Top Pour Over Coffee Makers
Even if you’ve never heard the term “pour-over coffee”, you’re probably familiar with the visual. Think Melitta and the plastic funnels you lined with paper filters, filled with grounds then sloshed boiling water into. Yes, it’s quite literally, coffee you pour boiling water over. But things have come a long way since Melitta first came on the scene. Today’s pour-over coffee makers include stainless-steel filters, streamlined carafes, and accessories that keep your coffee hotter, longer. And for true coffee connoisseurs, you’ll want to use the gooseneck kettle to dispense your boiling water. The long, ultra-thin neck lets you direct the pour so you evenly saturate the entire surface of grounds for maximum flavor. And because the kettle and the brewer do work in concert, let’s look at both.
Our Absolute Favorite Pour-Over Coffee Makers
Bodum Pour-Over 1-liter Coffee Maker: For Those Who Want Great Coffee, Made Simple
Overview:
Type: Add heated water
Material: Borosilicate glass, stainless-steel
Capacity: 1 liter
Wattage: n/a
Warranty: 1 year
If you enjoy the simple ritual of preparing your morning coffee from scratch, then a pour-over system is something you should explore. With this beautiful Bodum design, you control the amount of the brew, the strength, and the release of flavors – something you can’t easily achieve with a standard coffee maker. Because it uses a fine-grade, stainless-steel mesh filter, you never lose the essential oils and subtle flavors of the bean, the way you do with regular paper filters. The carafe itself is made from super-durable, heat-resistant borosilicate glass so no worries that it might crack or shatter when exposed to the heat of boiled water. What I love about the Bodum is its simple design – a small lip to pour the coffee from and in place of a bulky handle, a removeable, silicone cuff that provides a slip-free grip when serving as well as a safeguard from heat. But the beauty of the pour-over system is its simplicity. Just place the coffee grounds into the stainless-steel filter, add heated water, and in 3 to 4 minutes, you will be enjoying a perfectly brewed pot of coffee. And best of all, the carafe, filter, and lid are all dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Fine-grade stainless steel mesh filter
- Heat-resistant borosilicate glass body
- Silicone cuff instead of bulky handle
- Quick brew in 3 to 4 minutes
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- No keep-warm feature
If you love great-tasting coffee, and the simplicity of the pour-over process, then this beautiful Bodum brew system is the one for you.
Melitta Pour-Over 1.77-Liter Thermal Carafe: For The Leisurely Coffee Drinker
Overview:
Type: Add heated water
Material: Brushed stainless-steel
Capacity: 1.77 liters
Wattage: n/a
Warranty: 30-day return policy
You can’t talk pour-over coffee makers without including the original, Melitta brand in the discussion. And while the preparation concept hasn’t changed a lot since they first came on the scene back in 1908, the brand has adapted with the times and can unquestionably compete with the best of the best. For example, at 1.77-liters, this carafe is one of the largest we’ve seen and it essentially eliminates the need to jump up and re-brew when enjoying morning coffee with the family. Another differentiator that was unique in our search is the brushed stainless-steel thermal carafe that keeps your freshly brewed coffee hot and lets you enjoy it at a leisurely pace. Particularly in a larger capacity pot, this keep-warm feature is important. The upside to them retaining the original heavy-duty, plastic filter cup is that its dishwasher-safe, so its simple to get a deeper clean as needed. And I love the generous, easy-grip handle that makes picking up and pouring from this larger pot, safe and easy. Now, because the Melitta brand has grown into an industry, you can purchase their filters, different styles of coffee, and even replacement pieces through their website, versus having to scour the internet.
Pros:
- Brushed stainless-steel thermal carafe
- Dishwasher-safe, plastic filter basket
- Large brew capacity
- Easy to find filters / replace parts
Cons:
- Filter cone base too large for individual mugs
If your idea of a relaxing morning is enjoying a pot of full-flavored, pour-over coffee that doesn’t go cold on you, we’ve found the perfect solution.
