“How do you make the perfect V60 pour over?” As an experienced barista, I get asked this a lot. And I’ve made coffee with the V60 pour over method more times than I can count. That’s why I’m thrilled to share this how-to guide.
Follow along step-by-step as I teach you how to make a delicious cup of coffee using the best V60 pour over technique I’ve learned.
By the end, you’ll have enough know-how to impress your friends and enjoy amazing V60 drip coffee whenever your heart desires.
How To Use V60 Coffee Makers – Step by Step
- Boil the Water
- Preparing the V60
- Preparing the V60 Filter
- Weigh Your Coffee Beans
- The Blooming Phase
- Stir
- Finish Hand Pouring
- Enjoy!
Does V60 Coffee Brewing Mean More Caffeine?
When we discuss espresso, we refer to the “masculine” part of coffee extraction. But I like to consider the V60 pour over the “feminine” equivalent.
This is because filter coffee, especially the V60, has a low body and very well-defined notes. It is a light coffee on your palate, but often incredibly strong, too.
Contrary to popular belief, filter coffee can have more caffeine than espresso. The longer the coffee stays in contact with water, the more caffeine it develops.
For example, with espresso, the coffee stays in contact with water for a maximum of 30 seconds. But with filter coffee, the story changes.
Why?
Because V60 filter coffee stays in contact with water somewhere between a minimum of 1 minute 30 seconds and 3 minutes, giving it more time to develop caffeine.
Hario First Invented the V60 Pour Over…
The V60 Dripper was designed by the Japanese company Hario, which was founded in Tokyo in 1921. Initially focused on producing and selling environmentally friendly glass products made from 100% natural minerals, Hario eventually ventured into the coffee industry and introduced the Hario Dripper.
But I prefer Brewista’s V60 Pour Over Coffee Dripper.
The Hario V60 and Brewista V60 are both awesome pour-over coffee brewers. While Hario is the method’s OG designer and arguably the most popular pour-over in the specialty coffee world, you will see I am using a Brewista V60 here.
The Brewista’s Gem Series V60 is made of high-quality porcelain from Panama. Its flatter bottom also helps the coffee flow more evenly.
This is a matter of my personal preference, but I wanted to address it in case you were wondering about the brand. 😉
The Meaning of “V60”
The name “V60” may seem a bit complicated. But after I explain where the name comes from, you’ll say, “Cristian, why didn’t think of that?”
The “V” comes from the cone’s V-shaped design, and “60” refers to the 60-degree angle of the cone’s incline.
I told you it wouldn’t be as complex as it sounds! But I’m curious if you had the same reaction that many people have when I explain what the V60 name means: “Is it really that simple?”
Yep!
But enough with the stories. Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about what you need to make great V60 coffee.
What You Need To Make Pour-Over Coffee With A V60
- A V60 brewer – like Hario or Brewista
- A carafe like my Brewista X Series Coffee Pitcher
- Filter papers
- A kettle (mine is the Brewista Artisan Electric Gooseneck Kettle)
- Fresh coffee grounds
- Coffee scale (I’m using an Acaia Black Pearl)
- A spoon
Let’s talk about paper filters. Paper filters with a brown color contain lignin. Lignin is a polymer that strengthens the wood cells and affects the taste of the extract because it can give a woody taste.
I recommend using white paper filters because they go through a process of removing the lignin. Due to this process, they have a white color, and the woody taste is removed from the paper filter.
However, they still need to be watered before extraction. I will explain this later on.
How to Make V60 Pour Over Coffee
Step 1: Boil the Water
Begin by boiling water in the kettle from 190.4 to 203 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s up to you to experiment and adjust between these temperatures based on how you like your coffee, but your ratio of coffee to water will be important.
Step 2: Prepare Your V60 Pour Over Brewer
Place the V60 on top of your server. If you don’t have a glass server, you can use a pitcher. Just make sure its material can safely withstand the heat.
It’s essential to have the V60 ready and in place when you start making coffee because you want to be fast.
After grinding the coffee beans, they tend to release all their aroma and flavor into the air if you’re too slow.
Step 3: Prep the Filter in Your V60 Ceramic Coffee Cone
Fold your paper filter along the seam and into a cone. Put the cone in your V60 (which should be sitting on top of a cup, carafe, or jug).
And be sure to rinse the filter paper next. Rinsing the filter gets rid of any unwanted flavors and warms the V60 cone at the same time.
Warming your cone before brewing improves temperature stability and helps extract more consistently.
Finally, pre-wetting the filter also makes it adhere to the shape of the V60, which prevents air pockets or gaps that could negatively affect the flow of water through the coffee.
Step 4: Weigh Your Coffee Beans
Weight 14g of coffee beans. Then grind your 14g of coffee and place it in the filter. A medium to fine grind is the best for your pour-over coffee grounds.
Pro Tip: If the brew is too weak, try a finer grind. If the water drips through the coffee too slowly, make the grind coarser.
Now place the V60 on the mug, add the filter paper, and soak it with hot water to remove any papery taste, and to warm the V60 and the mug.
Gently tap the V60 on the bench to settle the grounds into a flatbed.
Step 5: The Blooming Phase
In the blooming phase, you are wetting the coffee bed to saturate all the dry coffee grinds.
So, gently pour in 50g (1.76 oz.) of water. It helps to pour the water in a circular pattern from the outside of the filter toward the center.
Step 6: Pour, Then Stir It
Stir to make sure all the grounds are wet, and wait 30 seconds.
Step 7: Pour the Rest of Your Water
Gently pour in more water until you’ve added a total of 250g (about 8 oz.). Pour using a circular motion, and wait for 2 to 2 ½ minutes until the coffee has finished dripping into your serving vessel.
Step 8: Enjoy
Enjoy your V60 pour over brew! And keep practicing with your V60. The more you do, the more you’ll find exactly what small technique tweaks you prefer.
Looking for another how-to tutorial? Check out my guide for making an incredible latte here.
FAQs – Coffee Brewing with a V60
How Is the V60 Different from Chemex Coffee?
The V60’s design is meant for a fast and even extraction, while the Chemex allows for a slower, more gradual extraction.
Secondly, the V60 is designed to brew a single cup of coffee, while the Chemex can brew larger quantities of coffee at once.
Finally, the resulting coffee flavor can also differ between the two methods. The V60’s faster extraction can create a brighter, more nuanced cup, while the Chemex’s slower extraction makes a cleaner, smoother cup.
What Is the Difference Between V60 and Pour Over?
But the V60 is a specific pour-over brewer that has a unique cone-shaped design with spiral ribs on the inside. The V60’s design allows for more precise and consistent extraction of flavors, which many coffee enthusiasts prefer.
To make matters more complicated, there are many brands of V60 brewers on the market—not just the Hario Dripper, as you can see since I used Brewista.
Other types of pour-over brewers include Chemex, Kalita Wave, and Bee House. These are not V60s.
Why Is V60 So Good?
– Customizable: It’s not a set-and-forget brewing style. You really engage with the art of coffee through using it.
– Affordability, durability, and portability.
– And of course: The coffee tastes delicious!
What’s the Best Coffee Grind For the V60?
Remember: The V60 brewing method is known for its versatility and allows for experimentation with various grind sizes So, feel free to adjust the grind size according to how you like your coffee!
How Do I Clean My V60 Pour Over Equipment?
The dripper can also be washed with mild soap and water. The paper filter holder can be soaked in hot water and soap to remove any coffee residue. Rinse all components thoroughly and allow them to air dry before using them again.
