The Aeropress vs French Press. They are both essentially fancy coffee plungers. Each are very popular Immersion Brewers to brew with. In this article, we will go over each one and compare their features so you will know which one, if not both, you have to have in your coffee brewing arsenal.
(hint: I choose them both)
What is the French Press?
The French Press is a fancy glass (or stainless) cylinder that allows you to brew a fabulous cup of coffee at home. This was the first fancy coffee maker purchase I had ever made (over 10 years ago).
You can make coffee, tea or iced coffee in it.
How to Use the French Press
When using the French Press, I take my stainless kettle and heat my water to 195°F. While the water is heating you add your medium-coarsely ground beans to the French Press.
When the water is ready, pour it into the french press and press the mesh filter down slightly. Let it steep for 5-6 minutes and then press the mesh filter all the way down and pour your coffee into a cup.
What is the AeroPress?
The Aeropress is a small, convenient immersion style brewer that can be easily used just about anywhere.
What makes it so great is the fact that you can make coffee in under 3 minutes. You can also make espresso, iced coffee, or cold brew very easily.
How to use an AeroPress
The Aeropress is very easy to use. You start by putting finely ground coffee grounds in your Aeropress. Next, you pour 175°F water over the grounds. Let it steep for 2 minutes and then plunge it into your cup.
Usability of the Aeropress vs French Press
Both brewers have a simple design with minimal parts. They are easy to clean and use. The French Press usually comes in a metal frame and a glass carafe or stainless steel. It can range from 8 oz. to 48 oz. capacity.
The Aeropress is made from food-safe rubber. It’s built to last under the pressure from using the plunger style method to brew. It’s so tough that you can even run over it and it will still be ok. It’s small at only 8 oz. but it packs a large punch.
Brewing Method Comparison
Both are easy to use immersion style brewers. This means that the grounds sit in the water to steep for a specified amount of time. One difference between the two methods is the amount of time you leave each one in contact with the water. Another is the Aeropress uses pressure.
French Press: immerse grounds in water, wait 4-6 minutes, filter, and pour.
Aeropress: immerse grounds in water, wait 1-3 minutes, and plunge. (this is where it generates pressure)
You can choose to Invert the Aeropress if you would like. To do this, you are basically brewing upside down.
First, you will put the plunger inside the main chamber and make a seal. Then, place the grounds inside. Add water and stir. Wait 1-3 minutes, replace the cap with the filter, flip it over, and plunge it into your cup. It will make a hissing noise from the pressure.
Traveling
Neither of the brewers requires electricity so essentially, you can take them anywhere. The French Press is bigger (and might have glass) so it’s not as easy to take with you as the Aeropress is.
Because of the size and durability, I would say the Aeropress is the best choice for travel. Except for the batch size, it would be my first choice between the two.
Versatility
The Aeropress can make multiple different styles of coffee, including an espresso. While on the other hand, the French Press can make a great cold brew because of its design and size.
Both of them are versatile in different ways and they each have advantages.
Cons of Each Method
They may both have advantages, but this also means they each have disadvantages.
The Aeropress can be harder if you need to make multiple cups, it can be messy and less forgiving in terms of technique.
The French Press can be tough to clean up and leave grinds behind even after it’s been filtered.
Conclusion
When trying to choose which one you prefer, it comes down to taste preference and size. Both are great brewers and since they are each under $30, why not just own both.
The French Press is for people who want a rich bold taste and make more than one cup at a time.
The Aeropress is for people who like to try different things or experiment with their brew. If you are ok with one cup at a time, this one may be your preference.
Be sure you have the right grinder and water for your brew method. Both are determining factors when it comes to the final outcome.
Please comment below with the one you declare as the winner or if you prefer both. I would love to hear your reasoning.
