namelessone wrote:Thanks for all the advice. I've bought my Aeropress now, and the coffee I make I think is not really comparable to espresso.. I find it much more enjoyable in a big mug, distilled with quite a bit of hot water. It's somewhat like very good french press. It does seem to bring out the full flavor. I use a few notches below the medium in my dualit (same as solis) grinder. I have a question though, the instructions recommend pressing gentle, but when I press gently the cap doesn't seem to move down at all. It feels like I have to press quite hard to get it down anyway.
Hi namelessone,
If the plunger doesn't move at all you may be pressing too gently. The threshold of motion is about 12lbs with a lubricated seal. Try plunging into an empty AeroPress. If it's stiff, coat the seal edge with a tiny bit of vegetable oil.
I often rest my forearm on the plunger (just below the elbow), and just add a small amount of muscle. The plunger moves slowly until the end when the entire puck dries out and the plunger moves somewhat faster.
Another approach is to push about a centimeter beyond where you feel resistance, then hold that for about ten seconds (while the liquid flows) before pressing another centimeter. Repeat until the plunger bottoms.
I hope this helps, but if not, please get back to me.
Best,
Alan