Your U3 Perfect V60 Pour Over TECHNIQUE

True coffee lovers know that one of the best ways to maximize the flavors of your favorite coffee is by mastering the art of the pour over. A refined pour over method gives you an incredible amount of control over the final product, it delivers the cleanest cup of coffee, and it’s one of the most eco-friendly ways to enjoy your cup of joe. Many true coffee lovers will tell you that the best pour over coffee maker is the Hario V60 dripper.

Named for the 60-degree angle of its cone-shaped dripper, which facilitates optimal water flow and extraction, the V60 is elegant but simple. A V60 pour over is flexible enough to accommodate everything from chocolaty dark roasts to bright, acidic light roasts, and there’s nothing quite like a V60 pour over coffee when it comes to pure, clean flavor.

Here at U3 Coffee, we want you to have all the knowledge, tools, and techniques to create the perfect V60 pour over coffee. Whether you’re new to pour overs, expanding your pour over skills, or a pour over veteran looking for new tips and techniques, we’re here to help!

We’ve done the research, run the tests, and have the insider tips to make you a bona fide V60 convert and expert! You’ll be making the V60 pour over of your caffeinated dreams in no time!

• Hario V60 Dripper
• Filter
• Grinder
• Kettle
• Scale

Before you dive into the hands-on steps of the brewing process, you have to decide on the ideal ratio of coffee to water.

Here at U3, we find the ratio that works the best for the widest variety of roasts and beans is 1:16. Here’s what that looks like for different serving sizes:

The ideal temperature range for pour-over brewing is between 198°F and 205°F. 

You can use a variable-temperature kettle to get a spot-on reading. Check out our favorite electric kettle—the Stagg EKG Electric Kettle—in the U3 Coffee Exchange!

Or you can use a standard electric kettle or stovetop kettle—bring the water to a rolling boil, then let the water cool for 30 to 60 seconds.

You can opt for ground coffee while you’re experimenting with your technique, but there’s nothing quite like freshly ground whole beans for your V60 pour over coffee. 

Check out our tasty assortment of sustainably sourced coffees in the U3 Coffee Exchange!

Grinding the beans yourself also allows you to customize the size of the grind. At U3, we think a medium-fine grind gives the best results—look for a texture similar to table salt.

Whether you choose ground coffee or whole beans, use your scale to weigh out the right amount of coffee for the serving size you plan to make.

Set your dripper on top of your carafe or cup, and put in your filter. 

You can find our selection of V60 drippers, filters, carafes, and mugs in the U3 Coffee Exchange!

Once your water is up to temperature, pour some into your dripper to thoroughly wet your filter. If you’re using a paper filter, this rinses away any residue and helps the filter stick to the sides of the dripper. But don’t skip this step if you’ve got a reusable filter, because it also warms your dripper and your carafe or mug, which helps with heat retention as your brew.

Be sure to discard this rinse water before you move on to the next step!

Pour in your grounds, then shake gently to create an even surface on top to ensure your grounds are extracted uniformly during the brewing process.

Now set your brewer on your scale and tare it—in other words, zero out the weight. From here on out, we’ll be using the scale just to measure our water and maintain our original ratio to create the perfect pour over coffee. 

Check out our favorite Hario Coffee Scale in the U3 Coffee Exchange!

Gently pour heated water over your grinds—aim to add about 3 grams of water for every 1 gram of coffee. If you’re brewing a single cup, for example, you’ll want to add about 42 grams of water at this stage. 

The goal in this step is to saturate all of the grinds, so try to pour evenly around all the coffee, and pour directly onto the coffee, not the filter.

Once you’ve added the water, quickly use a spoon or stirrer to gently move the grinds so the water can reach all of the coffee as quickly as possible.

When we add water to our grounds, they’ll begin to release carbon dioxide. That CO2 can leave our finished cup tasting harsh, so during the bloom, we give our coffee a chance to de-gas before we start the next phase of brewing.

Your slurry will bubble and expand during this phase. The bubbling should start to slow after about 30 to 45 seconds, at which point you’re ready to move on to the next step.

Pour water from a consistent height and at a consistent rate. Move the kettle in small circles, which will create a bit of turbulence to help grinds extract evenly.

Aim to pour the water onto the coffee, not the filter.

Keep an eye on your scale and pour until you’ve reached the goal weight based on the ratio you chose in Step 1.

When you finish pouring, your dripper will be very full. Wait until you’ve got a bit of space at the time, then use your spoon or stirrer to give the liquid a gentle stir, to prevent the grinds from sticking to the filter.

Don’t disturb the slurry; focus on stirring the liquid only.

Once your dripper has drained about halfway, give the entire brewer a gentle swirl to keep the grounds from sticking and to flatten the slurry bed.

Allow the remaining water in the dripper to pass through the grinds. Keep an eye on this phase—known as the “drawdown.” Look for the stream to change to a drip, then remove the dripper.

Don’t worry if there’s still liquid in the slurry when you remove the dripper. Those final drops can tend to add a bit of bitterness, which we want to prevent.

From the time you start your pour until you reach that slow drip will take around three to four minutes to achieve your best pour over. 

You’re ready to enjoy your hand-crafted, perfect pour over! As you savor down to the final drops, take pride in the beautiful handcrafted drink you created. Cheers to you!

If you’re looking for more pro tips and tricks to ensure your V60 pour over coffee matches your tastes, check out our in-depth handbook for the perfect V60 pour over.

Mastering your ideal V60 pour over coffee method isn’t just about brewing a hot cup of joe; it’s an art and a science that will open up a world of consistently incredible coffee that fits your unique tastes. From selecting the finest beans to perfecting your pouring technique, the V60 pour over puts you in the driver’s seat every step of the way. Embrace the ritual, enjoy the aroma, and relish the satisfaction of having crafted a cup that reflects your appreciation of the perfect cup of coffee.

Special cheers to you on selecting your perfect equipment and favorite roast based on your new knowledge. The perfect aroma, coupled with the best flavor, awaits you. #coffeemugsunite