Why You Shouldn’t Brew Small Coffee Doses with a Large Dripper (V60 Brewing Tips)

 We all know that coffee drippers usually come in two sizes—large and small. Some people assume that if a large dripper can handle a big dose of coffee, it should naturally work just fine for a smaller dose as well. So why not just buy one large dripper and call it a day?

In reality, that way of thinking isn’t ideal. Today, let’s talk about why using a large dripper to brew a small dose of coffee is generally not recommended. Hopefully, this will be helpful—and if it is, feel free to share it with your fellow coffee friends.

First, let’s clarify two concepts: how big is a “large” dripper, and how small is a “small” dose?

Let’s use the V60 as an example. A V60 labeled 02 is considered a large dripper, designed for brewing coffee for 1–4 people. A “small” dose, in this context, refers to using around 15 grams of coffee, typically brewed at a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio.

When a large dripper is designed, it’s meant to accommodate a larger amount of coffee grounds—usually 20–30 grams or more—which naturally creates a thicker coffee bed. If you only use 15 grams of coffee in such a dripper, the risk of uneven extraction increases significantly. The result is often a cup that tastes thin, sharp, overly acidic, or bitter.

Because a large dripper has a wider diameter, a small dose of coffee spreads out into a very thin coffee bed. During brewing, hot water passes through this thin bed much too quickly, making it difficult to evenly saturate and extract all the grounds. This leads to poor control over both water flow and temperature.

One of the most serious problems during extraction is channeling. Water naturally seeks the path of least resistance, and in a thin coffee bed, it’s very easy for fixed channels to form. Most of the water rushes through these channels, while other areas of the coffee bed barely get extracted at all.

The result is the worst of both worlds:

• The areas where water channels through become over-extracted, producing bitterness.

• The areas that don’t get enough water remain under-extracted, leading to sharp acidity and hollow flavors.

As you can imagine, the final cup is far from pleasant.

There’s also a secondary factor to consider: heat retention. Large drippers—especially ceramic or glass ones—have more mass and therefore require more hot water to preheat properly. If preheating isn’t sufficient, the cold dripper will quickly absorb heat from the brewing water.

On top of that, a thin coffee bed holds very little heat on its own. Combined with the large opening of a big dripper, which increases exposure to air, the overall brewing temperature drops too quickly. Unstable water temperature and excessive heat loss often lead to under-extraction, further increasing the chances of ending up with a disappointing cup.

With a large V60 like the 02, using a small dose also makes pouring much more difficult. The steep cone angle and wide interior space mean that water can easily hit the filter paper along the sides, washing away the coffee bed or disturbing its structure. This greatly increases the likelihood of channeling.

Even if you pour very gently and precisely, getting such a thin coffee bed to bloom and expand evenly requires a high level of skill. It’s not something most everyday coffee enthusiasts can easily pull off.

That’s why, in daily brewing, it’s important to match your coffee dose to the appropriate dripper size. If you usually brew around 15–18 grams of coffee, a small dripper is the better choice—whether that’s a V60-01, a Kalita 155, or another similar model.

With a small dripper, a small dose can form an ideal coffee bed thickness. Water is forced to pass more evenly through all the grounds, the dripper is easier to preheat, heat loss is slower, and the narrower opening naturally directs water toward the center of the coffee bed. All of this makes it much easier to achieve a balanced and even extraction.

Finally, there’s one awkward but very real question to address:
What if you already own a large dripper—and only a large dripper—and still want to brew small doses?

While the best solution is still to get a properly sized small dripper, here are a few compromise strategies you can try if a large dripper is all you have for now:

• Grind finer: A finer grind increases resistance, slows down the flow rate, and extends extraction time, allowing more flavor compounds to dissolve.

• Lower the water temperature: Try brewing at around 88–91°C (190–196°F). Slightly cooler water can help prevent overly rapid extraction of bitter compounds.

• Adjust your pouring technique: Use a thinner stream of water and pour more gently and slowly.

• Use multiple pours: After blooming with a small amount of water, continue brewing with several smaller pours. Wait for the water level to drop before each pour to extend the total extraction time.

These adjustments won’t fully replace the benefits of a correctly sized dripper, but they can help improve your results until you’re able to switch to one that truly matches your brewing needs.