Bottomless Drip Coffee Recipe

Grind beans

Measure 60 g (0.06 kg) of coffee beans for roughly 3 liters of brewed coffee (approximately 1:50 ratio). Grind to a medium-coarse, consistent drip grind similar to granulated sugar. Adjust grind slightly finer if brew tastes weak or coarser if bitter.

Prepare machine

Place a clean paper or permanent filter in the brew basket. Rinse a paper filter with hot water if used to remove papery flavors and preheat brewer components. Empty rinse water from the carafe.

Load coffee

Add the ground coffee to the filter, leveling gently so grounds are evenly distributed across the basket.

Add water and start

Fill the brewer’s reservoir with 3 liters of filtered water (add up to 1 L extra for refills during service if needed). Start the brew cycle according to your machine’s instructions. Ensure the carafe or airpot below is clean and preheated if possible.

Monitor extraction

During brewing, listen for even dripping and check that water is flowing through the grounds uniformly. If the machine clogs or drips irregularly, stop and clear the basket, then restart with a fresh filter and even grounds.

Keep warm and refill

Set the machine to its hot plate or thermal dispenser setting to keep coffee at serving temperature (not boiling). For a bottomless/service model where guests refill freely, have additional filtered water available to start another brew when the current carafe is low — aim to start a fresh batch before the carafe empties to avoid long gaps.

Serve

Place the hot carafe or dispenser on a stable surface with cups nearby. Offer milk, sugar and sweeteners on the side. For each 8 oz (240 ml) cup, pour from the carafe directly into the cup.

Maintain quality

Replace brewed coffee every 60–90 minutes if kept on a hot plate to avoid burnt flavors; for thermal carafes, coffee can remain acceptable for up to 2 hours. Brew smaller, more frequent batches if you want fresher flavor throughout service.

Refill protocol

When the carafe drops below one-quarter full, prepare and start a new brew so a fresh carafe is ready before the current one is finished. Label milk and sweeteners and keep stirring utensils clean and separate.

After service, turn off the machine and discard used grounds and filters. Rinse and clean the brew basket, carafe/airpot, and any removable parts with warm, soapy water. Descale the machine regularly per manufacturer recommendations to maintain flavor and equipment life.