Field Manual / Auto-Drip
Field Manual · AUTO-DRIP

AUTO-DRIP — The Foxhole Recipe

The machine does the work. You still have to dial it in.

No fluff, no latte art. The recipes we actually use in the roastery, written so you can dial in a cup that doesn’t waste the bean. Auto-drip machines are forgiving — but forgiving doesn’t mean set-it-and-forget-it. A few adjustments turn mediocre into good.

Quick Stats
Grind

Medium · coarser than V60, finer than French Press

Ratio

1:16

Water Temp

93°C / 200°F

Brew Time

4:00–5:00 total

Step by Step

The Recipe

1

Use a paper filter (rinse it with hot water first if your machine runs hot — some will impart paper taste)

2

Grind 20g medium (auto-drip grind = coarser than V60, finer than French Press)

3

Add coffee to filter, shake to level

4

Set machine to brew — run the full cycle

5

Don’t let brewed coffee sit on the hot plate — pour immediately

6

If your machine runs cool (under-extracts): preheat the carafe with hot water before brewing

Troubleshooting

Dial It In

Problem Fix
Bitter / Burning Grind coarser, use less coffee, or machine runs hot
Sour / Weak Grind finer, use more coffee, or machine needs preheating
Stale Taste Clean your machine — oils accumulate and go rancid. Run vinegar through it monthly.
Weak Yield Grind finer, use more coffee
FAQ

Common Questions

Q: What's the best grind size for auto-drip?

Medium — coarser than V60, finer than French Press. If your machine is chocking, go coarser. If it runs through too fast, go finer.

Q: Can I use pre-ground coffee for drip?

Yes, and it will work fine. The machine is more forgiving than pour-over methods. Use a coarse pre-ground if you can find it.

Q: Why does my auto-drip coffee taste stale?

Coffee oils go rancid over time. Clean your machine monthly — run equal parts water and white vinegar, then two plain water cycles.

Q: Why is my drip coffee bitter or sour?

Bitter = over-extracted (machine runs hot or grind too fine). Sour = under-extracted (machine runs cool or grind too coarse). Check your machine temp and grind setting.

Other Methods
← Field Manual French Press → Cold Brew →

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