If you’ve never heard of the inverted AeroPress, you may be wondering why you should brew your coffee using this method—and, let’s face it, what the heck it even is.
If that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of this unique coffee brewing technique and compare it with the traditional method.
We’ll also discuss the inverted brewing method’s benefits over traditional AeroPress coffee, and offer practical tips to brew the perfect pour.
- What is the AeroPress Inverted Method?
- Why Use The Inverted AeroPress for Brewing Coffee
- Aeropress Inverted Method vs. Regular Aeropress
- How to Brew The Best Inverted AeroPress Coffee
- Best Inverted AeroPress Coffee Recipe
- Inverted AeroPress Method Pros and Cons
- Wrap-up: All About the AeroPress Inverted Method
- Coffee Geek Has You Covered
Fun Fact
In the 2017 World AeroPress Championships, the inverted brewing method of the AeroPress won the title, cementing it as a respected method amongst coffee lovers.
The inverted method is becoming increasingly popular for its versatility, but is it actually better? Let’s break it down.
What is the AeroPress Inverted Method?
The inverted AeroPress method of coffee brewing is a good choice for people who enjoy a smooth and robust cup of coffee.
Since this method prevents coffee grounds from falling out of the plunger, it’s ideal for camping or other outdoor settings.
Unlike the upright method, the inverted brewing method uses only one plunger.
More importantly, though, the coffee grounds steep for a longer time before being pushed down.
The added agitation from the longer-steeping ground coffee enhances the coffee’s flavor, making for some truly delicious coffee.
The inverted method is actually the most common way of making coffee in an AeroPress. Like most brewing methods, it entails grinding coffee and pouring hot water over it.
A Bit of Background
It was actually the introduction of affordable, high-quality scales that opened the door to the inverted AeroPress method. Modern scales can measure mass to the nearest tenth of a gram.
Once they became attainable by mainstream coffee fans, technically minded coffee brewers began to develop precise recipes.
In fact, the units used in brew recipes changed from scoops per ounce to grams per liter.
For example, instead of using a coffee ratio of between eight and eleven grams, the inverted method requires a grind of between three to four grams.
Why Use The Inverted AeroPress for Brewing Coffee
The inverted method is a great way to experiment with coffee and brew different blends. It tends to produce a more concentrated brew than the upright method, so if you prefer a lighter brew, you can dilute it with water or milk.
Using this approach to AeroPress brewing also has a couple advantages. First, you can achieve an exceptionally aromatic cup of coffee. It’s also easier to clean compared to the traditional method, and requires less maintenance.
Conveniently, this approach to AeroPress brewing is quicker than the traditional method, taking a good few minutes less than the standard method for what many people feel is a superior cup.
You can even ready your coffee for the following morning with this method, as it makes it easy to prepare the grounds ahead of time.
Aeropress Inverted Method vs. Regular Aeropress
The inverted brewing method is different from the regular method in a couple of ways. While the upright method is more stable and has a solid connection point, the inverted one is slightly unstable.
It can get particularly unstable if you add more liquid than your coffee mug can hold. If you want to avoid instability, insert the plunger only halfway. Also, try to push the plunger to the #4 marker.
The inverted method produces a richer cup of coffee than the regular method. The traditional method is easier and less messy while going inverted requires a little more finesse and experimentation.
It’s recommended for beginners or those who want a good cup of coffee every time.
Let’s break down how you can get the best possible cup of AeroPress coffee by going inverted.
How to Brew The Best Inverted AeroPress Coffee
Ready to get started? Then throw away that drip brewer, give away your french press and grab some fresh Fair Trade coffee beans. Here we go!
Before we start
You can use different ratios, grind, and immersion times to find the perfect brew for you.
You can also try out great coffee varieties from around the world and explore different types of coffee beans to find the one that really hits the spot for you.
Remember that using this method of the AeroPress also allows you to adjust the brewing temperature and water level to match your taste.
Saturation
No matter what type of coffee or coffee to water ratio you ultimately choose, in order to brew coffee using this method of the AeroPress, you must make sure that to get the coffee grounds saturated with water.
This will create a thick paste that will encourage the trapped CO2 to escape and yield the proper extraction when it’s forced through the paper filter and the filter cap.
