Holiday lets often come with filter machines of unpredictable quality. But with a few straightforward adjustments, even the most basic brewers can make a decent cup of coffee, especially if you’ve brought a bag of Artisan Roast beans with you.  Here are a few handy tips.

Step 1: Bring the Good Stuff
A bag of fresh Artisan Roast beans is easy to pack and means you’ll start each day with something familiar and reliable.
•⁠  ⁠Pre-ground coffee works fine for short breaks
•⁠  ⁠Use a medium grind, close to coarse sand
•⁠  ⁠Keep the bag sealed and away from direct sunlight

Step 2: Use a Manual Bypass to Avoid Bitterness
Basic machines usually brew slowly, which can lead to bitterness. You can manage this with a simple method:
•⁠  ⁠Use 30g of coffee and 375ml of water in the machine
•⁠  ⁠Let it brew as normal
•⁠  ⁠After brewing, top up your carafe with 125ml of freshly boiled water

Step 3: Preheat the Reservoir Water
A common issue is water that never gets hot enough. You can help by:
•⁠  ⁠Heating the brew water to around 60°C before adding it to the tank
•⁠  ⁠This improves extraction without harming the machine

Step 4: Remove the Carafe When Brewing Stops
Letting the coffee sit on the hot plate will dull the flavour.
•⁠  ⁠Take the carafe off straight after brewing
•⁠  ⁠Either drink it immediately or pour into a thermal flask