The Aeropress changed the game for many coffee aficionados, allowing them to produce a highly-concentrated, espresso-like shots of coffee on the go using a very compact tool that can slip inside any backpack. That’s why it continues to be one of the most popular gifts for coffee lovers. With the new Aeropress Premium, the outfit takes the popular portable coffee maker and dresses it in more luxurious materials.
Like many devices designed with portability in mind, all previous Aeropress models are cut in not-so-premium plastic, which is great for weight and durability, but makes it less appealing to use at home where you have access to much nicer glass and metal brewing tools. This new model of the portable coffee maker changes that.
The Aeropress Premium trades in the plastic from the outfit’s usual lineup in favor of borosilicate glass, stainless steel, and anodized aluminum, making for a coffee maker that feels like it’s meant to live in the countertop instead of traveling with you inside a backpack or suitcase. The borosilicate glass is used for the main brewing chamber, which boasts a double-walled construction to ensure the exterior remains cool to the touch while piping hot water gets mixed with the coffee inside. Of course, using transparent glass also lets you see the ensuing action, which has been a big part of the charm for the outfit’s Tritan-based Clear model. Anodized aluminum is used for the plunger and the chamber base, while the stainless steel is used for the filter cap, which is the same size as other Aeropress standard-sized filters (so it can be used with standard models). There’s also silicone for areas that require a watertight seal.
The brewing process works, pretty much, like the rest of the Aeropress line, essentially reprising the same three-in-one brewing technology that defined previous entries in the product line. As such, you start by adding ground coffee into the brewing chamber and pouring hot water into it, then give it a stir for five seconds and let it rest for half a minute. From there, you stick in the plunger and press it gently to push air through the coffee bed to help produce that espresso-like richness until all the freshly-brewed coffee passes through the filter and drips down to your cup that’s waiting underneath.
The Aeropress Premium’s brewing chamber can hold up to 10oz. of water at a time, so you can fill it up for a more diluted brew or use less water for a more concentrated flavor. According to the outfit, you can use it for American-style coffee, espresso-style shots (which you can, in turn, use to make lattes and cappucinos), and cold brew style coffee, much like the other entries in their growing product line. This isn’t dishwasher-safe, by the way, so make sure to clean it by hand after you’re done.
Do note, because it uses glass, this thing won’t travel the same way previous Aeropress models could, since there’s a good chance you could damage the darn thing at some point during transit. As such, this is meant more for Aeropress who like to use their coffee maker at home, as it takes on significantly elevated aesthetics compared to the travel-friendly plastic materials of its earlier counterparts.
The Aeropress Premium is now available for preorder, with a December ship date. Price is $149.95.