Coffee Brewing Methods Guide – 20 Ways To Make Coffee At Home

Nowadays, there are many ways to brew coffee at home, and while this is undoubtedly fantastic for coffee enthusiasts, that amount of choice can make it hard to decide which is the best method for you. This guide will look in-depth at 20 of the most popular coffee brewing methods to help make that task easier.

Overview Of Coffee Brewing Methods

There are so many ways to make coffee. You can make coffee in 1 minute, while others need a day. Similarly, some methods are expensive, while others require only a tiny budget. The grind settings vary between different methods, too, so you’ll need to pay attention when you buy ground coffee. If you intend to try out several different methods, a high-quality burr coffee grinder will be a worthwhile purchase.

So, let’s explore those coffee brewing methods more closely.

Coffee Brewing 101 – More than 20 Ways To Make Coffee

Because there are so many options, it would be hard to follow if we went through them one after another. Because of this, we’ve placed them into the following categories: Immersion, Filteration, Pressurized Brewing, Stovetop, and Vacuum.

Specific methods, such as Moka pot, can belong to more than one category. The category we’ve chosen in these instances will hopefully help best reflect how that method works.

Immersion, Steeping Methods

By steeping roast coffee beans, you will be able to extract a satisfying amount of caffeine and flavor. If you’d like a full-bodied, robust coffee with a dark flavor, give one of the following full-immersion methods a try:

1.French Press

There are several reasons the French press is such a popular coffee maker for home brewing, among them its affordability and ease of use. Not only that, but it makes a full-bodied and rich coffee. Finally, it’s a great way to make several cups in one batch.

French press coffee maker usually consists of a glass vessel, a plunger with a mesh filter.

To brew French press coffee, you’ll need medium-coarse to coarse coffee grounds, which you place in the glass brewing container. Then, pour in your desired amount of water and leave it steep for between 4 and 10 minutes. After that, gently press the plunger down so that it filters the grounds from the coffee. And that’s it! All that’s left is to enjoy a cup of excellent and satisfying coffee.

Time Needed: Ordinarily, you’ll need to give it a minimum of 4 minutes to steep. However, our preference is to leave it for a few extra minutes for a cleaner and better-tasting cup.

Grind Size: You’ll typically need coarse grounds for French press coffee. That’s because a mesh filter isn’t able to stop the finer particles from reaching your cup. However, in our experience, medium grounds can also work well with this method. Many roasters offer coarse ground coffee, here are our best picks.

Check out our step by step French Press Instructions here >>

2.Cold Brew

As its name suggests, the cold brew method doesn’t involve any hot water while brewing, meaning that the extraction happens at a low temperature. The bitter and acidic compounds are tricky to extract. Therefore, the finished product is sweet and not as bitter as other coffee making methods and has less acidity.

The cold brew method is an excellent choice for home brewing. That’s because it’s straightforward to make. The biggest drawback, though, is that you’ll need plenty of patience and time before you can enjoy your coffee.

This method is growing in popularity, meaning an increasing number of cold brew coffee makers are available for purchase. However, a French press or a mason jar will also suffice.

When you’re making cold brew coffee, you’ll need to use coarsely ground coffee and mix them with water at room temperature. Then, leave the coffee for between 12 and 24 hours. Once the brewing process is complete, strain the coffee grounds, and your coffee will be ready to drink.

If you opt for a lower ratio of coffee to water, it will leave you with cold brew coffee concentrate, which you can then dilute using either milk or water for several cups of coffee.

Instructions:

Cold brew with Mason Jars >>

Cold brew with French press >>

Cold brew with AeroPress >>

Time Needed: Between 12 and 24 hours. Anywhere from 16-18 hours is a good rule of thumb, though.

Grind Size: A coarse grind is needed to avoid over-extraction because of the length of time needed for the coffee to steep.

3.Clever Coffee Dripper

The Clever Coffee Dripper uses a combination of immersion brewing and drip brewing. The first thing you’ll notice is that it resembles a pour over dripper. However, it differs in that it steeps the coffee in the hot water during the brew process. Clever dripper has a small valve that you will need to activate before the coffee drains into the cup.

The Clever Dripper is simple-to-use equipment that makes high-quality coffee for brewers of any skill level. Place the paper filter in the correct position, add your medium coffee grounds, then add hot water. Allow the coffee to steep for between 3 and 4 minutes. At this point, position the brewing device on top of your coffee mug. The valve will then activate and start draining the coffee into it.

Because of the paper filter, you’ll be able to enjoy a cleaner cup of French Press-style coffee. Here is our Clever Dripper hands-on review.

Time Needed: 3-4 minutes to steep.

