Manual Brewers
Looking to get into specialty coffee from the comfort of your own home? You’ve come to the right place. There’s no better place to start your craft coffee journey than with one of the manual brewers featured on this page. Not only are they cheaper than suitable auto drip machines, they’ll also teach you about the ins and outs of proper extraction (an essential skill for any type of coffee or style of preparation).
I’ve also highlighted a few options for kettles and kitchen scales, in case you don’t already have one. Generally speaking, a gooseneck kettle is needed for a pour over brewer. I recommend using a kitchen scale for dosing both coffee and water (it’s much more accurate than using a scoop). Start with a 1:17 coffee to water ratio and adjust to taste.
Overwhelmed by choice? Afraid you can’t afford to get into coffee? Check out my beginner’s guide to craft coffee, which features tips and tricks to get you started and compiles a complete list of gear for under $100.
IMMERSION BREWERS
Pros
Easy to use and learn (no precise pouring required, you control extraction time)
Fairly forgiving in terms of grind (works well with cheaper grinders)
Larger batch sizes possible (a 51 oz. model is also available for even larger batches)
No paper filters needed (buy the brewer once, use it for life)
Affordable (around $20)
Cons
That last swig of coffee should stay in the bottom of your cup (coffee silt will make its way through the metal filter to the brew)
Cleanup takes a bit longer than paper filter options
Pros
Easy to use and learn (no precise pouring required, you control extraction time)
Forgiving in terms of grind (works well with cheaper grinders)
Easy cleanup (throw away filter, rinse with hot water)
Affordable (around $40)
Cons
Small batch size (one or two cups)
POUR OVER BREWERS
Pros
One of the most popular pour over devices
Able to produce an incredibly bright, complex cup (great for light roast specialty coffee)
Affordable (around $25 for the full kit)
Cons
Higher learning curve to achieve ideal extraction (pour speed, style, agitation, etc. all matter)
Requires a gooseneck kettle
Pros
Produces a clean, bright pour over cup (great for light roast specialty coffee)
Less finicky than the V60 (due to cone design, the Kalita is more forgiving with pour technique)
Cons
A gooseneck kettle is still recommended
More expensive (around $50 for the dripper itself, no kit)
KETTLES
Pros
Affordable (around $20)
Will likely last a lifetime (no parts to break)
Cons
Not a gooseneck (won’t work for pour over brewers)
No thermometer built in
Not as quick or convenient as electric kettle (requires a stove/burner)
Pros
Affordable (around $25)
Convenient, simple operation
Cons
Not a gooseneck (won’t work for pour over brewers)
No thermometer built in
Pros
Gooseneck design (works great for pour over brewers)
Analog thermometer included
Affordable (around $20)
Cons
Not as quick or convenient as electric kettle (requires a stove/burner)
Pros
Gooseneck design (works great for pour over brewers)
Electric convenience + digital thermometer
Cons
Slightly more expensive (around $50)
SCALES
Pros
Affordable (around $25)
Timer built in
Cons
Less of a track record (may be less reliable)
Pros
Reputable brand and well reviewed model
Timer built in
Cons
More expensive (around $50)
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