How to Brew Pour Over Coffee Like a Pro in Simple Steps

Pour over coffee has captivated both coffee lovers and casual drinkers. The art of brewing allows you to take control over the process and create a cup that perfectly caters to your taste. It’s perfect for making just the right amount—no waste, no big pots sitting around—ideal when you're treating yourself to premium coffee.

Plus, it awakens all your senses: the sound of grinding, the rich aromas from the beans and brewing, and the hands-on process make it a morning ritual that’s both rewarding and energizing. Whether you are just starting or have some experience, mastering the pour over method is completely attainable. In this guide, we will explore a straightforward step-by-step approach to brewing pour over coffee like an expert.

Gooseneck Kettle Poured Over a Hario V60

What You’ll Need

Before we dive into the brewing steps, let’s gather the essentials:

Freshly Ground Coffee

• It is best to ground coffee right before brewing and use coffee beans that are < 4 months from roast date. Pour over grind size should be medium-fine to medium coarse, somewhere between table salt and coarse sand. The particular grind size you use depends on your personal preference (don't be afraid to experiment!) and the specific pour over device. Medium-fine is more appropriate for Hario V60 devices, while devices like Chemex benefit from a slightly coarser grind. Grind size effects extraction and a medium-fine to medium-coarse size allows for optimal flavor extraction.

Pour Over Device

• Options include a Chemex, Hario V60, or similar dripper.

Gooseneck Kettle

• While other kettles can be used, we highly recommend a gooseneck kettle as it offers precise control over the pouring technique.

Scale

• The coffee to water ratio significantly effects the final result, which is why weighing your grounds and water are key to the pour over process. Don't worry, its not as complicated as it sounds.

Filtered Water

Did you know water quality is just as important as the coffee you use? High-quality water is a must when using any brew method as it greatly impacts flavor.

A timer

• This helps you keep track of brewing time.

Preparing these items will make your brewing experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Freshly Ground Coffee in a Pour Over Filter

Chemex Pour Over Device

Step 1: Measure Your Coffee and Water

For a balanced cup, you'll want to aim for a coffee-to-water ratio of approximately 1:15. For instance, if you're brewing a standard 12 oz cup, you'll want to use around 20 grams of coffee to 300 grams of water. I don't know about you, but I am not a big fan of math before my morning brew, so here is a quick reference conversion chart:

Water (oz)	Water (grams)	Coffee (grams)
~12	300	20
~16	450	30
~24	675	45

Weighing Ground Coffee

Carefully weigh your coffee using your scale to ensure accuracy. Place an empty container (one that will eventually hold your beans) onto the scale. Tare the scale to ensure that the weight of the container reads 0.00. Once set, begin to place whole beans (or ground, if your coffee is pre-ground) into the container until the scale displays the desired weight.

If your coffee isn’t pre-ground, grind it to a medium-fine or medium-coarse consistency, as this grind shape allows for optimal extraction, preventing clogging in the filter.

Step 2: Boil the Water

Heat your filtered water in the gooseneck kettle until it reaches about 200°F (93°C).

Pouring water that is just off the boil avoids over-extraction and bitterness in your cup. You can check the temperature with a thermometer or simply let the water sit for about 30 seconds after boiling. Many kettles on the market include a digital temperature gauge.

Gooseneck Kettle with Temperature Gauge

Step 3: Set Up Your Pour Over Device

While the water heats up, set up your pour over device. Place a filter in the dripper and add the coffee grounds into the filter. If you are using a pour over device like the Hario V60, this is when you will place your dripper over the cup or container that your coffee will drip into. Place everything on your scale. Zero out your scale, again, to ensure we measure the addition of water correctly.

Pro Tip: Before adding in the coffee grounds, give the filter in your pour over device a quick rinse with hot water. This will eliminate any paper taste and warm your dripper and coffee carafe.

Hario V60 with a Filter Positioned on top of a Carafe on a Scale

Step 4: Bloom Your Coffee

Coffee Grounds Blooming

Now it’s time for the part you've probably heard the most about... the coffee bloom.

Once you're ready to begin, pour a small amount of hot water (about twice the weight of your coffee) over the grounds to bloom them. Let the bloom sit for about 30 to 45 seconds.

Pro Knowledge: Why bloom? This allows the coffee to release gases and expand, enhancing the flavor profile.

Step 5: Begin Pouring

Your Water

Now, pull out your timer. You will want to pour the remainder of your water over the grounds for the next 2 to 3 minutes paying close attention to the weight reading on your scale. In a circular motion, pour the remaining water over your coffee grounds. Ensure even saturation for all the grounds.

Pro Tip: Start from the center and spiraling out as you continue to pour.

Step 6: Let It Drip

Once you’ve poured all your water, allow the coffee to drip through the grounds completely. Keep an eye on your timer. From the start of your pour to the last drip should take approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Be patient as this step is critical for a clean and flavorful cup.

Step 7: Enjoy Your Brew

This is the part that you've been waiting for! After the last drops have filtered through, remove your pour over dripper and dispose of the used grounds and filter.

Take a moment to enjoy your masterpiece by inhaling the aroma of your freshly brewed coffee! Pour it into your favorite mug (or perhaps its already in your favorite mug if your dripped into it) and enjoy it black or with your preferred additions like cream or sugar.

Filtered Water Poured Over a Hario V60 with a Gooseneck Kettle

Coffee Dripping into Carafe

Pro Tips for Pour Over Success

• Experiment with grind size, coffee to water ratios, and water temperature: One of the benfits to the pour over method is the control it gives you in developing a cup that best suits your taste preference. Adjusting the grind size, coffee to water ratio, and water temperature can help you discover your ideal cup of coffee.

• Use a timer: Keeping track of your brewing time will help you achieve consistent results.

  
  

• Invest in good beans: The quality of your coffee beans directly influences the taste of your brew. The pour over method is meant to highlight nuanced tastes, so for best results choose high quality beans that are freshly roasted. You will want to use beans that were roasted within the last 4 months. This is why DIVE Coffee is always roast-to-order and diligent about both ethically and carefully selecting our beans.

  
  

• Don’t rush: Take your time to measure and brew. Hurrying can lead to overly bitter or weak coffee.

  
  

Mastering Your Brew Ritual

Pour over coffee, with its hands-on brewing process, not only yields a delicious cup but also fosters creativity and personalization. With this detailed guide, you are well on your way to honing the craft of pour over coffee.

So, grab some DIVE coffee, gather your coffee gear, play some mellow tunes, and get ready to explore various brewing techniques. You might just find that this is your new favorite method as you experiment!

Now that you have your pour over coffee skills, consider sharing your experience with friends or enjoying it as your personal ritual. Happy brewing!

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