2nd attempt: It worked! Preheating the mug, half-filling the aeropress with water and grounds, stirring to wet all the grounds, blooming the grounds for 15 seconds, then filling the rest of the volume with fresh hot water just before pressing resulted in a nice hot cuppa!
The taste was about the same as last time: Strong, but without the oily aftertaste of french drip.
Things I am not liking about the aeropress: Fiddling with the paper filters before I’ve had coffee - They are sticking together. I’m looking into the stainless mesh filters both OEM and third party, Plastic - Although it feels well made and durable, a mostly glass or stainless steel version would be welcome for environmental purposes, and microplastics anyone? Although I suppose the silicone plunger is unavoidable, The brewing process feels bit fiddly - I’m not used to it and haven’t optimized my process yet.