Brewing Guide
Dials Coffee Company · Wabash, Indiana
Better coffee starts with a better routine.
Use this practical guide to match your grind, ratio, water, and time—then adjust one variable at a time until the cup tastes exactly right.
The four essentials
Dial in the variables
Consistency matters more than complicated gear. Start here.
Grind
Coarse for slow immersion, finer for faster extraction. A burr grinder gives the most consistency.
Water
Use fresh, filtered water between 195°F and 205°F for most hot-brew methods.
Ratio
Begin near 1:16—one gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water—then adjust to taste.
Time
Time controls extraction. Keep it repeatable, then change grind before changing everything else.
Pick your setup
Six dependable brew methods
RICH & FULL-BODIED
French Press
Coarse · 1:15 · 4 minutes
Add 30g coffee and 450g hot water. Stir, steep for four minutes, then plunge slowly.
CLEAN & AROMATIC
Pour Over
Medium-fine · 1:16 · 2½–4 minutes
Rinse the filter. Bloom 25g coffee with 50g water for 30 seconds, then pour to 400g in slow spirals.
QUICK & VERSATILE
AeroPress
Medium-fine · 1:15 · 2 minutes
Combine 17g coffee and 255g water. Steep for 90 seconds, then press gently for about 30 seconds.
CONCENTRATED & SILKY
Espresso
Fine · 1:2 · 25–30 seconds
Start with 18g in and aim for 36g out. Tamp evenly and adjust grind until the timing and flavor align.
SMOOTH & LOW-ACID
Cold Brew
Coarse · 1:8 concentrate · 12–16 hours
Combine 100g coffee with 800g cold water. Refrigerate, strain, then dilute the concentrate to taste.
EASY & CONSISTENT
Drip Machine
Medium · 1:16 · machine cycle
Use fresh filtered water, weigh the coffee, and clean the machine regularly. Small habits make a large difference.
Quick-reference chart
| Method | Grind | Ratio | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Press | Coarse | 1:15 | 4 min |
| Pour Over | Medium-fine | 1:16 | 2½–4 min |
| AeroPress | Medium-fine | 1:15 | 2 min |
| Espresso | Fine | 1:2 | 25–30 sec |
| Cold Brew | Coarse | 1:8 | 12–16 hr |
| Drip Machine | Medium | 1:16 | Machine cycle |
TROUBLESHOOT THE CUP
Taste, then adjust.
Too bitter?
Use a coarser grind or shorten the brew time.
Too sour?
Use a finer grind or slightly hotter water.
Too weak?
Use more coffee or less water while keeping the method consistent.
THE USEFUL KIT
Gear that earns its space.
- Burr grinder
- Digital scale
- Gooseneck kettle for pour over
- Timer
- Fresh filters and a clean brewer
Stay dialed in
Good beans. A repeatable process. Your perfect cup.
Experiment, take a note or two, and change only one variable at a time. The right coffee makes the process even better.
Find your next coffee