Better Coffee From a Drip Coffee Maker
Small changes that make the machine you own brew a better pot.
No Machine?A drip coffee maker is the most common way Americans brew coffee at home, and it is easy to make it better without buying anything new. The machine heats water and showers it over grounds in a filter basket; your job is to give it the right coffee, water and care.
The Starting Point
The National Coffee Association calls 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every 6 ounces of water the “Golden Ratio” for drip coffee. Note that the “cup” markings on many machines are smaller than a standard 8-ounce mug, so measure your water rather than trusting the lines. Use a medium grind, similar to kosher salt.
Step by Step
- Fill the reservoir with cold, fresh water, filtered if your tap water tastes off.
- Put a filter in the basket; rinse paper filters with hot water if you notice a papery taste.
- Add medium-ground coffee and level it.
- Start the brew. Contact time in a typical drip machine is about 5 minutes.
- When it finishes, give the pot a swirl to mix the stronger first coffee with the lighter last.
- Serve, or move the coffee to an insulated carafe rather than leaving it on the hot plate.
How to Brew Coffee in a Pot (Drip Carafe) for a Crowd
For a full pot, measure the water in ounces, then use the ratio: at 1–2 tablespoons per 6 ounces, a pot for guests needs considerably more coffee than many people expect. If the coffee tastes weak, add grounds before you change anything else. If it tastes bitter, try a slightly coarser grind. Brew close to serving time; coffee held hot for a long time loses its aroma.
Paper filters give the cleanest cup; permanent mesh filters let through a little more oil and body and need rinsing after each use. Either works — just keep the grind medium so the basket drains without overflowing.
No machine at all? You can also brew a pot on the stove — see how to brew coffee in a pot without a coffee maker.
Keep the Machine Clean
- Rinse the brew basket and any permanent filter after every use.
- Wash the carafe and basket regularly with hot, soapy water.
- Descale as your manual directs; manufacturers commonly recommend every 3 to 6 months, more often with hard water.
- Leave the lid open between uses so the reservoir can dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my coffee maker?
Rinse the basket and carafe after each use and wash them in hot soapy water regularly. The National Coffee Association notes that major manufacturers recommend descaling at least every 3 to 6 months; follow your machine’s manual.
Why does my drip coffee taste burnt?
Often because it has been sitting on the hot plate. Turn the warmer off after brewing and move the coffee to an insulated carafe if you need to keep it hot.
Machine Out of Action?
Here is how to brew coffee with nothing but a pot, a stove and something to strain with.
Brew Without a Machine