Comparison of Coffee Brewing Equipment: How Should Pour-Over Beginners Choose Their Brewing Dripper?

Choosing the Right Coffee Dripper: A Guide for Pour-Over Beginners

Are you new to pour-over coffee and feeling overwhelmed by the numerous coffee drippers available on the market? In this guide, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce three excellent drippers perfect for beginners: V60, Clever Dripper, and Kalita. Let's explore the extraction principles and performance of each dripper.

V60 Coffee Dripper

The V60 dripper, designed by the Japanese company Hario, is considered one of the essential tools for every pour-over beginner. The name "V60" is quite intuitive, derived from its 60° conical angle. This 60° angle was determined through extensive testing by Hario to ensure coffee grounds are concentrated, allowing water to flow toward the center during pouring. This design guarantees sufficient contact time between water and coffee grounds, resulting in proper coffee extraction.

V60 Dripper Principles

Another structural feature of the V60 dripper is the spiral ribs on its interior. These ribs extend from the bottom to the top, creating channels between the filter paper and dripper. This design enhances water flow, making it one of the fastest-flowing drippers available. Additionally, the ribs spiral clockwise – when you pour water clockwise, it flows more smoothly along these channels, while counterclockwise pouring slows the flow. The large opening at the bottom of the V60 dripper also contributes to its rapid water flow.

Clever Dripper

The Clever Dripper originated in Taiwan, with its full name being "Clever Coffee Dripper." It's a dripper featuring a controllable switch valve at its bottom.

Because of the word "Clever" in its name and its user-friendly design, it earned the nickname "Clever Dripper." (Technically, only drippers from the Mr. Clever brand should be called "Clever Drippers," while similar products from other brands are referred to as "valve drippers" or "Clever-style drippers.") The "Coffee Dripper" part of its name indicates that it can be used as a pour-over dripper.

Clever Dripper Principles

The key design feature is the piston valve at the bottom of the dripper. When hot water is poured in, water pressure automatically seals the valve, allowing coffee grounds to steep fully. After steeping is complete, placing the dripper on a mug triggers the valve to open, allowing coffee to flow slowly into the cup.

The Clever Dripper uses immersion extraction and doesn't require advanced techniques. If you're struggling to master a steady water flow but don't want the sediment from a French press, the Clever Dripper is an excellent choice. It's easy to operate, produces full-bodied coffee with rounded flavors, and provides the filtering capability of pour-over drippers, completely removing coffee grounds to ensure a clean taste.

Kalita Dripper

In 1959, the Japanese company Kalita improved upon the Melitta dripper design by modifying the wedge-shaped dripper. They changed the single small hole that was prone to clogging to three holes. Later, drippers evolved from single holes to multiple holes (six or eight), but the most common designs remain single and three-hole wedge-shaped drippers. The Kalita design features a shape that's wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, with a circular top opening and three small holes (less prone to clogging).

Kalita Principles

The Kalita trapezoidal dripper, viewed from the side, shows a shape that's wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, with a circular top opening. This design helps concentrate water flow and allows coffee particles to distribute evenly, reducing stacking. The cup walls feature numerous straight ribs with consistent spacing, designed to increase air and water flow speed. Additionally, its slower flow rate primarily uses immersion extraction, which can produce better body and richness.

Coffee Tasting Comparison

FrontStreet Coffee conducted a brewing comparison using the newly arrived Costa Rica Mirasoul Estate Geisha Blend.

Costa Rica Mirasoul Estate Geisha Blend

Region: Tarrazú, Costa Rica
Estate: Mirasoul Estate
Altitude: 1700m
Processing: Raisin Honey
Varieties: Geisha, ET47, SL28, MACIO

V60 FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Parameters

Water Temperature: 90-91°C
Grind Size: BG#6m (fine sugar size)
Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:15

Frontsteet Brewing Technique:

First, pour 30g of water for a 30-second bloom. Then pour an additional 95g (scale shows about 125g total), completing this step in about 1 minute. When the water level drops to 2/3 of the coffee bed, pour the remaining 100g (scale shows about 225g total), completing in about 1 minute and 40 seconds. The dripping should finish between 1'55" and 2'00", then remove the dripper to complete extraction.

Brewing Flavor: Jasmine fragrance, raisin fermentation aroma, citrus acidity, raisin sweetness, smooth mouthfeel.

Clever Dripper FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Parameters

Coffee Amount: 15g
Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:15
Water Temperature: 90-91°C
Grind Size: BG#5R (slightly finer than fine sugar)

Frontsteet Brewing Technique:

Fold the filter paper and place it on the Clever Dripper. Wet the filter paper with hot water to ensure it adheres to the dripper walls. Pour the ground coffee into the dripper, add 225ml of hot water, and cover with the lid. Wait for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, place the Clever Dripper on the serving pot, and the piston valve will automatically open, allowing all coffee to drip into the pot. The coffee is then ready to enjoy.

Brewing Flavor: Fresh jasmine floral notes, citrus acidity, raisin fermentation notes, and raisin sweetness.

Kalita FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Parameters

Grind: Medium-coarse (80% pass-through rate on #20 standard sieve)
Water Temperature: 90°C
Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:15
Coffee Amount: 15g

Frontsteet Center-Pour Brewing Technique:

First, pour in a circular motion with 30g of water to evenly wet the coffee bed, bloom for 30 seconds. Then slightly raise the pour height and pour directly in the center with a small stream to 125g. When the water level drops and is about to expose the coffee bed, continue pouring in the center with a small stream to 225g, then stop pouring. Remove the dripper when the water level drops and is about to expose the coffee bed again. Total extraction time from the start of blooming is 2'00.

Brewing Flavor: Jasmine floral notes, berry-like acidity, raisin sweetness, smooth mouthfeel.

Important Notice :

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FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473