Coffee is among the most consumed beverages in the world. The daily consumption rate is around 2 billion cups of coffee, with about 1 billion coffee drinkers worldwide. As the demand for coffee increases, so do the coffee brewing techniques. There are many coffee brewing methods used at home and for commercial purposes – from boiling, dripping, and steeping to pressure coffee brewing methods. Some of these methods are familiar to many, while others may be new. Mostly, coffee drinkers have different preferences as well as one or two favorite brewing methods. This explains the different coffee brewing methods available.

That said, this article is going to discuss the clever coffee dripper. This is a coffee brewing method that is a mix between the pour-over coffee maker and the French press. The clever coffee dripper combines filter and immersion coffee extraction methods. We’ll discuss how the clever coffee dripper works and everything you need to know about it. Let’s get started!

What is a Clever Coffee Dripper?

As mentioned, a clever coffee dripper is a coffee brewing device that combines the immersion and filtration methods of coffee extraction. Coffee from the clever coffee dripper is well-balanced, flavorful, and has a rich body that’s similar to coffee brewed using a French press. Additionally, coffee extracted from this device is clear and sediment or sludge-free, similar to that of a pour-over, thanks to the paper filter used.

Usually, the clever coffee dripper is a quick and easy-to-use manual brewing device – Your coffee is ready within 2 to 3 minutes and with minimal effort and intervention. This brewing device is ideal for coffee enthusiasts who treasure a hands-on coffee-making experience. The best part is that the brewing method eliminates the drawbacks of the French press and pour-over coffee extraction methods. The clever coffee dripper is cone-shaped and made of BPA-free plastic material that’s medically graded.

Additionally, the coffee dripper comes with a stand and lid. The clever coffee dripper is sold in two sizes – 16 oz or 475ml (the larger one) and 11 oz or 325ml (the small one). Here’s how a clever coffee dripper works.

How Does a Clever Coffee Dripper Work?

The clever coffee dripper uses pour-over and immersion technology to brew coffee. Usually, a pour-over dripper is used to pour water onto the coffee grounds to saturate the coffee grounds. On the other hand, a French press, the immersion device, is used to steep the coffee grounds in hot water during the brewing process. Through the special valve in the clever coffee dripper, you can control the flow rate of the brew. After the brewing time, the coffee is then filtered using a paper filter to remove any sediments in the beverage, which can be unpleasant. The brewed coffee then flows through the holes at the bottom of the clever coffee dripper, producing rich and clear coffee.

Here’s a summary of how a clever coffee dripper works:

Stage 1

You pour the water on the coffee grounds to saturate them, just like in a pour-over dripper.

Stage 2

Instead of the water dripping through the saturated coffee grounds, a weight-controlled valve remains closed, keeping the water in the coffee grounds intact in the brew chamber for it to steep for as long as needed, just like in a French press.

Stage 3

Once the water has steeped as required, the clever coffee dripper is placed over a carafe, whereby the draining valve is released, allowing the coffee to drip and filter through the paper filter into the carafe. The coffee filtering process in a clever coffee dripper is known as drawing down.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using a clever coffee dripper.

How to Use a Clever Coffee Dripper

What you’ll need

• Coffee beans
• Water
• Grinder
• Digital kitchen scale
• Filter paper
• Spoon
• Kettle
• Carafe
• Clever dripper with a lid and a coaster
• Timer

Instructions

1. Using the digital kitchen scale, weigh your coffee beans. You’ll need freshly roasted coffee beans for a great cup of coffee. The ratio of coffee to water should be 1:16, which equals 21 grams of coffee for 336 grams or 12 ounces of water for the smaller clever dripper model. On the other hand, you’ll need 24 grams of coffee and 400 grams or 14 ounces of water for a larger clever dripper model.
2. Grind your coffee beans. You’ll need a medium grind for a clever coffee dripper with a slightly coarser consistency than the grind you would use for a pour-over. Additionally, the grind should be slightly finer than the grind used for a French press. Generally, the consistency should be similar to that of granulated sugar or table salt.
3. Boil your water to a temperature between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Prepare the clever dripper by preheating it using hot water. This helps rinse the dripper, remove the papery flavor from the coffee filter, ensure uniformity of the coffee during the extraction process, and improve the flavor of your brew. Here’s how to prepare your clever dripper:

• Place the filter into the dripper
• Pour some hot water over the paper filter to rinse it
• Place the clever dripper onto a cup to collect the rinsing water. Discard the water.

5. Place your clever dripper on a scale, then add your coffee grounds. Give the dripper a shake to level the coffee grounds and eliminate any air pockets. Add the required amount of water, ensuring that the grounds are fully saturated. You don’t need to bloom your coffee when using a clever coffee dripper.
6. Set the timer for one to two minutes and place the coffee dripper lid to keep the temperature intact as the coffee steeps.
7. Place the dripper on a coaster. Ensure you don’t place the dripper on a carafe since it will activate the release valve.
8. After a minute, slowly stir the crust or brew to ensure that the coffee grounds are fully immersed.
9. After two and a half minutes of steeping, place the clever dripper on a carafe to draw down the coffee. The coffee grounds are left on filter paper as the coffee drips into the carafe. This process takes about 30 to 45 seconds. Ensure that the carafe is the perfect size for the brew. You don’t want the coffee to overflow on the counter.

Tips for Making Coffee Using the clever coffee Dripper

• If the drawdown process of the coffee is fast, make the grind finer to prevent a weaker brew.
• If the drawdown process takes longer than required, make the grind coarser to prevent over-extraction
• If your coffee is too strong or not strong enough, try adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio to suit your preferences. Usually, if the coffee tastes weak, try adding a gram more coffee grounds. On the other hand, if the coffee tastes too intense, try subtracting a gram of coffee grounds. Alternatively, allow the coffee to steep longer or shorter to adjust the strength of your brew.
• If your coffee tastes acidic, it indicates that the grounds are too coarse; try making them a bit finer. On the other hand, bitter coffee is a result of over-extraction. Try making the coffee grounds coarser.
• Regarding coffee filters, use something other than reusable filters for clever coffee drippers since they don’t fit properly. Instead, stick to filter papers.

A clever coffee dripper is easy to use. You’ll only need to experiment a few times until your brew is as required. Additionally, the clever coffee dripper is easy to clean. You’ll need to discard the paper filter or save it for addition to the compost, then gently clean the dripper cone.