How to Make Coffee

Coffee is one of the world’s most beloved morning rituals. It’s bold, aromatic, and full of warmth. Whether you're using a drip machine, french press, or brewing in a traditional coffee pot, there are countless ways to make a delicious cup of coffee at home.

We’ll walk you through how to make coffee, no matter the brewing style you prefer. Take a look at our full collection of Coffee Makers to explore coffee making machines.

Coffee Making Basics

Coffee is made by steeping ground coffee beans in hot water. The brewing method you choose affects the flavor, texture, and strength of your coffee.

To get the best results, you’ll need the right beans, grind size, water temperature, and brew time. Mastering these elements will help you make coffee you love every morning.

How to Make Coffee with a Drip Machine

Drip coffee making is one of the most common home brewing methods. We have the essential steps to drip coffee brewing below, but if you’re ever wondering about the best brewing method of your unique machine, don’t hesitate to consult your coffee maker manual.

1. Choose Your Coffee Beans

Pick freshly roasted beans. Medium roast is a great all-around choice, but feel free to experiment with light or dark roasts. It’s best to buy your beans whole so that you can grind them at home and achieve the best taste.

2. Grind Your Coffee

The ways you grind your beans will depend on your brewing method.

For drip brewing, aim for a medium grind with the texture of coarse sand.
Using a burr grinder gives more consistent results than a blade grinder.
Even better, some coffee makers are designed to grind and brew at once, grinding the beans directly into your machine.

3. Set Up the Filter

Place a coffee filter in the basket of your machine. Paper filters are standard, but some machines also support reusable mesh or gold tone filters that can be re-used.

4. Measure Your Coffee and Water

A general guideline is one scoop of coffee grinds to each cup of coffee, but this can be measured with grams for the ultimate accuracy and adjusted to taste. If too much ground coffee is added to your machine, it may cause an overflow, so be sure to review your coffee maker manual if you’re unsure of your machine’s exact measurements.

5. Start the Brew

Fill the reservoir with your measured water, start the machine, and wait for your coffee to brew. This step usually takes 1 minute per cup of coffee brewed.

6. Enjoy and Clean

Pour your coffee into a mug and clean the machine after each use to keep flavors fresh. Cleaning the machine each day should involve wiping down any spills and emptying the spent grinds in the filter. Consider descaling your coffee maker every few months.

How to Brew Coffee in a Pot (Stovetop or Manual)

It’s fun to sometimes test new brewing methods without a machine. The classic stovetop method is also called manual pour-over or cowboy coffee, which is simple and rustic, but surprisingly satisfying.

Boil water on the stove.
Add coarsely ground coffee directly to the water.
Let the coffee steep for about 4 minutes.
Pour slowly through a fine mesh strainer or filter into a mug.

How to Make French Press Coffee

The French press is known for rich, full-bodied coffee with lots of flavor. This method takes a bit more time but is very rewarding to master.

Use Coarse Grounds: French press coffee works best with coarsely ground beans, similar to sea salt in texture.
Heat Your Water: Bring your water to just below boiling, about 200°F (93°C).
Add Coffee Grounds: For an 8-cup French press, use between 1-2 tablespoons of coffee, depending on your taste.
Pour and Stir: Pour hot water over the grounds, stir gently, and place the lid on with the plunger pulled up.
Steep and Press: Let the coffee steep for 4 minutes. Then slowly press the plunger down to separate the grounds.
Serve Immediately: French press coffee should be served right away to avoid over-extraction.

Hand Brewing vs. Machine Brewing

Choosing between hand brewing and automatic coffee machines depends on your lifestyle and taste preferences.

Hand Brewing (French Press, Pour Over, Stovetop Pot)

Pros: More control, richer flavor, no need for electricity.
Cons: Requires more attention and clean-up.

Machine Brewing (Drip Coffee Makers, Filter Machines)

Pros: Convenient, great for multiple servings, consistent.
Cons: Less control over taste, requires a power source.

Expert Coffee Making Tips

Use filtered water for better flavor.
Preheat your mug for a warmer brew.
Grind your coffee beans right before brewing for peak freshness.
Rinse paper filters before brewing to reduce paper flavor.
Clean your equipment regularly.

Brew Coffee Your Way

Whether you prefer the smoothness of a drip brew, the bold flavor of French press coffee, or the classic charm of stovetop coffee, learning how to make coffee is all about finding what you enjoy most.

Explore different grind sizes, brewing times, and bean varieties to create your perfect morning cup. Explore our collection of Coffee Makers for a look at all your brewing options.