Use Cone (Hario V60) or Flat-Bottom Dripper (Kalita, Melitta, Brewista)!
Often times, it’s a difficult decision choosing the right filters for your dripper. Many people give the matter very little thought . . . but this can be a mistake. If you’d like to make an informed decision, read on, as I’ll share my top picks.
The Hario V60’s cone shape and singular, large hole make it easily recognizable. Its conical design results in a consistent stream of water running towards the hole, carrying coffee grinds, like sediment down a miniature waterfall. In my opinion, it’s easy to use, and the final taste is clear and bright.
The main disadvantage is its dripper being quite thick, which can affect the bloom. Furthermore, if you don’t pour in the water correctly, you run the risk of washing away finer parts of grind and blocking the mechanism. By adjusting the water temperature and grinding level, these obstacles can be nonetheless surmounted.
The flat-bottom dripper is a common alternative that allows coffee to drip into the cup. These drippers can have one big or three small holes, and their shape isn’t as sharp as cone models. The bed is thinner but holds the same amount of coffee as their counterpart, which is handy at the bloom stage. Hot water will not remain in contact with the coffee grinds for as long as cona shape drippers either.
Control over flavour is achieved by the speed at which one pours water, the temperature of that water, and the consistency of the grind. At the base of flat-bottom drippers, the coffee can stay in contact with water for a longer duration, which helps to release more sugar from the coffee grinds. In my experience, the resultant coffee is more complex. Moreover, you can use fine or coarse grinds to suit your needs.
In conclusion . . .
If you want to make fast but nice-tasting coffee with stronger sharpeners and a clear taste, go for cone-shaped drippers.
If you like experimenting with coffee—creating a novel cocktail of flavours—go for flat-bottom drippers. The final cup tends to be more complex, better balanced, and sweeter.
As for me? I created my own way. I designed an earthen dripper in the pottery studio. It uses flat-bottom filters, but the dripper doesn’t have a sharp shape and features a single hole at center. The best of both worlds as they say!
