Figuring out how much coffee to put in your 12 cup Mr. Coffee can seem tricky, but it’s actually quite simple once you understand the basic guidelines. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to brew the perfect pot of coffee every time.
The Golden Ratio
The most important rule of thumb when deciding how much coffee to use is sticking to the “golden ratio” of 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water. Since most standard coffee mugs hold about 6-8 ounces of coffee, this ratio ensures the coffee is not too weak or too strong.
For a 12 cup Mr. Coffee brewer, which makes about 60 ounces of coffee, you’ll want to use around 10 tablespoons (or 5/8 cups) of ground coffee. This allows for the perfect balance of flavor and caffeine.
Adjusting for Taste
The 2 tbsp per 6 oz ratio is just a starting point – you may need to adjust up or down depending on your personal taste preferences and the particular coffee you are using.
If you like really strong, bold coffee, you may want to increase the amount of coffee grounds to 3 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water. Just keep in mind that using too much coffee can result in over-extraction and a bitter taste.
On the other hand, if you prefer a milder, less bitter coffee, try reducing the amount of grounds to 1.5 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water.
The grind size will also impact the strength of the coffee. Finer grounds will result in stronger coffee, while coarser grounds make a weaker brew. So adjust the grind as well as the amount of coffee to suit your taste.
Coffee Bean Type
The variety and roast of the coffee beans also impacts how much you should use. Darker roasts are richer in flavor, so you typically want to use less compared to lighter roasts. High-quality Arabica beans brew stronger coffee than lower quality Robusta beans as well.
Here are some general guidelines for how much ground coffee to use with different bean types in a 12 cup Mr. Coffee:
- Light roast Arabica beans: 3⁄4 cup or 12 tablespoons
- Medium roast Arabica beans: 2/3 cup or 10 tablespoons
- Dark roast Arabica beans: 1⁄2 cup or 8 tablespoons
- Robusta beans: 3⁄4 to 1 cup or 12-16 tablespoons
Coffee-to-Water Ratio
Another way to calculate the correct amount of coffee is by using a specific coffee-to-water ratio. The Specialty Coffee Association recommends using between 1.15 to 1.55 grams of ground coffee per every 6 ounces of water.
Since a 12 cup Mr. Coffee holds 60 ounces of water, this means you’ll want between 69-93 grams of coffee grounds. If you don’t have a kitchen scale to weigh out your coffee, here are some equivalents:
- 69 grams = 1 cup / 16 tablespoons
- 77 grams = 1 1/4 cups / 20 tablespoons
- 93 grams = 1 1/2 cups / 24 tablespoons
A good starting point would be 1 1/4 cups or 77 grams of coffee for 60 ounces of water. Adjust the amount from there to suit your particular taste preferences.
Coffee Filter and Basket Size
It’s also important to take into account the size and type of filter basket and coffee filter you are using. The standard 12 cup Mr. Coffee has a basket that holds a #4 cone filter. However, the actual amount the basket holds can vary.
Here are some general guidelines for amount of grounds based on basket size:
| Basket Size | Amount of Coffee |
|---|---|
| Small (#1 or 2 filter) | 1/3 to 1/2 cup grounds |
| Medium (#3 filter) | 3/4 to 1 cup grounds |
| Large (#4 filter) | 1 to 1 1/4 cups grounds |
Keep in mind that if you overfill the filter basket, it can cause overflow or clogging issues. So it’s best to stay on the lower side of the recommended amount for your basket size.
Water Quality
The quality and mineral content of your water can also change how the coffee tastes. Soft water allows the natural flavors of the coffee to come through, while hard water can give coffee a bitter or chalky taste.
With very soft water, you may need to use less ground coffee or the flavor will be weak. For hard water, use a bit more coffee grounds to counteract the muting effect of minerals on coffee’s natural oils.
Using filtered water is ideal for getting the full flavor of your coffee grounds to come through properly in the brew.
Grinding Your Own Beans
Grinding your own whole coffee beans right before brewing is recommended for the freshest and best tasting cup of coffee. Use a burr grinder if possible for an even, consistent grind.
For a 12 cup pot, the proper grind size is medium to medium-fine. If the grind is too fine, it can lead to over-extracted coffee. If it’s too coarse, the flavor will be weak.
When grinding beans, stick to the same golden ratio of 2 tablespoons per 6 ounces of water. So for a 60 ounce/12 cup pot, grind 5/8 cups (10 tablespoons) of beans.
Pre-Ground vs. Whole Bean
If using pre-ground coffee instead of grinding whole beans, keep in mind that pre-ground coffee is optimized for drip brewing machines like a standard Mr. Coffee. Use the amount recommended on the packaging as a starting point.
However, pre-ground coffee does lose its flavor and aromas faster than whole beans. So you may need to slightly increase the amount if using older pre-ground coffee to avoid weak or watery tasting coffee.
Extra Tips for Great Tasting Coffee
Aside from the coffee to water ratio, here are some other tips to ensure you get a delicious pot of coffee from your 12 cup Mr. Coffee:
- Use fresh, high-quality coffee beans and grind right before brewing
- Buy coffee in smaller batches and store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place
- Rinse paper filters before adding ground coffee to remove papery taste
- Clean coffee maker regularly to prevent mineral buildup
- Use filtered water instead of tap for pure flavor
- Serve coffee right after brewing or transfer to an insulated carafe
- Customize flavor with cream, sugar, spices or flavored syrups
Final Coffee to Water Ratios
To summarize, here are the recommended coffee-to-water ratios for a 12 cup (60 oz) Mr. Coffee depending on your preferences:
- Light brew: 1 cup ground coffee / 60 oz water
- Medium brew: 1 1/4 cups ground coffee / 60 oz water
- Bold brew: 1 1/2 cups ground coffee / 60 oz water
Keep in mind you can adjust the amount of coffee up or down based on your taste, coffee variety and water quality. But these ratios make a perfectly balanced pot of coffee to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I fill the Mr. Coffee filter basket all the way?
No, it’s best not to fill the filter basket completely full. Leave a little bit of room at the top for the coffee grounds to expand as they absorb water. Overfilling can cause overflow or clogging.
How much ground coffee is 2 tablespoons?
Two tablespoons of ground coffee equals around 10-11 grams. For ease of measurement, you can round to 1/8 cup or 2 tablespoons = 10 grams.
Can I reuse coffee grounds when brewing a full pot?
It’s not recommended to reuse coffee grounds, as it will result in weaker, more bitter tasting coffee. Always use fresh ground coffee for each pot brewed.
Should I use a paper or permanent filter?
Paper filters are preferred since they remove cafestol, an oil in coffee that can raise bad cholesterol. However, many prefer the taste of metal mesh permanent filters. You can experiment to see which you like better.
How fine should the coffee grounds be?
For a standard 12 cup drip coffee maker like Mr. Coffee, a medium grind is recommended. Too fine and the coffee will be over-extracted. Too coarse and it will be weak. Medium gets the perfect flavor.
Conclusion
Brewing coffee is part art, part science. While there are guidelines to follow, don’t be afraid to experiment to find your perfect cup. Try varying amounts of coffee, different grind sizes and brewing methods. Keep notes so you can replicate that perfect pot.
In general, a good starting point is 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per 6 ounces of water. For a 60 ounce/12 cup Mr. Coffee, that means using around 1 1/4 cups or 10 tablespoons of ground coffee. Adjust the amount from there to your taste and enjoy your morning cup of joe!
