FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Micro-filters fit into the AeroPress Go travel filter holder?

Up to 20 Micro-filters.

How much does the AeroPress Go Travel Press weigh?

When fully packed up in the mug with the lid on top, the AeroPress, its accessories, and the 20 paper filters that fit into the travel filter holder weigh 11.4 oz. (323 g) altogether.

What materials go into making the AeroPress Go Travel Press?

The AeroPress, mug, and accessories are made of food-safe polypropylene that is free of BPA and phthalates. The lid and plunger seal are both made of silicone and the filters are made of paper.

How much liquid does the mug hold?

The mug holds 15 oz. (444 ml) or almost two 8 oz. (237 ml) servings.

Is the mug microwaveable?

Yes!

How many Microfilters come with the AeroPress Go Press?

The AeroPress Go comes with 350 Microfilters.

Where is the AeroPress Go manufactured?

The AeroPress Go is manufactured in the United States.

Are AeroPress Go Microfilters compatible with the original AeroPress coffee maker?

Yes, all AeroPress Micro-filters are compatible with both the AeroPress Go and the original AeroPress.

I just opened my new AeroPress Go and noticed that the instructions inside are for the original AeroPress coffee maker, not the AeroPress Go. Where can I find the correct instructions for the AeroPress Go?

Recently some AeroPress Go units were accidentally packed with instructions for the original AeroPress coffee maker. The two instructions are almost identical but to view or download the correct instructions for the AeroPress Go please click here.

How do I best judge the water level in the AeroPress?

Look down into the chamber from above. The numbers on the outside are visible through the material particularly if looking down against a light background.

Ground coffee floating around in the chamber can make it difficult to judge the water level. Try pouring in half of the water, stirring to wet all the grounds, and then pouring up to the desired level.

Some water drips through the coffee and filter before I stir and press. Is that OK?

It is normal for a minor amount of liquid (about 5%) to drip through prior to stirring and pressing. If a lot of liquid runs through prematurely, remember to shake to level the grounds and pour the hot water slowly. If an excess amount still runs through prematurely, you need to use a finer grind of coffee.

Am I doing something wrong if it is hard to press?

1. You may need to use a better or sharper grinder. A good, sharp grinder (ideally a good burr grinder) grinds coffee into particles that are all the same size. A cheap or dull grinder produces a wide variety of particle sizes and the very small dust-like particles at the fine end of the particle size distribution block the flow around the larger particles, turning the layer of coffee particles into a barrier that blocks your pressing.
2. Press gently, there is no rush. Pressing hard actually compacts the coffee particles into a barrier, making it harder to press. You can try pressing down half an inch, then hold the plunger there and let the air pressure in the chamber do the pressing for you. Then after 5 or so seconds of waiting, press another half inch down and repeat until finished pressing.
3. If the above two points don’t work, use a coarser grind until you get to where a minor amount drips through prior to pressing and slow, gentle pressing takes 20 to 40 seconds.

I have heard of brewing recipes for the AeroPress that are completely different from the ones provided in the instructions. What is the best way to brew with the AeroPress?

The instructions provided with the AeroPress and also available to download from this website describe a starting point from which users can deviate if they wish. The taste of brewed coffee is affected by all the variables in the brewing process. When using an AeroPress the user selects the water temperature, the brew time, the coffee to water ratio, etc. The AeroPress enables the user to control all the brewing process variables and thereby brew a particular coffee with a desired brewing recipe. Taste is personal. There is no right answer to the question of how to brew a particular coffee and there is certainly no right answer for how to brew all coffees. With that said, we think the method described in the instructions is a good one for most coffees.

What’s the advantage of using the “inverted method” with the AeroPress?

People who use the inverted method do so to prevent any premature drip-through of their coffee and to give them complete control over usually longer brew times. If you want to use a long brew time, we recommend using the normal method but insert the seal on the end of the plunger a half inch or so into the top of the chamber to stop drip-through while waiting for your longer brew time. The seal stops drip-through just like putting your finger on the top of a straw stops dripping out of the bottom of a straw. We think shorter brew times brew better tasting coffee but taste is certainly personal and people should brew their coffee the way it tastes best to them. Be advised that using the inverted method may increase the risk of spilling hot water and the risks associated therewith.

Is there dioxin in AeroPress paper filters?

No. The bleaching process used by filter paper manufacturers until the late 1980s used chlorine gas and the chlorine gas bleaching process created dioxin as a byproduct. In the late 1980s the filter paper mills switched to using what is called the non-elemental chlorine bleaching process (they use a chlorine compound, not chlorine gas) to eliminate producing dioxin as a byproduct.

Do you recommend using a metal filter in the AeroPress?

Every AeroPress coffee maker comes with 350 AeroPress paper filters. We do not manufacture or sell filters for use in the AeroPress made of other materials such as metal. We were originally planning to include a metal filter with each AeroPress but when we conducted blind taste tests comparing paper filtered coffee with metal filtered coffee, the paper filtered coffee always won. We also learned using a paper filter is healthier because it removes diterpenes from coffee and diterpenes are potent agents that raise your bad cholesterol. Metal filters do not remove diterpenes. AeroPress paper filters are 100% compostable along with the coffee grounds and they retail for less than a penny and a half each so they are gentle on the environment and your wallet. That said, while we think that paper filters brew better-tasting coffee, the taste is certainly personal so people should brew their coffee the way it tastes best to them.

There are many companies that manufacture filters designed for use in the AeroPress coffee maker made of other materials, particularly metal. We do not object to these other companies selling their filters but none of them can legally use our AeroPress trademark. It is important to note that the AeroPress limited one-year warranty does not cover operation with a filter made by another company or damage to the AeroPress caused by the use of such a filter.

