Amadeo’s Game-Changing IKEA Funnel Hack at IBrC 2025
At the Indonesia Brewers Cup (IBrC) 2025, Amadeo Yurcel from Indonesia caught everyone's attention with his unconventional approach to competitive manual brewing.
While he finished in sixth place, it wasn’t just his ranking that stood out—he brewed his competition coffee using a surprising tool: an IKEA funnel. This wasn't just a random choice but a bold experiment to challenge the norms of coffee brewing in a high-stakes competition and become global coffee trend.
The idea came from one of his coaches, John Christopher, who spotted the funnel at IKEA and saw its potential as an alternative dripper. The shape was similar to conventional drippers, sparking Amadeo’s curiosity and leading him to experiment with it.
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| Amadeo Yurcel | 6th Place IBrC 2025 | photo by Amadeo doc. |
Using an IKEA funnel in a competition wasn’t a decision he made lightly. Compared to standard drippers, this funnel had unique characteristics that affected extraction.
Its slower flow rate required adjustments to variables such as the coffee-to-water ratio and the way the paper filter was set up. The lack of airflow inside the funnel also presented a challenge—but that’s exactly what made it exciting.
He wanted to see how a simple household tool could influence coffee’s sweetness and intensity in unexpected ways.
Challenges and Excitement in Competition
Bringing an IKEA funnel to IBrC 2025 naturally sparked curiosity and mixed reactions. Judges and fellow coffee professionals were intrigued, as it was far from the typical drippers seen in competition.
Some judges even gave positive feedback, appreciating Amadeo’s willingness to experiment with a non-traditional brewing tool.
For Amadeo, competitions like IBrC are the perfect platform to introduce new ideas and push boundaries. "I had no hesitation in choosing a non-conventional tool. I believe innovation and experimentation are crucial to the growth of the coffee world," Amadeo shared.
In manual brewing, there’s always a balance between following proven fundamentals and allowing room for intuition and creativity. Amadeo believes that scientific precision—controlling coffee-to-water ratios, temperature, and extraction time—is key to achieving consistency. However, he also values experimentation, exploring new tools that might offer fresh perspectives on brewing.
"I think finding the balance between innovation and refinement is essential. Innovation lets us explore new possibilities, while perfecting existing techniques builds a solid foundation for consistent quality," he added.
The Impact of the IKEA Funnel on the Coffee Community
Amadeo’s approach at IBrC 2025 might shift how brewers view coffee drippers. His innovation demonstrates that brewing tools aren’t just functional objects but also instruments for exploration—allowing brewers to create richer flavors and unique experiences.
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| Indonesia Brewers Cup 2025 | photo by Amadeo doc. |
Some in the global coffee community are already considering trying the IKEA funnel in future competitions.
When asked what advice he’d give to those curious about using the IKEA funnel, Amadeo said, "Go for it and keep experimenting. Take notes on every tweak you make and enjoy the process—because the fun of brewing is in the journey of discovering what works best."
To Amadeo, the world of manual brewing is evolving rapidly, with constant innovations and experiments shaping the landscape. While many brewers stick to traditional methods, more and more are stepping outside the box—exploring new techniques, unconventional tools, and unexpected variables to craft their ideal cup.
"I think the key is balancing the fundamentals with the courage to experiment. Rules help maintain consistency, but exploration opens up new possibilities that can take manual brewing in exciting and unexpected directions," he concluded.
With his fearless approach to innovation, Amadeo is proving that manual brewing still has plenty of uncharted territory. And in doing so, he’s inspiring others to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the thrill of experimentation in coffee. (hudes)
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