Grind Size: A medium grind size is ideal. If you let it steep for longer, use a coarser grind size. For a shorter steeping time, use a finer grind size.

4.SoftBrew

The SoftBrew is fairly new on the market and looks similar to a traditional teapot. It also houses a very fine filter made from stainless steel. The filter is so fine that it will stop any ground larger than 150 microns. This means you can opt for any grind size, and it’ll brew a clean enough cup of coffee.

SoftBrew is straightforward to use. Add ground coffee and hot water, then leave it to steep for at least four minutes. After that, remove the filter and pour your coffee. That’s one of the most effortless ways to brew coffee.

But how does it taste? It bears similarities to the full-bodied flavor of French press coffee. That’s because the absence of paper filters means there’s nothing to absorb the coffee oil. However, because of the very fine stainless steel filter, you’ll also be able to enjoy a cleaner cup of coffee than a French press can deliver.

Time Needed: Between 4 and 10 minutes to steep. If you would rather have a cold brew with this SoftBrew coffee pot, let it steep for 12 to 24 hours.

Grind Size: The SoftBrew is capable of filtering fine grinds. However, we recommend using a medium grind when you first start using it.

5.Bripe

Bripe came on the market as a result of a successful IndieGoGo crown-funded project. It is a brew pipe that is great for outdoor enthusiasts who love coffee. All you need is water and your coffee grounds, and Bripe will do the rest.

The Brip contains a Bultane refillable torch lighter. That means you’ll neither need a campfire nor an electricity source to get it to brew. With Bripe, all you need to do is position the filter, add your water and coffee grinds and stir them. The torch lighter will then heat the brewer to 185F (85C) – there’s a thermometer so that you can check this. After that, you can just drink your coffee through the stem. We reviewed this ultra-portable coffee pipe for outdoor and coffee lovers, check out the Bripe review.

Time Needed: Between two and three minutes.

Grind Size: Good for fine to medium grinds.

Pros:

6.Coffee Bags

As the name implies, this brewing method uses soft mesh pouches similar to tea bags. Not surprisingly, with this method, you can expect to make a cup of coffee as efficiently as making a cup of tea with a tea bag. Pour hot water into your cup and add steep the coffee bag for between three and four minutes. Then, remove the bag, and your coffee will be ready to drink. 

However, is it any good? While this method is undoubtedly straightforward, it won’t lead to a high-quality brew as the bag’s grounds won’t be fresh. However, if you’re traveling, it’s a decent way to get your caffeine hit.

Time Needed: Between three and four minutes.

Drip Coffee Or Filtration Method

This represents one of the popular ways to brew coffee at home. The dripping/filtration method allows water to drip through and extract flavor from the ground coffee beans. After that, the coffee will pass through a filter until it reaches your cup.

We’ll introduce the pour-over brewing, drip machines, and any other brewers that use a similar method.

7.Pour Over

Photo credit: Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh

Because of the “third wave” coffee movement that has prevailed over the last few decades, pour over has enjoyed an increase in popularity worldwide. It’s one of the best ways to brew a high-quality coffee at home and present the original flavor of the premium single-origin coffee beans.

Another reason for the popularity of pour overs is they’re inexpensive – all you’ll need are paper filters and a coffee dripper, it’s one of the most affordable home brewing methods.

To brew using this method, place the pour over dripper on top of your cup and make sure to add your paper filter. Add grounds of medium size to the filter, then pour in hot water and allow it to extract the coffee from the grounds.

If you’re a big fan of pour over coffee, it’s worth investing in a gooseneck kettle for improved pouring and a digital scale for better consistency.

Here is our best pour over gooseneck kettles reviews >>

Time Needed: Usually, you’ll need between two and four minutes to make pour over coffee. However, it’s important to bloom your coffee for around 30-45 seconds with a bit of hot water at optimal water temperature before you begin pouring it to ensure the optimum flavor extraction.

Grind Size: Medium grounds are ideal in the main. However, you can tweak the grind size depending on the filter thickness and shape.

There are many pour over brewers with different shapes and thicknesses of paper filters, as we mentioned earlier. Below are some of the most renowned pour over brewers. If you’d like more options, check out our Best Pour Over Coffee Makers review.

There is an array of sizes and shapes of pour over coffee makers, and in the following sub-section, we’ve listed some of the most well-known.

7.1 Hario V60

The Hario V60 is the most well-known pour over coffee brewer, and its impact on both pour over brewing, and specialty coffee brewing on a broader scale has been significant. It consists of a cone-shaped dripper with a sizable drip hole at the base. It also offers complete control of the coffee going into your cup by adjusting the brew time, flow rate, and brew ratio.

