Best Pour Over Kettles That’ll Upgrade Your Coffee Making Skills

We live in a world where to get past the day, you need a boost and most of us find that boost in a cup of coffee sweetened with premium coffee syrups. 

Whether you get your coffee from the local coffee shop or brew it at home, coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world today.

If you would rather make your coffee in the comfort of your home, there are so many ways to do it and the debate among coffee lovers has always been which method is the most efficient. 

One thing is consistent around the world and it’s that, to make a good cup of coffee you need hot water and that’s where pour over kettles come in. 

What Is a Pour Over Kettle

Pour over brewing is one of the methods of making coffee, a method that is efficient and precise if you are looking for a coffee shop kind of coffee without the use of a coffee making machine. 

A pour over kettle is also known as a gooseneck kettle and it’s the specific kettle that is used in pour over brewing. The kettle gives you a degree of control over the water flow, something that you don’t get with a standard kettle. 

While you can still brew coffee using a standard tea kettle, it will take time and patience to get the best results. In the end, it’s not worth the hassle, especially considering that there is a specific tool designed for that kind of brewing. 

Pour over kettles range in terms of prices and the one you get will solely depend on your budget as well as personal preferences. 

Benefits of a Pour Over Coffee Kettle

Pour over coffee brewing is one of the best ways of making coffee. It draws you into the moment and forces you to invest both mentally and physically in the process. 

However, all this is hard to achieve if you don’t have the right kettle for the job. Here are a few benefits of this kettle that you should be aware of before you make a purchase:

Control Over the Water Poured

Gooseneck kettles have an off spout shape that most people assume makes them hard to use. However, the opposite is true. These kettles are designed to give you total control over the strength as well as the speed of your pour. 

One of the major problems with regular kettles, when used for pour over brewing, is that they inconsistently pour water and while some are much better, in the end, control is what they lack. 

It’s very annoying when you are trying to pour water in one spot and you keep hitting everything else around it. 

With a pour over kettle, you can pour slowly, in a specific spot which is very important since you can hit all the coffee grounds evenly which is one of the secrets to well balanced and rich coffee. 

You can also easily manipulate the brewing time by either pouring slowly or quickly, giving you another level of control and precision that regular kettles don’t give. 

Consistency

The added control that these kettles have helps boost the consistency of the coffee. When you use a regular kettle, there is a chance that you will never use the same water amount, speed is never consistent and you don’t hit the coffee grounds evenly. 

This results in an imbalanced and inconsistent brew. However, with a pour over coffee, it is possible to pour the same amount of water, you can control the speed and coffee grounds are hit evenly. 

Better Tasting Brew

At the end of the day, when you have some level of control over the amount of water that you pour, you will get great tasting coffee every day. 

Being able to pour water evenly over coffee grounds affects the flavor of your coffee in a big way. For one, the resulting coffee is balanced because all the grounds give the same flavor, reducing the bitterness and sourness that results from the coffee grounds being over or under-extracted. 

With a gooseneck kettle, you have control over the total brew time. You can either pour slowly to extend the brewing time or quickly which affects the flavor of your coffee. 

How Does a Pour Over Coffee Kettle Work

If you are a coffee enthusiast, one of the coffee-making rituals that you should learn is the pour over brewing. 

It is a technique that is used in third-wave coffee shops but the practice has existed for decades. The main item used in this form of brewing is a gooseneck kettle that works well with pour over dippers. 

While it may not seem as crucial in the brewing process like a bean grinder or a dripper, in the end, it affects the taste as well as the consistency of your cup of coffee. 

Pour over drippers hold coffee grinds and allow water to flow through so that coffee is extracted which is the same way automatic coffee makers function.

A gooseneck kettle, on the other hand, is unique in that it gives you total control over the amount of water distributed on the coffee grounds. 

The shape and the water stream flowing over the coffee grinds affect the extraction you will achieve which, in the end, affects the quality as well as the taste of your coffee. 

Pros and Cons of a Pour Over Coffee Kettle

If you want to make the world’s best instant coffee, the brewing method matters a lot. Pour over brewing is one method that gives you control over the taste and strength of your coffee.

Just like with other brewing methods, this method has its advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of:

Pros

• You can control the amount of water needed for your brew.
• You can control the speed of the pour and stop when needed.
• You hit each coffee ground evenly for a rich-tasting cup of coffee.
• You avoid messes and spills that regular kettles make.
• The fact that you have total control means that you can make a consistent cup of coffee every time.

