The pour over method is sadly overlooked and underused. This old school approach to making your morning coffee is viewed as a time consuming process; and all for a single cup of coffee? Yes! Take time to enjoy every sip. Taking this extra time to make yourself to a great cup of coffee could be just what you need to start every day off right.
The pour over technique allows for a smooth, yet flavourful and personalized experience. Although you should know, not every pour over is the same. In this post, we’ll explain the benefits of this method, what you will need to get started, what makes each brewer different, and which the best pour over coffee maker is.
What is a Pour Over Coffee Maker?
This coffee brewing method is as simple as it sounds. You place your cup or carafe on the counter, place your filter on top, fill with grinds and pour hot water over top. As we all know, the best things in life are simple- which could only mean that this is one of the best brew methods.
The only things you need to achieve the perfect pour over is the right grind, the right filter, a gooseneck kettle and some patience. Some of the best things about pour over coffee makers are that they are portable, easy to clean and environmentally friendly!
What is the Best Pour Over Coffee Maker?
Pour Over Vs. Drip Coffee
One big benefit to pour over coffee, is that you are in control. Unlike an automatic coffee maker, you are involved in the brewing process. From grinding the beans to managing the temperature of your water and the speed at which the water meets the grinds. Automatic coffee makers are also very difficult to clean, as they are large and bulky. Most drip coffee makers must be hand washed, and are prone to calcium build up because the water is heating up inside the machine.
Although you have the power, something that will always impact your coffee is what type of pour over coffee maker you are using. Whether it is plastic, ceramic or metal, the filter is the spot where the magic happens. Keep reading to learn what makes each of these different, and which is the best.
Plastic Pour Overs
We can all agree that we like the affordability of plastic- probably the reason for this being a very popular choice. However, using a plastic filter could be compromising your cup. A favoured choice is the Hario V60 plastic pour over coffee maker. The lightweight design makes this brewer portable and good for camping.
However an important aspect of the plastic pour over is that it requires a paper filter. This makes clean up a little easier, but it gets a thumbs down for the environment. Some critics have also noted that the particular paper filter required is a little expensive, and sometimes tricky to find in stores.
Ceramic Pour Overs
The ceramic pour over certainly adds a level of style to your brewing system, here is some things you should know! If you want to add a splash of colour to your kitchen, ceramic pour overs often come in fun bright colours.
An added bonus is that the Hario V60 ceramic pour over is BPA free. With a sturdier material this pour over is one step up in price than the plastic. This reusable filter also has the benefit of being dishwasher safe. But make sure to be careful- ceramic dishes are prone to cracks and chips. This also makes this pour over not very portable as it can easily break.
You might find yourself replacing this pour over coffee maker more often than you would like. Just like the plastic pour over, this ceramic option also requires paper filters. Not only is a paper filter an added expense, paper filters will compromise the overall taste of your coffee. If you are a coffee lover who invests in quality coffee we recommend ditching the paper filter. Half the flavour will get trapped in the paper filter along with all of the yummy oils that come from the coffee bean.
Stainless Steel Pour Overs
The moment is here! You are about to learn why reusable stainless steel mesh pour over coffee makers are the best pour over coffee maker. What we love most about a stainless steel pour over is that it is sturdy, dishwasher safe, environmentally friendly and gives you a smooth, rich and flavourful cup of coffee every time!
Stainless steel pour over coffee makers are lightweight and durable, making them great for travel so you can have the perfect cup everywhere you go. Our Ultramesh filter is made from ultra-fine stainless steel; it fits mugs and small coffee pots and features a non-slip grip. Our best filter yet!
This filter will not rust, and will make you a consistently smooth cup of good coffee. The stand also twists off the bottom if you would like to use this filter in a carafe. This is not your only option when trying out a stainless steel pour over though.
Check out some of our other pour over brewing systems like the Austin or the Amsterdam. These stainless steel pour over filters are cut with lasers, giving the perfect size filter to catch your coffee grinds and release bold coffee. We love these products because of their simple design and they are great for making bigger batches.
All of our carafes are made with borosilicate glass. These special glass carafes are resistant to thermal shock, it is also microwave and dishwasher safe. Compared to other coffee makers, like the French press, these pour over coffee makers are also great for making bigger batches- and with the heat resistant glass you cannot go wrong.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Besides finding the perfect filter, you will also need the right grind and a gooseneck kettle. A key element to making the perfect pour over is to make sure you are using the right size grind. When using a paper coffee filter, your grind should be a medium-fine grind.
The filter will trap the coffee grounds and let the most flavour through as it can. If opting for a metal filter, make sure to use a coarse grind so you do not clog up the filter. Next, is the water; a crucial element because 98% of your coffee is water! When trying out a pour over coffee, make sure to put your water into a gooseneck kettle.
The design of this specialty kettle is not just for looks. The thin curved neck of the kettle and the small spout is specifically designed for pour over coffee. When brewing your coffee you want the water to gently meet the coffee grinds and mixed together slowly. Most goose-neck kettles are stainless steel. We love the durability and design of our Marrakesh kettle. Using a regular kettle with overwhelm your grinds and disrupt the pour over process.
Steps For The Perfect Pour Over
- Grind your beans (use a coarse grind for a metal filter and a medium-fine grind for a paper filter)
- Place grinds in filter of choice and place on top of cup or carafe
- Heat your water to 91-96℃
- Slowly pour water onto grind until they are all wet. Let the grinds soak in this small amount of water for around 30 seconds. This process is called blooming. The coffee bloom is the fast release of gas and oils from the coffee.
- Continue to pour water onto your grind (you should see a light brown foam on top of your grinds)
- Remove your pour over filter and enjoy your hand-made cup of coffee!
Remember that like anything, learning how to make the perfect pour over takes time. Play around with different filters and see which is your favourite. You will be sure to impress any guests with this delicious brewing method and all of your coffee knowledge!
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