The Brew Process
If you use your AeroPress inverted, the coffee will drip through the filter paper. This trickle is similar to the early drips you’ll see when using a Chemex or V60.
Inverting requires you to remove the lid and filter paper before you add hot water and coffee. You then agitate the grounds to make sure that they are thoroughly soaked in the water.
As the coffee drips through the filter paper, you should be able to drink it.
Set the timer for one minute and thirty seconds, and stir the grounds every 15 seconds. The time you set for the AeroPress brew is important, as it will help you achieve maximum extraction.
When doing so, be sure to press the plunger slowly and evenly. When using this method, you may notice that fine grounds seep into your brew.
This can give you a bitter taste which may or may not be tolerable depending on your personal preference.
Common Mistakes
An all-too-common mistake is pressing the plunger all the way. This may cause the fine grounds to seep into the coffee and produce a bitter taste.
Try to apply even pressure and gently press the plunger only part of the way down the press.
Do not press too hard as this will force the grounds through into your coffee. Use only one hand to press the plunger fully.
If you do end up with a supercharged brew that’s a bit more bitter than you like, you can try to add more water.
After you’ve brewed the coffee, rinse the filter in pre-boiled water.
BIG TIP: When placing the plunger into the main body, make sure you set into deep enough to not pop out during the brewing time. Should you place the filter and cap on early during the brewing time, the steam will create expansion if you so happen to create a seal. Therefore, the steam will create more space in the chamber where it’s possible for the two halves to burst apart! This has happened to me so learn from my cautionary tale.
Best Inverted AeroPress Coffee Recipe
The best way to make the perfect full-bodied coffee using this method is by first and foremost following the directions that come with the device.
For best results, use a coffee grinder that is sharp and preferably one with a metal burr.
The rubber bung on the AeroPress should face upward. Push down the main body of the coffee grinder to the number four mark. Then, add two heaping tablespoons (15g) of ground coffee.
Pour in the water and stir well to mix. When the coffee is ready, rinse the filter with pre-boiled water.
Reminder!
Remember that the first key step is to ensure that the coffee grounds are saturated before adding water. This thick paste will help the trapped CO2 escape and will provide optimal extraction.
Next, set the timer for 1 minute and 30 seconds and stir the mixture every 10-15 seconds to ensure maximum extraction.
Nobody likes under-extracted coffee, and that’s definitely not why you’re doing this, so mind the saturation, stirring and timer.
Once your timer is done, place the empty coffee mug onto the AeroPress. Turn it upside-down again and repeat. If you want to make more coffee, use the same procedure as before, but be sure to use a finer grind.
When the coffee is ready, remove the AeroPress from the table and serve immediately. If you prefer a stronger taste, you can add more coffee in the same batch.
But be aware that you may want to experiment with different coffee brews before you commit to any one ratio or recipe.
Inverted AeroPress Method Pros and Cons
Pros of Using the Inverted Method
- Our featured brewing method offers some strong advantages over others, such as the immersion brewing method.
- While the traditional method pushes water through the coffee grounds to produce a strong cup of joe, turning the brewing chamber upside down steeps the grounds for a longer period of time. As a result, you get a robust, somewhat more bitter cup of coffee.
- You can dilute this bitterness by adding more water to taste, and that increased level of control over flavor and preferred strength is a big draw for many coffee fans.
Cons of Using the Inverted Method
- On the downside, using your AeroPress upside down introduces a higher margin of error. You have to play with the ratio before you add coffee grounds, exert more control over your grind size, and be active in timing your brew.
- If you love coffee as much as we do, it’s an excellent approach to your morning roast. If not, you may not find it worth the extra attention.
Wrap-up: All About the AeroPress Inverted Method
So now you’re an expert, and if this wasn’t your first time making AeroPress coffee altogether, you can count 2 different brewing methods in your coffee tool belt.
This innovative upside-down method of using your AeroPress is all about control—something we bean lovers tends to prioritize.
Not only can you control the coffee you make, you’ll save time both in the brewing process and by being able to prep your morning coffee in advance.
See our Aeropress Go review article here on how we use it with the inverted method.
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