How to Brew Drip Coffee

Medium-ground coffee for a drip machine
Medium grind, for drip.

Direct answer. Use 60 grams of medium-ground coffee per liter of water (about 1:16), a paper or mesh filter that fits the basket, and a clean machine. A full pot usually takes 4 to 8 minutes. If the pot tastes weak, the cause is nearly always too little coffee, a grind that is too coarse, or old coffee.

Recipe card

Dose 60 g (weigh it; tablespoons vary too much to trust)
Water 1,000 g (1 liter)
Ratio 1:16
Grind Medium, like coarse sand
Temperature 195 to 205°F (90 to 96°C), set by the machine
Time About 4 to 8 minutes for a full pot

Steps

  1. Weigh the whole beans and grind them just before brewing. Aim for medium, about the texture of coarse sand.
  2. Rinse the paper filter with hot water in the sink. It removes the paper taste and warms the carafe.
  3. Level the grounds in the basket so water passes through evenly.
  4. Fill the reservoir with fresh, cold water. Weigh it the first time to learn where the markings land. A machine "cup" is usually 5 to 6 oz, not 8 oz.
  5. Brew, then pour it all into a carafe or mugs soon after. A warming plate left on will cook the coffee and turn it bitter.

Troubleshooting

  • Weak or watery. Raise the dose first. If you are at 1:16 already, grind a little finer. Stale coffee also tastes thin. We cover this in detail in our post on why drip coffee turns out watery.
  • Bitter. Grind is too fine, or the coffee sat on the hot plate. Go slightly coarser.
  • Sour. The machine may not be reaching temperature. Run a plain water cycle and measure it. Many budget machines fall short of 195°F. Descale if you have hard water.
  • Slow drain or overflow. Grounds too fine, or the filter is folded wrong.

Clean the carafe and basket with soap after use. Oils build up and taste rancid. If you use a Keurig, go to the Keurig page.

FAQ

How much coffee for 12 cups?

A 12-cup machine with 5 oz cups holds about 60 oz of water, about 1,775 g. At 1:16 that is about 110 g of coffee. Check your machine's markings, since "cup" sizes differ.

Does a more expensive drip machine make better coffee?

Often yes, mainly because it heats water into the 195 to 205°F range and spreads it evenly. The SCA certifies home brewers that meet those standards.

Should I use filtered water?

It helps if your tap water tastes of chlorine or is very hard. See grind and water.

Paper or mesh filter?

Paper gives a cleaner cup. Mesh lets oils through and gives a heavier body. Both work.

Can I reheat coffee?

You can, but flavor suffers. Keep it in a preheated insulated carafe instead of on a hot plate.

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