My previous AeroPress has been on extra adventures with me than I can rely or keep in mind. My mother and father gave it to me as a present in school, and I’ve used it a lot that the gold lettering on the surface has began sporting off. It’s made a whole lot of cups of espresso for me and my pals at campsites everywhere in the nation.
It’s one of the vital items of my camp kitchen, and I’ve by no means thought of the way it is perhaps upgraded.
AeroPress had one thing up its sleeve, although. The practically 20-year-old model has been brewing up a brand new iteration of the traditional design that simply launched on its web site forward of Nationwide Espresso Day: The AeroPress Premium. It has precisely the identical design as my previous plastic AeroPress Authentic — however it’s made with aluminum, metal, and glass elements.
Sure, it’s heavier and barely bigger. And I wouldn’t bang it round like I’ve executed with my plastic model. However I’ve all the time been of the mindset that drinks style higher out of glass containers than they do from plastic ones.
So, after I noticed that AeroPress was launching this new mannequin, I needed to attempt one out. In my thoughts, it might comply with that espresso brewed in a glass container would possibly style higher than espresso brewed in a plastic one.
Briefly: The AeroPress Premium has the identical traditional design, made with a double-wall borosilicate glass chamber with anodized aluminum and stainless elements as a substitute of plastic. It makes one to 2 scrumptious cups of espresso per fill. Nevertheless, not like the unique, the AeroPress Premium shouldn’t be ideally suited to backpacking, backcountry ski huts, or different endeavors the place pack weight issues. It is ultimate for automotive tenting, RVs, boats, and even your property.
AeroPress Premium Espresso Maker Overview
The AeroPress Authentic (the one my mother and father gifted me) debuted on the Espresso Fest Seattle in 2005 and has develop into a cult espresso favourite over the following 20 years. It may make American-style espresso, chilly brew-style espresso, or espresso-style espresso.
The design has simply three important elements: the plunger, the chamber, and the filter cap. It additionally comes with a measuring scoop and stirrer. Merely load an AeroPress filter within the cap, connect it to the chamber, and drop one scoop of espresso into it. Boil water, pour it over the espresso, insert the plunger, and press down. Stress forces the espresso by way of the filter into your mug.
The entire course of takes possibly 30 seconds in case you have sizzling water prepared (except you employ the inverted methodology, which is discouraged by the model — however we’ll get to that in a minute). I sometimes make myself two to 4 cups and my associate one other two each morning whereas I’m tenting. It retains me busy within the mornings.
My pals who use prompt espresso suppose I’m loopy. However I additionally usually get no less than one stray request for an AeroPress cup. It undeniably makes a bolder, smoother, extra full-bodied cup of espresso than something from a packet. It’s a lot sooner than a French press, a percolator, or perhaps a pour-over. I by no means get espresso grounds in my espresso.
And, in line with the model, it removes the bitter-tasting oils “for an espresso-like richness.”
Espresso Subject Testing: Aeropress Premium
That is an applicable time to say that I’ve no formal espresso coaching. I’ve in depth private expertise, having been raised by two coffee-philes. At residence, I largely use unbiased native roasters’ beans. I keep away from chain espresso retailers after I’m touring if I can. However I’ve by no means been a barista or roaster, so I can’t converse like a professionally skilled espresso guru.
As a substitute, I converse from the angle of an informal espresso fanatic, like most people who take pleasure in a superb cuppa joe.
That stated, I acquired a number of opinions throughout my preliminary testing. Once I first busted out my AeroPress Premium, I used to be on a tenting journey in northern Colorado with three different individuals (my mother and father and my associate) who acted as my guinea pigs.
Between us, we introduced three espresso makers: the AeroPress Premium, my AeroPress Authentic, and a house espresso machine (we had entry to a generator, so why not?). All current have been espresso lovers. We used drip grind espresso. AeroPress recommends utilizing something between drip and a finer espresso grind.
Everybody quickly agreed that the 2 AeroPresses made one of the best espresso. Nevertheless, we couldn’t agree on whether or not the AeroPress Premium made a higher cup than the Authentic.
For the report, I suppose it did. I sip-slurped espresso from each and thought I might style a distinction. In my view, the AeroPress premium espresso was barely smoother. However nobody else appeared to essentially choose up on that. And the distinction, if there was one, was fairly negligible.