Bean Envy Pour-Over Coffee Maker: For Those Who Want Just a Cup or Two
Overview:
Type: Add heated water
Material: Borosilicate glass
Capacity: 568 ml
Wattage: n/a
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
If you’re like me, you enjoy a great big cup of coffee in the morning. Whether it’s filling up your favorite mug or prepping an over-sized travel cup on your way into work, I don’t want to be coming back for a refill anytime soon. Problem is, unless you want to go the pod or K-Cup route (way too small a cup for me), you often end up brewing far too much for one person. That’s where this Bean Envy pour-over coffee maker comes to the rescue. It brews up to 568-ml (or around 20 ounces) which is perfect for a mug and a bit. However the easy-to-read markings on the side of the carafe help you scale it up or down to the perfect portion size. No guesswork, here. And let’s talk about that carafe and its unique features. In addition to being made from heat-resistant borosilicate glass, it has a silicone sleeve on the base that prevents the carafe from slipping, cracking when connecting with hard objects, or damaging your countertop surfaces. And because we know that paper filters hinder flavor, this pour-over uses a micro-mesh, stainless-steel filter that allows the full, rich flavors to drip through.
Pros:
- Heat-resistant borosilicate glass
- Micro-mesh, stainless-steel filter
- Silicone non-slip base
- Carafe features volume indicators
Cons:
- Handle is not heat proof
If you want your first cup of a deliciously robust coffee to be a big one, but you’re not quite up for an entire pot, you’ll want to check out this 20-ounce pour-over coffee maker.
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric 900-ml Gooseneck Kettle: For Discerning Coffee Drinkers
Overview:
Type: Electric
Material: Stainless-steel body, wood handle
Capacity: 900-ml
Wattage: 1200 watts
Warranty: 1 year
You love coffee. In another life, you were probably a barista. So, you know what it takes to achieve an excellent balance of flavors in your morning brew. If this describes you, then you’re not going to want just any gooseneck kettle, you’re going to want the best, and that’s where Fellow Stagg EKG steps up. It’s slick, it offers Bluetooth connectivity (compatible with iOS and android devices) so you can turn it on, off or set temperatures remotely. And it’s also the tool of choice at barista competitions throughout the US. Not only does this electric kettle deliver the precision pours you need to evenly saturate your grounds, but its also counterbalanced – weighted toward your hand – for a slow, controlled pour. It features a slick, LED screen to identify your brew temperature – both set and real time – so you can monitor the process. Variable temperature control allows you to choose the ideal level of heat in either Celsius or Fahrenheit, to suit the bean type, roast and grind size. An extraction stopwatch times your pour process to ensure a maximum release of flavors and it can even maintain your desired temperature for up to 60 minutes.
Pros:
- Bluetooth-enabled – controls temperatures and on/off
- Variable temperature control in Celsius or Fahrenheit
- Hold feature maintains heat for 60 minutes
- Counterbalanced for a controlled pour
Cons:
- Pricier than most gooseneck kettles
- Doesn’t have auto shut-off or boil-dry protection
If you’re intrigued by the pour-over process and want to up the quality, then you’ll want to start with this top-of-the-line gooseneck kettle.
Chefbar Pour-Over 1.2-liter Gooseneck Kettle: For Coffee Connoisseurs
Overview:
Type: Stove-top
Material: Stainless-steel
Capacity: 1.2 liters
Wattage: n/a
While it may look rather strange, the Gooseneck Kettle is a key element to the pour-over coffee process and is used by baristas throughout the world. What’s great about this Chefbar model, is that you get the same precision pour, at a fraction of the price many of the elite brands are charging. And while you may assume a lower price means sacrificing quality, you’d be wrong. This slick little kettle is made from premium-quality stainless-steel that makes it not only lightweight but super durable. Even its handle has been designed with the user in mind. Made from heat-resistant bakelite, it features a slip-resistant grip and is angled to keep your hand away from the heat source as you pick it up. This position also makes it much easier to control the flow as you pour from a full kettle. I love that the lid is vented to prevent boil-overs and that it includes a heat resistant knob that makes burned fingertips a thing of the past. The flat base of this kettle means you can heat a full pot on a gas, electric and even induction stove-top, in just minutes. And best of all, its dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Food-grade, stainless-steel construction
- Heat-proof, ergonomically angled handle
- Suitable for gas, electric and induction stove-tops
- Vented lid prevents boil-overs
Cons:
- No auto-shut off, whistle or alert when water has boiled
If you want to explore the pour-over coffee method, but don’t want to invest a fortune in equipment, this good-quality gooseneck kettle is a great way to start.
