Using a Teasmade to Brew Your Morning Coffee

Quick answer

• Yes, you can technically make coffee in a Teasmade, but it’s not designed for it and results will likely be suboptimal.
• A Teasmade is primarily designed to brew tea, which requires different water temperatures and steeping times than coffee.
• You’ll need to adapt the process significantly, using ground coffee and a suitable filter.
• Expect a weaker, potentially bitter, or muddy cup compared to dedicated coffee brewing methods.
• For the best coffee experience, a dedicated coffee maker or brewing device is highly recommended.
• If you must use a Teasmade, focus on coarse grounds and a quick brew time to minimize bitterness.

While a Teasmade isn’t designed for coffee, if you’re curious about trying it, a dedicated Teasmade like this one can be a starting point for experimentation.

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Who this is for

• Early risers who already own a Teasmade and want to experiment with coffee.
• Those in a situation where a Teasmade is the only available appliance for hot beverage preparation.
• Coffee enthusiasts curious about unconventional brewing methods, understanding the limitations.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

The Teasmade is your “brewer.” Its internal pot and heating element are designed for tea leaves. The critical part is the filter. Most Teasmade models come with a small, fine mesh or paper filter basket designed for tea leaves. For coffee, you’ll need to see if this basket can accommodate ground coffee without letting too much sediment through. A paper coffee filter that fits or a very fine mesh that can capture coffee grounds will be essential. If your Teasmade has no filter mechanism, you will likely end up with a very muddy cup.

To make coffee in your Teasmade, you’ll definitely need a suitable coffee filter. Consider a pack of disposable paper filters that can be adapted to fit the Teasmade’s basket.

Clinuse Cone Coffee Filters #2, 200 Count Unbleached Size 02 Coffee Filter, Disposable Natural Paper Filters 2-4 Cup, 02 Cone Filters for Pour Over and Drip Coffee Maker

• [100% Biodegradable & Pure] Clinuse disposable coffee filter paper is made from natural wood pulp, with zero bleach or fluorescent agents. The unbleached paper is completely adhesive-free, tasteless, and leaves no residue, keeping your coffee’s true flavor intact and your brew pure, hygienic, and eco-friendly.
• [Excellent Taste & Smooth Extraction] Crafted with fine, uniform-thickness paper, our V-shaped filter effectively removes excess oils and fine particles that cause bitterness, delivering a clean, mellow, and well-balanced cup. Because it’s entirely odor-free, nothing comes between you and the authentic taste of your beans.
• [V-Shaped Conical Design for Fuller Flavor] The specially designed V-shaped cone filter slows the water flow toward the center, allowing slower, deeper extraction and a richer, more aromatic brew. An easy-grip ear tab makes handling and cleanup simple — ideal for home, office, travel, or restaurant use.
• [Large Value Pack & Universal Fit] With 200 counts per pack, based on one cup daily, you’re set for over half a year of brewing. Designed to fit most 2-4 cup drip coffee makers, each filter measures approximately 6.3 x 4.6 x 4.4 inches. Please note: a reasonable variance of ±0.2 inches is normal. V02 is our model name and does not imply compatibility with other brands; always confirm your machine’s size requirements before purchase
• [Food-Grade Vacuum Packaging] To guarantee absolute freshness and purity, our coffee filters come sealed in food-grade vacuum packaging, keeping them dry, clean, and odor-free until use. From natural pulp to final package, every step meets strict hygiene standards — so every cup you brew is safe, clean, and worry-free

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Water quality and temperature

Start with fresh, cold, filtered water. Tap water with strong mineral flavors or chlorine can negatively impact the taste of any coffee, especially in an improvised setup. The Teasmade heats water, but its thermostat is calibrated for tea, typically around 200-212°F (93-100°C), which is generally suitable for coffee. However, consistency can vary, and the heating element might not maintain the ideal temperature throughout the brewing process.

