When it comes to finding a grinder that will fit inside your AeroPress for travel, the Porlex Mini has long been a go-to option, but there are now many other miniature models on the market. Grinders like the 1Zpresso Q2, the Rhino Compact, the Aergrind and the JavaPresse Manual are all small enough to fit into the AeroPress tube.
Having your own grinder to go with your AeroPress can seem like too much extra equipment to carry, but if you want fresh grounds at the perfect consistency, it is a priceless addition to your arsenal. There are many things to consider when it comes to buying a coffee grinder, but portability is perhaps most important for AeroPress users.
This article will go into detail about how and why having your own coffee grinder can make a big difference to your AeroPress brew, what types of grinders are available and, in particular, a few of the best options out there for hand grinders that actually fit inside of an AeroPress tube.
Why Should I Grind My Own Coffee?
To reduce the hassle of the brewing process, you can always buy your coffee pre-ground, but there are many reasons why fresh ground coffee simply tastes better. Coffee grounds are likely to reduce in quality over time due to oxidation, moisture level, CO2 depletion and potential contamination, and you have less control over the grind size of pre-ground coffee.
How Does Oxidation Affect Coffee Grounds?
Many of the elements that are contained within coffee can change and degrade over time, and interaction with the air will affect the flavour and freshness of your grounds. Compounds in the coffee start oxidation as soon as the beans are ground, releasing a lot of aroma and flavour that diminishes the longer the grounds sit around before brewing.
How Does Moisture Affect Coffee Grounds?
Just as your coffee will dissolve into water as it is brewed, moisture in the air can start the process of diluting your grounds before you even get to brewing. Ground coffee has a large surface area so any moisture will start the dilution, which is particularly problematic when you are travelling and have less control over your environment.
How Does CO2 Depletion Affect Coffee Grounds?
Carbon Dioxide is the main compound that helps to transfer the oils from your coffee into the brew, and CO2 starts to escape once the coffee beans have been ground. The quicker you can start brewing with freshly ground coffee, the more CO2 there will be to help transfer the oils, flavour, and aroma into your drink.
How Does Contamination Affect Coffee Grounds?
Odours and aromas in the air can be transferred to your coffee grounds over time, which can have an unpleasant effect on your brew. Particularly if they are stored close to food, your grounds can take on some of the flavours of what is around them, and nobody wants a coffee with a hint of mushrooms or sausages.
Why Is Having Control Over Grind Size Important?
Grind size has a big impact on the level of extraction you can expect to get from your coffee grounds, especially with a relatively quick brewing method like the AeroPress. You want to know that your grounds will have the best amount of extraction without blocking up the filter or limiting the flavour with the wrong size grounds.
Are Burr Grinders of Blade Grinders Better?
Burr grinders, which work by moving two serrated elements against each other, generally give a much more consistent grind size than blade grinders. Blade grinders can be quick and efficient, but they are likely to leave you with grounds that are not completely uniform in size, which can cause problems when it comes to extraction in your brew.
What Type of Grinder is Best for an AeroPress?
While there are many great automatic and electric grinders on the market, a portable hand grinder is a favourable option for an AeroPress. One of the biggest benefits to the AeroPress is the fact that you can take it anywhere with you and having a grinder that sits comfortably inside of the tube means no extra space is wasted.
Does the Porlex Mini Fit Inside an AeroPress?
The Porlex Mini was one of the first grinders that became famous for its ability to fit snugly inside of an AeroPress. This elegant little Japanese grinder, with a 20g capacity and ceramic burrs, has long been a favourite for campers and travellers alike – it has even had a recent upgrade with the release of the Porlex Mini II.
Does the 1Zpresso Q2 Fit Inside an AeroPress?
Also able to fit inside of the AeroPress, the 1Zpresso Q2 has a similar grind capacity to the Porlex Mini, and delivers good quality at a similarly reasonable price. It produces best results for medium-fine and medium-coarse settings, which is often the preference for AeroPress, and its pentagonal-shaped burrs give good movement, although they require a bit of effort.
Does the Rhino Compact Fit Inside an AeroPress?
The Compact model of Rhino grinders is made to fit inside the AeroPress as well, and it even comes with an adaptor to allow you to grind directly into one. It is a slightly cheaper option that is easily adjustable, giving good grind consistency, and it has an all-metal design that is simplistic but modern.
Does the JavaPresse Manual Fit Inside an AeroPress?
Another cheaper option, the JavaPresse Manual also fits inside of the AeroPress tube, and it is designed to take some knocks on the road. It can be a little slow to grind and tough to clean, and it also has some reported issues with uniformity, but it is an effective and durable budget option.
Does the Aergrind Fit Inside an AeroPress?
The most expensive hand grinder on the list, the Aergrind is a premium option that is still small enough to sit perfectly inside of an AeroPress. This grinder is easy to use and very well built, it holds around 26 grams of grounds, and it is specifically designed to deliver the highest quality in a small package.
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.
