Pour over is one of the most rewarding ways to brew coffee at home. It’s balanced, aromatic and highlights flavour clarity better than almost any other method. And while it may look like a “barista-only” technique, the truth is: pour over is simple when you understand the fundamentals.

This guide teaches you how to make consistently delicious pour over coffee using any dripper—V60, Kalita Wave, Origami, Stagg X or Chemex (scaled). No complicated techniques, just a clean, bright cup every time.

What You Need for Great Pour Over Coffee

1. Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans

Fresh beans bring sweetness, clarity and aroma. Older beans taste flat and hollow.

Best for pour over: Fixation Coffee Single Origin — bright, expressive and perfect for filter brewing.

2. A Pour Over Dripper

Each dripper shapes flavour slightly differently:

• Hario V60 – brighter and cleaner
• Kalita Wave – balanced and forgiving
• Origami – versatile and aromatic
• Stagg X – heavier body, smoother texture
• Chemex – ultra clean and light

All of these work beautifully with the recipe below.

3. Filter Papers

Filters affect clarity and flow rate. Always rinse your filter with hot water to remove papery flavours and preheat the brewer. Discard the rinse water before brewing.

4. A Gooseneck Kettle

A gooseneck kettle gives you control over pour speed and direction. Electric or stovetop both work.

5. A Good Grinder

Grinding fresh makes a huge difference. For pour over, aim for a medium grind, slightly finer than sand.

6. A Scale and Timer

Consistency is impossible without measuring. A small digital scale and a timer will help you repeat great brews.

The Ideal Pour Over Ratio and Water Temperature

Standard Pour Over Ratio: 1:16

This is the sweet spot for most coffees:

• 20g coffee → 320g water
• 25g coffee → 400g water

When to adjust:

• 1:15 – stronger and heavier body
• 1:17 – lighter and more tea-like

Water Temperature

Use water at 92–96°C (just off the boil).

Cooler water → more sweetness, less bite.
Hotter water → brighter acidity and stronger extraction.

Step-By-Step Pour Over Recipe (Works With Any Dripper)

1. Heat Water and Rinse the Filter

Place the filter in your dripper and rinse it thoroughly with hot water. This removes papery taste and preheats the dripper and vessel. Empty the rinse water.

2. Grind Your Coffee (Medium-Fine)

Grind your coffee to a medium-fine texture, similar to table salt.

• For Kalita/flat-bottom drippers – slightly coarser
• For V60/Origami – medium-fine

3. Add Coffee and Level the Bed

Add your ground coffee to the filter and gently shake or tap the dripper to level the bed. A flat bed helps ensure even extraction.

4. Bloom (0:00–0:45)

Start your timer. Pour 2–3x the weight of your coffee in water for the bloom (e.g., 20g coffee → 45–60g water). Ensure all grounds are saturated.

Let it sit for 30–45 seconds. You should see the coffee expand and release gas—this is a good sign of freshness.

5. Main Pour (0:45–1:45)

After the bloom, pour slowly in steady circles from the centre outward, avoiding the filter walls. Continue pouring in stages until you reach your total water weight.

• V60 / Origami – continuous pour or gentle pulses
• Kalita / Stagg – controlled pulse pours work best for flatbeds

6. Drawdown (1:45–3:00/3:30)

Allow the water to drain fully through the coffee bed.

Target total brew times:

• V60: 2:45–3:30
• Kalita / flatbed drippers: 2:30–3:00
• Origami: 2:30–3:30
• Chemex (larger batches): 3:30–5:00

The grounds should settle into a relatively flat bed with no big craters or sludge.

7. Taste and Adjust

Your pour over should taste clean, bright and sweet, with a pleasant aroma. Take a few sips as it cools—the flavours will open up and become clearer.

What Perfect Pour Over Should Taste Like

A well-brewed pour over typically has:

• Clear flavour notes (citrus, berries, florals, chocolate—depending on the coffee)
• Balanced acidity
• Gentle sweetness
• Clean, refreshing finish

If it tastes muddy, bitter or sour, don’t worry—you can dial it in with a few simple tweaks.

How to Fix Common Pour Over Problems

Sour or Sharp

Likely cause: Under-extraction.

Fix:

• Grind a little finer
• Increase total brew time
• Use slightly hotter water

Bitter or Dry

Likely cause: Over-extraction.

Fix:

• Grind a little coarser
• Pour slightly faster
• Use slightly cooler water

Weak or Watery

Likely cause: Grind too coarse or ratio too light.

Fix:

• Grind finer
• Use a stronger ratio such as 1:15

Brew Stalling or Clogging

Likely cause: Grind too fine, too much agitation or certain filter types.

Fix:

• Grind a bit coarser
• Pour more gently to avoid disturbing the bed

How Different Drippers Change the Flavour

Hario V60

Produces bright, clean cups with clear acidity. Great for washed single origins and lighter roasts.

Kalita Wave

More balanced and forgiving with a flat bottom design. Ideal for beginners and everyday brewing.

Origami Dripper

Very aromatic and versatile. Works with both conical and flat filters and showcases nuance in high-quality coffees.

Stagg X

Heavier body and deeper sweetness. Excellent for naturals and chocolate-forward coffees.

Chemex

Very clean, tea-like profile thanks to thick filters. Perfect for floral, delicate coffees and larger batches.

Best Beans for Pour Over (Fixation Coffee Recommendations)

Fixation Single Origin – Washed

Bright, clean and structured. Ideal for V60, Origami and Chemex.

Fixation Single Origin – Natural

Fruit-forward, sweet and expressive. Stunning in Kalita, Origami and Stagg.

Fixation Filter Roast Subscription

Fresh beans every 2–4 weeks keep your pour overs consistent and vibrant.

Advanced Pour Over Techniques (Optional)

1. Swirl After Bloom

Gently swirling the dripper after bloom helps eliminate dry pockets and encourages even extraction.

2. Pulse Pouring

Pouring in small, controlled pulses can bring more clarity and sweetness to the cup.

3. Rinse Filters Thoroughly

Especially with Chemex and thicker filters, extra rinsing can reduce paper taste and improve clarity.

4. Use Filtered Water

Good water makes a big difference. Filtered water often results in sweeter, cleaner cups.

Pour Over Troubleshooting Chart

Final Thoughts: Pour Over Is Simple, Not Difficult

Pour over coffee rewards patience, fresh beans and good technique—not expensive tools. With a consistent ratio, the right grind size and steady pours, you can brew clean, sweet, café-quality cups at home every time.

Ready to brew better coffee?

• Explore Fixation Single Origin Beans