How Do You Use a Pour Over Coffee Maker?

After purchasing your new kitchen appliance, you ask how do you use a pour-over coffee maker. You may be surprised by the answer since it’s a simple process. For the best coffee maker, you need a kettle, coffee beans, grinder, measuring cup, coffee carafe, coffee filter, and your pour-over device.

As a recommendation, you should use freshly ground coffee beans from your favorite roast to ensure the best flavor. This tip works for French presses as well, and you can read how do I use my French press for additional information.

Pour-Over Coffee Brewing Method

If you like to have control over your cup of coffee from grinding to drinking, a steel pour-over coffee brewer could fit your needs. When you brew using a pour-over cone and filter, you control when the water goes over what part of the grounds. This idea works similarly to a coffee machine, but you control every aspect and do the work. If you’re interested in other alternate coffee brewing methods, check out how do you use an espresso machine.

1. Grind your favorite roast. Freshly ground coffee enhances the flavor of most roasts and avoids the stale taste that sometimes accompanies pre-ground beans. You should also consider what grind size you prefer. Grinds that are too coarse or too fine greatly impact coffee.
2. Measure your components. For every cup of pour-over coffee, you should follow a water to coffee ratio of about 15:1, meaning two grams of coffee would need 30 grams of water. Then, of course, experiment a little to find your perfect cup of coffee. You may use a scale for extra precision, or you can measure using designated measuring cups.
3. Prewet the filter. To do this step, pour water through the coffee filter without the grounds in place. You eliminate some of the paper flavors from the filter in doing so. Pre-wetting the filter also helps trap heat from the water once you start your brew. Once you have poured some water through it, empty the mug or cup.
4. Heat the water in your kettle or another heatable container to a high temperature. A gooseneck or electric kettle remains ideal for this process because you control the pour more easily using these devices. However, you may heat water in a pan on the stove or in a cup in the microwave. Your water temperature should be just under boiling, so let it sit for a few seconds.
5. Pour enough water over the coffee grounds inside the drip cone and filter to cover them. Then, let them sit for 30-45 seconds. Wetting the grounds releases some gas that may block the water from the coffee beans, allowing the extraction process to go smoother.
6. Pour water slowly after waiting 30-45 seconds. This step produces an even and consistent drip in a circular motion into the carafe as long as you pour the remaining water steadily and slowly. Some methods suggest pouring a specific amount of water over the coffee grounds and waiting a few seconds on a timer. Then, you add more water and repeat until all of the water has been poured. Whichever brewing process you choose, start your pour in the middle of the coffee grounds before you start moving.
7. Once the drip has slowed, remove the carafe from underneath the pour-over filter and pour-over cone. Then, let sit for a time before enjoying your coffee. Consider experimenting with different roasts and grind sizes whenever you brew a pour-over coffee cup.
8. Clean up. Make sure you throw your paper filter and grounds right away. For cleaning your cone, check what your manufacturer recommends. Some of these devices may be washed in the dishwasher.

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