Clever Dripper: Everything You Need to Know

Table of Content

What is Clever Dripper

The Clever Dripper is a coffee brewing device that incorporates the best of both pour-over and immersion brewing methods. Beyond being a simple coffee brewer, the Clever Dripper embodies a unique design, aiming to address the limitations of traditional drip coffee makers. It was invented with the idea of making the coffee brewing process simple and hassle-free while allowing users to control brewing parameters for a clean, flavorful cup of coffee. The Clever Dripper’s shape is somewhat similar to a pour-over cone, but it has a unique valve at the bottom.

History of Clever Dripper

While the exact origin of the Clever Dripper is a point of discussion, its impact on the coffee world is undeniable. Both Jay Israelson in 2004 and the Taiwanese company, Abid Co. in 2008, are appreciated for their creation, each claiming a role in its development.

Combining the full immersion technique of a French press with the clean filtration of a pour-over, it delivers a balanced and nuanced cup. It has a silicone valve that allows you to regulate the flow of coffee, ensuring optimal extraction.

With its simple design and easy-to-clean components, anyone can brew a delicious cup of coffee. Acknowledged for its creativity, the Clever Dripper has earned the prestigious "Best Immersion Dripper" award from Perfect Daily Grind.

Roast level

Medium to Darker Roasts

Grind Size

Medium Coarse

Water temperature

91°-93°C

Steeping time

1.5 - 2 minutes

Best Coffee to water ratio

1:18

Clever Dripper Parts Explained

How to use a Clever Dripper

Step 1: Fold the filter paper

Fold up the side and the bottom seam of the filter paper and place it inside the Clever Dripper.

How to Make Clever Dripper Coffee Stronger

Step 1: Increase the coffee-to-water ratio

The easiest way to increase the strength of your coffee is to add more coffee while keeping the water volume the same as a higher coffee-to-water ratio generally results in a stronger brew.

Step 2: Try using a finer grind

A finer grind expands the surface area of the coffee grounds, resulting in a proper extraction and a stronger cup. However, make sure that the grind is not too fine as over-extraction might lead to bitterness.

Step 3: Extend the steeping time

Letting the coffee steep for a longer period will aid in extracting more flavor. Start with a 30-second steeping time and increase it as per your taste.

Step 4: Increase the water temperature

Raising the water temperature will help extract intricate flavors from the coffee grounds resulting in complete extraction. But make sure that the water is not too hot, as it can lead to a bitter-tasting coffee.

Step 5: Stir the coffee well

Stirring helps in the even saturation of the coffee grounds. Thus better extraction will lead to a stronger coffee.

Step 6: Use fresh coffee

Fresh is always the best. Using fresh ground coffee beans will result in better flavor and stronger coffee.

Clever Dripper Cleaning Guide

Wondering how to deep clean a Clever Dripper? Follow these simple ways to maintain the pristine of your Dripper.

1

Rinse thoroughly

After every brewing session, rinse your Clever Dripper with warm water to remove any leftover coffee grounds or oils. This aids in preventing unnecessary stain buildup.

2

Wash it at regular intervals

Cleaning each Clever Dripper component is essential to maintain the pristine. Use warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to gently scrub the filter, filter holder, stopper, and valve. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water to remove any soapy solution.

3

Use baking soda or vinegar for deep cleaning

For stubborn stains or odors, deep clean the Clever Dripper using baking soda or vinegar. For this, take an equal amount of white vinegar and water to the carafe, or add a tablespoon of baking soda to the Dripper and fill it with warm water. Now keep it aside for 30 minutes minimum and then rinse it well with clean water.

4

Clean the stopper and valve

To maintain the aesthetic look of the Dripper, consider using a dilute soapy solution and a soft cloth to wipe it down. Make sure you don't submerge the components of the Dripper in water, as it can affect the Dripper negatively.

5

Dry it completely

Once all the components are cleansed, let them air dry completely before reassembling and storing them for the next use.

Why Clever Dripper

Ease of use

The Clever Dripper is marked for its simplicity. With the combination of both pour-over and immersion brewing methods, it offers a straightforward brewing process that makes brewing a cakewalk for both beginners and experienced coffee enthusiasts.

Controlled brewing

With the stopper mechanism, the Clever Dripper enables users to control the steeping time providing them the opportunity to experiment with different extarction times and decide on what best matches their preferences.

Affordability

As compared to other specialty coffee brewing devices, the Clever Dripper is pretty affordable. This makes it a center of attraction for those looking to enhance their coffee brewing experience without a substantial financial investment.

Versatility

The Clever Dripper can easily accommodate any grind size. Whether you choose a coarse grind for a lighter cup or a finer grind for a stronger brew, the Clever Dripper can adjust as per your preferences.

