Aerobie AeroPress Espresso Machine & Coffee Maker

If I had a dollar for every coffee making device we've tried, I could visit Starbuck's every day for... well, for a day. Still, we've tried several things, from a traditional coffee maker to a ludicrously expensive espresso machine to a simple Chemex carafe. All have their drawbacks. Our most recent experiment was a french press device, which makes delightfully rich coffee but which is a bona-fide beyotch to clean. Our espresso machine broke. The Chemex pot is bulky and has that dumb wood-and-leather handle... and so on.

So when my wife mentioned the Aerobie AeroPress coffee maker I was, to be kind, slightly skeptical. A coffee maker from a company that makes toys? She managed to convince me to look it up online, and based on the uniformly glowing reviews we read, she decided to get one. We've been using the AeroPress for several weeks now and I have to admit, the hype was justified. This device makes the best coffee I've ever tasted.

Pretty strong recommendation for what is, after all, a few hunks of high-impact plastic and rubber. How can something this simple make such good coffee?

I'm not entirely certain. It seems to be a combination of factors: a lower brewing temperature and only brief exposure of the grounds to liquid. Whatever the secret, the result is a rich, remarkably smooth, un-bitter brew.

What's more, making the coffee doesn't require a PhD in barristology, nor does it take a platoon of scullery maids to clean up after. You grind a scoop full of beans (a healthy portion of around 2-3 tablespoons), dump the grounds into a plastic tube fitted with a small circular paper filter, and pour a couple of ounces of warmish, 160-170 degree water over the grounds. Let it steep for 10 seconds or so, then use a second plastic tube fitted with a tight rubber plunger to force the water through the grounds and filter, into your waiting cup.

The result is the equivalent of two shots of a dense, espresso-like extract which can be enjoyed as-is, but which really sings when augmented with a few additional ounces of hot water and, depending on your preferences, a dollop of milk or cream. The coffee thus created is rich and balanced. The bitterness we typically associate with other brewing methods is virtually nonexistent - just a smooth, satisfying beverage that showcases the essence of the coffee bean. It's damn good stuff.

Note that while the instructions and markings on the device indicate that you can make up to four shots, as a practical matter I'd stick to two. Filling the AeroPress to its full capacity results in a precariously-full chamber of water and grounds, and the plunger mechanism is pretty hard to press through a double load of grounds. Use this device as a single-cup coffee maker and you'll be a lot happier.

Cleanup is pretty much a breeze: remove the filter, eject the compressed puck of coffee grounds into the garbage, run a soapy sponge over the two plastic tubes, and you're done.

The AeroPress combines simple, elegant design with outstanding results. It makes better coffee than systems costing many, many times more. What's not to like?