Coffee culture

Illustrated Guide to Folding Pour-Over Coffee Filter Paper - Solutions for Filters That Don't Fit

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Choosing a good filter cup is quite important for brewing coffee, but ensuring the filter paper properly fits the cup is even more crucial. If the filter paper doesn't adhere to the filter cup, the "texture" on the cup cannot serve its intended purpose. Is fitting filter paper to the cup a simple task? However, the devil is in the details. When some details are not properly addressed,...

The Importance of Filter Paper and Dripper Compatibility

Choosing a good dripper is quite important for brewing coffee, but ensuring the filter paper fits the dripper properly is even more crucial. If the filter paper doesn't fit the dripper well, the "ribs" on the dripper cannot function as intended.

The Devil in the Details

Isn't fitting filter paper to a dripper a simple task? However, the devil is in the details. If certain details aren't addressed properly, you might encounter situations like the one shown in the image below.

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This situation occurs when the filter paper isn't positioned correctly, causing one side to fit properly after wetting while the other side "lifts up." While this does have some impact, it's not severe enough to ruin a cup of coffee.

However, following the principle of striving for excellence, you can achieve perfect filter paper fit by paying attention to some details.

Ensuring Quality Equipment

The first step is to ensure both the dripper and filter paper are of standard quality. FrontStreet Coffee prefers using resin V60 drippers because in standardized industrial production, resin material offers the best molding precision with minimal margin for error. Ceramic versions sometimes have angles that aren't exactly 60 degrees. It's also best to choose filter paper from major manufacturers, as they offer standardized workmanship and guaranteed quality.

Proper Filter Paper Folding Technique

Next, when folding the filter paper, we need to pay attention to these details. Conical filter paper has one side with a seam line, which is relatively stiff. First, fold along this seam line.

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Then open the filter paper.

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Align the two folded crease lines, being careful not to create creases at the cone's bottom.

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Press the original two crease lines together to overlap and flatten them. This prevents the paper from lifting up when placed on the dripper later. Use your right hand to repeatedly press and smooth the creases. Be careful not to create new creases.

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Addressing the Cone Bottom Seam

Next comes an important detail: the seam at the cone bottom is raised, which might catch on the dripper's bottom ribs when placed on it, causing improper filter paper positioning. Therefore, folding the protruding part along the cone shape can effectively prevent this issue.

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Then place it on the dripper, press the filter paper to ensure it adheres to the dripper, and confirm proper fit. If it doesn't fit well, adjust the position gradually until it does.

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Then, without letting go, use your fingertips to pinch the filter paper and dripper edge to fix the position, then wet the filter paper with hot water. This ensures foolproof adhesion between the filter paper and dripper.

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Alternative Method: Using Coffee Grounds

Of course, there's a simpler way to make the filter paper fit the dripper without wetting it: use the weight of the coffee grounds themselves to "press" the filter paper down, preventing it from "lifting up." Therefore, not wetting the filter paper can also ensure good fit between the filter paper and dripper.

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Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473

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