This Clever Coffee Dripper recipe uses 20 grams of coffee to 350 grams of water, added in two equal pours 90 seconds apart. The split-pour method produces more even saturation than a single pour and eliminates the need to stir at the midpoint. Total steep time is 3 minutes 30 seconds. Yield is approximately 11 fl oz.
No gooseneck kettle required. No precise pour technique required. For the full Clever Dripper guide including all size ratios and brewing variations, see our complete Clever Coffee Dripper how-to guide.
What You Need
Required: Clever Coffee Dripper, Melitta #4 paper filter, 20g freshly ground coffee, kettle, mug
Recommended: Kitchen scale, timer
Optional: Thermometer
Recipe at a Glance
| Variable | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | 20g (3.5 T) | Medium-coarse — between table salt and breadcrumbs |
| First pour | 175g water | Just off the boil (30 sec rest) — at 0:00 |
| Second pour | 175g water | Added at 1:30 |
| Total water | 350g | 1:17.5 ratio |
| Total steep | 3 min 30 sec | Place on mug at 3:30 to trigger valve |
| Drain time | 45 to 90 sec | Let gravity do the work |
| Yield | ~11 fl oz | Full single-cup serving |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Heat Your Water
Boil your water and let it rest for 30 seconds — approximately 205°F without a thermometer. Prepare two equal 175g portions and keep both just off the boil until ready to pour.
Step 2: Rinse the Filter and Grind
Place a Melitta #4 paper filter in the Clever Dripper. Set the Clever on your mug to open the valve and pour hot water through to rinse. Lift off the mug, discard the rinse water, and place the Clever on your scale. Tare to zero. Grind 20g to a medium-coarse setting and add to the filter. Give the Clever a gentle shake to level the bed.
Step 3: First Water Pour at 0:00
Start your timer. Pour 175g of water evenly over the grounds. Cover all the grounds and saturate the entire bed. Place the lid on immediately to retain heat.
Step 4: Second Water Pour at 1:30
At 1 minute 30 seconds, remove the lid and pour the remaining 175g of water. The second pour agitates the grounds gently and breaks up the floating crust without stirring. Replace the lid and steep until 3 minutes 30 seconds. Do not place on the mug early.
Step 5: Drain at 3:30
At 3:30, place the Clever Dripper on top of your mug. The valve opens automatically and coffee drains in 45 to 90 seconds. If the drain takes over 2 minutes, grind coarser next time. If the cup tastes weak, grind finer.
Adjusting to Taste
Stronger cup: Increase coffee to 22g with the same 350g water, or reduce water to 300g keeping 20g.
Lighter cup: Reduce coffee to 18g or increase water to 380g.
More body: Extend steep to 4 minutes with a slightly coarser grind.
Cleaner cup: Use a slightly finer grind and keep the steep at 3:30.
For grind adjustment guidance, see our coffee grinder dial-in guide. Browse Blackout Coffee premium roasts for freshly roasted beans that reward the Clever's consistent extraction. Stock up with a five-pound bulk bag so you always have fresh beans ready. On busy mornings, our instant coffee delivers bold flavor in seconds. And for single-serve ease, our coffee pods are always on hand.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Clever Coffee Dripper 20g Recipe
What is the best ratio for the Clever Coffee Dripper?
A 1:16 to 1:17.5 ratio works well for most people. This recipe uses 20g of coffee to 350g of water (1:17.5) for a single cup of approximately 11 fl oz. For a stronger cup, try 20g to 300g (1:15). For a lighter cup, try 20g to 380g (1:19). The Clever Dripper is forgiving enough that small ratio changes produce noticeable but manageable flavor differences rather than dramatic swings.
Why add water in two pours instead of all at once?
The split-pour method adds water in two equal stages 90 seconds apart. The first pour saturates the grounds and begins extraction. The second pour extends contact time, maintains brewing temperature through the second half of the steep, and gently agitates the floating crust of grounds without a separate stir step. The result is more even extraction than a single pour. It adds 90 seconds to the process but produces a noticeably more balanced cup.
How long should a Clever Dripper steep?
This recipe uses a 3 minute 30 second total steep before placing the Clever on your mug to drain. Standard Clever Dripper recipes range from 3 to 4 minutes depending on grind size and preferred body. A coarser grind with a longer steep (4 to 5 minutes) produces a heavier, press-style cup. A medium-coarse grind with a 3:30 steep produces the clean, full-bodied cup this recipe targets.
Do I need a gooseneck kettle for the Clever Dripper?
No. Unlike pour over brewing, the Clever Dripper does not require a controlled pour rate. The grounds steep in standing water rather than extracting through continuous flow, so pour precision has minimal impact on the result. Any standard kettle works. A gooseneck kettle makes it easier to target specific areas of the grounds but does not meaningfully change the cup quality in a Clever Dripper.
What grind size should I use for 20g in a Clever Dripper?
Medium-coarse — between table salt texture and breadcrumb texture. This is slightly coarser than a standard drip grind and slightly finer than a French press grind. If the drain takes longer than 2 minutes after placing the Clever on your mug, grind one step coarser. If the cup tastes weak or flat, grind one step finer. Drain speed is your built-in diagnostic for whether the grind is correct.
Start With Fresh Beans
Browse Blackout Coffee premium roasts for freshly roasted dark and medium roasts suited to immersion brewing.
Roasted fresh in Florida and shipped within 48 hours. Keep your supply stocked with the Blackout Coffee Club.
Learn more about how Blackout sources and roasts on the About Blackout Coffee page.
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