Brew Guides

Get the Best From Your Coffee

Great coffee starts with great beans — but what happens after that matters just as much. Over the years, we’ve installed and serviced coffee machines across workplaces all over the UK, and we see the same thing time and time again: good machines producing average coffee because the basics aren’t quite right.

These guides are built from real-world use — offices, homes, and hospitality — not theory. Get these right and you’ll get consistently better coffee, every time.

Bean-to-Cup Machines

The Easiest Way to Get Consistently Great Coffee

Bean-to-cup machines do most of the work for you — but they still rely on the right setup, good beans, and regular cleaning. Most “faults” we get called out for aren’t faults at all — they’re small issues that build up over time.

Step-by-Step

1. Use fresh beans — ideally within 4–6 weeks of opening. Stale beans = flat coffee.
2. Top up little and often — don’t leave a full hopper sitting for weeks.
3. Adjust the grind — bitter = too fine, weak/sour = too coarse. Small changes only.
4. Use filtered water — especially important in hard water areas.
5. Clean regularly — daily rinse, weekly clean. This is where most problems come from.
6. Warm your cup — small detail, noticeable difference.

Common Issues

• Bitter coffee — grind too fine or machine needs cleaning
• Weak coffee — grind too coarse or beans are stale
• Inconsistent results — usually cleaning or setup issues

Cafetière (French Press)

Simple, Forgiving, and Produces a Rich Cup

The cafetière is ideal for homes, meeting rooms, and smaller setups. It’s simple, reliable, and brings out a fuller-bodied coffee without needing a machine.

Step-by-Step

1. Grind coarsely — similar to rough breadcrumbs
2. Use the right ratio — around 60–70g per litre
3. Let water cool slightly — around 30 seconds off the boil
4. Bloom first — small pour, stir, wait 30 seconds
5. Brew for 4 minutes — then press slowly
6. Pour immediately — don’t leave it sitting on the grounds

Filter Coffee

Clean, Balanced, and Ideal for Everyday Use

Filter coffee is one of the best options for serving multiple cups consistently. It works particularly well in offices and is a great way to bring out the character of lighter, brighter coffees.

Step-by-Step

1. Grind medium — similar to coarse sand
2. Use correct ratio — around 60g per litre
3. Rinse filter paper — removes papery taste
4. Bloom — small pour, wait 30–45 seconds
5. Pour steadily — keep it even and controlled
6. Serve fresh — don’t leave sitting too long

Office Tip

If you're serving a team, use a batch brewer with a thermal carafe. Hotplates tend to burn coffee over time.

General Tips for Better Coffee

• Store beans properly — airtight, away from heat and light
• Buy little and often — freshness makes a big difference
• Use good water — it’s 98% of your coffee
• Clean your equipment — old oils ruin flavour quickly