Automatic drip coffee makers are a staple in many homes, offering convenience and consistency. While often underestimated, a well-prepared cup from an automatic machine can be flavorful and satisfying with a few key techniques.
☕ Who's it for?
The automatic drip brewer is perfect for those who appreciate the ease of brewing multiple cups of coffee at once without the need for manual brewing techniques. It’s great for households or offices that want consistent, no-fuss coffee, but still value quality.
With the proper grind size and water-to-coffee ratio, automatic coffee brewers can make a great cup, but if you're interested in maximizing the flavor potential of your coffee (and learning a new, fun craft), we recommend trying a more manual brewing method when you're ready.
Drip coffee brewers are suitable for just about any roast level, but we recommend starting with medium to dark roasts and blends before diving into lighter roasts and single-origin coffees.
📋 What You'll Need
- Freshly Roasted FreeForm Coffee
- Automatic Drip Coffee Brewer (We're partial to this one, but any will do)
- Burr Grinder
- Gram Scale or Measuring Scoop
- Filtered Water
- Coffee Filters (if your machine requires them)
📖 Step-by-Step Recipe
- Prepare Water: Fill the machine’s water reservoir with filtered water. For best results, use 1.75 liters (59 oz) of water for a full 12-cup pot, or scale down accordingly for smaller batches.
- Grind Coffee: Use 66g of freshly ground coffee for a full pot (12 cups) or roughly 8-10 tablespoons if measuring by volume. Adjust the amount to match your preferred strength or machine’s capacity. Use a medium grind for automatic drip brewers—similar to coarse sand.
- Load the Coffee: Place a paper filter in the machine’s basket (if required) and add your ground coffee.
- Brew: Start the machine and allow it to complete the brew cycle. Most automatic drip machines take 5-10 minutes to brew a full pot.
- Serve: Once the coffee is brewed, stir the pot to mix the different layers for an even flavor. Pour and enjoy!
🔑 Key Notes
- Coffee-to-Water Ratio: For a full pot, use approximately 1g of coffee for every 15-17g of water (or 1 tablespoon per 6 ounces of water).
- Grind Size: A medium grind works best for automatic drip brewers. Adjust the grind if the coffee tastes weak (grind finer) or bitter (grind coarser).
- Grind Fresh: For optimal flavor, grind your coffee right before brewing.
- Filtered Water: Using filtered water improves the taste of the coffee and prevents mineral buildup in your machine.
⚠️ Troubleshooting & Tips
- Weak Coffee? Try using a finer grind or adding a bit more coffee to your next brew.
- Bitter Coffee? Use a coarser grind or reduce the amount of coffee for a milder flavor.
- Mineral Buildup? Descale your machine regularly to prevent buildup from affecting the taste of your coffee.
- Brew for Flavor: Avoid leaving brewed coffee on the warming plate for extended periods—it can result in a burnt taste. Transfer to a thermos if needed.
👍 Happy Brewing!
The automatic drip coffee maker may be simple, but with freshly ground coffee and a little care, you can brew a consistently great cup every time.
