While there will always be a time and place for high-tech espresso machines and fancy accessories at your home coffee bar, nothing beats tradition. If you’re looking for a reliable and delicious way to make your coffee every morning, it’s time to try making a classic cup of drip coffee. We’ve got all the tips and tricks for using your new drip coffee maker. Read on to find all your questions answered and discover how to make a perfect pot of coffee every time. What is Drip Coffee? Drip coffee, also known as auto drip or filter coffee, is coffee made via a popular automatic brew method that involves hot water dripping through a filter filled with grounds, often with a single press of a button. When the water flows through the grounds, it extracts the delicious flavors and aromas to let you enjoy all the attributes of the coffee. Though the process varies depending on the machine, drip brew is one of the most hands-off ways to make a quality cup of coffee. Drip Coffee vs. Pour Over Coffee While the basics for making pour-over and drip coffee are similar, they are two very different brew methods. But, since both require filters and use a drip-like motion for pouring water over grounds, it’s no wonder that the two processes get mixed up so often. Let’s get a closer look at the key differences and similarities between the two. Drip Coffee Requirements: Grind: medium Skill level: beginner-friendly Water: heated up by the machine Filter: cone or flat bottom paper filters Convenience: takes only a few minutes and is a hands-off way to brew a whole pot Pour Over Coffee Requirements: Grind: medium to fine Skill level: intermediate skill and deeper understanding Water: heated up separately, allowing you to control the exact temperature Filter: cone paper filters Convenience: takes a few minutes but requires you to handle every step by hand Why is Drip Brew so Popular? Year after year, studies show that drip coffee makers are the most popular brew method across the US—and with good reason! Autodrip machines are convenient for the typical coffee drinker and leave little room for error. If you walk into your friends or family members’ homes, you’re likely to see that timeless machine in the corner of their kitchen, bubbling a consistent and fresh drip brew day after day. If you’re looking for a classic cup of Joe, drip coffee is perfect for you. The drip brew method is often praised for its simplicity and consistency in every cup, as it requires minimal equipment and affordable filters and can be made with any roast you like. If your goal for morning caffeination is to get an expectedly delicious cup with as little effort as possible, just fill your filter, hit the button, and relax as the machine does the drip brewing for you. Most autodrip machines come with a variety of settings so that you can adjust each morning’s drip brew for your desired amount of servings. If it’s only for you and your partner, you can make a couple of cups, but if you have guests over, you can set it to make a whole pot—the options are completely curatable. 3 Types of Drip Coffee Machines From the classic Mr. Coffee to the more modern brands, autodrip machines have been a favorite in homes for decades. When the local barista asks you what coffee beans you’d like and what grind level is best for your machine, knowing your type and the filter it requires will help inform your decision. These are the three main types: 1. Flat Bottom Basket Machine Flat-bottom machines require, as the name implies, a paper filter with a flattened bottom. The shape encourages an even drip and extraction throughout the entire layer of grounds, allowing for an even brew to filter through the basket and into your carafe. This shape is best for medium to dark beans, like our classic French Roast, as the balanced brew dripping produces a full-bodied and well-rounded taste. 2. Paper Cone Filter Machine The majority of home coffee makers require a classic cone-shaped paper filter. Once the grounds are spooned into the basket and the machine begins, the pot drip brews quickly, as the slanted sides allow the water to easily cover the grounds, resulting in a faster flow. This filter option is best for lighter or medium beans, like our Brooklyn Roast, as the speed encourages clean, bright, and aromatic flavors to shine. 3. Permanent Filter Machine Many drip brew methods are compatible with permanent reusable filters for those concerned about the environmental impact of their coffee consumption. These must be thoroughly cleaned between uses but offer the same convenient and reliable taste as the other two filter options. They can be found in both cone and flat-bottomed shapes. How to Make Drip Coffee in 5 Easy Steps Some people want their morning cup of Java as quickly as possible. With drip brewing, there’s no need to sacrifice quality for speed! Brew a pot of your favorite dark roast blend in just a few short steps: Step 1: Select a Roast Before you even think about pressing the brew button, you’ll need to select your roast. Luckily, when it comes to coffee brewing methods, drip machines are one of the most accommodating and forgiving options out there. Essentially, you can brew any level of roast in a drip machine with success! It all depends on what you prefer. Experiment with different varietals from around the globe to find the perfect cup for you. Medium roasted beans tend to result in a very balanced cup, making them a total crowd-pleaser. Light roast beans are the perfect option for someone who wants acidic coffee with punchier and brighter flavors. You could even brew a fresh pot of decaf coffee—anything works with drip brewing. Step 2: Grind and Weigh Your Beans Once you’ve chosen your roast for the day, it’s time to grind the correct amount of beans at the right setting. Start by weighing out the House Blend beans or your favorite variety