Alternate Filter Baskets & Carafes.

The Ratio Eight, Ratio Six, and Ratio Four were designed to be fantastic coffee machines right out of the box – but they were also built with adaptability in mind. Our current lineup is designed to use flat-bottomed filters, but can be swapped to use other drippers or even other types of filters. If you’re the kind of person who loves experimenting with your coffee (but wants to stop holding a kettle in the air), we’ve got your back, so let’s dive into how you can use alternate filters, drippers, and carafes with your Ratio.

Carafe Compatibility

First, let’s talk about carafe compatibility – this will be important when it comes to which drippers and filters we can use.

The Ratio Eights are both, of course, compatible with the Ratio Eight Series 2 Glass Carafe and the Ratio Eight Series 2 Thermal Carafe, as well as the Ratio Glass Carafe and original Ratio Eight Thermal Carafe & Dripper if you prefer a classic cone filter.

Due to the angle of the shower head relative to the detection point in the base of the brewer, the Ratio Six is only compatible with the Ratio Six Carafe by default. 

Due to the smaller footprint of the Ratio Four, it is only compatible with the Ratio Four Glass Carafe, but may be compatible with an array of third-party thermal and glass carafes. 

Compatibility opens up when the Ratio Brew Mat is introduced into the setup. The Ratio Brew Mat is a small silicone mat with a magnet in the center. This serves to fill in the indentation in the base of your brewer and activate the sensor in the base of your Ratio Eight or Ratio Six to allow a broader range of support for carafe and dripper combinations. 

With the Ratio Brew Mat, both versions of the Ratio Eight, as well as the Ratio Six, are compatible with all carafes available for the Ratio Eights and Ratio Six, respectively. 

Alternate Drippers & Filters

Now before we get to the options that are off the beaten path, we have to talk about the Able Kone and Able Basket. The Able Kone can be used with the Ratio glass carafe and the Ratio Eight Original Dripper, which means that with the addition of a Ratio Brew Mat, it can easily be used with either machine. The Able Basket can be used with either the Ratio Eight Series 2 or Ratio Six baskets. In contrast to the other options we’ll discuss, the Able filters are metal, which means they allow more coffee oils and micro-particles to make their way into your cup. If you want a rich experience somewhere between drip and a French press, we recommend giving this a try.

There are a variety of other drippers which may be compatible with both Ratio thermal carafes, including the Hario V60, the Kalita Wave, and the Origami dripper. This opens up the possibility of using both V60 and Kalita Wave filters. 

The Ratio Six Thermal Carafe and the Ratio Eight Series 2 thermal and glass carafes are compatible with any brewers with a base larger than 4.5" in diameter. The Ratio Eight Original Dripper is not compatible with these carafes. 

The Ratio Eight Original Thermal Carafe and the Ratio Four Glass Carafe are compatible with an even larger range of drippers, due to a smaller opening that acommodates more brewers, including the Ratio Eight Original Dripper. 

All of these can be used by simply placing the dripper atop your chosen compatible  carafe in place of the standard Ratio dripper. Keep in mind that you’re using a smaller dripper – for all of these options, we recommend brewing no more than a half-batch at a time to avoid overflowing.

Using these drippers may require changing your dose or grind size, so we recommend taking note of your recipe and results on your first go-through so you can make adjustments accordingly. From there, you’re set to blow minds with a hands-free V60.