How to make good filter coffee in a coffee machine
Filter coffee from a standard coffee machine can taste really good when the ratio of coffee to water, the grind size, and the freshness of the coffee are all in check.
You don't need advanced equipment. With freshly ground coffee beans, the right dosage, and a clean coffee machine, you can achieve a more balanced and delicious cup of coffee – while also making the result easier to repeat time after time.
Quick recipe for filter coffee
A good starting point is 60 grams of coffee per liter of water.
This corresponds to, for example:
- 15 g of coffee to 250 ml of water
- 30 g of coffee to 500 ml of water
- 45 g of coffee to 750 ml of water
- 60 g of coffee to 1 liter of water
Use a medium grind size and fresh, cold water. Preferably grind the coffee beans immediately before brewing.
Once the coffee is ready, it should be served immediately or poured into a thermos rather than sitting on the coffee machine's hot plate for a long time.
How much coffee should you use for filter coffee?
60 grams of coffee per liter of water is a good place to start.
The precise ratio can be adjusted according to your taste and the coffee beans you use. If you prefer a stronger cup, you can use a little more coffee. If you want a milder coffee, you can reduce the dosage.
It is best to weigh both coffee and water rather than dosing with spoons. A coffee scale makes it easier to repeat a brew you are satisfied with.
How much coffee for 10 cups?
Here you should be a little careful with the coffee machine's cup indicators.
A "cup" on a coffee machine is not necessarily the same as a regular coffee mug, and capacity varies between manufacturers.
Therefore, base your measurement on the actual amount of water.
If, for example, the 10-cup mark on your machine corresponds to 1.25 liters of water, 60 grams per liter will equal approximately 75 grams of coffee.
This makes grams of coffee per liter more precise than simply using a specific number of spoons per cup.
Which grind size should I use for filter coffee?
For a standard filter coffee machine, a medium grind size is a good starting point.
The coffee should usually be coarser than for espresso but finer than for a French press.
The grind size affects how quickly the water moves through the coffee grounds and how much is extracted from the coffee.
If the coffee tastes thin, sour, or lacks sweetness, you can try grinding a little finer.
If the coffee tastes very bitter or dry, you can try a slightly coarser grind size.
Try changing one thing at a time so you can taste which adjustment makes the difference.
Why use freshly ground coffee beans?
Whole coffee beans protect the coffee's aroma better than pre-ground coffee.
When the coffee is ground, the surface area becomes much larger, and it is affected more quickly by air and the surroundings.
That is why we recommend storing coffee as whole beans and grinding the amount you need shortly before brewing.
A good coffee grinder also makes it possible to adjust the grind size for your coffee machine.
Which coffee beans are best for filter coffee?
There is no single coffee bean that is best for filter coffee. The choice depends on the taste you prefer.
Light roast coffee for filter coffee
Light roast coffee beans can highlight fruity, floral, and more lively flavor notes. They are a good choice if you want to experience more of the coffee's original character.
Medium roast coffee for filter coffee
Medium roast coffee is a versatile choice for a coffee machine and a good place to start. Here you often get a balance between sweetness, body, acidity, and roast character.
Dark roast coffee for filter coffee
Dark roast coffee typically provides a stronger cup with lower perceived acidity and more prominent roasted flavor notes.
So, there is no reason to always choose medium roast coffee. Try different roast levels and find the style you like best.
The water has a major impact on filter coffee
A cup of filter coffee consists mainly of water, so the quality of the water naturally affects the result.
Use fresh, cold water in the coffee machine.
Very hard or mineral-rich water can affect both the taste of the coffee and the coffee machine over time. If you live in an area with very hard water, filtered water might be worth a try.
Do not use water that has been sitting in the coffee machine's reservoir for a long time.
At what temperature should filter coffee be brewed?
For filter brewing, water around 92–96 °C is a good general starting point.
On an automatic coffee machine, you usually cannot control the temperature yourself. Therefore, the machine's ability to heat the water sufficiently is important.
