How Do You Invert an AeroPress? (Solved & Explained!)

Inverting an AeroPress isn’t difficult. You merely turn it upside down and allow it to brew that way before you apply the filter cap and depress the coffee into your cup. It’s a little more involved than this, but that is the basic gist of it.

The AeroPress’s versatility means there are a myriad of ways you can invert it. While some users report not really tasting a difference, over half of the AeroPress World Championship winners employed the inversion method. So, if you have one, it’s worth trying it out to see how it does for you.

Steps Overview

1. Step 1: Collect All the Items You’ll Need
2. Step 2: Heat the Water
3. Step 3: Set Up the AeroPress
4. Step 4: Prepare & Pour in the Coffee Grounds
5. Step 5: Insert the Filter
6. Step 6: Pour in the Hot Water
7. Step 7: Use the Stirring Tool
8. Step 8: Allow the Grounds to Brew
9. Step 9: Screw on the Filter Cap
10. Step 10: Flip & Press
11. Step 11: Add More Water and/or Ice to Taste

Step 1: Collect All the Items You’ll Need

Before you begin, be sure you have all the necessary items in the checklist below:

• Brewing Chamber
• Plunger
• Stir Tool
• Filter Cap
• Paper Filters (or a metal filter)
• AeroPress Scoop or Measuring Spoons (or a scale)
• Kettle or Long-Handled Pourer (or an Ibrik) with a Sauce Pan
• Timer
• Mug
• Coffee
• Water (purified, filtered or reverse osmosis)
• Grinder (optional)
• AeroPress Coffee Funnel (optional)

Step 2: Heat the Water

Pour water into a kettle or sauce pan and heat on medium-low until it reaches 195°F to 205°F (91°C to 93°C). However, AeroPress recommends water be no hotter than 175°F (79.4°C). In the meantime, setup your AeroPress coffee maker and prepare the coffee grounds.

Step 3: Set Up the AeroPress

Set the plunger upside down on a flat surface and position the brewing chamber over it securely (as if you were using it right side up). The trick is to ensure the plunger aligns with the chamber. This will prevent leakage and the least amount of resistance when you depress the plunger.

The plunger should sit smack dab in the middle of the #4 position, as indicated on the chamber. If you lack confidence when you do flip the device, put the plunger a little beyond the #4.

Step 4: Prepare & Pour in the Coffee Grounds

Grind your coffee anywhere between espresso and drip, unless you already have pre-ground beans. Then measure out two scoops; this equates to two tablespoons or 17 grams. Pour this into your AeroPress with the AeroPress Funnel.

Step 5: Insert the Filter

Place your filter into the filter cap. If using a paper filter, moisten it with warm water.

Step 6: Pour in the Hot Water

When your water has reached the appropriate temperature, allow the pan or kettle to cool for 20 to 30 seconds. You have two options for adding water: allowing the grounds to bloom or adding all the water at once.

Blooming allows all the good stuff to release from the beans for a more pure extraction. You simply add just enough water until the beans get foamy and frothy. While this is optional, it is a good way to get some of the same crema you find in a real cup of espresso.

But, depending on the strength of the grounds and the size of the grind particles, blooming may not be ideal. Such is the case for espresso or other fine-style of grind. That said, light roasts and coarser grinds may benefit from a bit of blooming.

Step 7: Use the Stirring Tool

You can either stir the ground as you pour in the rest of the water after blooming or after all the water begins brewing. But, this is optional and will heavily depend on the strength of the bean, the size of the grind and how you like your coffee to taste.

Medium to dark roasts or fine ground coffee may not need stirring because of how bold the flavor is. Light to medium roasts or coarser grounds may require about five to 10 seconds of stirring.

Step 8: Allow the Grounds to Brew

Set your timer and let the water seep through the grounds for about a minute to a minute and a half. Get your cup ready.

Step 9: Screw on the Filter Cap

Hold the AeroPress device with one hand where the plunger and chamber meet. Using the other hand, screw the filter cap onto the brew chamber.

Step 10: Flip & Press

When the timer sounds, hold the plunger and chamber together while ensuring they’re firmly within your grasp. Then, flip the AeroPress over your cup and position it center. Gently depress the plunger in a slow, steady and even manner for about 20 seconds. Stop pressing when you hear hissing.

Step 11: Add More Water and/or Ice to Taste

At this point what you have in the cup after depressing the plunger is a concentrate of coffee. So, you can enjoy it as is for something espresso-like. Alternatively, you can add more hot water and/or ice depending on what style you want to drink your coffee.

FAQ

What Other Variations Can You Do with an Inverted AeroPress?

Inverted method variations will depend on preferences. For iced coffee, wet the filter with cold water and only allow the water temperature to reach 172°F.

Alternatively, for an espresso or cappuccino-style coffee, you will have to attempt to get as much crema out of the brew as possible. Therefore, you may want to use 1½ to 2¾ tablespoons of grounds (20 grams to 35 grams).

Is Coffee from the Inversion Method Better?

Some people prefer the inversion method, while others don’t notice a difference at all and yet some dislike it tremendously. The claim is that the inversion method provides a richer, more textured cup whereas the normal way is much cleaner.