V60 Brewing for Beginners
Key Takeaways
| V60 Brewing Tips | Recommended Products |
|---|---|
| Use a gooseneck kettle for precise pouring | Hario V60 Buono Drip Kettle |
| Choose the right grind size (medium-fine) | Wilfa Svart Coffee Grinder |
| Use a ratio of 60g/L of coffee to water | Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scales |
| Pre-wet the filter to avoid papery taste | Hario V60 Coffee Filter Papers |
Are you looking to step up your home coffee game? The Hario V60 is an excellent and approachable way to get into pour over coffee. With just a few key pieces of equipment and some practice, you'll be brewing delicious, café-quality coffee in no time.
To get started with V60 brewing, you'll need:
- A V60 dripper
- V60 filter papers
- A gooseneck kettle
- A burr grinder
- A scale
- A timer
- High quality, freshly roasted coffee beans
Let's break it down step-by-step to help you brew the perfect V60 at home.
Hario V60 Drippers
The Hario V60 dripper is the star of the show. It's available in plastic, glass, ceramic and metal options in a few different sizes. We recommend starting with a Size 02 plastic dripper, which is durable, affordable, and makes 1-4 cups.
The V60 is known for producing bright, clean cups that highlight the nuanced flavors of specialty coffee. The conical shape and spiral ribs inside promote even extraction.
Kettles and Pouring Technique
For V60 brewing, a gooseneck kettle is a must for controlling the speed, placement and agitation of the pour. The Hario V60 Buono Drip Kettle is a great affordable option.
The key is to pour slowly and steadily in concentric circles, aiming for even saturation of the grounds. Avoid pouring down the sides of the filter. With practice, you'll get a feel for the right flow rate.
Grind Size and Consistency
Grind size and consistency are crucial for good extraction. For V60 brewing, aim for a medium-fine grind, like table salt. Grinding fresh is best, using a high quality burr grinder.
An excellent entry-level electric grinder is the Wilfa Svart. For a hand grinder option, look at the Hario Mini Mill Plus.
Scales and Ratios
While you can measure by volume, weighing your coffee and water will give you the most consistent results. We recommend a ratio of 60 grams of coffee per 1 liter of water (1:16).
Coffee scales with a built-in timer like the Hario V60 Drip Coffee Scale help you track your brewing variables.
V60 Filters and Pre-Wetting
V60 filters are available in bleached white or unbleached brown options. The choice is up to you. The tabbed filters make them easier to pick up and place in the dripper.
Be sure to pre-wet the filter with hot water before adding the grounds. This helps the filter adhere to the brewer and rinses out any papery taste. Discard the rinse water before brewing.
Brew Servers
You can brew your V60 directly into a mug, but a dedicated brew server is better for larger batches. Look for one with a narrow spout for precise, dripless pouring.
The Hario V60 Range Server is made of durable, heat-proof glass and designed to pair perfectly with the V60 dripper.
Complete V60 Kits
If you want everything you need in one convenient package, consider a V60 starter kit. For example, the Hario V60 Pour Over Kit includes a Size 02 plastic dripper, glass server, scoop, and pack of filters.
Kits take the guesswork out of getting started and often provide cost savings compared to buying items separately. They make great gifts too!
Step-by-Step V60 Brewing Guide
- Boil water and preheat your brew server with hot water. Discard the rinse water.
- Fold the filter along the seam and place it in the V60 dripper. Pre-wet the filter and discard the rinse water.
- Weigh out 20g of coffee beans. Grind to a medium-fine consistency.
- Tare your scale with the server and V60 on top. Add the ground coffee. Create a small crater in the grounds.
- Start your timer and pre-infuse the grounds with 50g water. Let bloom for 30 seconds.
- At 30 seconds, slowly pour in concentric circles until you reach 320g total and let drain.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious V60 coffee!
With practice and experimentation, you'll get consistently great results. Don't be afraid to adjust the variables to suit your tastes.
Troubleshooting Tips
- If your brew finishes too quickly (under 2 min), try a finer grind. If it's too slow (over 4 min), try a coarser grind.
- For a stronger cup, increase the coffee dose. For a weaker cup, decrease it or increase the water.
- Water temperature affects extraction. Let boiling water cool for 1 min before brewing for best results.
- Coffee beans matter! Use freshly roasted whole beans from a reputable source for maximum flavor.
We hope this guide helps you unlock the potential of your V60 brewer. With the right tools and techniques, you'll be brewing barista-approved pourover coffee at home in no time.
For more V60 brewing essentials, check out our curated collections:
Happy brewing!