The always popular Aerobie Aeropress. This isn't the cheapest price we've seen for the Aeropress itself but the free shipping pushes it into bargain territory. $0.90 more than the recent Alternative Brewing deal which was pretty popular, so thought I'd share this one.
Check the inverted method
My first bunch of coffees were watery, flavourless cups of liquid and I was as unimpressed as you. I looked up Aeropress "recipes" to find a heap of different options, and ended up going with one of the Aeropress champion's method which involved the 'inverted method' and never looked back. There are so many variables which affect the result, so find a recipe which comes close to hitting the spot and experiment with steep times, grind coarseness, water temp etc.
Check out this link for all the hipsters and their winning recipes - https://www.worldaeropresschampionship.com/recipes/
The inverted method is a huge improvement to the standard. I find getting the right fineness of the ground has helped - it's in between espresso fine and filter coarse. I use a porlex mini for this!
do you clean your mini after every use?
@87percent: not really - although they say you should clean it once a month if you are a daily user.
Personally I use the "Third Place" recipe on this page because it produces good results, is easy to prepare, and uses 'just off the boil' water, so I don't have to worry about my water temp control when I make it at work. You might need to "cap the plunger" during the 50 second steep to stop too much of it dripping through.
I've heard good things about the inverted method but haven't ever tried it because everyone I know that uses it has had a huge spill at some point.
As for grind, I usually grind at around 28-32 on my Breville which is around the medium/fine range.
I grind on 15 on my Breville (same as for a stove top), 10 seconds. I pull the presser to number 2 for a flat white with frothed milk (use less water if wanting a long espresso) and I use the inverted method with water right of the boil. Used to measure temperature but by the time you pour and stir the temperature is around where it should be anyway. I wait around a minute before pouring to a heated mug (I usually use the remaining hot water in the kettle for that).
A very important upgrade IMO is a stainless steel filter:
https://goo.gl/QyMqMQ
Would boiled slightly acidic distilled water draw more out of the ground beans than boiled water from the tap?
Got one of these on a recent sale and haven't been particularly impressed compared to using a French Press.
Any tips for timing, grinding coarseness etc?