Check out our Hario V60 review and brewing guide >>

7.2 Kalita Wave

Kalita Wave is one of the best pour-over methods for beginners. A design encompassing three holes and a flat bottom takes care of the water flow, ensuring the water steeps consistently to extract plenty of the coffee flavors. It’s not difficult to get consistently full-bodied brews with this brewing device.

Check out our Kalita Wave Review and Instructions >>

7.3 Melitta Ready Set Joe

The Melitta pour over makes brewing coffee straightforward. It consists of a dripping cone made from plastic and is one of the cheapest options available. Another significant advantage of this device is that it is compatible with standard number 2 Melitta paper filters, which are easy to find in grocery stores and supermarkets. 

7.4 Chemex

Chemex differs from other pour-over coffee makers insofar as it is a single-piece coffee brewer. If you’re interested in looks as well as functionality, this is the coffee maker for you. The design is instantly recognizable, with a sleek hourglass shape, a collar made of wood, and a leather tie. Chemex filters are thicker than typical paper filters, which makes for a brighter, cleaner cup of coffee.

Check out our Chemex review and brew guide >>

7.5 Coffee Sock (Cloth Filter)

To make pour over coffee, you don’t need a permanent stainless steel filter or a paper filter – you can also use a tightly knitted piece of cloth. The cloth is attached to a metal wire and acts as the filter. Using a coffee sock leads to a brew with plenty of texture while retaining the clarity you’d expect from paper filters. However, it will need a good clean after each use. Long coffee socks are also effective when used as a strainer in immersion coffee making.

8.Drip Coffee Maker

Photo Credit: Image by funsworks

Many households in the US have a drip coffeemaker in their kitchen. There is a wide variety of brands, shapes, and sizes. However, they usually share some features.

Check out the best drip coffee maker reviews >>

They usually have a water tank for heating the water. After that, the water disperses via a showerhead over medium-fine coffee grounds. The water begins infiltrating the grounds until they are saturated, which extracts the coffee. Lastly, the brewed coffee drips into the carafe below for a satisfying cup of coffee.

Time Needed: A standard drip coffee maker will need between six and 10 minutes to make a 10-12-cup carafe of coffee. More expensive makers are programmable, allowing you to set a timer for it to brew the coffee.

Grind Size: Medium to medium-fine coffee grounds are best.

9.Single-Serve Coffee Maker

Keurig’s single-cup coffee maker came on the market in 1997, and since then, this coffee machine has grown in popularity. The coffee is packed in K-cup with many options. It’s compact and quick compared with the traditional coffee maker.

Brewing is easy – insert the pre-packed coffee pod, add your water, and press the start button. The coffee maker will do the rest, producing your coffee in only a couple of minutes. It’s perfect for people who only need one cup and don’t much time. Here are our top-picked Keurig machines.

Time Needed: 1-2 minutes.

10.Vietnamese Coffee

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The Vietnamese coffee dripper (also called a Phin) takes between four and five minutes to brew a single cup. This is a good option for coffee enthusiasts who’d like to try more exotic flavors and methods. Check out our Vietnamese coffee recipe for more details.

It’s beginner-friendly, too – pour some condensed milk into the cup, pour a bit of water into the Phin to bloom the grounds, then add the remainder of the water and leave it to drip. You might also want to add an ice cube to the coffee for the traditional Vietnamese coffee experience.

Time Needed: 5-10 minutes.

Grind size: Coarse, resembling sea salt.

11.Cold Drip

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There are distinctions between cold drip coffee and cold brew coffee. Cold drip coffee needs a “drip tower” that allows iced water to drip onto a bed of freshly ground coffee until it absorbs the water.

Then, it makes its way to another vessel underneath the tower. Where it is similar to cold brew is the extra time it takes to make – in this case, between 3.5 and 12 hours. However, it is worth waiting for, producing intense, strong coffee and tastes unique. It also has a smooth finish. If you brew coffee at home, you don’t need a giant drip tower, this compact cold brew dripper works pretty well.

Time Needed: 3.5 to 12 hours, depending on the amount of coffee you’re using and the drip flow

Grind size: Coarse grind

12.South Indian Filter Coffee

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South Indian Filter Coffee is a milky yet strong coffee that you brew using a stainless steel filter.

The filter has two cups, with one placed on top of the other. The cup at the top holds the grounds. It contains holes that allow the coffee to drip to the cup beneath. A pressing disc allows for tamping the grounds, while there’s also a lid for keeping the liquid warm during the brewing process.

Your coffee will brew in around 15 to 20 minutes, to give you an intense coffee concentrate that you serve in a traditional dabarah and tumbler. Then pour boiling milk into the coffee.

