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Pour-Over Cheat Sheet

Pour-Over Coffee Brewing Cheat Sheet

Quick Reference Guide

Ideal Ratios

  • Standard strength: 1:16 (1g coffee to 16g water)
  • Stronger cup: 1:15
  • Lighter cup: 1:17
  • Typical serving: 15-18g coffee for 240-300ml water

Grind Size

  • Medium-fine: Similar to sea salt
  • Too fine: Slow drain, bitter taste
  • Too coarse: Fast drain, sour/weak taste

Water Temperature

  • Light roasts: 205-212°F (96-100°C)
  • Medium roasts: 200-205°F (93-96°C)
  • Dark roasts: 195-200°F (90-93°C)

Step-by-Step Brewing

  1. Preparation:
    • Heat water to desired temperature
    • Rinse paper filter with hot water
    • Discard rinse water
  2. Bloom Phase:
    • Add coffee grounds
    • Pour double the coffee weight in water (e.g., 30g water for 15g coffee)
    • Wait 30-45 seconds
    • Look for even bubbling and expansion
  3. Main Pour Options:
    • Continuous pour: Slow, steady pour in circular motion
    • Pulse pouring: Multiple small pours of 50-75ml with 30-second intervals
    • Center-out technique: Start in center, move outward in spiral
  4. Timing Guidelines:
    • Total brew time: 2:30-3:30 minutes
    • Too fast: Grind finer
    • Too slow: Grind coarser

Common Pour-Over Methods

V60

  • Spiral ridges require specific pouring technique
  • Keep water level below top of cone
  • Pour in concentric circles

Chemex

  • Thicker filters require coarser grind
  • Higher water volume capacity
  • Pour in center, then concentric circles

Kalita Wave

  • Flat bottom with three drain holes
  • More forgiving than V60
  • Pour in center, avoid pouring directly on filter walls

Troubleshooting

Flavor Issues

  • Sour/weak: Grind finer, increase water temperature, extend brew time
  • Bitter/harsh: Grind coarser, decrease water temperature, shorten brew time
  • Empty/hollow: Adjust ratio, check water quality

Flow Issues

  • Clogging: Coarsen grind, pour more gently
  • Channeling: Pour more evenly, ensure level bed of grounds
  • Uneven extraction: Improve pouring technique, check grind consistency

Advanced Tips

  • Agitation: Gentle stir during bloom improves even extraction
  • Pouring height: Lower (1-2cm) for less agitation, higher for more agitation
  • Filter positioning: Ensure proper seal against brewer walls
  • Water quality: Use filtered water with 75-150 ppm mineral content

This cheat sheet provides a quick reference for pour-over brewing fundamentals. Adjust variables based on taste preferences and specific coffee characteristics.