Mastering Water Flow Control for Perfect Pour-Over Coffee: Attention to Detail Makes the Difference

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Many beginners who are new to pour-over coffee can't wait to brew a good cup of coffee when they get their pour-over kettle. However, after picking up the kettle, they find it's not as easy to control as imagined. FrontStreet Coffee is here to share the details and techniques of water control today.

1. Choosing a Pour-Over Kettle

Most pour-over kettles on the market are made of metal materials (stainless steel, copper, enamel), which only affects the cooling speed of water temperature and does not affect water control. The main factor affecting water flow is the kettle spout, generally divided into swan-neck fine spouts (including wide and narrow diameters), elephant trunk, and crane-mouth (including wide and narrow openings). For practicing water flow, it's generally recommended to choose a swan-neck fine spout as it's easier to get started.

There are many types of swan-neck fine spouts, mostly changing the angle of the spout to achieve the effect of easier pouring of 90° water columns. For practicing water pouring, we recommend using the Hario 1.2L Cloud Kettle, commonly known as the "hand grenade kettle" by many. Because its water outlet diameter is larger and its angle is more traditional, it's more difficult to master. FrontStreet Coffee believes that if you can conquer a more difficult pour-over kettle, then other relatively simple ones will be no problem.

If you want to use a pour-over kettle that's easier to control, you can also choose the Shizuku kettle. This kettle's water outlet is quite small, making it easy to control a fine water flow with stable flow rate. However, its advantage is also its disadvantage - it cannot pour large water flows.

2. Kettle Holding Posture

When making a pour-over coffee, you typically need to hold the kettle for more than 2 minutes, sometimes up to 7 minutes or more. Therefore, a comfortable holding posture can greatly improve the stability of water flow. The general kettle holding posture is to place your thumb on the kettle handle, with the other four fingers gripping the handle. The grip strength should be stable enough that the kettle doesn't move when gently "poked" by your other hand. Never use excessive force concentrated on the handle, as this will make your hand very tired.

Generally, filling the kettle to 70% capacity is optimal for water pouring. Taking the Hario 1.2L Cloud Kettle as an example, the water level reaching the second "cloud" layer is the optimal pouring volume. For those with less strength, you can also adjust according to the weight you can handle.

3. Fixed Point Constant Speed Water Pouring

This is a tedious exercise, but also a crucial one. In the beginning, you can hold the kettle with both hands for pouring (though single-handed pouring is still recommended). Start by pouring all the water from the pour-over kettle at a small, constant flow rate. The water flow should maintain a right angle to the horizontal line. Practice repeatedly. Once you're comfortable, pour all the water from the kettle at a medium, constant flow rate, practicing repeatedly. Finally, progress to large water flow, practicing repeatedly.

FrontStreet Coffee believes that such practice can help your hands become familiar with the weight changes of the pour-over kettle, which is "feel." It can also train your patience and your understanding of flow rate and time.

4. Circular Pouring Practice

When your fixed point pouring practice becomes second nature and you can control the water flow at will, you can start practicing circular pouring. Take out a filter cup, place a large bottle cap on it to act as a barrier for the coffee grounds. Then you can start pouring water in circles along the edge of the bottle cap, also progressing from slow to fast step by step.

As the saying goes, "One minute on stage takes ten years of practice offstage." FrontStreet Coffee is just sharing some practice techniques, while your success is built on your own practice. So, keep practicing! Young friends!

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

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