In this Clever Dripper review, we find out if this could be the best camping coffee maker for your next adventure!
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CLEVER DRIPPER COFFEE MAKER DETAILS:
• Link: Clever Dripper on Amazon
• Price: £20 – £25
• Weight: 286g
• Measurements: 17cm (wide) x 14.5cm (height)
• Main material: BPA free plastic
• Dishwasher safe? no
• Do you need a kettle to heat the water? yes
• Do you need extras ie filters, batteries, pods etc? yes – single use paper filters
• Does it work on an induction hob? N/A
• Amazon review score: 4.8 / 5
• My 7 day review score: 82 / 100
Check the current price on Amazon
Whether you’re into bushcraft, ultralight backpacking or have a campervan like me, over the next few weeks (or maybe even months?!) I will find you the perfect coffee maker. Guaranteed!
Let me know in the comments below what you demand from a coffee maker, and let me help you find your perfect match!
CLEVER DRIPPER REVIEW
Today I am focusing on the Clever Dripper.
At first glance it looks like a traditional drip filter coffee maker, but it does hide a very clever twist.
In the bottom of the brewing chamber is a little silicone rubber ball.
This basically plugs the hole, combining both immersion and drip brewing techniques to create the perfect cup of coffee.
After around 4 minutes of brewing time you simply place the Clever Dripper on to a cup, and the ball is forced up, allowing the coffee to drain through the filter paper into the cup.
No mess, no fuss.
Just a perfect cup of coffee every time.
It’s a small thing, but we have been SO impressed with the quality of the brew from the Clever Dripper.
It’s made of BPA free plastic, and whilst this one has a dated smoked plastic vibe, it is also available in clear plastic, black or dark blue.
It comes with a pack of 100 filters.
When you need to order replacement filters for the Clever Dripper, you can find them here on Amazon.
The Clever Dripper comes simply packaged in a small cardboard box, with two small (totally unnecessary) plastic bags.
And one larger piece of bubble wrap.
Inside the box is the Clever Dripper brewing jug, a lid to help keep the heat in whilst brewing, and a coaster to sit the brewer on whilst full of hot coffee.
I’m not sure the latter is essential, but it’s a very nice touch and protects the wooden counter in my camper van from any possible drips (of which there were none during my week-long experiment).
The instructions are very simple, and after following them word for word I enjoyed a perfect cup of coffee from the start.
See the Clever Dripper on Amazon
HOW DO YOU USE A CLEVER DRIPPER COFFEE MAKER?
Wash the Clever Dripper well in hot soapy water before trying for the first time.
Place on an even surface.
You can place it on to the coaster if you are using indoors.
Place a filter paper inside the Clever Dripper.
Boil the kettle, pour through the filter paper.
This ‘cleans’ the paper, removing any chance of tainting the coffee with a papery taste.
Secondly, it warms the Clever Dripper therby ensuring your coffee stays as hot as possible.
After a minute or two, stand the Clever Dripper on your cup and drain the hot water through into the cup.
This in turn warms your mug (and for someone that loves their coffee hot, this is win-win all round!)
Fill the paper filter with freshly ground, medium-coarse coffee.
I used around 20g of coffee.
Boil the kettle again.
Let it come off the boil, then pour over the coffee grounds.
There is no need to let the coffee ‘bloom’ as it is being immersed in the water for the full brewing time.
I prefer to give it a stir at this point with a teaspoon.
Wait for four minutes, then place on top of your preheated coffee mug.
The coffee will easily drain out into the cup.
If you are making two coffees, lift off cup one and the flow will cut out thanks to the clever little silicone ball inside.
Then place on cup two to drain the rest of the coffee out.
Top up with hot water, or add your favourite creamers and flavourings to suit.
Click here to watch me review this coffee maker on YouTube.
HOW MANY CUPS OF COFFEE DOES IT MAKE?
The 300ml Clever Dripper makes one coffee*.
The 500ml Clever Dripper makes two mugs of coffee.
*However I comfortably make two coffees in the 300ml unit by topping the cups up with hot water when brewed.
WHAT COFFEE GROUNDS SHOULD I USE WITH THE CLEVER DRIPPER?
It is recommended to use a medium to coarse grind of beans.
Always grind your beans just before brewing your coffee for maximum flavour and quality of brew.
I use this cheap handheld burr grinder at home and camping to keep my beans super fresh.
THINGS I LOVE ABOUT THE CLEVER DRIPPER COFFEE MAKER
The quality of the cup of coffee it produces. Faultless.
I really enjoy making coffee in the Dripper. You get into a rhythm with it, and the ritual becomes a pleasurable part of the process.
THINGS I DIDN’T LOVE ABOUT THE CLEVER DRIPPER
I’m not fond of the plastic build, either the colour or the feel of it.
It doesn’t feel as ‘bombproof’ as the Aeropress either.
My dream coffee maker would be this, but made of stainless steel :)
Other than that, this is firmly my favourite way to make coffee for two people at home, or when camping.
CLEVER DRIPPER COFFEE MAKER SCORES
• Ease of Use: 10
• Ease of Clean up: 10
• Quality of Brew: 9
• Value for Money: 8
• Style: 7
• Design: 10
• Durability: 5
• Waste: 8
• Weight/Storage: 7
• Wow Factor: 8
Total Score: 82 / 100
All in all? BRILLIANT!
CAN YOU HELP ME FIND THE BEST CAMPING COFFEE MAKER ON THE MARKET?
What’s you preferred way of making coffee using real coffee grounds in the great outdoors?
Let us know in the comments below and we may end up reviewing your favourite coffee maker in the near future too!
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{HOW I TEST & REVIEW CAMPING COFFEE MAKERS}
The first time I use a coffee maker, I follow the included instructions.
I then spend the next 7 days perfecting the brew and learning all there is to know about it. I watch other videos, read blog reviews & Amazon comments, and play around with different brewing techniques.
Finally I finish off the review with a round up of all I have learnt, and give it a total score out of 100.
***
Huge thanks to Owens Coffee, a 100% Organic coffee roaster in Ivybridge, Devon. Please note this review was not sponsored, but they did supply me all the coffee beans to make this review possible. To find their full range of freshly ground beans, check out their website here: Owens Coffee. PS I highly recommend their Dart blend ;)
This article contains affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you follow, and shop through our links, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping support the work we do here at hedgecombers.com :)
Janie x
Janice says
Brilliantly! It’s been so interesting following your coffee making adventure. I love the sound of this one.
Jane Sarchet says
Ah thanks Janice! I’m having the time of my life doing these reviews! #coffeeaddict
Janie x
James says
Great article. I usually use the Aeropress for coffee while camping, but the Clever Dripper does hold a lot of appeal. Also iI like that it seems to be a coffee maker that you can really experiment with and produce different types of coffee