The Aeropress will forever be my favorite manual brewer. I tattooed the Chemex onto my arm when I was 20. Do I regret it? No. I love the Chemex and it was my first introduction to manual brew coffee. However, the Aeropress stole the spotlight for me and if my manual brewers were my children, let's just say I would absolutely play favorites. I reluctantly picked one up from World Market a few years back at the advice of a coworker from my days at Starbucks. She frequently posted time-lapses of herself brewing with this weird plunger thing. When I finally got one, I was in love instantly. 

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Everyone has an opinion on plastics and plastics in the kitchen. So while the all-plastic design of the Aeropress isn't the best, it has undeniable benefits:

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1) It is virtually indestructible and makes for the perfect travel brewer to toss in a backpack without worry. 

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2) It is 100% BPA free, which means you aren't going to have any nasty chemicals leaching into your drink from exposure to hot water. 

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3) Did I mention this thing is a tank? Like literally it will outlast any other brewer in your arsenal- guaranteed. And If you have an arsenal of brewers already, you know how the slightest bump can ruin your $45 Chemex or ceramic V60. 

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The Aeropress has a variety of different ways to brew, which is why it is so popular among baristas. There are so many different styles, that there is actually a World Aeropress Championship held every year where Baristas from all over come together and compete with their Aeropress recipes and brew methods. There was even a limited run of Aeropress Dice (A set of 5 dice) designed by James Hoffman with over 7,000 different combinations! I personally stick to a 16:1 ratio, but I use the Fellow Prismo, which is a $25 attachment that replaces the filter with a metal mesh filter and a pressure actuated valve that transforms the Aeropress into more of a full-immersion brewer. 

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That's the great thing about the Aeropress though. You will have a very hard time getting a bad cup of coffee off of it. I used to use pre-ground coffee and boiling hot (unfiltered) water on the Aeropress with no measurements, and still it resulted in a smooth and drinkable cup. Not to mention, you can brew incredibly quick! If you are in college and trying to break away from the Keurig, but want to save time, go with the Aeropress and thank me later. Not to mention, it has the MOST SATISFYING cleanup process ever. 

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