How to Use an AeroPress: A Simple, Forgiving Recipe
A simple AeroPress recipe (15 g coffee to 220 g water), step by step, plus how to make it stronger, smoother or iced.
Quick answer
To use an AeroPress Original, put a rinsed paper filter in the cap, add 15 g of medium-fine coffee, pour 220 g of hot water, stir for about 10 seconds, wait about a minute, then press slowly for 20–30 seconds. The whole brew takes about two minutes (per AeroPress).
- Grind medium-fine, a little finer than for pour-over
- Bitter? Grind coarser or press sooner. Weak or sour? Grind finer or steep longer
- Press gently: if it's very hard to push, the grind is too fine
The AeroPress is one of the friendliest brewers ever made. It's quick, it's hard to get wrong, and cleaning up takes seconds. If you've been nervous about "proper" coffee, this is a lovely place to start.
AeroPress recipe at a glance
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 15 g, medium-fine |
| Water | 220 g, just off the boil or a little cooler |
| Stir | About 10 seconds |
| Steep | About 1 minute |
| Press | 20–30 seconds, slow and gentle |
| Total time | About 2 minutes |
The brewer
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AeroPress · Brewing Equipment
Original Coffee Press
Compact, shatterproof and quick to clean: one or two smooth cups in about two minutes.
- Brews a smooth, low-grit cup in about 2 minutes (per AeroPress)
- Up to 10 oz (296 ml) per brew, enough for one or two cups (per AeroPress)
- Light, compact and shatterproof, so it travels well
$39.95 on Amazon
Price as of – Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
How to use an AeroPress, step by step
- Heat water. Just off the boil, or let it rest for a minute. Many people find slightly cooler water tastes smoother.
- Rinse the filter. Put a paper filter in the cap, rinse it with hot water, and twist the cap onto the chamber.
- Add coffee. Stand the chamber on a sturdy mug on your scale, add 15 g of medium-fine coffee and tare.
- Pour and stir. Pour 220 g of water, then stir gently for about 10 seconds and enjoy the aroma.
- Steep. Put the plunger in just a little to stop the dripping, and wait about a minute. A good moment for a slow breath.
- Press. Push down slowly and steadily for 20–30 seconds. Stop when you hear a soft hiss.
- Clean. Unscrew the cap and push the puck of grounds straight into the bin. Rinse, and you're done.
Taste and adjust
| If your coffee… | Try this |
|---|---|
| Tastes bitter or harsh | Grind a little coarser, or press sooner |
| Tastes sour, weak or thin | Grind a little finer, or steep a little longer |
| Is very hard to press | Grind coarser |
| Is too strong | Add a splash of hot water to your mug |
Fun variations
- Stronger "concentrate": use less water (about 100 g), then top up with hot water or milk. Lovely with frothed milk from a milk frother.
- Iced AeroPress: brew a concentrate with about 100 g of hot water and press it straight over ice.
- Two cups: brew a concentrate and split it between two mugs, then top each up with hot water.
The gear that helps
Freshly ground coffee makes the biggest difference, so a burr grinder is worth it. A scale makes your favourite cup easy to repeat.
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Baratza
Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder
$149.95 on Amazon
Price as of – Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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TIMEMORE
Black Mirror Basic 2.0 Coffee Scale
$55.00 on Amazon
Price as of – Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
AeroPress or something else?
Wondering how it compares? See AeroPress vs French press and AeroPress vs Hario V60.
Your two-minute ritual: the AeroPress is short enough for the busiest morning, but there's still a little moment of calm in that slow, steady press. Enjoy it.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee do I use in an AeroPress?
A good starting point is 15 g of medium-fine coffee to 220 g of water. Adjust to taste.
How long should an AeroPress brew?
About two minutes in total, according to AeroPress: a short stir, about a minute of steeping, and a slow 20–30 second press.
What grind size is best for an AeroPress?
Medium-fine, slightly finer than pour-over. If it is very hard to press, grind coarser.
Can the AeroPress make espresso?
It makes a strong concentrate that is lovely in milk drinks, but it can't reach espresso machine pressure, so it isn't true espresso.
How do you clean an AeroPress?
Unscrew the cap, push the puck of grounds into the bin and rinse the seal and chamber. It takes seconds.
Sources
- TIMEMORE Black Mirror Basic 2.0 Coffee Scale (TM0056): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B0CKZ6RG6Y), checked 30 Oct 2026
- Baratza Encore Conical Burr Coffee Grinder (ZCG485BLK): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B007F183LK), checked 30 Oct 2026
- AeroPress Original Coffee Press (Original): Manufacturer details from the amazon.com listing (ASIN B0047BIWSK), checked 1 Nov 2026
Coffee Gear Scout Editors · Editorial team
We research home coffee equipment from manufacturer documentation and product details, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Our profiles are labelled “Researched” unless we have used the equipment ourselves.