The Inverted Aeropress Method: The Basics

What constitutes a "good" cup of coffee is pretty subjective, but this straightforward brewing method will give you a near perfect base cup every single time.

The aeropress itself has only been around since 2005; and while no one is totally sure who first decided to go ahead and flip theirs upside down, we're really glad it happened. More than one barista has won the National Brewers Cup with a simple cup of inverted aeropress joe.

Flipping the aeropress over allows the beans to immerse in the boiling water, whereas following standard "upright" protocol will give you a percolated cup. Now, I'm not saying there's anything inherently wrong with using an aeropress as intended; you'll end up with a seriously tasty percolated cup... but it's kind of like the difference between a nice long, relaxing bath and a quick rinse in the shower. Beans take kindly to baths.

Jump to:

• Aeropress basics
• How to use an aeropress inverted
• Easy Aeropress recipes

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Aeropress basics

If you've never heard of an aeropress before, I'm really glad you're here. These magical little tubes are relatively inexpensive and turn out consistent, delicious cups of coffee with seriously minimal effort. I've been using mine for years and he's all but replaced my Saturday morning pour-over.

Benefits of using an aeropress

• Because the aeropress is a one-mug-at-a-time kinda guy, you have complete control over how each cup is steeped.
• Unlike a French press that requires coarsely ground beans, the aeropress takes a very fine grind. Finer grind = more flavor.
• Because we're using a fine grind, we also lower the temp of the water. You'll never ever end up with a scorched cup.
• They're so small and cute. If you're working with limited space in your kitchen; the aeropress is your answer to all things coffee. You could throw this baby in your junk drawer if you really needed to.
• They're easy to clean and basically unbreakable. Broken French press = bad morning.

Aeropress tips & tricks

• Start with a high quality bean and always grind them up fresh. A burr grinder is your best best.
• The grind size can significantly affect the flavor of the coffee brewed with an AeroPress. For the inverted method, a finer grind is generally recommended to ensure that the water and coffee are in contact for a longer period and to prevent the grounds from escaping through the filter.
• Control your water temp with an electric kettle. We're going for about 180º F. If you're working with a stovetop kettle, you can achieve this by boiling water and letting it cool for a minute or two before pouring it over the coffee grounds.
• The longer you steep, the stronger your coffee will taste (and result in a heavier "mouthfeel"). If you prefer a cleaner, lighter cup of coffee, cut back on the stirring and steeping time.

Did You Know? Light roast coffee actually contains more caffeine than it's darker counterparts.

How to use an aeropress inverted

Using your aeropress inverted is the best way to get a full-bodied cup. Play around with these techniques until you find your sweet spot.

1. Begin by heating your water to 180º F (84º C) and grinding your beans.
2. Place the plunger on your table or counter with the rubber seal facing up. Add a damp paper filter over the rubber plunger. Flip the chamber upside down and push it down over the plunger, the plunger should be about ½" - 1" deep into the chamber.
3. Use the included funnel to add your desired amount of ground beans. The funnel will prevent any grinds from getting caught up under the cap. I typically go for one heaping scoop (about 20 g) of light roast, but you do you. Coffee is personal.
4. Hold the chamber with one hand and slowly pour in boiling water.
5. This is where you'll want to play around and figure out your favorite techniques; but the basic step here is to stir and steep. Some baristas use a long mixing spoon; I really like using the included paddle stirrer. A good place to start is 20 seconds of steeping, 30 seconds of stirring, and another 30-60 seconds of steeping. Once you're happy with your steep, place the metal filter over top and screw on the cap.
6. Invert the aeropress over your mug or cup of choice and plunge! I find the best method here is to just use the weight of my forearms and only a slight bit of force to slowly work the water through the beans; but sometimes I'm hasty and just go for it. You'll find your own preferred methods as you play around, but aim for a middle ground. If it takes you about 30 seconds, you've hit the sweet spot.
7. Style your coffee with whatever mix-ins your little heart desires.
8. Put your feet up and enjoy.

The inverted method is said to produce a more even extraction and a smoother cup of coffee because the coffee grounds are in contact with the water for a longer period of time before the AeroPress is flipped over onto the mug. It also allows for more control over the brewing process because you're in control of the steeping time and agitation of the coffee grounds.

Just remember, the inverted method can be a bit trickier to use. It does require flipping the AeroPress, which can leave you more prone to spills. It's also important to note that the inverted method may require some adjustments to your usual AeroPress recipe if you're a long-time user, like using a finer grind and/or slightly adjusting the amount of coffee and water used.

The beauty of the AeroPress is that it allows for tons of experimentation and customization. Don't be afraid to try different grind sizes, steep times, and coffee-to-water ratios to find your perfect cup.

Interested in learning more about coffee? Head over to this post covering the differences between red eye and black eye coffees.

Easy Aeropress recipes

Here are some fun and creative recipe ideas to try with the inverted AeroPress method:

1. Iced Coffee: For a super refreshing iced coffee, use the inverted method to brew a concentrated coffee and pour it over ice (double your grind-to-water ratio). Add milk, cream, or your favorite sweetener for a delicious summer drink.
2. Espresso: Use a fine grind and a higher coffee-to-water ratio to create an AeroPress espresso shot. Add hot water to dilute the espresso to your preferred strength, you can even use this method to make yourself a simple and sophisticated Americano.
3. Caramel Macchiato: Throw in some caramel sauce and steamed milk to your brewed AeroPress coffee for a delicious and indulgent caramel macchiato.
4. Dirty Chai Latte: Brew a strong cup of AeroPress coffee and add chai tea and steamed milk for a delicious dirty chai.
5. Mocha: Add a little cocoa powder or some chocolate syrup to your brewed coffee and top her off with loads of whipped cream for a simple but decadent mocha.
6. Vanilla Latte: Add vanilla syrup and steamed milk for a sweet and creamy homemade vanilla latte.
7. Spiced Coffee: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or other warming spices to your coffee grounds before brewing for a flavorful and aromatic spiced coffee.