Easy to Clean

The Clever Dripper's simplified design makes it easy to clean. The disassembly of its components is handy and allows thorough cleaning, making sure that no coffee residues or oils influence the flavor of your brews.

Portability & Durability

The Clever Dripper is adored by coffee lovers for its portability and durability. Its robust design makes it convenient for use at home, in the office, or even while traveling.

Other Uses of Clever Dripper Coffee Maker

As Tea infuser

Apart from coffee, the Clever Dripper can also be used as a tea infuser. To achieve it, just place the loose tea leaves in the filter, add hot water, and let it steep for a while. Once the steeping is done, release the stopper, allowing the brewed tea to flow into your cup.

As Cold Brew Coffee Maker

While the Clever Dripper is not ideal for cold brew, people adapt it for cold brewing. For this, simply grind the coffee, take some cold water, add it to the Dripper, and let it steep for an extended period. Once done, release the stopper to separate the coffee grounds from the cold brew concentrate.

Herbal infusions

You can even experiment with herbal infusions by placing herbs or botanicals in the filter and adding hot water. This allows you to create custom blends and retain the strength of the infusion.

Homemade nut milk

With the use of Clever Dripper, you can easily make your nut milk by blending nuts with water or milk and then straining the mixture through the Clever Dripper's filter to separate the liquid from the nut pulp.

Rinsing grains and seeds

Clever Dripper can easily rinse quinoa, rice, or other grains and seeds with the Clever Dripper's filter.

Common Mistakes

Using a finer grind

For a Clever Dripper, a medium-coarse grind works well. A finer grind here can lead to over-extraction and bitterness harming the flavors.

Inadequate pre-wetting

For the proper extraction pre-wetting the grounds well is necessary, thus make sure you only pour hot water over the grounds and give it sufficient time to bloom.

Pouring too quickly

For proper Clever Dripper brewing, pour slowly and at different intervals, allowing the water to saturate the grounds evenly.

Ignoring the stopper

Not using Clever Dripper's stopper well can lead to unnecessary spills and messes. Thus, ensure the stopper is fully closed during brewing and only release the brew once the desired coffee level is reached.

Not maintaining the dripper

The unnecessary buildup of oils and residue can affect the taste and performance of coffee. So coffee lovers are advised to clean the Clever Dripper regularly with warm soapy water and rinse it thoroughly.

Using wrong filter

Using the wrong filter can lead to leakage, resulting in a gritty cup. So make sure that you use the filters of the appropriate size.

Accessories to Enhance Clever Dripper Brewing

Clever Dripper Filters

These Clever Dripper filters aid by providing a fine mesh to strain the coffee grounds while allowing the infusion process to create a flavorful and sediment-free cup.

Self Heating Coffee Mug

This self-heating coffee mug ensures your coffee stays warm for an extended period without any external heating sources.

Electric Gooseneck Kettle

This precise and efficient tool allows coffee lovers to control the water flow and pour with precision.

glossary

Term	Definition
Immersion Brewing	Immersion brewing is a coffee brewing method where coffee grounds are fully submerged in water during the brewing process. Methods like French press and cold brew use immersion brewing.
Stopper	The valve at the bottom of the Clever Dripper controls the flow of brewed coffee. It is opened when the device is placed on a mug or carafe.
Grind Size	Grind size refers to the coarseness or fineness of coffee grounds. Different brewing methods require specific grind sizes to achieve optimal flavor extraction.
Bloom	The initial phase where coffee grounds release gasses, resulting in a foamy top.
Brew ratio	Brew ratio is the measurement of the ratio between coffee grounds and water used in the brewing process. It is usually expressed as a coffee-to-water ratio and plays a significant role in determining the strength and flavor of the coffee.
Papery taste	A taste that can be imparted to coffee by the filter. Rinsing the filter well before brewing can help to remove this taste.
Pour over	A brewing technique involves pouring a fine stream of hot water over coffee grounds placed in a paper filter. It typically results in acidic, fruity coffee.

James Hoffmann Clever Dripper method

Step 1: Place the coffee filter

Begin by folding a piece of paper and placing it in the Clever Dripper. Folding it well will help it to adjust in the Dripper.

Step 2: Add hot water

Once done, add the 250 g hot water to the Dripper. Adding water first helps to make it better and quicker.

Step 3: Add the coffee grounds

Once done, add the 15 grams of ground coffee to the Dripper, cover it with a lid, and let it bloom for around 2 minutes.

Step 4: Stir the mixture

After 2 minutes, shake the Clever Dripper well, open the lid, give it a fine stir to break the crust, and let it steep again for 30 seconds by covering it with a lid.

Step 5: Open the valve

Finally, place the Dripper on a carafe or a mug and open the valve for the coffee to pass through the filters. Your coffee is ready to be served

Clever Dripper