French Press Vs Aeropress, what’s the difference and which is right for you?
Despite both having “press” in the name, the French Press and the Aeropress coffee maker are two different coffee makers. On the outside, each coffee maker seems to work the same.
But truth is, there are quite a few differences.
Determining whether you prefer French Press coffee or Aeropress coffee depends on a few aspects of brewing method, like the coffee bean and the brew method, among other things. You need to know what you’re looking for and which machine offers those needs.
Each brewing device makes delicious coffee, but use a different manual brewing method to achieve that perfect cup.
To make this easier, we’re going to go over how each machine works. Then we’ll discuss the major differences between the two.
By the end of this article, you should know exactly which coffee maker will work best for you.
Let’s look at the French Press Vs Aeropress.
How Does the French Press Work?
First, we’re going to walk you through the steps of using the French Press to get an idea of how this method of coffee brewing works. You’ll see how pressure takes a part in using this press.
You start by preheating your French Press. To preheat, add water to the press. Gently shake the water around the press until it heats up.
Now you’re going to get your ground coffee ready. Get the appropriate amount for what you need that morning. The grounds need to be about a medium coarse grind.
It’s time to heat your water. The temperature should range between 195F to 200F before you add it to the press.
First, you’ll add the ground coffee to the press. Then you can pour in the hot water. Stir it all together.
Place the lid on the French Press and wait about five minutes. Press the plunger on the press down.
How Does the Aeropress Work?
Now we’re going to learn about how to use an Aeropress and get a perfect cup of coffee. We’ll walk you through every step on how this coffee maker works.
With the Aeropress, you have to get everything ready. Start by pushing the plunger out of its brewing chamber.
Place a coffee filter in the filter cap. Once the filter is in place, you have to twist the cap onto the chamber of the plunger.
Now, place the plunger on your cup. Since the Aeropress only makes one cup of coffee at a time, you only need one scoop of grounds. Drop the grounds inside the chamber.
Shake the grounds up. Add enough hot water to fill up the chamber. The water should be around 175F in temperature. Stir the coffee grounds.
Insert the plunger back into the brewing chamber. Push down on the plunger. You’re going to have to push slowly once you get to the grounds.
How Much Coffee Do You Make a Day?
How much coffee you drink at home can make a big difference in which coffee press you purchase.
For coffee lovers drinking multiple cups throughout the day, you want to consider the French Press. The larger of these presses can make eight to 12 cups of coffee at a time.
But if you only have a cup or two cups of coffee in the morning, consider the Aeropress. Its brewing process allows for one cup of coffee at a time. It saves you a lot of time in the morning as well.
Do You Travel Alot?
Believe it or not, how often or how you travel can make a difference to which coffee press you use. And in terms of the French Press Vs Aeropress, you need to take the size into consideration.
The Aeropress is a smaller device, making it more portable.
The French Press is larger, and the beakers are made of glass. If you’re not careful, you can easily break this press during travel.
So, we recommend the Aeropress for the big traveller, since it’s plastic and less breakable.
Do You Have Time for Clean-Up?
The clean-up process can be a big deal for some. When you hate cleaning or you’re always busy, you want a press that isn’t as difficult to clean.
The French Press is harder to clean. There are more parts to clean. And it can be hard to get into the beaker to clean it properly.
You have to clean this press more often, otherwise, gunk can build up fast.
Meanwhile, the Aeropress is simpler by design. You have fewer pieces to clean and you don’t have to clean it as often.
So in this instance, French Press Vs Aeropress, it’s the Aeropress that comes out on top.
How Important is Consistency?
How important is consistency for you? Do you have little time so you don’t have time for mistakes? Or are you forgiving when it comes to mistakes, so long as you get to brew great coffee?
The French Press coffee maker is more consistent overall. Since it’s easier to do (only by a bit), there are fewer steps to take. Which means there are fewer mistakes you can make. You’ll always have a consistent cup of coffee.
The Aeropress, on the other hand, has a lot more components to it. During the process, it’s easy to make a mistake.
Now, this isn’t a downside. Practice makes perfect when it comes to the Aeropress. And for the price, it’s still a decent coffee maker.
What Flavor Are You Looking for?
The French Press and Aeropress machines create different flavors and body when it comes to coffee. This is due to their different processes and the equipment used.
The French Press creates coffee with a fuller flavor and a fuller body. This is because of the metal filter. The filter ensures you’re getting every bit of the coffee grounds and their intended taste.
The Aeropress uses paper filters instead. So, it creates a lighter flavor. All the oils from the coffee grounds can’t get through the paper filters.
The Last Word on French Press Vs Aeropress
Truth is, we can’t tell you which coffee press is better. It all depends on what you need, what you want, and what you can afford. There are a lot of variables to consider.
We hope our guide on French Press Vs Aeropress helps you to make your decision. Before you know it, you’ll be waking up, excited to get your coffee ready.
