The Clever Dripper is an immersion brewer with a valve in its base. You steep the coffee in the chamber, then set the dripper on a mug or carafe. The valve opens on contact and the coffee drains through the paper filter. You get the fuller body of immersion brewing and the clarity of a paper filter, with no pour technique to learn.
That makes it a friendly place to start with filter brewing. It also suits experienced brewers who want a consistent, repeatable cup with less technique than a V60 or Kalita Wave.
Basic recipe
- 15g coffee, medium filter grind
- 250g water at 95°C
- Total brew time: around 3:30
Brewing instructions
- Bring the kettle to 95°C. Place the Clever Dripper on your mug with a filter in position, then pour a little hot water through to rinse the filter and warm the mug. Discard the rinse water.
- Place the Clever Dripper on your scale and tare. Add 15g of medium filter grind coffee.
- Start your timer. Pour 250g of water at 95°C over the grounds and stir gently for about 15 seconds, until all the coffee is wet.
- Place the lid on the dripper and leave it until 2:15 on your timer.
- At 2:15, place the Clever Dripper on your mug or carafe. The valve opens on contact and the coffee draws down through the filter. Most brews finish at around 3:00 to 3:30.
- Once the coffee has mostly drained, around 3:00 to 3:30 on your timer, lift the Clever Dripper away from your mug. Your coffee is ready.
Frequently asked questions
What size Clever Dripper should I buy?
The 300ml brews one cup at a time and suits the recipe above. The 500ml is better if you regularly brew for two or want to brew into a carafe. The 300ml uses size 2 filters and the 500ml uses size 4.
What grind size should I use?
Medium filter grind, which is coarser than espresso and finer than French press. Let taste guide you. If the coffee tastes sharp, sour or thin, grind a little finer. If it tastes bitter, dry or astringent, grind a little coarser. Our grind size guide has more detail.
How does the Clever Dripper compare to a V60 or French press?
A V60 brews by pouring water continuously through the grounds, so pour technique and flow rate have a bigger influence on the cup. The Clever Dripper steeps first and then drains, which makes it more forgiving and easier to repeat. Against a French press, the paper filter holds back fine particles and some oils, so you get a cleaner cup with less sediment.
Can I use the Clever Dripper to make iced coffee?
Yes. Brew a more concentrated recipe over ice with the flash brew method: use less water and brew straight into a vessel containing ice. Our flash brew guide has a full recipe using the Clever Dripper.
What coffee works best in a Clever Dripper?
Most roast levels work. Light to medium roasts show their origin character clearly through the paper filter, and medium-dark roasts give a fuller, rounder cup. Browse our full coffee range for something to try.
Do I need to use Clever Dripper branded filter papers?
No. The 300ml Clever Dripper uses size 2 filters and the 500ml uses size 4. We stock official Clever Dripper papers, and Filtropa filters in the matching sizes are a compatible alternative.
