How Intelligentsia Makes Coffee with a Siphon Brewer

If you've watched a video of coffee being made with a siphon brewer—also called a vacuum pot—you’ve probably wondered how it works, what equipment you need, and whether the results are worth the effort. This article breaks down how Intelligentsia Coffee, the Chicago-based specialty roaster founded in 1995, demonstrates siphon brewing in their instructional video.

Intelligentsia uses a standard two-chamber siphon brewer with a cloth filter, heating from below, and a precise 1:12 to 1:16 brew ratio. Their video shows the full process, including timing, stirring, and cooling to trigger separation. The whole brew typically takes around 3 to 4 minutes once heated.

What Is a Siphon (Vacuum) Coffee Brewer?

A siphon coffee brewer, also known as a vacuum pot, consists of two glass chambers stacked vertically. The lower chamber holds water; the upper holds ground coffee. When heated, vapor pressure pushes water into the upper chamber where it brews with the coffee. Removing the heat cools the lower chamber, creating a vacuum that pulls the brewed coffee back down through a cloth filter.

This method is prized for its visual appeal and full immersion brewing style, producing a clean, aromatic cup. Siphon brewers highlight clarity and origin characteristics, making them a favorite in specialty coffee demonstrations.

What Intelligentsia Shows in Their Siphon Video

In their widely circulated video, Intelligentsia demonstrates a complete siphon coffee brew using a standard two-chamber glass siphon with a cloth filter. Key visible elements include:

• A butane or alcohol burner used to heat the bottom chamber
• A cloth filter attached to the upper chamber’s siphon tube
• Water initially in the bottom chamber, rising as it heats
• Coffee grounds added to the upper chamber
• Stirring during and after the brew
• Cooling the brewer to trigger the coffee’s return into the lower chamber

The video does not specify exact timings or coffee origin, but shows the classic steps used in manual siphon brewing. It highlights the importance of even heating, proper stirring, and clean separation for best results.

Key Siphon Brewing Parameters from the Video

While the video is primarily visual, Intelligentsia’s demonstrated method aligns with common specialty practices. Based on the visuals and typical siphon technique, here are the key parameters:

• Brew ratio: approximately 1:12 to 1:16 (coffee to water)
• Water volume: fills the lower chamber (typically 300–500ml depending on brewer size)
• Grind size: medium-fine, similar to table salt
• Brew time: around 3–4 minutes after water rises
• Filter type: cloth (often cotton or hemp)
• Heat source: small butane or alcohol burner

The video visually confirms the use of a cloth filter and shows the coffee being stirred during the brew phase. It also demonstrates the critical step of removing heat to initiate the draw-down process.

How to Brew Coffee with a Siphon Brewer (Step-by-Step)

Follow this step-by-step guide based on the Intelligentsia method and general specialty siphon practice:

1. Assemble the siphon brewer with the cloth filter securely attached to the upper chamber’s siphon tube.
2. Add water to the bottom chamber (typically 300–500ml depending on your brewer).
3. Place ground coffee (medium-fine, ~1:12–1:16 brew ratio) into the upper chamber. For example, use 20g coffee to 240–320ml water.
4. Heat the bottom chamber with a small butane or alcohol burner until the water rises into the upper chamber.
5. Once the water has risen, stir the coffee grounds to ensure even saturation.
6. Let the coffee brew for around 30 seconds to 1 minute with continued heat.
7. Stir again midway (optional but common in specialty practice) then let it brew for another 2–3 minutes total.
8. Remove the heat source to allow the lower chamber to cool and create a vacuum.
9. Watch as the brewed coffee is drawn back down through the filter into the lower chamber.
10. Serve immediately after the coffee has fully returned and settled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What brand of siphon brewer does Intelligentsia use in their video?

The video does not explicitly state the siphon brewer brand, but it shows a standard two-chamber glass siphon with a cloth filter and a small butane or alcohol burner underneath—similar to common models by Hario, Yama, or Kono. The focus is on the technique rather than the specific equipment.

What is the recommended coffee-to-water ratio for siphon brewing?

Intelligentsia’s method aligns with the specialty standard of roughly 1:12 to 1:16 coffee to water. For example, use 20 grams of coffee with 240–320 milliliters of water. Adjust to taste within that range.

Do you need a special filter for a siphon brewer?

Yes. Siphon brewers use a cloth filter—often made of cotton or hemp—that attaches to the siphon tube in the upper chamber. This filter produces a very clean cup, free of sediment, and is essential for proper operation.

How long does it take to brew coffee with a siphon?

From heating the water to full draw-down, the entire process takes roughly 3 to 4 minutes once the water begins rising into the upper chamber. Total time may vary slightly with heat source and grind size.

Can you use any coffee beans in a siphon brewer?

Yes. Siphon brewing works well with most coffee types, but it particularly highlights single-origin beans with distinct flavor profiles. Light to medium roasts often perform best to showcase clarity and aroma.

Why does the coffee go back down after brewing?

When you remove the heat, the lower chamber cools and creates a partial vacuum. This vacuum pulls the brewed coffee through the cloth filter and back down into the bottom chamber, separating it from the grounds.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Siphon Brewing

For siphon brewing, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—a bright, floral Ethiopian single origin with notes of jasmine and citrus—or their Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 for a smooth, balanced cup with nutty sweetness. Both highlight the clarity and aroma that siphon brewing is known for. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.