Cons

• Rather inconvenient when you have a large family or friends over.
• Takes time and practice to master the perfect pour for a consistent cup of coffee.
• Compared to other brewing methods like a French press, you have less control.
• Inconvenient when compared to coffee making machines as the Keurig k55 coffee maker reviewed before.

Types of Coffee Kettles

If you would rather make your coffee at home rather than buying at the coffee shop, there are so many ways to do that but the easiest is using a kettle.

Here are different types of kettles that you can use to make coffee at home:

Electric Coffee Kettle

When you are buying a kettle, perhaps the biggest dilemma is whether to go with an electric or a manual one. There is no right or wrong answer to this and the item you get will depend on your preferences. 

Some people prefer the convenience of an electric kettle while for some the manual one works just fine. If you buy an electric kettle, one thing that is for sure is that it works way faster than a stovetop kettle.

Electric devices also have variable controls that give you more control over the temperature and the entire brewing process. They are convenient to use and are also easy to travel with. 

With an electric kettle, you can easily try out new recipes and experiment with what you have, giving you the freedom to customize your cup of coffee. 

Manual Coffee Kettle

The manual kettle is also known as a stovetop kettle. It is cheaper than electric kettles and also uses fewer voltages which reduces your electricity consumption. 

These kettles come with vintage designs that add to the décor of your kitchen. When you are buying a manual product, one thing you need to ensure is that the kettle you get is compatible with your type of oven.

This is because some of these products don’t work so well on induction cookers hence the reason why this is an important factor to consider before you make a purchase. 

Pour Over (Gooseneck) Coffee Kettle

The gooseneck kettle is the best for a pour over brew and gives you total control, allowing for consistency in every cup of coffee you make.

With these kettles, speed is of utmost importance since it determines not only the strength but the quality of the brew as well.

What to Look for When Buying a Pour Over Coffee Kettle

Just like you would choose between Keurig k475 vs k575 coffee makers, here are a few factors that you need to consider before committing to a purchase:

Flow Rate

The most important factor that you need to consider is the flow rate since it determines the strength and taste of your coffee. 

The speed of the pour determines the strength of the coffee and too slow or too fast could result in terrible tasting coffee. Luckily, with pour over kettles, the flow rate is never a problem unless the flow is really slow. 

Material

When it comes to the material, the main concern should be rust. Avoid those made with inferior metals.

To be on the safe side, avoid cheap, unknown brands because they wear quickly since they are made of poor quality materials. 

Capacity

A majority of gooseneck kettles in the market have a 1-liter capacity. There are, however, a few variations here and there that make a difference at the end of the day.

For instance, if you have a large family or will be brewing coffee for a lot of people, then you need a kettle with a larger capacity to avoid the case where your brewing is slowed down from the constant refills of cold water. 

Water Volume

If you have ever used a regular kettle, then you know how hard it is to control the amount of pour. 

With a gooseneck kettle, you have total control over the amount of water that comes out of the sprout. It is designed to allow you to consistently pour, no matter the amount of water you need and to maintain the pace. 

Water Placement

One of the keys to making great pour over coffee is getting the water to where you want it to. With this method, unlike the immersion method, you can’t just pour water over the coffee and let it sit. 

You either pour in a swirl, through the middle or some other fashion, all to saturate the grounds evenly to get the maximum flavor from the coffee beans. 

This precise water placement is difficult with a regular kettle since the spout is usually far from the grounds due to the short neck and you can’t control where it pours. 

The gooseneck kettle has a longer neck that you can position right next to the coffee such that you can pour directly and evenly for a rich-tasting cup of coffee. 

Design

Gooseneck kettles have different designs and the one you choose is just a matter of personal preferences. The only thing you need to ensure is that the neck is long enough to give you control over the water flow when you are making your coffee. 

Usability

When it comes to usability, there are certain things that you need to concern yourself with. For one, is the kettle you are buying well balanced?

Two, is it possible to pour at an angle that works for you and that ensures that the pour is even for consistent coffee?

Comfort

When you are buying a gooseneck kettle, one thing to keep in mind is that you will be holding it over the brewer for minutes away from your body, hence the reason why comfort if very important and that lies in the design of the handle. 

Handle

Since you will be pouring slowly and precisely, a kettle that has an ergonomic handle will work best for you. If the handle is plastic, ensure that it is BPA-free and doesn’t burn your hands when you are making coffee. 

