My previous AeroPress has been on extra adventures with me than I can depend or bear in mind. My dad and mom gave it to me as a present in school, and I’ve used it a lot that the gold lettering on the skin has began sporting off. It’s made tons of of cups of espresso for me and my associates at campsites everywhere in the nation.
It’s some of the necessary items of my camp kitchen, and I’ve by no means thought-about the way it is likely to be 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 basic 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 Unique — but it surely’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 carried out 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 will observe that espresso brewed in a glass container may style higher than espresso brewed in a plastic one.
In brief: The AeroPress Premium has the identical basic 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 will not be ideally fitted to backpacking, backcountry ski huts, or different endeavors the place pack weight issues. It is perfect for automobile tenting, RVs, boats, and even your property.
AeroPress Premium Espresso Maker Evaluate
The AeroPress Unique (the one my dad and mom gifted me) debuted on the Espresso Fest Seattle in 2005 and has turn out to be 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 foremost 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 the filter into your mug.
The entire course of takes perhaps 30 seconds when you have scorching water prepared (until you employ the inverted methodology, which is discouraged by the model — however we’ll get to that in a minute). I usually make myself two to 4 cups and my companion one other two each morning whereas I’m tenting. It retains me busy within the mornings.
My associates who use immediate espresso assume I’m loopy. However I additionally usually get at the least 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 accordance with the model, it removes the bitter-tasting oils “for an espresso-like richness.”
Espresso Discipline Testing: Aeropress Premium
That is an acceptable time to say that I’ve no formal espresso coaching. I’ve intensive private expertise, having been raised by two coffee-philes. At residence, I largely use unbiased native roasters’ beans. I keep away from chain espresso outlets after I’m touring if I can. However I’ve by no means been a barista or roaster, so I can’t communicate like a professionally educated espresso guru.
As a substitute, I communicate from the angle of an informal espresso fanatic, like most people who get pleasure from a superb cuppa joe.
That mentioned, I received 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 dad and mom and my companion) who acted as my guinea pigs.
Between us, we introduced three espresso makers: the AeroPress Premium, my AeroPress Unique, 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 the most effective espresso. Nevertheless, we couldn’t agree on whether or not the AeroPress Premium made a higher cup than the Unique.
For the file, I assume 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 actually 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 well-liked the tactile expertise of utilizing glass and metallic to that of the plastic Unique. The glass additionally allowed me to see the espresso whereas it was brewing so I might higher decide when it was prepared.
Premium Supplies, Decrease Sturdiness
The chamber of the AeroPress Premium is double-wall borosilicate glass, which doesn’t get scorching to the contact, even when it’s stuffed with scalding water. The plunger and chamber’s flange are constituted of anodized aluminum, and the filter cap is chrome steel.
The one materials that’s the identical between my previous AeroPress Unique and the brand new Premium is the silica plunger seal.
Whereas the supplies are nicer, they’re additionally much less travel-friendly than the Unique. I’ve by no means as soon as frightened about breaking my plastic AeroPress. It has survived a variety of abuse in tenting totes, backpacks, and at campsites.
In contrast, the AeroPress webpage for the Premium says it’s not really useful for journey. It’s a strong unit in your hand. However it’s clearly not as sturdy as its absolutely plastic counterpart. For $150, a little bit additional warning is really useful.
However as a lifelong camper, I’ve realized all of us cheat the principles or convey some sudden 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. Someday, when our workplace espresso machine was down for the depend, we resorted to utilizing my AeroPress, which was in my automobile, together with the remainder of my perpetually packed tenting gear.
That day, he confirmed me how one can use my AeroPress like a professional — or, at the least, like some professionals. It’s referred to as the “inverted methodology” and is usually utilized in competitions just like the World AeroPress Championship.
Ruggiero confirmed me how, when you flip the plunger the wrong way up and use it as the bottom, after which connect the chamber, you may 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 scorching 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 instructed you I wasn’t additional cautious performing the inverted methodology with the glass and metallic AeroPress Premium.
Cleansing the Premium
Whereas the AeroPress Unique is dishwasher secure, the Premium will not be. Fortunately, it’s straightforward to wash. The glass and metallic 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 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 excellent for a person cup if you don’t desire a full pot.
I’ll additionally add automobile tenting to that checklist, although the model cautions in opposition to journey. Use your individual discretion. However I’m undoubtedly holding mine with my camp kitchen. Utilizing this espresso maker on the campsite was a deal with.
The AeroPress Premium: The Ultimate Phrase
After a few weeks of utilizing my AeroPress Premium, I’ve determined that I’m not eliminating my AeroPress Unique — and never simply because it’s sentimental. Each of them have particular use circumstances. There’s a time and place for the Premium and one other for the Unique.
However I can confidently say this is without doubt one of 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.
If you happen to’re an AeroPress fan already, you’ll love this newest creation from the model. If you happen to don’t have any expertise with AeroPress, I’d counsel perhaps beginning with the far more reasonably priced AeroPress Unique ($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 automobile 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.