Grind size and coffee freshness

For a Teasmade, a coarser grind is generally recommended. A medium-coarse to coarse grind, similar to what you’d use for a French press or percolator, is best. Fine grinds will likely pass through the filter (even a fine mesh one) and create sediment, resulting in a bitter, over-extracted cup. Always use freshly roasted and freshly ground coffee beans for the best flavor. Pre-ground coffee can be used, but its flavor will have degraded significantly.

Coffee-to-water ratio

Since a Teasmade is not designed for precise coffee brewing, you’ll be working with approximations. A good starting point is around 1:15 to 1:17 coffee to water ratio by weight. For example, if your Teasmade’s water reservoir holds 16 oz (about 2 cups), you might start with roughly 1 oz (about 28g) of coffee. You’ll need to adjust this based on taste. Because the brewing process is less controlled, you may need more coffee than usual to achieve a satisfactory strength.

Cleanliness/descale status

A Teasmade, like any appliance that heats water, can build up mineral deposits (scale) over time. If your Teasmade hasn’t been descaled recently, the water may not heat properly, and old residue can impart a metallic or off-flavor to your coffee. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for descaling your Teasmade, typically using a vinegar-water solution or a commercial descaling product. Ensure it’s thoroughly rinsed afterward to remove any cleaning agent residue.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Prepare the Teasmade: Ensure the Teasmade is clean, descaled, and placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface.

• What “good” looks like: A clean interior with no visible residue.
• Common mistake: Using a dirty or scaled Teasmade.
• How to avoid: Always clean after use and descale regularly.

2. Add Water: Fill the Teasmade’s water reservoir with fresh, cold, filtered water to the desired level.

• What “good” looks like: Water is clear and at the correct fill line for your desired coffee volume.
• Common mistake: Overfilling or underfilling the reservoir.
• How to avoid: Check the maximum fill line and measure your desired amount.

3. Prepare the Filter: If your Teasmade has a removable filter basket, place a suitable coffee filter inside. This might be a paper coffee filter that fits or the Teasmade’s own fine mesh filter if it’s capable of holding back coffee grounds.

• What “good” looks like: The filter is properly seated and will prevent grounds from entering the brewed coffee.
• Common mistake: Using a filter that’s too small or too large, or not using one at all.
• How to avoid: Test fit your filter before adding coffee.

4. Add Ground Coffee: Measure your coarsely ground coffee and add it to the prepared filter.

• What “good” looks like: The correct amount of coffee is in the filter, evenly distributed.
• Common mistake: Using too much or too little coffee, or using a grind that’s too fine.
• How to avoid: Start with a recommended ratio (e.g., 1:16) and a coarse grind.

5. Assemble the Teasmade: Place the filter basket with coffee back into the Teasmade, ensuring it’s properly seated. Close any lids.

• What “good” looks like: All parts are correctly assembled and secure.
• Common mistake: Not seating the filter basket correctly, leading to overflow.
• How to avoid: Double-check that the basket clicks or sits firmly in place.

6. Start the Brewing Cycle: Turn on the Teasmade to begin heating the water.

• What “good” looks like: The Teasmade begins to heat the water, and eventually, hot water will drip through the coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to turn it on or assuming it will start automatically.
• How to avoid: Press the power button or switch.

7. Monitor the Brew: Observe the coffee dripping into the pot below. The process will be similar to a drip coffee maker, but likely slower and less consistent.

• What “good” looks like: A steady flow of dark liquid into the pot.
• Common mistake: Letting the Teasmade boil dry if the water level is too low.
• How to avoid: Ensure the reservoir is filled adequately for the brewing cycle.

8. Brew Completion: The Teasmade will likely shut off automatically once the water has passed through.

• What “good” looks like: The heating element turns off, and dripping stops.
• Common mistake: Over-extraction if the brew time is excessively long due to slow dripping.
• How to avoid: This is hard to control in a Teasmade; a coarser grind helps.

9. Serve Immediately: Once brewing is complete, carefully pour the coffee from the Teasmade’s pot into your cup.

• What “good” looks like: Hot coffee is poured without excessive sediment.
• Common mistake: Letting the brewed coffee sit on the hot plate for too long, which can make it taste burnt or stale.
• How to avoid: Serve as soon as brewing finishes.

