filter I bought still requires the use of the filter holder...
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
35
91
The metal filter I bought still requires the use of the filter holder...

Why? Doesn't the filter simply sit between the main cylinder assembly and the plastic cylinder cap?

The filter holder I'm talking about is that 3-inch tall plastic thing that holds the entire stack of paper filters.
 

uhohs

Diamond Member
Oct 29, 2005
7,658
39
91
For me, the funnel, scoop, stirrer, filter holder, etc, and heck even original paper filters are still in the box. All I ever use are the 3 essential parts and a metal filter.
 

yuchai

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
980
2
76
A little late now, but if you wanted something really small, simple, and virtually indestructible, you could have gotten one of those Vietnamese coffee filters.
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
35
91
A little late now, but if you wanted something really small, simple, and virtually indestructible, you could have gotten one of those Vietnamese coffee filters.

Huh? Can you provide an example?
 

uhohs

Diamond Member
Oct 29, 2005
7,658
39
91
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GGAQTTY/

uobBeMH.jpg
 

uhohs

Diamond Member
Oct 29, 2005
7,658
39
91
It's fine if you're making a diabeetus drink but for black coffee I prefer the Aeropress or a pour-over.
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
35
91

Oh, I see. Looks like the mode of production is just like that of drip coffee. If I really needed to, I guess I could also make drip-style coffee with the Aeropress. Simpy let the coffee drip down on its own and don't use the plunger. Or I can get a regular cone paper filter and use it on the funnel that comes with the press. I don't think I'm losing much by going with the Aeropress.
 

drebo

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2006
7,034
1
81
We travel and camp with a french press.

I was at a training session the other day - at the lunch break, one of the other attendees spurned the proffered coffee and pulled an aeropress out of his computer bag.
What a great way to look like a complete douchenozzle.

Coffee snobs are hilarious.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
Why? Doesn't the filter simply sit between the main cylinder assembly and the plastic cylinder cap?

The filter holder I'm talking about is that 3-inch tall plastic thing that holds the entire stack of paper filters.

Oh, I thought you were talking about the piece that you put the filter in when brewing, not for storage, makes sense.

I was trying to figure out how you were brewing without something to sandwich the filter between the open air and and brewing chamber...
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
Moderator
Jan 2, 2006
10,455
35
91
Just wanted to update this thread on how this thing handles while traveling.

Basically, it's great. It's lightweight and not too bulky. It's perfect for making one cup of coffee and can make concentrated shots for up to 3 people at one time (4 is pushing it IMO). Combine it with a small re-usable metal filter that simply stores itself in the Aeropress, and you can forget about carrying around a stack of filters wherever you go. You obviously need to stay somewhere where you can boil water. Electric kettles work great.

The coffee it makes is fantastic. Stronger than drip and french press. With a metal filter, it still retains the nice oils like a french press does and depending on the coffee there can still be some crema. I think it's a tad weaker than a Moka Pot, but the liquid is also cleaner than a Moka Pot.

The funnel is mandatory. Holy hell... grinds get everywhere if you're trying to use it without the filter. The funnel also serves a very important second job - as a funnel between the cup and the press as you are pushing down on the press. Without the funnel, coffee actually spurts horizontally through holes on the side of the black filter cap during the press. This results in coffee spilling down the sides of whatever cup you're pressing into, unless the cup has a really wide mouth. The funnel means you can press into a cup of any size and without worrying about spilling.

The stirrer and the plastic spoon it comes with are much more expendable.

My Aeropress actually got stolen by someone at a hostel I was staying at. The very next morning the first thing I did was buy an Aeropress locally.
 

CraKaJaX

Lifer
Dec 26, 2004
11,905
148
101
Aeropress is amazing. I use mine almost every day. I'm not sure about using the funnel to press the coffee into a mug though.... I've never had a problem of coffee coming out horizontally..?

Matter of fact, I'm about to make a cup now. :D
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
Aeropress is amazing. I use mine almost every day. I'm not sure about using the funnel to press the coffee into a mug though.... I've never had a problem of coffee coming out horizontally..?

Matter of fact, I'm about to make a cup now. :D

Drinking some 8 O' Clock Colombian Peaks from mine atm.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 

CraKaJaX

Lifer
Dec 26, 2004
11,905
148
101
Drinking some 8 O' Clock Colombian Peaks from mine atm.

Eight o'clock original here. I saw you have a lot of options to choose from.... Have you ever tried any of the flavoring syrups? Thought about giving the hazelnut a try but completely forgot about it until now - LOL
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
Eight o'clock original here. I saw you have a lot of options to choose from.... Have you ever tried any of the flavoring syrups? Thought about giving the hazelnut a try but completely forgot about it until now - LOL

Hazelnut is one of my favorites, but have just been drinking it straight today.
 
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