Enjoy Perfectly Brewed Coffee Without the Hassle
Yes, with pour-over coffee, you’re never having to clear space on your kitchen counter, fiddle with cords or pull out a manual to understand what buttons to press. It’s just you and your carafe. And that’s the beauty of the pour-over method of coffee making, the simplicity. Just place the coffee grounds in the mesh filter, pour the heated water evenly across the surface, and enjoy a great tasting cup of coffee. It’s that easy.
A Custom Brew Each and Every Time
If today’s roster of mochaccinos, half-caf lattes and oddly flavored coffees has you pining for a simple cup of traditional joe, you’re going to want to check out the pour-over system. It gives the coffee-prep controls back to you – the drinker – and lets you customize your morning brew. From the bean, to the grind, to the temperature of the water, to the filtration process and strength. You’ll enjoy coffee the way you like it.
Quick and Easy Clean Up
Because this style of coffee prep uses a metal mesh filter, you’re never fumbling with wet and soggy paper filters that tend to drip all over before they make it to the garbage. And unlike the popular French-Press system, pour-over allows you to simply lift and dump the filter contents. You’re never trying to shake wet grounds free of the carafe. Just rinse it off after use, and periodically pop it into the dishwasher for a more thorough clean.
Brewing Excellent Coffee Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank
While there are any number of top-quality coffee makers on the market, let’s face it, the price tags are often well beyond our paycheck. I mean, I’m not paying north of $200.00 for a coffee maker unless it can walk the dog and do my dishes as well. So why do we always assume more expensive means better coffee? With the pour-over system, you get the basic equipment necessary to brew an exceptional coffee. You just don’t get the timers, the beeps, the lights, the thermal carafes and so on and so forth. It’s just you and your perfectly customized cup of coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Borosilicate Glass?
You’ve probably noticed that many of the coffee carafes featured, were manufactured with borosilicate glass. That’s because it’s considered to be heat-proof and less likely to shatter or crack. It’s actually made with silica and boron trioxide as the main glass-forming constituents and
Is known for having very low coefficients of thermal expansion. While that may sound a little technical, it simply means that this type of glass is known to be more resistant to thermal shock (heat) than any other common glass
Can This Type of Glass Carafe be Put on a Stove-Top to Reheat Coffee?
No. Borosilicate glass cannot be put directly onto an element for brewing or re-heating purposes. In fact, you’ll notice that most brands refer to heated water versus boiling water, for the same reason. It’s heat-proof but can’t withstand extreme temperatures, so read your instructions carefully.
Why is a Gooseneck Kettle Important to the Pour-Over Process?
The beauty of the power-over process is the control of heated water as it saturates your coffee grounds. In a standard automatic coffee maker, the hot water comes through one funnel and essentials pours through the grounds in the central part of the filter. With a gooseneck kettle, you direct a steady stream around the entire surface of the grounds to ensure all are equally saturated and contribute to the release of flavors.
Is Pour-Over Coffee Better Than A Coffee Maker?
The pour-over system allows all of the coffee grounds to become saturated and release their full flavor. You don’t get that in a standard coffee maker. But while pour-over delivers a richer, more robust flavor than the coffee maker, it also takes longer to prepare. If your mornings are time-bound, you may find a programmable coffee maker with auto-start is more suited to your lifestyle. But you’ll never get the same, full-bodied flavor as the pour-over.
Conclusion
The ability to brew a full-flavored cup (or pot) of coffee without the need for cords, plugs, and electricity is special. And if you enjoy the quiet ritual of the preparation, the choosing of the grounds, the pouring of the heated water and then watching as it drips down into a clear carafe, then you’re meant to be working with a pour-over system. It’s not for those who are rushed and looking to fill the to-go cup as they race out the door. It’s also not for those who consider all brews to be more or less the same. Its for the purist who appreciates a great cup of coffee. Now luckily for them, the simplicity of this method is also reflected in its price. It won’t cost you a bundle to get set up with this system, and you’ll never have to clear counter space – just store it on a shelf with your mugs. Of course, part of the ritual is having the proper goose-neck kettle, and we’ve featured both a pricier, high-end version as well as a basic, less expensive model. Either option works well and should become an important part of your pour-over set-up.