10. Clean Up: Discard the used coffee grounds and rinse the filter basket and pot thoroughly.

• What “good” looks like: All components are clean and ready for the next use.
• Common mistake: Leaving grounds in the filter or pot, which can lead to mold and odors.
• How to avoid: Clean immediately after use.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your coffee tastes weak and sour, then increase the amount of coffee or try a slightly finer (but still coarse) grind because under-extraction is likely.
• If your coffee tastes bitter and muddy, then use a coarser grind or reduce the amount of coffee because over-extraction or too many fines are the issue.
• If you notice a metallic taste, then clean and descale your Teasmade because mineral buildup is affecting the water and heating.
• If the coffee is not hot enough, then check the water level and the Teasmade’s heating element’s functionality because insufficient heat is the cause.
• If you have sediment in your cup, then ensure your filter is appropriate and try a coarser grind because fine particles are passing through.
• If the brew is very slow, then use a coarser grind to allow water to pass through more easily because fine grinds can clog the filter.
• If the coffee tastes like burnt plastic or old coffee, then you are likely letting it sit on the hot plate for too long; serve immediately.
• If the coffee has no discernible flavor, then ensure you are using fresh, quality beans and the correct coffee-to-water ratio because stale coffee or incorrect proportions lead to flat taste.
• If the Teasmade is overflowing, then you have likely used too much water or the filter is clogged; check water levels and ensure grounds are not packed too tightly.
• If you are getting inconsistent results, then acknowledge that the Teasmade is not a precise brewing device and manual adjustments will be necessary each time.
• If the coffee tastes “off” or chemical, then ensure the Teasmade is thoroughly rinsed after descaling because cleaning residue can taint the brew.

FAQ

Can I use a Teasmade to make coffee instead of tea?

Yes, you can technically use a Teasmade to brew coffee, but it’s not its intended purpose. You’ll need to adapt the process by using ground coffee and a suitable filter.

What kind of coffee grind should I use in a Teasmade?

A coarse to medium-coarse grind is best. Fine grinds will likely pass through the filter, creating sediment and leading to a bitter taste.

Will the coffee taste as good as it would from a dedicated coffee maker?

Likely not. Teasmade machines are designed for tea’s steeping process and don’t offer the precise temperature control or brewing dynamics that optimize coffee flavor. Expect a less nuanced and potentially weaker or more bitter cup.

Do I need a special filter for coffee in a Teasmade?

You’ll need to adapt. If your Teasmade has a fine mesh basket, it might work for coarser grounds. Otherwise, a paper coffee filter that can be fitted into the existing basket is usually necessary.

How much coffee should I use in a Teasmade?

A good starting point is around 1 ounce of coffee for every 16 ounces of water (roughly a 1:16 ratio by weight). You’ll likely need to adjust this based on taste preferences.

What if my Teasmade has no filter basket?

If your Teasmade lacks any form of filter basket, it will be very difficult to make drinkable coffee without significant modification or a very fine mesh you can improvise. You will likely end up with a cup full of grounds.

Can I leave the brewed coffee in the Teasmade pot?

It’s not recommended. Most Teasmade pots sit on a hot plate, which will continue to heat the coffee, leading to a burnt, stale, and unpleasant taste over time. Serve immediately.

How do I clean my Teasmade after brewing coffee?

Clean it the same way you would after brewing tea. Discard the grounds, rinse the filter basket and pot thoroughly with warm water, and dry all components. Regular descaling is also important.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific Teasmade model performance or modifications.
• Next: Consult your Teasmade’s user manual for specific cleaning and maintenance instructions.
• Detailed coffee bean sourcing, roasting profiles, or advanced tasting notes.
• Next: Explore resources on coffee bean origins and roast levels to understand flavor profiles.
• Comparisons between Teasmade coffee and other specific brewing methods like espresso or pour-over.
• Next: Research dedicated coffee brewing methods like drip coffee makers, French presses, or pour-over devices for optimal results.
• Troubleshooting specific electrical issues with Teasmade units.
• Next: Refer to appliance repair guides or contact a qualified technician for electrical concerns.