The coffee’s taste varies depending on the type of coffee powder you use. Some of the coffee powders have extra chicory, which alters the flavor of the finished product.

Time Needed: Between 15 and 20 minutes.

Grind size: Fine to medium-fine grind

Pressurized Brewing Method

Usually, when brewing coffee using pressure, what springs most readily to mind is espresso. However, espresso machines aren’t the only time when you can use pressure to brew coffee.

Using some pressure while brewing, you can get a more robust flavor but reduce the extraction time.

13.Espresso Machine

Photo by Lina Kivaka

You’d be hard-pressed to find a coffee shop anywhere that doesn’t have an espresso machine. If you have ever been to Starbuck or other coffee shops, there must be an espresso machine sitting there and a busy barista working around it.

Espresso machines force pressurized water through fine coffee grounds in a portafilter to rapidly extract the coffee, topped with crema – and that drink is espresso. Espresso machines typically have a steam wand, allowing the user to froth the milk for pouring into the espresso to make flat white, latte, cappuccino, and other espresso-based drinks.

If you love espresso, it follows that you’d love to pull a shot of espresso at home rather than rely on shop-bought beverages. Thankfully, there are espresso machines you can buy to suit most budgets. However, you will probably need a decent espresso grinder, as you must use finely-ground coffee for good espresso. Therefore, some significant expenditure will be virtually unavoidable.

There are many different espresso machines on the market, but they usually fall into three categories, as outlined below.

13.1 Super Automatic Espresso Machine

These machines take all the hassle out of making good espresso. You need to place coffee in the hopper, then pour your water into the water reservoir, press the brew button, and, a few minutes later, you’ll have an espresso or drink that uses espresso. It’s by far the easiest way to enjoy home-brewed espresso, although you do hand over all the control to the machine, and they are quite expensive. Check out our best-picked super-automatic espresso machines reviews >>

13.2 Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine

For those wanting more control over the brewing process, a semi-automatic machine is a good option. You will need to grind your beans to the correct amount and size. You will also need to tamp the coffee grounds with the appropriate pressure. You then attach the portafilter and control the coffee that goes into the cup. This can be either a fun or frustrating process, depending on your level of expertise. For more details, check our step-by-step instructions for making espresso at home.

We also picked the best semi-automatic espresso machines here >>

13.3 Manual Level Espresso Machine

For people who are serious about brewing espresso at home, the manual lever machines are perfect. Rather than use a mechanical pump, these devices let you use a lever to get the water to go through the puck. This increases your extraction options considerably. There are also non-electrical versions of these machines nowadays, which aren’t as expensive as standard espresso machines. We reviewed the Flair Neo Espresso Maker, you can find more details.

14.AeroPress

AeroPress is a small, light, and hard-wearing coffee maker gaining popularity since Alan Adler invented it in 2005. It offers a way to brew coffee rapidly and can do it in one minute.

You place your coffee grounds in the brew chamber and leave them to steep in hot water for a while. After that, press the plunger down, the air pressure will force the coffee into your cup.

AeroPress Coffee is condensed, strong as espresso. Many coffee drinkers consider AeroPress an affordable espresso maker alternative. As AeroPress became popular, coffee geeks invented many creative brewing methods using this coffee maker.

The AeroPress’s small size also makes it a firm favorite among coffee lovers who travel regularly. Check out our AeroPress Review >>

Time Needed: One minute using AeroPress’s official brewing method. The brewing time can change if you use a different recipe.

Grind Size: The official brewing method requires a fine grind between pour over and espresso. Other recipes use different sizes. 

15.Nespresso

Nespresso specializes in pod-based espresso coffee. These devices are renowned for being easy to operate. You place the pod in the machine and press a button. It’s similar to the super-automatic espresso machine mentioned earlier, but rather than beans, the Nespresso uses capsules to brew your espresso. We reviewed and picked the Top Nespresso models if you are interested.

Specific Nespresso machines can make espresso and standard black coffee. Meanwhile, others can brew cappuccinos and lattes. It offers an excellent device for making espresso without needing that much knowledge or experience. You need to choose between Original and Vertuo when buying a Nespresso machine.

Time Needed: Usually between one and two minutes, depending on the model.

Stovetop

The coffee brewing methods in this section use a heat source such as a stovetop. They represent a method of brewing coffee that is old-school. However, it is still popular with many coffee lovers. Some of the following methods also use pressure, but we include them in the stovetop section for clarity.