If the water is too cold, the coffee can become thin and underdeveloped in taste.
However, temperature is only one factor. Coffee beans, grind size, dosage, and brew time also play a role.
Should the coffee filter be rinsed first?
You can rinse the paper filter with hot water before brewing.
This can remove any paper taste and at the same time warm up the filter holder.
On a standard coffee machine, however, it is not necessary to brew good coffee. See it as a little extra detail rather than a requirement.
Distribute the coffee evenly in the filter
When the ground coffee is poured into the filter, you can carefully ensure that the coffee bed is relatively even.
You don't need to press or tamp the coffee.
An even surface gives the machine's water distribution a better starting point.
The quality of the coffee machine itself also plays a role because different machines distribute water differently over the coffee bed.
Should the coffee stay on the hot plate?
Preferably not for very long.
When finished coffee sits on a hot plate, it continues to be heated, and the taste can gradually change.
If the coffee isn't to be drunk immediately, a thermos is therefore a better solution.
A coffee machine with a thermos is practical if you often brew larger amounts of coffee that need to stay warm.
Why does my filter coffee taste bitter?
Bitter or very dry coffee can be caused by several things.
Too fine a grind size can increase extraction. A very high coffee dosage, very dark-roasted coffee beans, or coffee that has been sitting on a hot plate for a long time can also contribute.
First, try grinding a little coarser and taste again.
If you are using dark roast coffee, you can also try a medium roast to see if it suits your taste better.
Why does my filter coffee taste sour or thin?
If the coffee tastes thin, sharp, or unpleasantly sour, you can try increasing the extraction.
A slightly finer grind size is a good place to start.
At the same time, check that you are using enough coffee and that the coffee machine actually heats the water sufficiently.
Remember, however, that fruitiness and acidity can also be natural characteristics in, especially, light-roasted coffee beans. Acidity is therefore not automatically a sign of a bad brew.
Keep the coffee machine clean
Even good coffee beans can taste bad if the coffee machine is dirty.
Coffee oils can accumulate in the filter holder, carafe, and other parts, while limescale can build up inside the machine.
Therefore, regularly clean the parts that come into contact with coffee, and descale the coffee machine as needed and according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If you use the coffee machine every day, regular cleaning is particularly important.
A simple method for better filter coffee
If you want to improve your filter coffee, you don't need to change everything at once.
Start with 60 grams of freshly ground coffee per liter of water and a medium grind size.
Taste the coffee.
Is it thin or sharp? Then try a slightly finer grind. Is it bitter and dry? Then try a slightly coarser one.
When the dosage and grind size are right, you can start experimenting with different coffee beans and roast levels.
That way, you also learn which changes actually make your coffee better.
Frequently asked questions about filter coffee
How much coffee should I use per liter of water?
60 grams of coffee per liter of water is a good starting point. Then adjust the dosage to your own taste.
How many grams of coffee should I use for 500 ml of water?
Start with about 30 grams of coffee for 500 ml of water.
How much coffee should I use for 1.25 liters of water?
At 60 grams of coffee per liter, you should use about 75 grams of coffee for 1.25 liters of water.
How finely should coffee be ground for a coffee machine?
A medium grind size is a good starting point. Adjust slightly finer if the coffee becomes thin or sour, and slightly coarser if it becomes very bitter or dry.
Which roast level is best for filter coffee?
All roast levels can be used. Light roast coffee typically provides more fruitiness and acidity, medium roast coffee is often balanced and versatile, while dark roast coffee provides a stronger and more roasted flavor profile.
Should I use whole coffee beans?
You can use pre-ground coffee, but whole coffee beans ground shortly before brewing provide a better opportunity to both preserve the aroma and adjust the grind size.
Should the paper filter be rinsed?
It is not a requirement, but you can rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper taste and warm up the filter holder.
How long can filter coffee stay on the hot plate?
Coffee usually tastes best shortly after brewing. If it needs to be kept warm for a long time, we recommend pouring it into a thermos rather than letting it sit on the hot plate.