Batch brew, or "batchie", is an automatic method of brewing coffee in large batches. Batch brewers are small appliances that heat the brew water and then disperse it over the top of the ground coffee, which is held in the filter inside the filter cone; the brew falls into a carafe held at the bottom of the machine.
The average batch brewer produces between 1-2 litres of coffee, although there are some that brew up to 18 litres (!). For this reason, It's become a real staple offering in many specialty coffee cafes across Australia, and is also quite a popular domestic brewing method, too.
To use, water is added to the brewer’s reservoir. The water then drips down into a heater located in the base of the appliance. Once it reaches boiling point, it bubbles up through a tube in the centre of the reservoir.
This hot water is then delivered to a cone-shaped holder that is holds the coffee grounds in pulses. The water pulses act as a form of agitation, as not to over-extract the same area of the coffee bed.
The water filters through the cone, extracting the coffee, and the brew is collected in a carafe at the base. And voila! You have lots of delicious coffee ready to drink.
Automatic brewing was invented in Germany during the 1950s, after the paper coffee filter, pioneered in 1908, changed the way people were consuming their coffee in the home. Conceptualised by Gottlob Widmann, the first electrical drip brewer, the Wigomat, looks a lot an electrical version of a Syphon coffee brewer. And the design has changed very little since its original release, even between brands.
One of the most recognisable automatic brewer designs is the Technivorm Moccamaster Classic. Gerard Smit founded Technivorm in 1964, designing the first Moccamaster in 1968. Since then, this batch brewer has been the market leader in brew quality and product design. We use Moccamasters in our retail stores, our offices, and a few of us even have them at home, however there are many other companies out there making great options for batch brewers.
Shop our Definitive Batch Brew Collection.
The foremost reason batch brews are so popular is due to their ability to yield lots of coffee at once, usually 3-4 times the amount one would normally brew through a V60. The brew is also usually kept warm in a thermal carafe, meaning it can be served for up to four hours after brew time.
Following the recipe for brewing batch brew is also simple and repeatable, which is another reason it’s so accessible. The machine itself is easy to clean, and you can brew any roast type with it with it.
Batch brewers provide a consistent brew that is typically more full bodied in flavour and mouthfeel. Unfortunately it won’t result in the delicate flavour profile one might expect from a pourover coffee, but it definitely still tastes like a filter coffee. All of these benefits make batch brewers ideal for many situations, hence the coffee maker's popularity across the world.
Our biggest tip when brewing batch brew is to make sure you’re using filtered water. Filter coffee has a large ratio of coffee to water, usually one part coffee to 14-17 parts water. For this reason, we highly recommend using quality, filtered water.
Ultimately, it's a super versatile way to brew, and can be made with espresso roast or filter roast coffee, depending on how you enjoy your coffee. For a lighter, fruitier brew to drink black, use coffee that has been roasted for filter brewing; for a bolder brew with lower acidity and for those who want to add milk to the brew, we recommend trying a coffee that is roasted for espresso. You can also play around with your coffee to water ratio to tailor your brew to how you like it.
Batch Brew is a wonderfully accessible and delicious way to enjoy coffee and boasts all the best qualities of manually brewed filter coffee together with the convenience of automation.
Padre Coffee acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continued connections to land, sea and community.
We pay our respect to Elders past, present and future, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