at your desired ratio. If you’re feeling a little lazy (nothing wrong with that!), you can eyeball this, but if you’re a perfectionist who craves that consistently tasty cup of coffee, make sure to use a scale to pour out the perfect amount. Start with a 1:16 ratio of grounds to water. After your beans are measured out, it’s time to grind them at the right level for drip brewing. If you ordered them pre-ground, feel free to just measure those out. If you want an extra-fresh cup, go the extra mile and grind your roast on a medium setting in your at-home grinder. Pro tip: Make sure to read the instructions of your specific machine to check for any advice or special grinding requirements to produce a well-made pot of coffee! Is there a Difference in Grind Levels for Basket and Cone Filters? Whether you’re grinding your Colombian Supremo beans at home or ordering them pre-ground online, the slight change in size can make a world of difference to your result. While coffee ground at a medium level is ideal for both basket and cone filters, the cone requires them to be ground a notch finer than a basket. If the grounds are too small, they’ll end up at the bottom of your cup. If they’re too big, you’ll end up with a weak taste. Step 3: Fill and Insert the Filter Next, take a paper filter and fill it with carefully proportioned grounds. Use a utensil to make sure the grounds are spread evenly across the bottom, tapping the filter gently against the counter to disrupt any pockets of air, as this could disrupt the smooth and concentrated taste. Place it in the basket and insert it into the coffee maker. Step 4: Add the Water The water you use makes all the difference, and unlike pour over or French press brewing, drip coffee makers heat up the water for you. Every time you make a fresh pot, it’s important to refill the water tank of the machine—preferably with cold or room temperature filtered water. Pay attention to the ratio of your grounds to water to avoid a weak pot of coffee! Step 5: Press the Button When your water tank and filter are both filled and in place, it’s time to sit back and watch the magic happen. Just turn on the machine, adjust the necessary settings to your liking, and press the start button. After a couple of minutes, you’ll be pouring yourself a hot cup of coffee and starting your day off right. Bonus Step: Set it and Forget It If you’re lucky enough to have a scheduling feature on your coffee maker, use it! Fill the filter basket and water tank as usual by following the above steps and set the exact time you’d like your drip to begin brewing the following morning. There’s nothing better than waking up to a fresh pot of coffee—you deserve it! Tips for Making Drip Coffee Taste Even Better Sometimes you’ll hear complaints that drip coffee just doesn’t compare to other methods, but chances are, those people don’t really know how to make a quality cup of drip brew. Avoid those coffee maker mistakes and sprinkle in these special tips to your caffeination routine to prove them wrong: Tip #1: Grind your daily dose of coffee, like our Costa Rica Tarrazu beans, fresh every day to retain as much full-bodied flavor as possible. Tip #2: If you don’t own an at-home grinder and order your bag pre-ground, store it in an airtight container or in the fridge to elongate its lifespan. Tip #3: Some machines aren’t exact with their heat, so make sure the water heater stays between 195 and 205 degrees to avoid burning the drip brew. Tip #4: Experiment with ratios of coffee grounds to water to find a perfect balance for your palate. Tip #5 If you like your coffee a little sweeter, try mixing a standard roast with a flavored coffee bean to make an amazing cup! Drip Brew Coffee FAQs Making any type of coffee comes with a learning curve, so don’t be embarrassed to ask a few questions! We’ve put our expertise to the test with these popular drip brew queries: Can You Make Iced Coffee with Drip Brew? While it won’t be as powerful as brewing cold brew, there are ways to turn your hot drip coffee into iced coffee at home. Make sure you’re using a bold, strong bean so that the final result isn’t too diluted. Using a higher ratio of grounds to water, follow the preparation steps as normal, letting it cool for a few hours or overnight before pouring over ice. Pro tip: To really impress your cold-beverage-loving guests, use any leftover drip coffee to make ice cubes and avoid any potential watering down when serving. Is Filtered Coffee Healthier? When it comes to drip brewing, the paper filters do more than collect the discarded grounds—they actually remove harmful oils that can increase cholesterol and heart disease. If you’re at risk for either of those health scares, investing in a filter-based drip coffee maker can be a health game-changer to your morning routine. How Do You Clean an At-Home Drip Coffee Maker? Cleaning your coffee machine is a must. After each use, you should empty and rinse out the coffee pot to get rid of that pesky old-brew taste and prevent build-up. Every couple of weeks, you should set some time aside for a deep clean that includes descaling the internal mechanisms with white vinegar, scrubbing a baking soda paste on the inside of the carafe, and wiping the drip pan clean. What Can You Add to Drip Coffee? Just because drip brewing results in a perfectly palatable cup of black coffee doesn’t mean you have to stop there. You can add anything you wish to drip, whether it be a flavor from the wide range of coffee syrups, your favorite milk alternative, or good, old-fashioned white sugar. Personalizing your morning vice is half the fun! Whether looking for a dependable way to get your daily fix or searching for the best coffee maker for your parents, a drip brew machine is the way to go. With a few easy steps and some insider help, you’ll become a drip coffee pro in no time!