Regardless, the Premium was a slick addition to the tenting setup. I most popular the tactile expertise of utilizing glass and steel to that of the plastic Authentic. The glass additionally allowed me to see the espresso whereas it was brewing so I might higher choose when it was prepared.
Premium Supplies, Decrease Sturdiness
The chamber of the AeroPress Premium is double-wall borosilicate glass, which doesn’t get sizzling to the contact, even when it’s filled with scalding water. The plunger and chamber’s flange are made out of anodized aluminum, and the filter cap is stainless-steel.
The one materials that’s the identical between my previous AeroPress Authentic and the brand new Premium is the silica plunger seal.
Whereas the supplies are nicer, they’re additionally much less travel-friendly than the Authentic. I’ve by no means as soon as anxious about breaking my plastic AeroPress. It has survived quite a lot of abuse in tenting totes, backpacks, and at campsites.
Against this, the AeroPress webpage for the Premium says it’s not advisable for journey. It’s a strong unit in your hand. But it surely’s clearly not as sturdy as its totally plastic counterpart. For $150, a bit of additional warning is advisable.
However as a lifelong camper, I’ve discovered all of us cheat the foundations or convey some surprising home equipment every now and then. It’s okay to convey some little bit of luxurious to camp. Take a mortar and pestle, a pan of premade brownies, or perhaps a glass espresso grinder. Espresso lovers can think about the Premium a cheat deal with for the campsite.
Completely different Strategies
GearJunkie’s editor-in-chief, Adam Ruggiero, was as soon as upon a time a espresso roaster. In the future, when our workplace espresso machine was down for the rely, we resorted to utilizing my AeroPress, which was in my automotive, together with the remainder of my perpetually packed tenting gear.
That day, he confirmed me the way to use my AeroPress like a professional — or, no less than, like some professionals. It’s referred to as the “inverted methodology” and is commonly utilized in competitions just like the World AeroPress Championship.
Ruggiero confirmed me how, if you happen to flip the plunger the other way up and use it as the bottom, after which connect the chamber, you’ll be able to pour water into the espresso and let it brew longer for a stronger, bolder cup. It additionally means that you can stir the espresso whereas brewing.
Sadly, the model discourages customers from doing this because it will increase the prospect of spilling sizzling water and getting burned. However the approach caught with me after Ruggiero’s demonstration. I’ve by no means gone again.
However I’d be mendacity if I informed you I wasn’t additional cautious performing the inverted methodology with the glass and steel AeroPress Premium.
Cleansing the Premium
Whereas the AeroPress Authentic is dishwasher protected, the Premium shouldn’t be. Fortunately, it’s straightforward to scrub. The glass and steel elements make it straightforward to see the place smudges or leftover espresso grounds are.
For day-to-day use, a easy rinse is all you want. The plunger cleans the chamber as you employ it. I wipe the plunger off and push it by way of a few occasions, letting water trickle over the AeroPress. For extra thorough cleansing, use a brush and dish cleaning soap.
The place It’s Helpful
I feel the AeroPress is nice to be used in RVs and vans, on boats, or at residence. It’s good for a person cup once you don’t desire a full pot.
I’ll additionally add automotive tenting to that record, regardless that the model cautions in opposition to journey. Use your individual discretion. However I’m positively conserving mine with my camp kitchen. Utilizing this espresso maker on the campsite was a deal with.
The AeroPress Premium: The Last Phrase
After a few weeks of utilizing my AeroPress Premium, I’ve determined that I’m not eliminating my AeroPress Authentic — and never simply because it’s sentimental. Each of them have particular use instances. There’s a time and place for the Premium and one other for the Authentic.
However I can confidently say this is among the nicest espresso makers I’ve ever owned. The espresso I brew with this whereas tenting tastes higher than what comes out of my espresso machine, my French press, or my emergency percolator at residence.
When you’re an AeroPress fan already, you’ll love this newest creation from the model. When you don’t have any expertise with AeroPress, I’d recommend possibly beginning with the far more inexpensive AeroPress Authentic ($40).
The Premium could be my go-to espresso maker for an RV, van, or boat. Nevertheless, I don’t personal any of these. So this one shall be used primarily for automotive tenting and at residence after I need a person cup. It’s a particularly good espresso maker, and I get excited to make use of it after I get up at my campsite within the morning.
