As a mom of a one-year old with a full time job, Lord knows I’ve had my fair share of tired days and sleepless nights. I’ve always relied on coffee to get me through it, whether it be a strong espresso, a drip filter coffee, or a strong Turkish one.
I have been a coffee lover since my high-school days, and I’ve purchased several coffee making machines since, including a drip filter coffee machine, a DeLonghi espresso machine, Dolce Gusto, French Press, and a moka pot.
Recently, I got into experimenting with pour-over coffee as well, and I wanted to share my own research with you — it will certainly save you time!
You can read all about the materials you need for a pour-over coffee maker setup, a step-by-step guide on creating the perfect cup of coffee for yourself, and how to choose the right machine for yourself.
But first thing’s first, let’s go through a quick pour-over coffee maker comparison.
Best Pour Over Coffee Maker for Beginners
- Hario V60
Best for: Ease of use.
The Hario V60 is a classic and popular choice for pour-over coffee. Its conical shape and large single hole allow for good water flow and can make it easier to get a good cup of coffee, even for beginners. It’s also available in various materials including ceramic, glass, and plastic, so it can fit different budgets. - Chemex
Best for: Clean cup of coffee.
The Chemex is another popular option, known for its simple and elegant design. It has a thicker filter than the Hario V60, which results in a cleaner cup of coffee. Its unique design also makes it relatively easy to use, as the coffee grounds stay in the top part of the brewer while the coffee drips into the bottom. - Clever Dripper
Best for: Full-bodied coffee.
The Clever Dripper is a hybrid of pour-over and immersion brewing methods, making it a great option for beginners who want a more forgiving brewing process. It has a stopper at the bottom that keeps the coffee and water in contact for a longer time, resulting in a more full-bodied and flavorful cup. - Kalita Wave
Best for: An easy to control coffee-making process.
The Kalita Wave is a pour-over coffee maker with a flat-bottomed design that promotes even extraction and a full-bodied cup of coffee. The Wave’s three small holes at the bottom of the brewer can help regulate the flow rate of the water and make it easier for beginners to control the brewing process. - AeroPress
Best for: Simple maintenance.
The AeroPress is a versatile and easy-to-use pour-over coffee maker that uses air pressure to extract flavor from the coffee grounds. Its unique design allows for quick and easy cleanup, making it a great option for those who want a low-maintenance brewing method. - Bee House Ceramic Coffee Dripper
Best for: Flavorful cup of coffee.
The Bee House Ceramic Coffee Dripper is similar to the Kalita Wave, with a flat bottom design that promotes even extraction. It’s made of ceramic, which can help maintain consistent water temperature, and has two small holes at the bottom for improved flow rate control. - Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker
Best for: Reusable filter & unique experience.
The Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker is a visually appealing option that is easy to use and produces great coffee. It has a permanent stainless steel filter that eliminates the need for paper filters, and its heat-resistant borosilicate glass carafe allows you to see the coffee as it brews. - Melitta Pour-Over Coffee Maker
Best for: Cheap price.
The Melitta Pour-Over Coffee Maker is a simple and affordable option that is great for beginners. It’s designed to fit over a standard coffee mug or carafe, making it a convenient and portable option for home or travel use. It uses Melitta #2 cone filters, which are widely available and inexpensive.
What Do You Need for a Pour Over Coffee Maker?
To create a pour-over coffee maker setup, you’ll need quite a few things. Luckily, these are all easy to get. Here’s what you need and for what reason:
- Pour-over coffee maker: This is the device that holds the coffee grounds and allows hot water to flow through them.
- Coffee filters: Most pour-over coffee makers require paper filters to prevent grounds and sediment from ending up in your cup. Some pour-over coffee makers, such as the Bodum Pour-Over Coffee Maker, use stainless steel filters instead.
- Kettle: A kettle with a narrow spout is important for precision pouring. It allows you to control the speed and direction of the water flow, which affects the brewing process.
- Coffee beans: Freshly roasted, high-quality coffee beans are the foundation of a good cup of coffee. It’s best to grind them just before brewing.
- Coffee grinder: I recommend a hand-held grinder. Not only does it enhance the entire experience but it also produces better results as the coffee is ground more slowly.
- Scale: Using a scale to weigh your coffee beans and water can help you achieve consistency and precision in your brewing process.
