Ultimately, boiling water can be used in an Aeropress with no health or safety issues, but for best taste and quality of coffee, it is not recommended for use. Boiling water is likely to make your coffee taste bitter or sour, which may not be to your taste. Instead, it is recommended that you use water that is hot rather than boiling.
In the rest of this article, we will look in more depth at why boiling water should not be used, the ideal water temperature for brewing your coffee and why it is that water temperature is so important.
Can boiling water be used in an Aeropress?
In terms of health and safety, there is no reason why boiling water should not be used in an Aeropress. Boiling water will not ruin your Aeropress or do you any harm if you are to drink it in your coffee, and you may even find some instructions telling you to use boiling water when brewing your Aeropress coffee. However, while you may not see any adverse effects, you will certainly find issue with your coffee, as we will discuss next.
What water temperature should I be using?
For best quality and taste of coffee, you should aim for a temperature of between 175 and 185°F, or between 79 and 85°C. Brewing with water over this temperature will likely end with a bitter, sour cup of coffee. The exact temperature you decide to go for will depend on the roast you are using and the strength of taste you want – it may take some trial and error to find the right temperature for you.
Why is water temperature important?
The temperature of the water you use can greatly impact the taste of your coffee. The water temperature is what controls the amount of extraction from the coffee bean, which affects the taste you will achieve in the end. Getting the balance right is important; a low temperature will not extract enough from the beans and result in lack of flavour, whereas too high a temperature will cause too much coffee to be extracted and create a bitter flavour.
How much water should I use?
The Aeropress is capable of holding around 250ml of water, but you are likely to find there is no need to use this much. In order to get best taste and quality, you will likely want to aim for around 200ml of hot water, which you will use spread over the process of brewing your coffee. To begin, half of the water will be used to saturate the grounds as fully as possible, after which the second half can be added during the pressing of your coffee.
How long should I let my Aeropress steep?
The time you steep your Aeropress coffee is equally as important as temperature for creating a great cup of coffee. The recommended length of time to aim for is between thirty seconds and one minute, depending on the strength you are wanting. The longer you steep your coffee for, the weaker coffee you are likely to end up with, so consider this when deciding how long to steep for. The total brew time for using your Aeropress should last approximately two and a half minutes, with your coffee steeping for not even half of that!
Can I use a microwave to heat my water?
You can use a microwave to heat your water. In fact, using a microwave is one of the recommended ways of ensuring your water reaches your desired temperature, due to better control and ease of use. The Aeropress mug is also safe for use in a microwave, making it even easier to heat your water. Don’t forget to let it cool to a hot temperature rather than boiling before you use it in your coffee!
Should I dilute my Aeropress coffee?
Whether you choose to dilute your Aeropress coffee is another aspect of the Aeropress that depends on your personal tastes and preferences. The Aeropress is known for creating a very strong brew which some people may find too strong and so may not be to everyone’s taste. The best way to dilute your coffee is to add water and taste test consistently until you are happy – this will allow you to find the coffee strength and flavour that best suits your taste preferences whilst also avoiding a watery brew.
Does the full immersion method affect water temperature?
The full immersion method used by the Aeropress will affect the temperature your water needs to be at. The full immersion method means the coffee saturates in water before it is filtered. The temperature of the water you use will affect how much coffee is extracted during saturation which, as we know, affects the taste and strength of your brew.
What is the best coffee to water ratio?
The coffee to water ratio you use will depend on your preferences – this is something else you are going to need to play around with until you find an option you like and meets your tastes. Most recommend a coffee to water ratio of 1:16, but you may find this too strong or too weak depending on your personal preferences. A benefit of the Aeropress is that it can work with a number of different ratios, so you are encouraged to find your own favourite.
What are the benefits of customising your Aeropress brew?
Trial and error are a large part of using the Aeropress, and its versatility is great for allowing this. From the temperature of water you decide to use to the length of time you brew your coffee, there are many parts of the Aeropress you can adjust to your own preferences. From start to end, you are in control of the strength and flavour of your coffee, a great advantage of using the Aeropress.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.
