Beginner’s Guide to Brewing Pour-Over Coffee at Home

Beginner’s Guide to Brewing Pour-Over Coffee at Home

There’s something timeless and satisfying about making pour-over coffee. The gentle bloom, the steady spiral of water, the aroma that fills the air—it’s both a ritual and a craft.

Whether you’re upgrading from a drip machine or just curious about the hype, pour-over is one of the best ways to explore coffee’s full flavor potential. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of pour-over brewing, step by step.

What Is Pour-Over Coffee?

Pour-over is a manual brewing method where hot water is poured over freshly ground coffee in a filter, allowing the water to extract flavors as it flows through. It gives you total control over the process—from temperature to flow rate—resulting in a clean, nuanced cup.

Why Choose Pour-Over?

  • Flavor clarity: Highlights subtle notes and origin characteristics

  • Control: Customize strength, extraction, and brew time

  • Simplicity: No machine needed—just a kettle, dripper, filter, and your favorite mug

  • Connection: Slows things down, letting you engage with the coffee-making process

What You Need to Get Started

To brew great pour-over coffee at home, you'll need:

  • Pour-over dripper (like the Brewista Tornado Duo or Artisan Dripper)

  • Gooseneck kettle (for precise pouring)

  • Paper or metal filters (matched to your dripper)

  • Fresh coffee beans

  • Grinder (preferably burr, not blade)

  • Scale and timer

  • Hot water (~200°F or 93°C)

Step-by-Step Pour-Over Brewing

  1. Heat Your Water
    Aim for ~200°F (93°C). A variable temperature kettle makes this easy.

  2. Weigh and Grind Coffee
    Use 18–20 grams of coffee per 300g of water (1:15–1:17 ratio). Grind medium-fine—similar to sea salt.

  3. Prep the Filter and Dripper
    Rinse your filter with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat the dripper.

  4. Add Coffee Grounds
    Pour the grounds into the filter and level them.

  5. Bloom
    Start your timer. Gently pour just enough water to saturate the grounds (about 2–3x the coffee weight). Let it bloom for 30–45 seconds. This releases gas and preps for extraction.

  6. Main Pour
    Slowly pour water in concentric circles from the center outward, then back in. Do this in stages, maintaining an even bed. Aim to finish pouring by 2:00–2:30 minutes.

  7. Drawdown and Enjoy
    Let the water fully drain through by around 3:30–4:00 minutes. Remove the dripper and enjoy your fresh cup.

Tips for a Better Brew

  • Use fresh, high-quality beans and grind right before brewing

  • Filter your water for cleaner taste

  • Don’t rush—pour steadily and intentionally

  • Keep your gear clean to avoid off-flavors

  • Adjust grind size and ratio to taste (stronger or lighter)

Why Brewista Tools Make a Difference

Every Brewista product is designed with precision and usability in mind—from the Artisan Gooseneck Kettle with its fine flow control, to our Smart Scale for dead-on accuracy. Our drippers are engineered to optimize extraction, giving you more consistency and clarity in every brew.

Final Pour

Pour-over coffee isn’t just a method—it’s a moment. A way to slow down and savor something crafted by hand. With the right tools and a bit of practice, anyone can brew an incredible cup at home.

Ready to get started? Explore Brewista’s pour-over essentials and begin your journey toward better coffee, one pour at a time.

🔗 Related Reads:

Back to blog