Brew along with us
Coffee Brew Timer & Guide
This free coffee brew timer walks you through every pour. Choose your brewing method and how much coffee you’re making. You’ll get the exact grams of coffee, water, grind size and water temperature, then a step-by-step timer that tells you when to pour, stir and press.
1. Brewing method
2. How much are you making?
3. Your recipe
4. Start brewing
Why use a coffee brew timer?
Time is one of the easiest brewing variables to control, and one of the most overlooked. Coffee extracts in stages: bright acids dissolve first, then sweetness, then bitter compounds. Stop too early and the cup tastes sour and thin; brew too long and it turns harsh and bitter. A consistent coffee brew timer, paired with the right ratio and grind, is how you make the same good cup every morning instead of a different one each day.
Each recipe in this guide uses the same starting ratios as our Coffee Ratio Calculator, so the two tools work together. Treat the timings as a reliable starting point, then adjust to taste. For background on each method, the National Coffee Association has a helpful guide to brewing methods.
Coffee brew timer recipes at a glance
| Method | Ratio | Grind | Water | Total time | Try it with |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pour-over | 1:16 | Medium-fine | 92–96°C | About 3 min | Arabica |
| French press | 1:15 | Coarse | 93–96°C | About 5 min | Kapeng Barako |
| AeroPress | 1:13 | Medium-fine | 85–90°C | About 2 min | CB’s Finest |
| Moka pot | About 1:7 | Fine | Hot, near boiling | About 5 min | Robusta |
| Drip bag | 10 g : 150 ml | Pre-ground | 90–94°C | About 2 min | Coffee drip bags |
| Cold brew | 1:10 | Coarse | Cold, filtered | 12–18 hours | Robusta or Barako |
How to fix a cup that tastes off
Sour, thin or weak
The coffee is under-extracted. Grind a little finer, use hotter water, or let it brew 15–30 seconds longer. For French press and cold brew, a longer steep usually fixes it.
Bitter, harsh or dry
The coffee is over-extracted. Grind a little coarser or shorten the brew time. With dark roasts like our Robusta and Barako, water just off the boil (around 90–93°C) can soften the bitterness.
Too strong or too mild
That’s a ratio question rather than a timing one. Keep the timing the same and use a little more or less coffee. The Coffee Strength Calculator can help you dial it in.
Small habits that make a big difference
- Weigh your coffee. A cheap kitchen scale is more consistent than tablespoons, since bean density changes with the roast.
- Grind just before brewing. Ground coffee loses aroma within minutes. If you buy ground, choose the grind for your brewer and store it in an airtight container.
- Use filtered water. Coffee is about 98% water, so off-tasting tap water carries straight into the cup.
- No thermometer? Boil the water and let it rest for 30–60 seconds. That lands roughly in the 90–96°C range.
Coffee brew timer FAQs
How long should coffee brew?
It depends on the method: about 2 minutes for AeroPress or a drip bag, about 3 minutes for pour-over, around 4 minutes of steeping for French press, and 12–18 hours for cold brew.
What water temperature is best for coffee?
Between 90°C and 96°C for most hot brewing methods. Use the lower end for dark roasts and AeroPress, and the higher end for medium-roast Arabica in a pour-over.
How do I brew a coffee drip bag properly?
Hang the bag on your cup, pour a little hot water to wet the grounds and wait 30 seconds, then pour the rest slowly in two stages to about 150 ml. Let it drain and remove the bag. The whole process takes about two minutes.
Can I use the coffee brew timer on my phone?
Yes. The coffee brew timer works in any phone browser. Keep the screen on while brewing, as some phones pause web pages when the screen locks.
Fresh beans make the best brew
Choose whole bean or ask us to grind for your brewer. Roasted in Manila, delivered nationwide.
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