The market for drippers have exploded over the last couple of years with new “game-changing” models being released all the time. So naturally, I’m a bit skeptical when something new hits the market.
But when the B75 flat-bottom dripper was released I got very curious. There was just something about the design that looked so unique and intriguing, so I bought it right away.
Now, after having owned it for more than a year, I can confidently say it’s earned a spot among my favorite and most used pour over coffee makers.
Probably the fastest pour over dripper around
The Timemore B75 is not just another flat-bottom dripper. With traditional “Wave” filters, it’s very fast and consistent. With Melitta filters, it becomes a different beast altogether.
AliexpressStandout Features
What immediately catches your eye with the B75 is the unique design of the bottom.
Large, vertical ribs lift the filter away from the base while allowing for completely unrestricted flow.
The ribs on the sidewall securely hold the filter in place after wetting. I find that the Wave-shaped Kalita filters have less of a tendency to get mangled compared to other designs.
The plastic material, feels very sturdy and high-quality (I know it sounds weird to say about plastic), and you can get it in both a transparent version and a more dark brownish one.
It is quite light at around 120g – many flat bottom drippers are made of ceramics, and obviously are a lot heavier.
The low weight means excellent thermal stability, on par with other lightweight drippers, such as Hario V60.
The B75 is on the smaller side, so it’s ideal for single cups. I found the sweet spot to be around 15g of coffee, but you can brew up to around 22-23g if using taller 185 Kalita filters. The extra inch at the top will accomodate a bigger dose and a taller water column.
Brewing Performance
The B75 is unsurprisingly a very fast dripper. It probably has the fastest flow rate of any dripper I own.
In a 15g/250g test against the April and Simplify drippers, it finished a blazing 10-30 seconds faster than the competition, clocking in at just 2:05. The resulting cup had a TDS of 1.23.
You’d think this rapid flow might lead to uneven extraction, but the B75 was remarkably consistent. However, it’s a good idea to adjust pouring flow rate or grind size if you want the optimal results from the B75.
Due to this super consistent flow rate, this is the dripper I reach for when using tricky single-origin coffees, especially high-grown Ethiopians beans that produce a lot of fines.
It’s super forgiving and consistent to use. Even difficult, lightly-roasted beans came out evenly extracted without choking the filter. I credit the unrestricted flow and filter support ribs for this foolproof performance.
Tips & Tricks
- Melitta filters: More recently, I have also started using the B75 in a different way. It’s actually possible to fold the traditional trapezoid-shaped Melitta-style filters to fit really well inside the dripper. Just pinch both sides of the bottom of the filter upwards and place it into the dripper. Then use the stream from your tap water to wet the filter and get it to contort to the shape of the dripper. Using this filter will slow down the dripper quite a bit and change the taste profile. While I still prefer the fast-flowing Kalita filters in the dripper, it’s nice to be able to switch things up. Effectively, this makes it a two-in-one option.
You can fold it like shown in the video below, but if I feel lazy I’ll just fold the bottom, pinch each corner, insert the filter roughly, and let the water stream handle the rest.
- AeroPress dispersion screen: Another thing I have come to realize is that it works really well with an AeroPress cap used as a dispersion screen. On this blog, I often talk about dispersion screens such as the Hario Drip Assist and the Gabi Dripmaster B, but a much cheaper DIY version is to just use an AeroPress cap. Most people already have an AeroPress at home. The diameter of the AeroPress cap is too small to fit most drippers, but it will fit the B75 perfectly.
Timemore actually has their own dispersion-screen/auto drip device. While it works okay, the fit is a bit odd so it will not fit most drippers besides the B75. In general, I like dispersion devices, but I’m not really convinced that Timemore’s version is worth it. I think you’ll get just a good results with an AeroPress cap.
Materials & Value
The B75 is all-plastic, but the material has a surprisingly premium look and feel to it. I know it sounds a bit odd to say.
Over the last year, my transparent unit has gotten a bit more of a brownish color at the bottom, but I suppose that is what you can expect from coffee gear.
I have no fear that it won’t be able to withstand heavy use and hold up well over time. It should be similar to the Hario V60 in this regard. Or perhaps even more sturdy.
However, I have read reports about people trying to preheat the device and have destroyed it by “steaming” it on top of the kettles. I’m not surprised by that. Plastic is not supposed to be steamed! You will get sufficient preheating of this dripper by just rinsing it with hot water.
The best part of the B75 is the price. Depending on region, the B75 is just extremely affordable, significantly undercutting other “elite” drippers, while matching or exceeding their performance.
It’s rare to find a product that combines this level of design, performance, and value, but Timemore has a tendency to do exactly that.
A Timemore B75 recipe
You can brew with the Timemore B75 in so many ways. That’s part of the appeal. But to get you started, here is a recipe that usually works well with most flat bottom drippers, including the B75, where it tends to be very fast.
Ratio: 15 g coffee / 250 ml water
Grind size: 6-6.5 on 1Zpresso K-Ultra. Around 22 clicks on a Comandante C40.
Temperature: Adjust to roast degree
- 1st pour: Bloom 45 g water. Wait 45 seconds.
- 2nd pour: up to 125 ml with circular motions. Finish at 60 seconds.
- 3rd pour: At 1:15 start the 3rd pour. Pour in small slow circles to hit the final weight of 250 g. Your last pour should be finished at 1:45
Total brew time: 2:10-2:30
Conclusion
Every coffee geek should have a small, fast dripper in their arsenal for those single-cup brews.
The Timemore B75 now fills that role for me. Its combination of clever design, flawless performance, and unbeatable price make it an exceptional brewer.
While fairly new to the market, I expect to see the B75 become a staple in the future.
Buy here: Aliexpress
