A brew guide to teach you how to make pour over coffee. Learn about the 5 most important factors to making a perfect cup of pour over coffee: equipment, coffee grind size, water temperature, and amount of coffee.
As tired and desperate as I am for a hot cup of coffee these mornings, I'll still take the time to make a pour over coffee. The aromas always gently stir me awake and the process itself is calming.
I'll touch on the five most important things when it comes to making pour over coffee: equipment, coffee grind size, water temperature, amount of coffee, and timing.
What you need to make a pour over coffee
You only need a few things to make a pour over coffee:
- Pour over coffee brewer
- Coffee filter papers
- Scale
- Timer
- Ground coffee
- Hot water, just below boiling point
Different types of pour over coffee makers
There are many different types of pour over coffee makers on the market. They often go by different names, but here are a few popular brands:
You may also find pour over coffee makers under generic names such as Ceramic Dripper, Drip Brewer, Pour Over Coffee Maker, Pour Over Coffee Dripper, and Pour Over Coffee Brewer.
The idea is essentially the same across all of these various pour over coffee makers. The brewer holds the coffee grounds in a V or cone shape filter, you pour water over the coffee grounds, and the water drips through the coffee into a vessel.
Differences between pour over coffee brewers
There are some differences between the various pour over coffee makers, and what you chose is often down to personal preference. For example, some brewers require you to place the brewer directly on top of a cup, while others (like the one in the photo) hold the coffee in its own container.
Some pour over coffee makers comprise of 2 pieces (a vessel and a filter basket - like in the photos); others are comprised entirely of one piece (Chemex). You can find pour over coffee makers that have reusable filters so you don't need a paper filter (Bodum), but most require an additional filter paper.
How much coffee can you make with a pour over brewer
How much coffee you can make with a pour over coffee maker depends on the shape and model of the coffee brewer you are using. Generally you can make between 1 to 8 cups of coffee at once using the pour over method.
Each brewer is designed to brew a certain range. For example Chemex coffee makers are designed to brew either 1-3 cups or 3-6 cups. Hario V60s are designed to brew 1-2 cups, 1-4 cups, or 1-6 cups of coffee.
Don't forget, the filter paper size you need will also vary depending on the size and brand of the coffee maker you are using.
Do you need a scale to make pour over coffee?
Yes! Using a scale is one of the most important tools in brewing a delicious cup of pour over coffee. You don't need a fancy scale, but you do need a scale to measure the amount of coffee and the amount of water.
How do you grind coffee (grind size) for pour over coffee?
The coffee grind size for pour over coffee should be about the same grind size as coarse ground black pepper. If you have a hard time eyeing it, pick up some coffee and rub it between two fingers to get a feel.
If you buy pre-ground coffee from the store, the regular "ground" should work. If you have the option, don't buy the "coarse ground" or "ground for french press" variety.
How hot does water have to be to make pour over coffee?
Generally, use water between 93°C - 96°C (200°F - 205°F) to brew coffee. The exact temperature will vary on the coffee and your taste preference.
The hotter the water, the higher the potential you will over extract the coffee (bitter coffee), and the cooler the water the higher the potential you may under extract the coffee (sour coffee). If you don't have a kettle that tells you the exact temperature of the water, you can boil water in a kettle and let it settle for a couple minutes.
How much coffee do I use in a pour over?
The golden ratio of coffee-to-water
for make pour over coffee:
60 grams of coffee to 1 liter of water
If you memorize that ratio, you can always calculate how much coffee you need.
To simply things, here is the coffee-to-water ratio broken down for common cup sizes.
- 20 oz cup of coffee --> 36 grams coffee : 600 milliliters water
- 12 oz cup of coffee --> 21 grams coffee : 350 milliliters water
- 8 oz cup of coffee --> 14 grams coffee : 233 milliliters water
How do you pour water when brewing a pour over coffee (pouring technique)
Start a timer. Slowly begin pouring the hot water over the coffee grounds in a steady and spiral motion, making sure all the grounds are saturated. This first pour should take about 15 seconds, then stop pouring the water. When the hot water first mixes with the coffee grounds, the coffee will "bloom" and swell up. Wait for the initial swelling to settle (about 15-30 seconds).
Continue pouring water evenly across the surface of the coffee, pausing briefly between pours to allow the water to drip down through the coffee. Try to maintain the coffee and water level, so that you are steadily pouring more water into the coffee as water drips down through the filter.
After you pour all the water, it should take another 30 to 60 seconds for all the water to run though the filter.
The entire process (including the time after you stop pouring the water) should take about 3 minutes.
How long does it take to make pour over coffee
Aim to have the hot water finish running through the coffee in 3 minutes. You may adjust the exact time depending on the coffee and your taste preference.
If you find that the water is running through the coffee too fast, use a finer grind size next time. If you find the water is running through the coffee too slow, use a coarser grind size next time.
How to Make Pour Over Coffee
Print RecipeIngredients
- pour over coffee brewer
- filter paper
- coffee
- water
- scale
- timer
Instructions
- Measure out the amount of coffee that you need. Grind the coffee so that the texture resembles coarse ground black pepper. ---For an 8 oz cup, you will need 14 grams of coffee. For a 12 oz cup, you will need 21 grams of coffee. For a 20 oz cup, you will need 36 grams of coffee.
- Set your coffee brewer on a scale. Add on the filter paper if necessary. Add in the ground coffee. Tare the scale.
- Bring the water to a boil. If you have a kettle that can control the exact temperature of the water, set the temperature so the water is between 93°C - 96°C / 200°F - 205°F. If you use a traditional kettle, boil the water, then remove it from the heat and allow it to sit for a few minutes and settle. ---For an 8 oz cup, you will need 230 milliliters of water. For a 12 oz cup, you will need 340 milliliters of water. For a 20 oz cup, you will need 570 milliliters of water.
- Start a timer. Slowly begin pouring the hot water over the coffee grounds in a steady and spiral motion, making sure all the grounds are saturated. This first pour should take about 15 seconds, then stop pouring the water. When the hot water first mixes with the coffee grounds, the coffee will "bloom" and swell up. Wait for the initial swelling to settle (about 15-30 seconds).
- Continue pouring water evenly across the surface of the coffee, pausing briefly between pours to allow the water to drip down through the coffee. Try to maintain the coffee and water level, so that you are steadily pouring more water into the coffee as water drips down through the filter.After you pour all the water, it should take another 30 to 60 seconds for all the water to run though the filter.
- The entire process (including the time after you stop pouring the water) should take about 3 minutes.
- If your brew time is shorter than 3 minutes, consider adjusting the grind size next time to make the coffee finer. If your brew time is longer than 3 minutes, consider adjusting the grind size next time to make the coffee coarser.
- Enjoy the fresh brewed cup of coffee!
Time to go shopping. Let me help you find the best pour over coffee maker!
Eddie says
to be clear, in the example cited, "12 oz cup of coffee --> 21 grams coffee : 350 milliliters water", the 350ml is the finished product, correct?
Diana says
This was helpful but why did you switch on #3 from millilitres to grams. One is volume and the other is weight. Also how do you get a scale that measures millilitres and then grams?
Tina Jui says
Hi Diana, sorry for any confusion. It's because 1 gram of water = 1 milliliters. It's interchangeable for water so I just think about it in both units sometimes. But I did update it so it's consistent.
Diana says
Why thank you, much appreciated. I really didn't think they were equal but I will try it this way.
Teresa Jui says
Thanks for sharing how to make a nice and perfect coffee. It is easy to follow your pictures.