Do you make unbleached filters for use in the AeroPress?

No. We did a market test and bleached filters were far more popular than unbleached filters with our customers. The AeroPress filter is just a 2.5 inch (63.5mm) diameter circle of the same filter paper used in a cone filter. You can cut your own from unbleached cone filters.

Why did you take the numbers off the plunger?

We stopped putting the water level marking numbers on the plunger because we were concerned that they encouraged the use of the plunger in microwave ovens and we just do not know what effect microwaves have on the life of the rubber seal.

Why are there holes in the sides of the filter cap? Doesn’t the coffee coming out of them miss being paper-filtered?

The bottom circular rim of the chamber is firmly clamped down on the paper filter when you screw the filter cap onto the bottom of the chamber. Therefore all the coffee that you press down must go through the filter paper. There is a tiny amount of coffee that instead of going straight through the filter and into your mug goes sideways through the filter paper and emerges outside of the chamber in the filter cap. The side holes in the filter cap are there to enable this small amount of coffee to drip down into your mug. If those side holes were not there, some of this coffee would be pushed up and over the rim of the filter cap and then drip outside your mug.

What are the maximum and minimum mug diameters the AeroPress fits?

The biggest mug you can press into with the AeroPress has a top inner diameter of 3 3/4 inches (95mm). The smallest mug you can press into with the AeroPress has a top inner diameter of 2 5/8 inches (67mm).

What is the purpose of the funnel?

Use the AeroPress funnel to transfer the ground coffee from your coffee grinder bin to the AeroPress chamber. It was not an intended use but users have told us that the funnel fits on the bottom of the chamber and enables you to press into smaller mugs. If you do this, we advise you to make sure you use a sturdy mug and that you firmly hold the mug and AeroPress during pressing to avoid spilling.

Do the original AeroPress and the AeroPress Go fit on the same size mugs, or does one fit on a larger size mug than the other?

The original AeroPress and the Go have the same cylinder diameter but the flange that supports the AeroPress on your cup is smaller on the Go. The Go can sit on a cup with a maximum inside diameter of about 3.25” whereas the original AeroPress can sit on a cup with a maximum inside diameter as big as about 3.75”.

Can I clean the AeroPress in the dishwasher?

You can on the top shelf, but a simple rinse is sufficient because the plunger wipes the chamber. If your chamber ever gets sticky, wash it with vinegar. We recommend occasionally removing the seal from the end of the plunger for good washing inside and out with warm water and dish soap.

My seal is sticky. How do I clean it?

The seal can be cleaned using hot water and dish soap. We advise you to occasionally remove the seal from the plunger and wash it inside and out with hot, soapy water to prevent the accumulation of coffee oils. Use a paper towel to provide a little abrasiveness.

My seal no longer forms a tight seal with the chamber. What happened?

Your seal has become compressed and is no longer big enough to tightly seal the chamber. Whenever the seal is inside the chamber, it is being held compressed. Eventually the compression forces prevail and the seal becomes too small. To maximize the life of your seal you need to minimize the time your seal is held compressed. This means ejecting the spent coffee immediately after every pressing and storing the seal, either pushed all the way through or removed from the chamber.

What can I do?

Buy a new seal: The seal can easily be replaced on the end of the plunger so one solution is to buy a new seal on our website. With care, a new seal should last at least three years.

For a quick fix: Joe Lindsay sent us his short-term fix: First place the rubber end of the plunger in some hot water for a couple of minutes. Then press the rubber end of the plunger onto a flat surface such as a cutting board. While pressing roll the seal around on its edge so that you are pressing the edge out, widening the circumference of the seal.

The seal came off the plunger. Can I put it back on?

Yes. The black seal is fitted onto the end of the plunger. There is no adhesive. To fit the seal back onto the end of the plunger, position the seal on the end of the plunger and then turn the seal while pressing it onto the plunger until it gets fully seated.

How do I separate the chamber and plunger?

Holding the AeroPress with the seal facing you, brace your fingers around the chamber flange and push both of your thumbs against the seal. This will push the plunger up through the chamber making it easier to pull the two pieces apart.

The filter cap is stuck tight onto the chamber. How do I remove it?

This is like removing a screw-top lid stuck on a jar. You can try lubricating the filter cap with a little water or cooking oil to make it easier to turn. Or, you can buy a sheet of rubber-like material that is intended to help you grip the lids of jars to make it easier to twist the lids – try using one of those. You also can try running hot water over the filter cap (not the chamber). The filter cap expanding with heat may make it easier to turn.

How do I store the AeroPress?

Always eject the used coffee right after brewing and store your AeroPress with the silicone seal pushed all the way through the chamber. This keeps the seal free of compression for longer seal life.

What material do you use for the seal?

The seal is made of silicone. Silicones are rubber-like materials that are primarily made of silicon and oxygen. They are frequently used in the manufacture of kitchen implements including those used for baking because of their non-toxicity and excellent durability including resistance to heat. Up until October of 2018, the AeroPress seal was made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Both the silicone and the thermoplastic elastomer are made in the USA and are FDA and EU approved for use in contact with food.

Does the AeroPress contain BPA or phthalates?

No. The AeroPress has always been free of phthalates and has been free of BPA since August of 2009.

What material is the AeroPress made out of?

In the summer of 2014, we switched to making the chamber and plunger out of polypropylene. This means that all of the AeroPress parts except the silicone seal are now made of polypropylene. We made the change because tests indicated that polypropylene is more durable. We regret the polypropylene is less transparent but feel the additional durability is more important. All materials used in the AeroPress are made in the USA and are FDA and EU approved for use in contact with food. Read more about the materials here.