With these components, you can create a pour-over coffee setup that allows you to control the variables that affect the taste and quality of your coffee.
By experimenting with different brewing methods, grind sizes, water temperatures, and brewing times, you can find the perfect pour-over recipe that suits your taste preferences.
How Do You Use a Pour-Over Maker?
Once you get into it, you’ll find that it’s pretty simple making a cup of pour-over coffee. After some trial and error, I’ve managed to master it, and nowadays I look forward to my morning coffee as soon as I go to sleep (no lie). Just follow these steps:
- Place the coffee maker on a flat surface and put a filter paper into the top of the coffee maker.
- Boil water in a kettle and let it cool for about 30 seconds.
- Grind the coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency.
- Add the coffee grounds to the filter paper.
- Pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee grounds, making sure to saturate them evenly. This is called blooming and helps to release the flavorful oils in the coffee.
- Let the coffee bloom for about 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour the remaining hot water over the coffee, in a circular motion. Pour enough water to fill the carafe or cup below.
- Once all the water has passed through the filter, remove the filter paper and discard it.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious cup of pour-over coffee!
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a flavorful, aromatic and fresh cup of coffee anytime you feel like falling asleep.
And remember, the most important thing is to use freshly roasted, high-quality coffee beans and to experiment with different brewing techniques to find what works best for you.
How Do I Choose a Pour Over Coffee Maker?
When choosing a pour over coffee maker, it is important to consider the material, design, filter, and size of the dripper.
Ceramic and glass are popular materials because of their heat retention properties, which can help keep the coffee at the right temperature. On the other hand, plastic is lightweight and easy to handle, making it a good option for travel or outdoor use.
Cone-shaped drippers are the most common and versatile design, allowing for more control over the brewing process.
However, flat-bottom drippers can be easier to use for beginners because they are less finicky and require less attention to achieve a good cup of coffee.
The filter is an important consideration because it affects the taste and complexity of the coffee. Paper filters are easy to use and produce a clean cup, but they can also remove some of the coffee’s natural oils and flavors.
Metal filters, on the other hand, allow more oils and flavors to pass through, which can add complexity to the coffee.
Finally, the size of the dripper is important because it determines how many cups of coffee can be brewed at once. Consider how much coffee you typically drink and whether you want to make just one cup at a time or several cups for a group.
Overall, choosing a pour over coffee maker involves balancing the various factors to find the right combination that works for your preferences and lifestyle.
What Kind of Coffee Is Best for Pour Over?
To achieve the best pour over coffee, I recommended you use medium to light roast coffee beans.
This is because the lighter roast retains more of the coffee’s natural flavors and aromas, and produces a brighter and more complex cup of coffee.
And as I’ve mentioned so many times before (I cannot emphasize it enough), freshly roasted coffee is also ideal for pour over brewing. This is because coffee beans start to lose their freshness and flavor shortly after being roasted.
Therefore, it is recommended to use coffee beans that have been roasted within the past two weeks for the best pour over coffee.
Are Pour Over Coffee Makers Worth It?
I’d say yes! If you enjoy the unique taste of coffee and love to experiment with new equipment like I do, pour-over coffee makers are absolutely worth it. They require a bit more effort and attention than other brewing methods, but can produce a high-quality cup of coffee with a nuanced flavor profile.
It ultimately depends on personal preference and how much time and effort you’re willing to put into making coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which coffee maker is the best for beginners?
Based on my thorough research, I recommend you go with Hario V60 or Chemex. However, if you’re a busy mom and need a quick solution that’s easy to clean and maintain, then AeroPress is just the thing for you.
Which is better French press or pour over?
French press produces a full-bodied coffee with a rich taste, and it can be relatively simple to prepare. However, pour over brewing method produces a cleaner, brighter coffee with a lighter body, which may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter taste. Ultimately, the choice between French press and pour over will depend on personal preference and taste. For me personally, French press is there when I just need a quick cup and can’t be bothered. And when I’m really in the mood for some quality coffee, I reach for a pour-over.
Is pour over better than drip?
Pour over and drip coffee have different brewing methods, which can result in different flavor profiles. Some people prefer pour over because it allows for more precise control over the brewing process, while others prefer drip because it is quicker and easier to use. Ultimately, the choice between pour over and drip coffee comes down to personal preference.
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