Introduction
Regardless if you’re living in a van, small apartment, or tiny home we all deserve an amazing home brewed cup of coffee. While there can be an overwhelming amount of options to chose from, In this article I will be going over the top three best home brewing methods with limited space in 2023. Each one on these options will make coffee taste different and some methods easier than others. some even making espresso! So stick around and grab you coffee, lets dive in.
Top three brewing methods
Pour over
When it comes to pour over coffee, the Chemex is the best in the game. The Chemex has been around since 1941 and is a staple in the coffee industry. While there are other brands of pour overs out there the Chemex is the one I personally recommend for its quality product.
How does a pour over work?
A pour over begins with 4 things. Pour over filter, Coffee, Hot water, and of course the pour over itself. Pour over is a type of gravity brewing method meaning that gravity is being used to draw the water through the coffee. You’ll begin by placing your filter into your pour over, adding your measured coffee into the filter, and begin pouring your hot water in intervals. Now since pour overs are usually course ground coffee the water tends to pass through the coffee faster then say a French press or moka pot, the coffee typically comes out with a brighter flavor and lighter body.
Overview
The Chemex is a coffee classic, with its iconic design and amazing ergonomic handling. Using a pour over makes a much more bright and floral cup of coffee. Now when using a Chemex you’ll want to get a goose neck kettle. I highly recommend this one. Using a Chemex to make your morning cup of coffee will take anywhere from 3-10 minutes depending on how large your Chemex is, if your coffee is ground already etc.… Chemex offers four sizes but keep in mind they are referring to 6oz glasses which is nearly half the size of the average Americans coffee cup coming in between 12-18oz. Chemex offers these 4 brewer sizes
- Three cup
- Six cup
- eight cup
- ten cup
I personally use the eight cup brewer size which often is enough for around three cups of coffee. If you chose to go bigger you can also measure to make a smaller batch. If you don’t know how to make a pour over check out my article on My favorite pour over recipes of 2023 Chemex also offers a wide range on different options and my personal favorite the EIGHT CUP CHEMAER™ CHEMEX® Fantastic brewer to aerate my coffee. They also have different collars, color rawhides A very fun way to customize your coffee experience.
Aeropress
The Aeropress Is a fantastic way to enjoy espresso with limited space, and especially a great choice while camping as well. The Aeropress came about in 2005 gaining more and more popularity throughout the years. It cultivates an amazing espresso with a minimal amount of effort. When using this device you will need hot water and I always recommend a gooseneck kettle for more control but not necessary for this device.
How does the Aeropress work?
All you need is a coffee mug, hot water, and of course the Aeropress! You’re going to start by placing the filter into the Aeropress, screwing it on the base of the device, putting your coffee in, then your water, and begin to use the plunging device to pull your espresso into your coffee mug. That’s it! You’ll want to use finely ground espresso that similar to what you would use in a regular espresso machine. While you don’t need a gooseneck kettle I do recommend one with temperature control to gain the most control over your brewing experience. This method creates amazing espresso without the need for a big espresso machine. For more information check out Aero press’s website for more information
Overview
The Aeropress is a wonderful way to make beautiful espresso and save on space. They offer a few different sizes but I recommend sticking with the original as it ticks off all the boxes in value, and coffee making abilities. Check out their site to learn more The Aeropress is a great option for my coffee lovers out there who like a bit more of a caffeine kick and bold flavor. One of the best aspects of this method is you can get very technical with it or keep it simple. Great for the beginner or the seasoned coffee connoisseur.
French press
Last but certainly not least is the French press. One of my favorite things about this brewing method is that you can control a lot of variables as to how it brews. While you are able to control most of the brewing variables the French press will usually give you a more bold flavor profile with a heavier body. Most French presses come in a 34oz size but they do come in a variety of sizes and I have seen them in as little 12oz. I recommend always getting a glass over plastic as sometimes the plastic can effect the taste of your coffee. I also recommend using a gooseneck kettle with this brewing method. Brewing time takes anywhere from 3-8 minutes depending on size, brewing time, and if your coffee is ground already or not.
How does a French press work?
The French press is a simple and easy brewing method that requires a kettle, coffee, and the French press. You will want to start by putting your measured coffee in the bottom of the French press, then bloom your coffee (Learn more about blooming coffee here) Then fill the French press with the correct amount of water and place the lid on top. Let the coffee brew between 3-6 minutes. After brewing is completed push down the plunger and pour your freshly brewed coffee into your mug and enjoy!
Overview
Overall the French press is a mix between the Pour over and Aeropress. Makes a wonderful full-bodied coffee while maintaining exciting flavor notes. The wonderful thing about this method is that you have control over the coarseness of your coffee, brew time, and how much coffee you use. You can create an array of wonderful coffee recipes and try different methods for different types of coffee you decide to use. For an in-depth guide on the French press check out my article here
Conclusion
Regardless of what you chose everyone deserves to have great coffee regardless of how much space you have. If you decide on any of these options I highly recommend getting a coffee scale and gooseneck kettle These are great tools to have for most brewing methods. Regardless of your experience level these are all easy, fun methods anyone can do. If you want more in-depth coffee recipes check out my other article on My top coffee brewing recipes of 2023.
