Right, cleaning is the main drawback of the French press, although I would say it’s only a minor annoyance once you get the hang of it. Aeropress is a great concept but there’s something about needing filters that I’m not crazy about. I’m almost starting to think the most elegant way of making coffee is the classic cowboy kettle. Just be careful when you pour and if you get a little grit well that’s no big deal.
"Aeropress is a great concept but there’s something about needing filters that I’m not crazy about."
You can get reusable mesh filters for the Aeropress so that's no excuse.
Reusable Premium Slim Filter for Aeropress The Aeropress is not just a great concept, it's a great way to make coffee that is oh so simple and oh so inexpensive. With infinite combinations of steep time, stirring time, grind setting, dosage, water temperature, etc. you can brew any type of coffee at any roast level and at any grind coarser than espresso...even up to French Press coarse.
While you can't make true espresso, you can make near espresso strength that makes a better cappuccino or latte than you can get at any coffee shop I've ever been to. Plus you can use coffees that would be horrible out of an espresso machine, such as acidic Kenyans etc.
I grind at near espresso fineness (as fine as I can without it choking) for the Aeropress because I want to extract as much flavor as possible. You can even make cold brew almost instantly. Every type and roast needs to be dialed in to get the most out of it, but I have a starting dose, grind, and steep time that works for almost anything and I can adjust from there.
Grind 16g of coffee slightly coarser than espresso
Pour boiling water until it covers the "P" in
"AeroPress")
Give it 40 swirls with the stirrer
Place plunger on Aeropress to stop coffee from dripping
Let it steep 15 seconds
Give it a gentle swirl to even out top of grounds
Press.
If you are having problems with it choking from the grind being too fine, just back the plunger off slightly and it will unplug it. You may have to do it a couple of times if you ground really really fine.