How I Started Brewing Filter Coffee (Without Fancy Equipment)

I actually haven’t been into filter coffee for that long.

I started brewing it simply because I wanted a way to taste and test new coffees without needing a professional espresso machine. And the good news: you don’t need years of experience to get great results. So yes — there is hope for you too 😄

In this article I’ll share my current method and what I learned so far. And please — if you have tips or feedback, I’d love to hear how you brew your coffee.

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Water Temperature

I aim for 94°C.

Nothing fancy here — I don’t use a gooseneck kettle. I simply heat the water in a small stainless steel milk pitcher (the one you know from latte art videos). Mine cost around 6 € and works perfectly.

Simple tools are more than enough.

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Grinding the Coffee

While the water is heating, I grind the beans.

After testing a different grind size every day for a while, my current favorite is:

17 clicks on my Timemore grinder

Of course this depends on the grinder and the coffee. So experiment — that’s honestly part of the fun.

My current ratio:

12 g coffee → 200 ml water

A simple and balanced starting point.

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Pre-heating the Equipment

Once the water reaches temperature, I pour it over the paper filter and the dripper into the glass server.

This step pre-heats everything and removes the paper taste from the filter. Small step — big impact.

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The Pouring Technique (My Current Ritual)

Now the fun begins.

1. Add the ground coffee to the filter

2. First pour: just enough water to fully cover the coffee

3. Wait for the bloom — let the coffee “wake up”

4. Continue pouring slowly

My method is intentionally simple and intuitive:
I keep pouring small amounts so the coffee bed is always covered with water — never too dry, never flooded.

I don’t measure time.
I don’t track exact pouring grams.

I simply watch the water level and learn from repetition.

And honestly? After 7–8 brews you start to feel how small changes affect flavor. That discovery process is part of what makes filter coffee so enjoyable.

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Why I Love This Approach

I know this description is a bit vague.

But that’s the beauty of filter coffee:
It’s a craft you discover through repetition and curiosity.

You don’t need perfect technique.
You just need to start.

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Your Turn

I’d love to hear how you brew your filter coffee.
Do you measure time and grams? Or do you brew intuitively?

Let me know your method — I’m always happy to learn 🙂

P.S. If you’re not sure how to grind your coffee or don’t have the right equipment yet, just let us know whether you prepare your coffee as espresso or filter — we’ll grind it the right way for you 🙂

Of course, freshly ground coffee will always give you the best result.
But not everything has to be perfect.