How to Make AeroPress Coffee
Oct 03, 2026
Quick Takeaways
• Start with 20 g of freshly ground coffee and 200 g of water for a balanced, concentrated cup.
• Use a medium-fine grind, around table-salt texture, and water around 205°F / 96°C.
• Bloom for 30 seconds, steep for about 60 seconds, then press gently for 20–30 seconds.
• Small changes to grind size, ratio, temperature, and brew time can noticeably change the cup.
• AeroPress cleanup is wonderfully low-drama: eject the puck, rinse the brewer, and you're basically done.
If you like coffee that is flavorful, smooth, and a little easier to control than a traditional drip brewer, the AeroPress is a great place to start. It combines immersion, filtration, and gentle pressure in one compact brewer, and you don't need a chemistry degree to use it.
Stone Creek's basic AeroPress brew guide uses 20 g of coffee, 200 g of hot water, a medium-fine grind, and a short steep before pressing. That's a great starting point. From there, the fun is in learning what each variable actually does.
What Is an AeroPress?
An AeroPress is a manual coffee brewer that combines several brewing ideas in one little package. Coffee grounds steep in hot water, then a plunger pushes the brewed coffee through a thin paper filter. That combination gives you more control than a typical automatic brewer while keeping the process fast and the cleanup simple.
It is also forgiving. If your first brew isn't perfect, you can usually correct it with one small adjustment instead of changing the entire recipe. That's one reason the AeroPress has become a favorite for home brewers, travelers, and people who enjoy tinkering with their coffee.
What You'll Need
• Coffee: 20 g freshly ground (medium-fine, like table salt)
• Water: 200 g (just off boil, ~205°F / 96°C)
• AeroPress brewer
• Paper filter
• Digital scale
• Timer
• Stirring paddle or spoon
• Mug or server
If you need any brew tools, Stone Creek has you covered.
How to Make AeroPress Coffee: Step by Step
1. Prepare & Rinse
Assemble the AeroPress in the inverted position. Rinse your filter with hot water to remove any papery taste and preheat the brewer.
2. Add Coffee & Bloom (0:00–0:30)
Add 20 g of freshly ground coffee to the chamber. Start your timer and pour 60 g of hot water. Stir gently to fully saturate the grounds, then let it bloom for 30 seconds.
For more on grind size, see Stone Creek's guide to why grind size matters more than you think.
3. Fill & Steep (0:30–1:30)
Pour the remaining water until you reach a total weight of 200 g. Stir again, then attach the cap with the rinsed filter.
4. Flip & Press (1:30–2:30)
Carefully flip the AeroPress onto your mug or server and press gently for 20–30 seconds, until you hear a hiss. Give the brewed coffee a gentle swirl, then enjoy.
The AeroPress Coffee Ratio
The Stone Creek starting recipe is 20 g coffee to 200 g water, or 1:10 by weight. That produces a relatively concentrated brew. You can drink it as-is or dilute it with a little hot water if you prefer a larger, lighter cup.
If your coffee tastes too strong, try adding a little water after brewing rather than immediately changing everything else. If it tastes weak, use a little more coffee or less water. For a deeper dive, see Stone Creek's coffee-to-water ratio guide.
Basic AeroPress Troubleshooting
| If your coffee tastes... | Try this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sour, sharp, or thin | Grind a little finer or steep longer | You may need more extraction |
| Bitter, harsh, or dry | Grind a little coarser or shorten the brew | You may be extracting too much |
| Too strong | Add hot water or use a little less coffee | This changes concentration |
| Too weak | Use a little more coffee or less water | This increases concentration |
| Very hard to press | Go coarser and press more gently | The puck may be restricting flow |
Make It Yours
The best AeroPress recipe is the one you can make consistently and actually enjoy drinking. Once your starting recipe is dialed in, experiment with one change at a time: a different coffee, a slightly finer grind, a longer steep, or a different ratio. Keep notes if you're the spreadsheet type. If you're not, just remember what worked.
Clean Up
AeroPress cleanup is wonderfully low-drama.
Unscrew the cap, push the plunger the rest of the way, and eject the used filter and coffee puck into the trash or compost where appropriate. Rinse the brewer and plunger with water. That's it. No carafe, no filter basket full of sludge, no half-hour cleanup ritual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best grind size for AeroPress coffee?
A medium-fine grind is a good starting point—roughly like table salt or slightly finer. Adjust finer if the cup tastes sour or underdeveloped, and coarser if it tastes bitter or the press is difficult.
How much coffee should I use in an AeroPress?
A useful starting recipe is 20 g of coffee to 200 g of water. You can change the dose or dilute the finished coffee depending on how strong you like it.
What temperature should AeroPress water be?
Around 205°F / 96°C is a practical starting point. You can experiment from there, especially with lighter or darker roasts.
How long should AeroPress coffee steep?
Start with a 30-second bloom, followed by about 60 seconds of steeping before pressing. The full brew time is roughly 2:30, including the 20–30 seconds of pressing.
Why is my AeroPress hard to press?
The grind may be too fine, the filter may be clogged, or you may be pressing too aggressively. Try a slightly coarser grind and gentle, steady pressure.
Can I use an AeroPress for cold coffee?
Yes. AeroPress recipes can be adapted for iced and chilled coffee. Start with a concentrated brew and pour it over ice, adjusting the recipe so the melting ice doesn't leave the drink too weak.
