If you’re already an AeroPress aficionado, then you already know that this is a unique coffee brewer. People love it because it’s portable and easy to clean. And because it combines two brewing methods—infusion and percolation—it also makes fantastic coffee.

To understand more about how the AeroPress works generally check out our AeroPress Brew Guide. But in this brew guide, we’re going to be concentrating on the inverted AeroPress method of brewing coffee with the AeroPress. This is an incredibly popular way to use the AeroPress but it’s also prone to a few problems. So we’ve pulled together our Inverted AeroPress Brew Guide to show you how to do it safely and successfully (and not spill hot liquid all over you or anyone else!).

BREW GUIDES: Inverted AeroPress Brew Guide

The inverted AeroPress method is popular because during the initial infusion stage it makes it impossible for the brewing liquid to leak or spill out. But it also requires you to flip over the brewer full of hot liquid before you use the plunger. And that’s where things can occasionally go wrong.

The Basics

You’ll need:

Beautifully roasted beans with a medium to fine grind
Filtered water
A scale
An AeroPress brewing machine

Your ratio of coffee to water:

15 grams of coffee to 200ml of filtered water.

This ratio is slightly higher than other methods and in line with the French Press method. However, we recommend starting here as it’s also a percolation method. If you want a stronger cup of coffee (think short and strong) you can amp that up to 20g/200ml. As with all ratios, give it a try and then personalise it from there.

Steps to Brewing Coffee with the Inverted AeroPress Brew Method

1. Source beans and weigh out 15-20g of coffee.

2. Put the paper filter into the filter holder and run some water through the paper filter to remove any chances of a paper taste in your coffee.

3. Boil a kettle of filtered water. (Filtered water makes a difference but if you don’t have it that’s OK.)

4. Take the water off the boil and let it sit for two minutes.

5. While you’re waiting, measure out (via weight) your coffee to give you the ratio of 15g-20g/200ml.

6. Set up your AeroPress to look like image 1 below with the scale at the bottom.

7. Turn on your scale, tare the AeroPress to zero and then add your 15g-20g of coffee and 200g hot water (92-96 degrees) into the AeroPress.

8. Start a timer and use your stirrer to mix in all the coffee grounds while you wait.

9. Allow the coffee to brew for two minutes to start. Over time, and with experimentation, you may want to allow it to steep longer.

10. Place and twist to lock the filter holder containing the paper filter into the AeroPress.

11. Place your mug on top and flip over all at once. There’s no need to do it rapidly. Just invert it in a controlled manner like images 2 and 3 below.

12. Now push the plunger all the way down in a controlled manner like image 4 below. Don’t push extremely hard or quickly or you could lose balance and hurt yourself.

13. Once you’ve completely filtered the coffee, pull the piston back by a couple of centimetres to stop dripping. Then remove the filter holder and discard the grounds (responsibly!).

14. Enjoy your AeroPress coffee (with or without milk)!

Remember, it’s your coffee!

Our Inverted AeroPress Brew Guide is just that… a guide. The AeroPress in particular is a brewing machine that has many (many!) fantastic recipes and techniques associated with it. If this method doesn’t work for you, try our traditional AeroPress Brew Guide. And if that doesn’t work for you, try something else entirely. There are so many ways to enjoy AeroPress brewed coffee, and we’d love to hear if you do something totally different.

The inverted AeroPress method does only brew a small amount of coffee at a time. But it’s a beautiful cup. And if you want to use steamed milk in your coffee find out how to do that on our video (you can skip directly to 3:45)!

Our Brew Guides

If you liked our AeroPress Brew Guide check out our other Brew Guides. You can find out the specifics about other brewing methods, including all our tips and tricks.

We’ve got some excellent coffee beans and blends ready for your AeroPress and we’ll grind them just the way you like. Grab a bag at our shop today!