16.Moka Pot

This has been a standard brewing method for almost a century. Indeed, in Italy, it remains one of the most popular ways to brew coffee. Moka pot offers a way to make condensed, strong espresso-like coffee without the need to spend a significant amount of money on an espresso machine. That’s why it’s also known as a stovetop espresso maker.

Typically, there are three parts to a Moka pot – a coffee container on top, a filter with a funnel in the middle, and a water chamber at the base.

To brew with Moka pot coffee, you pour water into the bottom chamber, add fine coffee ground into the coffee filter, then put all three sections together.

Heat the device on the stovetop until the water turns to steam, passes through the coffee, and enters the top chamber.

Here is the detail Moka Pot Instruction >>

Time Needed: If you use cold water, it’ll need 5-10 minutes. The process will speed up with boiling water.

Grind Size: Finely ground coffee that is more coarse than an espresso but finer than pour over.

17.Percolator

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This is a nostalgic way to make coffee, and actually, it’s been there for more than 100 years.

Percolators heat the water in the lower chamber, steam pressure forces the water to move into the upper chamber, which houses the grounds, before moving back down to be reheated. This process happens a few times until the coffee has a highly robust flavor. This method tends to over-extract the coffee. However, some coffee lovers prefer it. 

Percolating your coffee inevitably leads to a bitter-tasting brew. 

Time Needed: Between three and four minutes. If you leave it for as long as 10 minutes, the coffee will be too strong and bitter, making it undrinkable.

18.Cowboy Coffee

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This is an old-school coffee-brewing method. You can try this method with any pot and most heat sources, including campfires.

To brew coffee using this method, you’ll need very coarse grounds that you then add to a pot of boiling water. Then, let the water boil for around two minutes before removing the pot from the heat. Leave it for a few seconds to give enough time for the grounds to settle on the bottom. Pour the contents into your mug and enjoy.

Time Needed: Between four and five minutes.

Grind Size: Extra Coarse

19.Turkish Coffee

Extremely fine grounds will be required to brew Turkish coffee. In fact, the grounds will need to be so fine as to be powder-like. You then use a special pot with a long handle, known as a cezve, and add the fine grounds combined with sugar to it. Heat the mixture to a point at which it is frothing, then take it off the heat. Do this a few more times until you have strong, incredibly flavorsome coffee with a thick foam that sits on top. 

Here is our Turkish Coffee recipe showing in greater detail how to make Turkish coffee.

Time Needed: Between three and four minutes.

Grind Size: Extra fine, resembling the texture of a powder

Vacuum/Siphon

20.Siphon Coffee

Otherwise known as the siphon pot, this method of brewing coffee is both elegant and unique. A significant drawback is the difficulty of brewing coffee using this method. However, if you have the experience and brew it correctly, you be rewarded with a smooth, clear coffee bursting with flavor.

From a technical standpoint, this coffee brewing method harbors similarities with the percolator method we detailed earlier. First, the water comes to a boil in the lower chamber. Then, the vapor from that water rises to the top chamber that houses the coffee grounds. The vapor saturates those grounds, and it creates a vacuum. The freshly brewed coffee then moves down a filter until it reaches the lower chamber again.

The brewing process itself is to be marveled at, while those who use this method love the taste of the freshly brewed finished product. This is the kind of brewing process that will appeal to coffee lovers with an interest in science. If that describes you, you should consider attempting it.

Time Needed: Between 4 and 10 minutes.

Grind Size: Medium-coarse.

Final Thoughts

Coffee is an incredible drink that is rightly adored by people worldwide. Not only that but depending on where in the world a coffee lover lives, they are likely to brew their coffee using different methods. Coffee is continually evolving, too. This ensures that brewing methods from hundreds of years ago still enjoy popularity, while a range of new devices and brewing methods gain popularity as each year passes.

Some coffee brewing methods are cheap, while some require a significant investment. Meanwhile, some take all the hassle out of the process as they’re automatic, while others need a significant skill level to brew it properly.

All of these factors can make the process of brewing coffee overwhelming, leaving it difficult to know how to begin. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consider your circumstances – as well as your tastes – when choosing which method of home coffee brewing to try.

Nevertheless, we are firmly of the opinion that it’s never really a bad thing to have lots of options to choose from when coffee-brewing.

This article has attempted to detail 20 home coffee-brewing methods catering to coffee enthusiasts with a range of different tastes and circumstances. We sincerely hope it assists you on your path to enjoying great-tasting coffee – whichever method you try next.

Comparison Table of different coffee brewing methods

Below you’ll notice a comparison table that details the most popular methods of brewing coffee. In it, you’ll see details of brew time, grind size (Don’t forget to check out our coffee grind chart for more information), the skill level required, and the budget needed to give a general overview of each method.