5 essential tools for a perfect cup of pour over coffee

Spice up your morning routine with the latest trend in coffee brewing—pour-overs.

Pour-over coffee, also known as filter coffee or drip coffee, is prepared by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans. The water flows through the coffee, passing through a filter into a cup or mug. This brewing method allows you to control the flavor and strength of your coffee.

Whether you’re a first-time coffee brewer or an experienced barista, drip coffee is an easy way to achieve a flavorful cup. Using the right tools makes it even easier. Check out our list of essential tools for making pour-over coffee at home.

Bean Envy Pour Over Coffee Maker

Pour-over coffee is prepared in a dripper brewer that rests on a carafe or mug. Most drippers are cone-shaped and made of glass, ceramic, or steel. Go with glass if you want a simple dripper that looks good and holds heat well. Make sure that the holder is shaped like a funnel and the bottom is flat to prevent pooling. The Bean Envy Pour Over Coffee Maker fits the bill perfectly, and includes a laser-cut stainless steel filter to get you started right away.

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Pour Over Coffee Filter

Coffee should be smooth, not thick or muddy, so a good filter is essential. Check the size of your pour-over coffee dripper before choosing a filter, as most filters are made for specific brewing devices. You can buy disposable paper filters, cloth filters, or reusable metal filters. With the durable dual Pour Over Coffee Filter from Willow and Everett, you get a high-quality mesh filter on the inside and a laser-cut filter on the outside, ensuring only the best enters your cup.

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Ritual Manual Ceramic Burr Coffee Grinder

The best way to make pour-over coffee is with whole beans. Coffee beans start to lose flavor after they are ground, so pre-ground beans don’t have the same taste as freshly ground beans. If you want to use whole beans, you’ll need a coffee grinder. Ritual’s Manual Ceramic Burr Coffee Grinder is a great choice for both portability and precision. Instead of a blade, it uses rotating metal burrs that make grinding easier and more consistent—plus it’ll look great on your counter.

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Coffee Scale with Timer

For the tastiest, most flavorful pour-over coffee, use a 1:16 ratio of coffee to water. To reach that golden ratio, you’ll need to measure your ingredients. Weighing your beans and water on a digital scale will give you the most control. Since coffee’s weight varies depending on how finely or coarsely it is ground, choose a scale that weighs in grams for greater accuracy. Coffee Gator’s Coffee Scale with Timer does exactly that, and even comes with a timer so you can be certain you’re brewing for the appropriate amount of time.

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Electric Gooseneck Kettle

The right temperature is also important for a successful pour over. The beans won’t extract correctly if your water is too cool, and they’ll scald if it’s too hot. For precise temperature control, consider an electric kettle. Choose one with a long, curved spout, called a gooseneck, to allow the water to flow slowly and deliberately. The Electric Gooseneck Kettle from Willow & Everett not only heats water within 1 degree of accuracy, it also stays cool to the touch and has an auto-shut off feature.

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A perfect pour-over coffee is just a few steps away. The tips above should get you started, but you’ll need to experiment with grinds, temperatures, and pours to discover which works best for you. With the right tools and a willingness to experiment, you can become a master brewer in no time.