How to Brew Coffee with the Clever Dripper

What is the Clever Dripper?

The Clever Dripper combines the full immersion of a French Press with the clarity of a pour-over. Thanks to its release valve, the coffee stays immersed until you’re ready to drain it, offering a clean, rich, and well-balanced cup — ideal for exploring the sweetness and structure of specialty coffees.

Ratio & Preparation

For around 300–350 ml of coffee:

Coffee: 22 g
Water: 340 g at 93–94°C
Grind: Medium to medium-coarse (slightly coarser than pour-over)
Filter: Paper filter, rinsed before use
Preheat the dripper before brewing

Step-by-Step Brewing Instructions

Place a paper filter in the Clever Dripper and rinse it with hot water. Discard rinse water.
Add 22 g of coffee.
Start your timer and pour ~50–60 g of water for the bloom. Let it sit for 30–45 seconds.
Pour the rest of the water (until 340 g), gently swirl or stir, and cover with a lid.
After 2–3 minutes, place the Clever Dripper on your cup or server — the valve opens and coffee drains.
Drain time should take about 30–60 seconds. Remove and serve.

Common Mistakes & Fixes

Mistake	What It Causes	How to Fix It
Grind too coarse	Weak or hollow flavor	Use a slightly finer grind
Water too hot (>95°C)	Bitter, burned notes	Keep temperature at 93–94°C
No bloom	Flat or muted flavor	Always bloom with ~2x water for 30 sec
Leaving coffee too long	Over-extraction, bitterness	Pour immediately after 3 min
Drain too fast or slow	Unstable result	Adjust grind size accordingly