Coffee Drip Filters and How to Use Them

Coffee drippers are nothing new, but they’ve been enjoying a bit of a resurgence in recent years because of the quality of the coffee they deliver. Also known as a pour-over or filter coffee maker, they’re simple brewing devices that allow anyone to make really flavourful cup of coffee.

The simple fact of the matter is that people have recognised that coffee drippers allow much more control than most other forms of coffee kit, giving you the ability to be totally precise with your brew.

Meaning that all the variables that come into play when you brew your coffee can be controlled, such as water temperature, pour rate, and brewing time. All of which ultimately influence the extraction of flavour from the coffee grounds and allow you to achieve the desired flavour characteristics for your specific brew.

But not only that coffee drippers, when used correctly, provide an even extraction of flavour from your chosen coffee, because the filter used in the dripper helps make sure that the water flows evenly through the grounds, extracting flavours uniformly, avoiding either over-extraction or under-extraction, resulting in a well-balanced cup of coffee.

And if you weren’t already convinced they’re the business when it comes to keep your brew clean too, once again those hand filters do their thing and trap oils and sediments and stop them from getting into your cup.

Handily due to size constraints most drippers require small batch brewing too, so the tendency is to use freshly ground coffee for immediate brewing,  which also massively enhances the overall taste experience.

We’ve got a wide selection of kit to get you started on your drip brewing journey: including the iconic Japanese classic V60 Coffee Dripper designed by Hario and the Loveramics Brewer’s Ceramic Coffee Dripper. We’ve also got a whole range of filters papers, tasting cups, drip kettles, coffee scales and decanters to choose from, which can be bought from our online store: https://farrerscoffee.co.uk/collections/home-brewing

As you’ll discover drippers can vary quite a bit between single serve and those that are capable of making several cups at a time, but the one thing they all have in common is that they all follow the same design principle and as a result pretty much work in exactly the same way and here’s our handy step by step guide to get you brewing at home:

1. Start by heating water to your desired temperature, usually around 90-96°C. (Boiling water can scald the coffee, and water that too cool won’t extract the coffee’s flavours properly).
2. Place a paper or reusable filter into the neck of the coffee dripper and set it over your coffee mug or carafe.
3. Add freshly ground coffee to the filter. The grind size should be medium-fine. (similar to granulated sugar). Use about 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 180 ml of water, which you can adjust depending on how strong you like your coffee.
4. Begin the brewing process by pouring a small amount of hot water (twice the weight of the coffee) over the grounds, just enough to wet them evenly. This is called the "bloom" and allows the coffee to release any trapped gases and gently start the extraction process.
5. After 30 seconds or so, continue pouring hot water slowly and evenly in a circular motion over the coffee grounds, with the aim of saturating the coffee, but maintaining a consistent water level, allowing the water to pass evenly through the filter and extract the coffee flavours in the process.
6. Aim to complete the pour-over in about 2-4 minutes, adjusting the speed to control the extraction. Finer grinds require a slower pour, coarser grinds are fine with a slightly faster pour.
7. Once you've poured all the water, allow the dripper to finish draining completely. Lift the dripper off the mug or carafe, discard the filter with the used coffee grounds, and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee…

 

Some coffee drippers still require the use of paper filters, while others feature stainless steel filters that are washable and reusable. Although coffee drippers do not heat water like standard coffee makers, they do give you the option to heat water to the specific temperature you want. To brew the best coffee using a dripper, don’t forget to keep these handy hints and tips in mind:

• Use high-quality, freshly roasted coffee beans for optimal flavour.
• Grind the coffee just before brewing for maximum freshness.
• Maintain a consistent water temperature throughout the brewing process.
• Experiment with different coffee-to-water ratios and brewing times to find your preferred taste.
• Clean your coffee dripper regularly to prevent any buildup of oils and residue that can affect the end result.

Now you’ve got all the information we think you’ll need to begin enjoying making coffee with a dripper and really savour the flavour!