Thermometer

Some gooseneck kettles come with thermometers. The quality of coffee, as well as the taste, is determined by the temperature of the water which is why you should rather buy a product that has a thermometer. 

Extra Features

Gooseneck kettles, most of the time, are quite basic but it doesn’t hurt to look out for extra features that may make your coffee making much easier. 

One feature that you should be concerned with is a gauge that marks the minimum and maximum water capacity. Another feature is a limescale filter which is a protective mesh in the spout that allows for a clean brew. 

Another great feature that you can look out for is a multiple temperature setting especially if you will be brewing delicate cups since the flavor is affected by the temperature of the water. 

Price

The last factor to consider is the price range. Two important factors affect the pricing of the kettles and they are the material and power. 

At the end of the day, you need to consider features that add to the convenience to get the best value for your money. 

How to Make a Coffee in a Pour Over Kettle

Step 1 – Heat the water

The first thing you need to do is heat water since this is what takes more time for a majority of people. 

Ensure that you measure the water depending on the amount of coffee you will be making but the rule of thumb is to heat one cup for a tablespoon of coffee. 

Step 2 – Put the filter in place

When the water is heating up, prepare your filter. You can either use a metal mesh or paper filter. It is recommended that you rinse the filter first and when it’s still wet, place the dripper over a cup before you place the filter. 

Step 3 – Grind the coffee beans

Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine grind, although a medium-coarse one can still work. The key here is to choose the right kind of coffee beans like Costa Rican or Ethiopian beans. 

Step 4 – Bloom the grounds

The next step is the brewing process and it starts with blooming. Blooming is a process that involves releasing carbon dioxide to create a blossoming effect that makes brewing possible. 

For a good bloom, wet the coffee ground and ensure that they are all saturated and make sure that you don’t pour too much water. 

Begin by pouring water on the outer filter rim moving inwards in a spiral motion. Once they are fully saturated, wait for about 30 to 40 seconds for the coffee grounds to fully bloom. 

Step 5 – Make the final pour

The last step involves pouring the remaining water. Using the kettle, pour the water slowly in a circular motion starting from the outer edge of the filter moving towards the center, making sure that the spout is close enough to the coffee grounds. 

Take breaks between pours to allow the coffee to drip into your mug and when the waterline has dropped, you can then make another pour until you have enough coffee. 

 

How to Clean a Pour Over Coffee Kettle

Step 1 – Empty the kettle

The first thing you need to do is to ensure that there is no liquid in the kettle when you are cleaning. If there is any water remaining, pour it out. 

Step 2 – Toss the filter

If you have a glass or ceramic brewer, remove the filter and toss it together with the coffee grounds.

Step 3 – Dump and wash

Shake the kettle over the garbage to remove any ground or other debris that may have accumulated and then use warm water and soap to clean the kettle. If any coffee grounds are lodged into the filter holes, use a brush to remove them. 

 

Does More Spending Mean More Quality

When you are buying a gooseneck kettle, there is no denying that more spending does mean more quality. This is because cheap kettles are usually made of low-quality metal that will crack or rust after a short time.

In as much as you want to spend as little as possible, avoid those overly cheap kettles from not so well known brands because chances are that you will be buying a replacement soon. 

Do’s and Don’ts With a Pour Over Coffee Kettle

• Do clean the kettle every once in a while so that the quality of coffee is not affected.
• Do measure that water depending on the amount of coffee you want to make.
• Don’t buy kettles from cheap and unknown brands since these are made of low-quality materials.
• Don’t drop your kettle as this may lead to the sprout breaking.

FAQ About Pour Over Kettles

Why use a pour over kettle?

This product allows for precision when brewing coffee. The design helps you not only to control the speed of the pour but the amount as well.  

Can I use a regular kettle for pour over coffee?

Yes, you can but you will have a hard time controlling the speed and the amount of pour leading to inconsistently tasting coffee every morning. 

What is pour over coffee?

This is a type of manual brewing method that involves pouring hot water over freshly ground coffee to extract the flavor of the beans. 

Conclusion

There are so many ways to make great tasting coffee at home but the simplest method is the pour over coffee brew. For this method, you need a good quality gooseneck coffee kettle and to know how to use it. When you are buying such a kettle, pay attention to factors like comfort, the handle, water volume, water placement, design, durability as well as extra features like temperature control setting.

Photos from: gregorylee / depositphotos.com, paulzhuk / depositphotos.com, kingkonglive / depositphotos.com and ivankul.mail.ru / depositphotos.com.