Drip Coffee Brewing Guide

4 to 8 minutes (depending on your exact machine)

Drip coffee is the most common household brew method—and with good reason! All it takes is finding the right roast and following these seven easy steps:

If you buy whole beans, the first and most essential step is grinding them to the correct level. An auto drip typically uses a medium grind, though the exact size can vary from machine to machine (and your flavor preferences). 

To make your morning routine even easier, remember that you can always order or buy the roast pre-ground for your brew method. This way, all you have to do is scoop and go!  

Start the drip process by weighing out the correct amount of your desired grounds. This will ensure you get the best tasting ratio—as you’re experimenting, we suggest using a 1:16 ratio of coffee grounds to water.  

Once your coffee grounds are ready, it’s time to set up the drip machine. Start by inserting a paper filter into the brew basket. Make sure it’s even all the way around, as any crimped edges or folded-over sections could let grounds into your cup of Joe—and no one likes that!

Scoop your desired weight of coffee grounds into the basket, tapping it against a flat surface to ensure it is evenly spread out.  

Add the proportioned amount of water to the reservoir tank. Room-temperature or fridge-cold filtered water is preferred. 

Finally, turn on your machine and press the magic button! Make sure you wait until the brew cycle is complete so that all the coffee has dripped through the filter and into your pot.

Once your brew is complete, remove the basket and discard the grounds. Prepare your favorite mug, pour yourself a hot, fresh cup of coffee, and enjoy!

The main difference is the type of filter—which will also impact the size of the grind. Flat bottom filters, which have an aptly named “flat bottom” resemble a bucket shape and will require a slightly coarser grind. Cone filters are cone-shaped with a tapered bottom that comes to a point and will need a slightly finer grind. Many people have personal preferences regarding the two types of drip machines, but both yield similar flavor profiles. 

If you get a craving for cold coffee, there’s no need to buy a whole cold brew maker—though that never hurts! You can use an auto drip machine to make an iced coffee with a few alterations to the process. Follow the instructions as-is to make your standard pot of hot coffee. Once it’s finished dripping, fill a glass entirely with ice so that the hot coffee is instantly chilled when pouring. 

Pro tip: To avoid a weak or watered-down flavor, increase the ratio of coffee to water. This will keep your brew strong and bold, even when mixed with cold water and ice. 

For some people, the way they make their drip coffee is not an exact science. But for others, the ratio is everything! Do a little experimenting to find your perfect ratio, but we recommend starting with two tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water. If you like a stronger brew, add more grounds. For a weaker flavor, increase the water. 

While some people are adamant that medium roasts make the best drip coffee due to their traditionally balanced feel and well-rounded body, the truth is that you can use any coffee bean you like! As long as they are ground at the right setting, light, medium, and dark roasts, all make wonderful cups of auto drip. Play around with a few varieties to find the one you love. 

Drip coffee is truly the simplest way to make a standard cup of coffee. While you can’t do anything extra fancy, like a traditional latte or Turkish, drip brewers make multiple servings in one go. Many people boast their love of drip because their machines let them prep and set the night before so they can wake up, roll over, and enjoy their brew first thing every morning!

If your cup of coffee is tasting a little one-note, don’t panic! While other brewing methods, such as Chemex or pour-over, automatically release more aromas and flavors, it is possible to get the same amazing taste profiles from the drip coffee. Using fresh beans, hand grinding your servings the day of, and regularly cleaning your coffee pot will help those top notes blossom.