> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://colipse.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Drip Filter > How to brew the best cup of decaf coffee using an automatic drip machine or manual drip setup. *Drip filter coffee is the most common home brewing method in the United States, and it is also one of the most forgiving ways to brew a consistently excellent cup of decaf.* Drip filter covers two related methods: automatic drip machines (brands like Technivorm, Breville, and Mr. Coffee) and manual drip - a dripper placed over a carafe or mug with water poured by hand. Both use a paper or metal filter basket, hot water flowing through ground coffee by gravity, and a relatively long, gentle extraction. The result is a clean, approachable cup with good clarity and low bitterness when brewed correctly. ## What grind should you use for drip filter? Use a **medium grind** - what we label drip medium on all Colipse whole bean bags. The goal is a consistent particle size so water flows through the flat filter bed evenly. Uneven grinds cause channeling, where water finds the path of least resistance and under-extracts some grounds while over-extracting others. A burr grinder (even an entry-level one) produces far more consistent results than a blade grinder. ## What is the right coffee-to-water ratio? The Specialty Coffee Association recommends approximately **60g of coffee per litre of water**, which translates to a brew ratio of roughly 1:15 to 1:17. For a standard 12-cup drip machine (which typically produces around 1.5 litres), that means 90g of coffee. Most machines include a scoop that approximates this, but measuring by weight gives more consistent results. Many higher-end drip machines advertise a "golden ratio" spec - this is usually the SCA guideline baked into their default settings. ## Does water temperature matter in a drip machine? Yes, and this is the weak point of most budget automatic drip machines. The SCA recommends brewing between 90-96°C. Many inexpensive machines heat water to only 82-85°C, which produces under-extracted, flat-tasting coffee. If you want the most reliable brew temperature without guessing, look for machines with **SCAA certification**. This certification guarantees the machine reaches and holds proper brew temperature throughout the entire cycle. Technivorm Moccamaster and Breville Precision Brewer are among the most widely available certified options. ## Should you bloom decaf in a drip machine? Most automatic drip machines do not bloom. In manual drip, you can pour a small amount of water (roughly twice the weight of the coffee) over the grounds and let them rest for 30-45 seconds before continuing the pour. This releases CO2 trapped in the coffee, which would otherwise create small air pockets that resist even saturation. Higher-end automatic machines sometimes include a **pre-infusion** feature that mimics this bloom - the machine wets the grounds briefly, pauses, then continues the full brew cycle. If your machine has this option, use it. ## Paper filter or metal basket? Both work well. The main difference is what ends up in your cup. * **Paper filters** trap diterpenes (oily compounds like cafestol and kahweol). Studies have linked these compounds to modest increases in LDL cholesterol. Paper-filtered coffee is the cleaner option for anyone monitoring lipid levels. * **Metal basket filters** allow oils and fine particles through, producing a slightly heavier, fuller-bodied cup with more pronounced mouthfeel. Most standard drip machines ship with a paper filter basket or use paper cone filters. Either is fine for decaf. ## Why does Swiss Water® decaf work so well in a drip machine? Drip filter is one of the most repeatable brewing methods available. Water temperature, brew time, and flow rate are largely fixed by the machine - there are fewer variables to manage than in espresso or French press. This repeatability is exactly why Swiss Water® Process decaf thrives here. Swiss Water® Process removes 99.9% of caffeine without solvents. The beans are treated with flavour-charged water rather than chemical solvents, which preserves the origin flavour compounds that make specialty coffee interesting. When you brew those beans in a drip machine, the even extraction pulls those flavours out consistently cup after cup. The 2-15mg of residual caffeine remaining in Swiss Water® decaf is the same whether you brew one cup or a full pot. This makes drip decaf an ideal choice for anyone managing caffeine intake across the day without sacrificing the ritual of a morning brew. ## Convenience: the underrated case for drip decaf Drip machines are programmable. You can set them the night before and wake up to fresh coffee. For decaf drinkers - who often switch to decaf specifically to avoid afternoon or evening caffeine disruption - this removes one friction point from the morning routine entirely. No sleep disruption risk, no measuring in a half-awake state. Batch brewing also works well with decaf because the absence of caffeine means there is no pressure to drink the pot quickly. Invest in a thermal carafe machine if you plan to brew in the morning and drink throughout the day. ## Which Colipse Decaf Coffee product works best with drip filter? For a standard drip machine, both the [Dark Roast Decaf](https://colipsecoffee.com/products/dark-roast-decaf) and the [Medium Roast Decaf](https://colipsecoffee.com/products/medium-roast-decaf-coffee-beans) are excellent choices. Both are available pre-ground in drip medium grind if you do not have a grinder at home. If you use a Keurig or single-serve pod machine, the [Decaf Coffee Pods](https://colipsecoffee.com/products/decaf-coffee-pods) are Swiss Water® certified and designed for drip-style single-serve brewing. All Colipse decaf uses Swiss Water® Process - 99.9% caffeine removal, no solvents, sourced from single-origin farms. ## Related * [Pour Over](/brewing/pour-over) * [Keurig and Coffee Pods](/brewing/keurig-pods) * [Understanding Coffee Acidity](/concepts/acidity)