Coffee can get complex quick, in this blog post we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the Hario V60 Coffee Dripper. The amazing thing about making pour over coffee with a V60 is that you can make coffee with as little or as much attention as you like regardless of your experience level!
As a basic barista, mastering alternative brewing methods such as a Hario V60, Espresso and milk based coffees is an exciting learning experience and a skill set that can be applied world wide. The Hario V60 is a popular pour over brewing method that can produce a clean and delicious cup of coffee. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about the Hario V60, including how to make it, what grind size to use, and how to dial it in to get the best possible coffee experience.
What is a Hario V60?
The Hario V60 is a cone-shaped pour-over coffee maker made of ceramic, glass, metal or plastic. It features spiral ridges on the inside of the cone and a large opening at the bottom, allowing you to control the flow of water and extract your coffee evenly. The Hario V60 get's it's name from the angle of the cone shaped dripper 60º.
You can't make a coffee using just a V60, you also need to pair your dripper with a paper filter. Paper filters come in a range of different shapes and sizes and with different brands like Cafec making their own filters there is no universal size.
Essentially an 02 size Hario dripper fits an 02 size filter, the 02 size filter is the exact same size as the 4-Cup 'Cafec' range of filter papers.
What coffee can I make on a V60?
The Hario V60 is versatile and can brew any coffee bean, making it a popular choice for coffee enthusiasts. However, it's essential to choose high-quality coffee beans and grind them fresh for the best results.
Is V60 coffee easy to make?
The Hario V60 may seem intimidating, but it's relatively easy to make. With a little practice, you can master the technique and produce delicious coffee every time.
The amazing thing about making pour over coffee with a V60 is that you can make coffee with as little or as much attention as you like, this means that with no - little experience you can enjoy coffee from a V60 but if you are wanting to take it to the next level and bring out the most of your coffee you can easily do so by paying more attention to the brewing variables.
Different Hario V60 Materials:
Hario has been around for a long time, specialising in Laboratory glass equipment that also happen to make fantastic coffee gear. Over the years Hario have released all sorts of V60 drippers, ranging from 01, 02, 03 sizes and made from Ceramics, Glass, Metal and Plastic.
Each dripper is unique in how your coffee brews, the taste is changed by 3 driving factors.
- Material and how this conducts heat. Different materials have different densities and conduct heat differently, the more heat trapped inside the brewer tends to give a more consistent brew.
- How the filter interacts with the dripper material. Depending on the texture and the type of coffee filter you are using your filter will interact differently with that dripper, some filters hug the walls and create a full seal where others protrude and create much more bypass for your water creating a very different taste.
- Slight variations in the shape of the V60 (the Metal dripper is similar to the ceramic but is designed with slightly more raised creases.)
What grind size to use for Hario V60?
Grind size is crucial when it comes to pour-over brewing methods, and the Hario V60 is no exception. For the V60, you want a medium-fine grind size, similar to kosher salt. A consistent grind size is essential to ensure even extraction and avoid over or under-extraction, this can be achieved by using a quality coffee grinder.
Basic Barista V60 Recipe:
Step 1: Coffee Equipment you need
To make pour over coffee with a Hario V60 dripper, you will need:
- Hario V60 dripper
- Hario V60 filter
- Gooseneck kettle
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Coffee grinder
- Coffee Brewing Scales
- Mug or Coffee Server
Step 2: Water
Fill your gooseneck kettle with enough water for your coffee and heat it to the ideal temperature of around 95-99ºc. You can use a thermometer or a temperature-control kettle like the Fellow Stagg EKG to achieve the right temperature or if you are using a regular kettle try to wait 1-2 minutes to let your water drop from boiling point.
If you are just using tap water for your coffee it might be worth looking into Aquacode Water Brewing Minerals, more often than not your tap water is not idea for brewing coffee. Definetly check out our recent blog post on all how to make water for your coffee.
Step 3: Grind your coffee beans
Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency, similar to granulated sugar. Using a grinder like the Timemore C3 Coffee Hand Grinder is your best bet for a budget hand grinder and for just over $100 it's hard to look past.
Step 4: Rinse your filter paper
Place the Hario V60 filter in the dripper and rinse it with hot water. This step removes any paper flavour caused by the paper filter and helps to bring up the temperature of your dripper and mug. Just be extra cautious that you discard this water before actually brewing as you don't want to be drinking this in your cup of coffee.
Read this article here on how to perfectly set your paper filter.
Step 5: Create your coffee bed
Place the dripper on top of your mug or carafe and add your coffee grounds. I recommend using a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio, which means for every gram of coffee, use 16 grams of water. For example, for 15 grams of coffee we are going to use 250 grams of water.
Step 6: Bloom your coffee
Start the timer and pour hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, making sure to saturate all the grounds. This process is called "blooming" and releases the gases trapped inside the coffee. Let the coffee bloom for 30 - 45 seconds.
Step 7: Brew
After the bloom, pour the remaining water over the coffee in a slow and steady stream, making sure to pour in a circular motion. Aim to pour the water at a steady pace and maintain a consistent water level in the dripper.
Step 8: Enjoy your coffee
The brewing process should take around 3 minutes, this brew time will change depending on the amount of coffee and water used as well as your brew method and what coffee beans you are using. Once the brewing is complete, remove the dripper and filter from the mug or carafe and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee.
Making pour over coffee with a Hario V60 dripper can seem intimidating, but with the right equipment and technique, it's a simple brew process that can produce amazing coffee.
How long should my pour-over coffee take?
The ideal pour-over coffee extraction time is around three minutes, but this can vary depending on the grind size, coffee amount, and water temperature. It's essential to experiment with your Hario V60 to find the sweet spot for your coffee.
How to make my V60 taste better?
To make your Hario V60 taste better, try these tips:
- Use high-quality, fresh coffee beans.
- Use a consistent grind size.
- Rinse the filter with hot water before brewing to remove any paper taste.
- Pour the water slowly and evenly over the coffee.
- Use a gooseneck kettle to control the flow of water.
- Experiment with water temperature and brew time.
Dialling in Hario V60
To dial in your Hario V60, you'll need to adjust the grind size, coffee dose, and water temperature.
Start with the recommended medium-fine grind size and adjust accordingly to achieve the desired taste. If the coffee tastes sour, try using a finer grind size, increasing the coffee amount, or raising the water temperature. If the coffee tastes bitter, try using a coarser grind size, reducing the coffee amount, or lowering the water temperature.
Unfortunately there is no way around this, however dialling in pour over compared to an espresso is much less wasteful as it is much easier to make a bad tasting espresso compared to a bad tasting pour over coffee.
What Water Temperature should I use for pour over?
The water temperature is also critical when it comes to pour-over brewing methods. For the Hario V60, the ideal water temperature is around 95°C. However, you can adjust the temperature according to your preference and the coffee you're using.
Different coffees taste better at differ temperatures, as a rule of thumb lighter coffees tend to taste better at 95-99ºc where medium filter roasts tend to taste better around 90-95ºc.
Benefits of making pour over coffee:
Drinking pour-over coffee has several benefits, including:
- It produces a clean and flavourful cup of coffee.
- It allows you to control the brewing process to fully customise the taste.
- It's easy to make and can be done with minimal equipment.
The Hario V60 is an excellent pour-over brewing method for coffee enthusiasts and basic baristas alike. With a little practice, you can master the technique and produce delicious coffee every time. Don't be afraid to experiment with your Hario V60 to create your own recipe too!