How long should coffee brew?

It depends on the method. Use the preset as a starting point, then change one variable at a time. A useful timer is a repeatable reference, not a rule for every coffee.

What should I change if coffee tastes sour or bitter?

Treat sour or bitter taste as a clue, not proof of extraction. Check dose, water, roast and flow, change one variable at a time, then compare with your previous cup.

AeroPress Brew Timer: Stir, Steep & Press

For AeroPress Original, fit the paper filter and securely attach the cap to the empty chamber, then set it upright on a sturdy mug before adding coffee or hot water. This preset is 15 g coffee / 210 g water, 88 °C, with a total of 1:40 from first water. Follow the Original assembly instructions (opens in a new tab); the manufacturer discourages inverted use because of burn risk.

Use this AeroPress timer for a simple, repeatable sequence: pour and stir, steep, then press. The preset comes from the site recipe, so the timing matches the ratio and temperature used there.

Start by calculating your dose with the AeroPress ratio calculator. If a concentrated cup needs dilution, dilute after pressing before changing the steep time. This keeps the next comparison clear.

AeroPress timing checkpoints

Data table
Phase	Starting time	What to do
Pour and stir	0:00–0:10	Add water and stir gently
Steep	0:10–1:10	Let the coffee extract without more stirring
Press	1:10–1:40	Press steadily; stop at the hiss

Save the dose, water, and taste note in your private journal so the next adjustment has a baseline.