The Complete Guide to the AeroPress Inverted Method

Today we’re going to show you guys an alternative method for brewing your AeroPress!

In our first AeroPress brew guide, we talked about how versatile this tool can be, so we thought we'd share another popular style of AeroPress brewing for you to experiment with - enjoy!


  1. What is the AeroPress inverted method?
  2. Why do people use the AeroPress inverted?
  3. What you’ll need to get brewing
  4. How to make AeroPress inverted:
  5. AeroPress Inverted Coffee FAQs:

What is the AeroPress inverted method?

The AeroPress inverted method is an alternative style of brewing with an AeroPress that involves placing the coffee maker upside down.

With this method, the coffee grounds are immersed in water for a longer period of time, which helps to increase extraction.


Why do people use the AeroPress inverted?

This inversion method became popular with baristas who wanted to prevent under extraction of their coffee by controlling when the water begins to drain from the AeroPress.

This means more time to allow your coffee to both bloom (similarly to V60 brewing), and steep (comparable to immersion methods like cafetiere).


Is the AeroPress inverted method better?

Good question! While the traditional style of AeroPress brewing is the one this coffee maker was originally designed for, the inverted method does have its advantages. 

Both brewing methods have their benefits, which is why coffee roasters like us love the AeroPress!

It’s versatile, so you can experiment with these different styles of brewing and figure out which one works best for you.


What you'll need to get brewing:

  • Kettle
  • Timer
  • Odd Kin’s speciality coffee (grind type: whole bean or aeropress)
  • AeroPress coffee maker 
  • AeroPress scoop and stirrer
  • Coffee weighing scales

How to make AeroPress inverted:

While you can use the same recipe as our previous AeroPress guide and simply adjust your technique, we’re going to show you a different recipe in this guide to give you something else to try!

This particular recipe is inspired by a winning recipe in the World AeroPress Championship. (If you’re into this stuff, check out the WAC’s Hall of Fame where you’ll find recipes from the top three contestants dating back to 2014).

We’ve chosen to share this recipe because it is a good example of how you can produce a concentrated coffee that can be diluted.

This is great if you’re using an AeroPress, but want to make coffee for more than one person!


Step-by-step inverted AeroPress recipe:

Step 1: Start by assembling your AeroPress, drawing the plunger out as far as you can without separating the two pieces. Then, stand the AeroPress upright with the chamber for coffee and water facing upwards and place it on your coffee scales. At the same time, boil the kettle.

Step 2: Place two AeroPress coffee filters in the filter cap of your coffee maker and rinse under a tap. Rinsing your filter papers will help to prevent any papery tastes from impacting your brew. 

Step 3: Grab your coffee and scoop 30 g of coarsely ground coffee, popping it into the open top of your AeroPress. 

Step 4: Start your timer and add 100 g of water just off the boil. Then, using the AeroPress stirrer, stir vigorously twenty times.

Step 5: Place the AeroPress filter cap on top and screw it in. Then, with the coffee maker still in the inverted position, depress the AeroPress to remove any air in the chamber. Note: The air will splutter out of the cap, and once you see wet coffee pressing through it’s time to stop!

Step 6: Wait for 40 seconds, then flip the AeroPress over and continue to depress into your chosen cup. Once you’ve done that, all that’s left to do is add 120g more water from the kettle and allow your coffee to cool before drinking. Voila! Your coffee is served. 

Top tip: We recommend using fresh, filtered water to allow for a fuller flavoured brew.  


AeroPress Inverted Method FAQs:

How much coffee do you use for inverted AeroPress?

This inverted AeroPress method uses 30 g of coffee, but remember that there are lots of different recipes for inversion brewing, and each will recommend a specific amount of coffee to be used.

How much water is needed to dilute an inverted AeroPress coffee?

We like this recipe because it produces a concentrated coffee that can also be diluted. So, to dilute your AeroPress concentrate, add 120 g of water.

What are the pros of the AeroPress upside down brew?

This alternative method of brewing AeroPress coffee offers a number of benefits. The pros of using the inverted AeroPress method include: 

  • Prevents under extraction: Control when the water starts to drain from the AeroPress
  • Allows for full immersion: All the coffee grounds touch the water during the brewing process 
  • Allows for experimental brewing: Keep things interesting by trying out different inversion techniques

Who first decided to invert the AeroPress?

There’s no way of saying for sure who first discovered the inverted AeroPress method, but it is believed to have become popular in 2008 (three years after the birth of Alan Adler’s AeroPress).


Share your inverted AeroPress coffee recipes:

Are you a die-hard inverted coffee brewer? If so, share your favourite inverted AeroPress method with us on Instagram or in the comments below!

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