Hi – been using my Aeropress for almost 8 years now, and there is something I've always wondered about, but never even thought to look for a place to ask until I found this page while looking for a replacement seal and chamber. So, the question, I understand the concept of the Aeropress is about pushing the water through the grounds rather than, as with French press, pushing the grounds through the water. What I notice though, is that, after stirring, the majority of the coffee grounds are floating at the top of the chamber. When pressing, they only flow down with the water level so most do not get the water pushed through them. Is this how it is supposed to work or am I missing something or setting it up incorrectly? – From Matthew E.

Brewing in an AeroPress is total immersion brewing. All the coffee particles are fully immersed in the water, and that's where the brewing occurs. The purpose of pressing is not to brew, but to shorten the filtering or wet time, and thus reduce bitterness. Pressing air though the bed of coffee also pushes brew trapped in the wet grounds into your cup. See my reply to Tom G. too.