It’s called manual drip for one simple reason: you have to pour hot water over the grounds by hand. There are a host of manual drip devices on the market. Some, such as Chemex and Bodum, make whole pots of coffee. Others are designed for single serve and sit right on top of a cup or mug. With the exception of Chemex brewers, which use proprietary paper filters, paper and gold filters are available for almost every type and size.
For best results, pre-wet paper filters with hot water before you add the coffee. If you do this over the pot or your mug, be sure to dump any water that gets through or you’ll dilute your coffee.
It's also a good idea to pre-moisten the grinds once you’ve put them in your pre-moistened filter. That’s because fresh-roasted beans give off a surprising amount of carbon dioxide which can foam over the top of the filter assembly and make a mess if you’re not careful. Add just enough hot water to thoroughly moisten the grounds and then give them a quick stir to knock down the bubbles before you slowly pour in the rest of the water. Just be careful and don’t tear the filter!
Take your time and let the filter and grinds do their magic. Pour too fast and the first thing you’ll make is a mess, which is not the best way to wake up!
