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If you’re like most people, when it comes down to choosing between the AeroPress vs French press, you probably have no idea which one to choose. And that’s perfectly understandable! After all, both of these coffee makers have their pros and cons.
The decision between an AeroPress and French press coffee maker probably feels a lot like choosing between a Corvette and a Fiat. Both can get you where you need to go, but there’s no question which one would make you feel more badass.
But don’t worry, I’m not going to try and convince you that one is unequivocally better than the other. In the end, it all comes down to what you want out of your coffee maker.
Let’s dive into this comparison!
What is the Aeropress?
The Aeropress is a coffee brewing device that was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler. The Aeropress is unique in its design, and it allows for a very quick and easy way to make coffee.
It consists of a plunger that fits into a cylindrical chamber. Ground coffee is placed into the chamber, and hot water is added. The plunger is then pushed down, forcing the water through the coffee and into a cup.
The entire process takes about 30 seconds, and it results in a very rich and flavourful cup of coffee. The Aeropress has become very popular in recent years, and it is now used by coffee aficionados all over the world.
What is a French Press?
A French press is a coffee maker that consists of a cylindrical carafe, a plunger, and a filter screen. The carafe is usually made of glass or stainless steel, and the plunger has a mesh screen that fits snugly over the top of the carafe.
To use a French press, coffee grounds are placed in the carafe and hot water is poured over them. The plunger is then pushed down, pressing the grounds to the bottom of the carafe and trapping the water above them. After a few minutes, the coffee is ready to be poured.
French presses are popular because they are simple to use and produce a rich, full-flavored coffee. However, they can also be somewhat messy, as the grounds can sometimes escape from the filter when the plunger is pressed down.
Nonetheless, for many coffee lovers, the taste of French press coffee is worth the extra effort required to clean up afterwards.
What Are The Pros and Cons Between Aeropress vs French Press?
The debate between Aeropress vs French Press has been raging for years, with both sides claiming that their preferred method is the best way to make a perfect cup of coffee.
So, which one is actually better? To answer this question, we need to take a closer look at the pros and cons of each method.
Aeropress
Starting with the Aeropress, this method is known for its simplicity and quick brew time. All you need is hot water and your favorite ground coffee, and you can have a delicious cup of coffee in just a few minutes.
The Aeropress is also portable and easy to clean, making it a great option for when you’re on the go. However, some coffee enthusiasts claim that the Aeropress produces a weak cup of coffee compared to the French Press.
French Press
French Press fans love this method for its rich flavor and full-bodied texture. The longer brewing time allows the coffee grounds to fully extract all of their flavor, resulting in a deeper and more complex cup of coffee.
However, the French Press can be more difficult to use than the Aeropress, and it can be time-consuming to clean all of the parts.
So, which one should you choose? It really depends on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for a quick and easy cup of coffee, then the Aeropress is probably your best bet. But if you want a richer and more flavorful cup of coffee, then you should go with the French Press.
Aeropress vs French Press
Versatility
When it comes to versatility, the Aeropress definitely has the edge over the French Press. The Aeropress can be used to make a variety of different coffee drinks, including espresso, cold brew, and even tea.
The French Press is more limited in its capabilities, as it is primarily designed for making traditional brewed coffee. However, there are a few variations of the French Press that allow you to make espresso and cold brew coffee.
So, if you’re looking for a coffee maker that can do it all, then the Aeropress is the way to go. However, if you’re only interested in making brewed coffee, then the French Press will suffice.
Capacity
When it comes to capacity, the French Press definitely has the advantage. Most French Presses have a capacity of around 34 ounces, which is enough to make four cups of coffee.
In contrast, the Aeropress only has a capacity of about three ounces, which is enough for one cup of coffee. So, if you’re looking for a coffee maker that can brew a large pot of coffee, then the French Press is the way to go.
On the other hand, if you only want to make one cup of coffee at a time, then the Aeropress will be more than sufficient.
Taste
AeroPress coffee is known for its light body and lack of sediment. It shines with lighter roasts, because its flavours are more bright and fruity.
Unlike French press coffee, which can be a bit heavy and oily, AeroPress produces a cup that is smoother and more floral, with the bean flavours being brought out instead of the roast flavours. This makes it a great tool for exploring different single-origin coffees.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, the French Press is definitely more user-friendly than the Aeropress. The Aeropress can be a bit tricky to use, especially if you’re new to the world of coffee brewing.
The French Press, on the other hand, is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is add your coffee grounds and hot water, wait a few minutes, and then press down on the plunger.
So, if you’re new to the world of coffee brewing, the French Press is probably your best bet. However, if you’re looking for a challenge, then the Aeropress might be more up your alley.
Brew Time
One of the biggest differences between the Aeropress and French Press is brew time. The Aeropress is designed for a quick brew time, typically around 2 minutes.
This is great if you’re in a hurry and need your coffee fix ASAP. However, some coffee enthusiasts argue that this quick brew time doesn’t allow the coffee grounds to fully extract all of their flavor, resulting in a weaker cup of coffee.
The French Press, on the other hand, has a longer brew time of around 4 minutes. This allows the coffee grounds to fully saturate and results in a richer and more flavorful cup of coffee.
So, if you’re looking for a quick cup of coffee, the Aeropress is your best bet. But if you want a more flavorful cup of coffee, then you should go with the French Press.
Clean up
When it comes to clean up, the Aeropress is definitely easier to clean than the French Press. The French Press can be a bit of a pain to clean, as you have to disassemble all of the parts and rinse them out individually.
The Aeropress, on the other hand, only has a few parts and can be easily rinsed out with water. So, if you’re looking for a coffee maker that is easy to clean, then the Aeropress is your best bet.
Durability
In terms of durability, the French Press is definitely more durable than the Aeropress. The Aeropress is made mostly of plastic, which means that it is more susceptible to breaking.
The French Press, on the other hand, is made mostly of glass and metal, which makes it more sturdy and less likely to break. So, if you’re looking for a coffee maker that will last you a long time, then the French Press is your best bet.
Portability
When it comes to portability, the Aeropress is definitely more portable than the French Press. The French Press is fairly large and bulky, which makes it difficult to take with you on the go.
The Aeropress, on the other hand, is much smaller and can easily be thrown in your bag or suitcase. Especially the Aeropress Go. So, if you’re looking for a coffee maker that you can take with you on the go, then the Aeropress is your best bet.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! These are the main differences between the Aeropress and French Press. We hope you’ve found this comparison helpful.
Ultimately, the best coffee maker for you depends on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for a quick and easy cup of coffee, then the Aeropress is your best bet.
If you’re looking for a more flavorful cup of coffee, then you should go with the French Press. And if you’re looking for a coffee maker that is easy to clean, then the Aeropress is your best bet.
If you’re looking for a coffee maker that is durable and will last you a long time, then the French Press is your best bet. And if you’re looking for a coffee maker that you can take with you on the go, then the Aeropress is your best bet.
So, what is your favorite coffee maker? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
Happy brewing! Happy sipping!
P.S. Be sure to check out our other coffee-related articles for more information, as well as more tips and tricks on making the perfect cup of joe and to learn “All About That Coffee!”