5 Brew Mistakes You’re Probably Making (And How to Fix Them)
Better coffee doesn’t always mean better gear. Sometimes it just means better habits.
You can buy the nicest grinder, the most beautiful pour-over setup, and the freshest coffee — and still end up with a flat, bitter, or just "meh" cup.
Here are 5 common brew mistakes we see all the time (even from seasoned coffee lovers), plus how to fix them in under 30 seconds.
1. You’re Not Weighing Your Coffee
The mistake: You’re scooping, eyeballing, or using whatever fits in the grinder.
The fix: Use a digital scale. Start with a 1:16 ratio — that’s 1g coffee to 16g water. (Example: 25g coffee to 400g water.)
Why it matters: Even a few grams too much or too little can throw your cup off completely. A scale removes the guesswork — and lets you repeat a great cup.
2. You’re Using the Wrong Grind Size
The mistake: Your coffee’s too sour or too bitter — and you keep blaming the roast.
The fix: Adjust your grind size.
- Sour = grind finer
- Bitter = grind coarser
Why it matters: Grind size controls how long the water is in contact with the coffee. The wrong grind means over- or under-extraction. Fix the grind, fix the cup.
3. You’re Not Using Filtered Water
The mistake: Your coffee tastes a little off — and you think it’s the beans.
The fix: Use clean, filtered water — ideally with 75–150 ppm total dissolved solids.
Why it matters: Coffee is 98% water. If your tap water tastes like chlorine, your coffee will too. A $15 water filter might be the biggest flavor upgrade you make.
4. You’re Rushing the Brew
The mistake: You pour all your water at once and let it rip.
The fix: Take your time. Let it bloom. Pour in stages.
Why it matters: Especially with pour-over, the rhythm of your pour affects extraction. Slowing down helps release gas (bloom), extract sweetness, and avoid channeling.
5. You’re Using Stale Coffee
The mistake: You’re drinking what’s left in the cabinet. Roast date? Who knows.
The fix: Use coffee roasted within the past 2–3 weeks. Store it in an airtight container. Grind fresh.
Why it matters: After 3–4 weeks, coffee starts to lose aroma and complexity. Freshness makes more of a difference than most people think — especially with lighter roasts.
Final Thoughts: It’s Not About Perfection
Don’t let technique become a barrier.
You don’t have to be a world champ to make great coffee at home — you just have to pay attention. Fix these five mistakes, and you’ll notice the difference immediately.
TL;DR – 5 Brew Mistakes to Fix Right Now
- Weigh your coffee — use a 1:16 ratio
- Adjust your grind — finer = sweeter, coarser = less bitter
- Use filtered water — clean water = clean cup
- Slow down — let it bloom, pour in stages
- Use fresh coffee — flavor fades fast
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