Pour-Over Coffee Guide & Coffee-to-Water Calculator Instructions
Unlock the clean, vibrant flavors of pour-over coffee with this step-by-step guide, designed to complement your calculator results. Whether you’re new to manual brewing or refining your technique, these concise instructions and reference tables will help you brew consistently delicious cups.
Pour Over (v60) Coffee Calculator
How to Use the Pour-Over Coffee Calculator
- Select your preferred coffee strength (mild, average, strong, or robust) in the calculator above.
- Enter your desired number of cups or total water volume.
- Review the recommended coffee and water amounts.
- Follow the step-by-step brewing instructions below for best results.
Recommended Ratios & Measurements
| Strength | Coffee-to-Water Ratio | Example (Coffee : Water) |
|---|---|---|
| Robust | 1:13 | 19.3g : 308ml |
| Strong | 1:15 | 19.0g : 284ml |
| Average | 1:16 | 14.8g : 237ml |
| Mild | 1:18 | 18.4g : 332ml |
Tip: Start with a 1:16 ratio for balanced flavor, then adjust to taste.
Essential Equipment
- Pour-over dripper (e.g., V60) and matching filters
- Fresh coffee beans (roasted within 2–3 weeks)
- Gooseneck kettle (for controlled pouring)
- Digital scale (for accuracy)
- Burr grinder (for consistent grind)
- Timer (your phone works great)
- Mug or carafe
Step-by-Step Pour-Over Instructions
- Prep & Rinse
- Boil water to 205°F (96°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, let boiling water cool for 30 seconds.
- Place the filter in your dripper and rinse with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat the brewer. Discard rinse water.
- Weigh & Grind
- Weigh your coffee using the calculator’s recommendation.
- Grind to a medium-fine consistency (similar to table salt). Too fine = bitter; too coarse = sour.
- Add Coffee & Bloom
- Add ground coffee to the filter and gently shake to level.
- Start your timer. Pour about 2–3x the coffee’s weight in water (e.g., 18g coffee → 36–54g water) to saturate the grounds.
- Let it “bloom” for 30–45 seconds. This releases trapped gases for better extraction.
- Main Pour
- Pour the remaining water in slow, steady spirals, starting from the center and moving outward, then back to the center.
- Pour in stages to reach your total water volume (see table below for a sample schedule):
| Pour Stage | Water Added (g) | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bloom | 50 | 0:00–0:45 |
| First Pour | +100 | 0:45–1:30 |
| Second Pour | +100 | 1:30–2:15 |
| Final Pour | Remainder | 2:15–3:00 |
- Aim for a total brew time of 3–3.5 minutes. If it finishes too quickly, grind finer; if too slow, grind coarser.
- Serve & Adjust
- Let the coffee drain completely.
- Swirl your mug or carafe before serving to mix flavors.
- Taste and adjust next time: bitter = grind coarser, sour = grind finer.
Quick Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Bitter | Too fine grind, too long brew | Grind coarser, pour faster |
| Sour | Too coarse grind, too short brew | Grind finer, pour slower |
| Weak | Too much water or too coarse grind | Use more coffee, grind finer |
| Muddy | Uneven pour or channeling | Pour evenly, level grounds |
Pro Tips
- Use filtered water for best flavor; avoid distilled or soft water.
- Preheat your mug with leftover hot water to keep coffee hot longer.
- Experiment with ratios and grind size to find your perfect cup.
- Compost used grounds are great for plants!
Customize Your Brew:
Use The Coffee Calculator above to adjust ratios for your preferred strength and cup size. Experiment, record your results, and enjoy the ritual-your perfect pour-over is just a few tweaks away!
Now, go brew-your taste buds will thank you! ☕️
