Chapter 4: How to choose your coffee dripper?
Now that you have understood how to choose the best beans for yourself, it’s time to choose your coffee dripper! Among the many types of coffee makers on the market, how do we choose the right one?
Previously, we introduced 10 different drippers in detail on our blog. In this article, we are going to summarise the reviews in 5 aspects. Looking at these aspects, you can decide what you like most and find your favourite dripper.
Read more: Drippers Review & Recipes
1. Shape
The shape of the dripper affects the extraction space, the depth and size of the filtering layer. New drippers come into play every day, and we are always open to try and test new products.
Generally, dripper shapes can be divided into the following 3 types:
Cone-shaped
This is the most popular dripper shape in recent years. The main feature for cone-shaped drippers is its large hole in the bottom, prominent ribs, and fast flow rate. Among the different cone-shaped drippers on the market, most are designed to be 60 degrees. A typical example is Hario V60. Compared with the earlier trapezoid and flat-bottomed shape, cone-shaped drippers brew coffee that is relatively balanced and rich in layers. This is due to its deep filter layer and uniform extraction.
Since cone-shaped dripper has a fast flow rate and concentrated early extraction, the fruity and acidic taste is more outstanding. Though, the flow rate could also be too fast, resulting in an insufficient extraction, thin body, plain and acidic flavour.
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) conducted a research on drip coffee and found that with light roasted coffee, it is more likely that cone-shaped drippers brew fruity and sweet flavours, such as citrus, berries, and sweet floral aromas.
We are fond of Flower Dripper and Origami Dripper. They both have a uniform extraction, sweet aroma and stable performance.
Read more: CAFEC Flower Dripper vs. Hario V60
Trapezoid
The trapezoid dripper reminds us of traditional Japanese coffee shops in the old times, where the barista was brewing coffee in a warm and comfortable atmosphere.
The ancestor of the trapezoid dripper is from the brand Melitta in Germany with a long history. In recent years, most common trapezoid dripper brands include Melitta, Kalita, Clever, and Cafec.
For lighter roasted coffee beans, this dripper can brew more nutty, sweet and floral aromas. For darker roasted coffee beans, it brews a rich chocolate, cocoa taste and woody aroma.
Generally, compared with a cone-shaped dripper, brewing with a trapezoid dripper takes a longer time and has a mellower and richer aroma.
Using the fill-it-up brewing technique, you can easily bring out the unique aroma of the coffee!
Read more: Cafec 101/102 Trapezoid Dripper
Flat-bottomed
It is used with a wave filter with 20 waves, so it is also called the wave dripper or the “cake dripper”.
Its design is to have a uniform extraction using the immersion brewing method, so the slow water flow can extend the brewing time. The coffee brew with this dripper has a very rich and complex flavour compared with cone-shaped and trapezoid-shaped drippers. The body is very thick and sweet, concentrated in the middle and late stages of extraction. Though, over-extraction that brings out unpleasant tastes is very easy to happen, especially for beginners.
A gospel for drip coffee beginner: the Korean Clever Dripper, Gabi's Drip Master A is released, and it is making you a coffee master in no time!
The Gabi's most unique feature is its rain shower nozzle. The drip tray, with 16 holes in the middle, is like the design of the shower head. The holes are widely distributed, the water flow is stable, and the coffee powder can be sprinkled evenly. THE GABI brewer is wider and deeper than the Kalita Wave dripper.
Read more: 10-day Flat bottom Challenge - Day 4 (The Gabi's Master A)
Other shapes
There are still many other kinds of drippers, including hexagonal, shallower or deeper ones, environmentally friendly drippers that brew without filter paper, and drippers that can adjust the flow rate. You can always explore and experiment with these drippers as you like!
Read more: Cafec Deep Dripper
2. Material
Drippers are mainly made of resin, plastic ceramic, glass, and metal. These materials not only affect the temperature, but also slightly affect the flow rate.
Regarding heat resistance, we must talk about thermal conductivity. The higher the thermal conductivity, the more heat energy is taken away by the material. Therefore, for coffee brewing, the performance of metal drippers, such as stainless steel and copper, is not the best choice. The resin dripper would be a much better choice. Some may think that ceramics are good for maintaining temperature. Yes, good ceramics have low thermal conductivity, but for the poorly made ceramics, which are rough, uneven and fragile, the results may not be as ideal.
To ensure a better brewing performance, you might as well warm the cup before brewing the coffee.
Regarding the flow rate, this is actually related to the degree of rib protrusion. Resin and glass are more prominent, while ceramics have a shiny and smooth surface due to the firing process and glazing, which also has a certain effect on the flow rate. If you ask me which one fits the developers' minds the most, I don't know, but I'm so sure that they are definitely different products.
Read more: Resin Flower Dripper - Does Material Matter?
3. Ribs
Ribs determine the flow rate.
Ribs provide space between the filter paper and the dripper. Coffee not only leaks vertically, but also penetrates horizontally. Ribs provide space and outlet for the coffee, and they can improve water clogging. With a good rib design, you will see that the space between the ribs and the filter paper is full of moisture after brewing.
4. Size/ Portion
The bigger the size the better?
You have to first think about your coffee drinking habits and for how many people you want to brew for most of the time. The structure of each dripper is different, it has the most suitable portion for brewing. For example, Cafec Flower Dripper Cup 1 is suitable for brewing 1-2 cups, and Cup 4 is suitable for brewing 2-4 cups. If it is used indiscriminately, the function of the filter cup cannot be brought into play. My tip is that going for the smaller size is usually better. If you have a small dripper, you can always brew several cups of delicious coffee. But if you only have a large one, it is hard to brew for a small portion.
Several large drippers (for 3-7 cups) are collecting dust at my home.
Read more: Cafec Deep Dripper
5. Appearance
“Don’t judge a book by its cover!”
But in the end, appearance matters a lot. Afterall, a good quality dripper stays with you for a long time and you’d be looking at it every day. Of course it’s best to choose one that has both a good appearance and a good taste. Choose one that you immediately fall in love with!
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Chapter 3: How to choose Coffee Beans?
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