How to Brew Pour-Over Coffee at Home

We receive a surprising number of questions about how we make our pour over coffee, and even occasional requests for a video tutorial. We aren’t professional baristas, but we love a simple, affordable method that delivers a delicious cup every day. Below we explain the approach we use: quick, consistent, and never bitter or burnt-tasting.

Sherry Sitting With Penny Dog On Couch Drinking Coffee

Pour over brewing delivers great flavor with minimal equipment and little waste compared with many electric brewers. The process can seem intimidating at first, but it’s really only as complex as you make it. I make mine each morning in just a few minutes, and I find it consistently better than many coffee shop offerings—so it also saves money.

Our Coffee Supplies

Supplies We Use To Make Coffee At Home Including Pour Over Coffee Maker and Cold Brew

The equipment list below looks long, but the essentials are just the first three items. Each core piece is inexpensive—under $20 for the everyday setup—and for basic hot coffee you really only need the first item. The rest are optional extras for different drinks or personal preferences.

Coffee Supplies

Pour over coffee maker*
Cold brew coffee maker (optional)
Handheld frother (for frothed milk)
Stoneware mugs
Ribbed glasses with lid and straw

Coffee Ingredients

Ground coffee (we typically use a medium roast)**
Sweetener packets
Coconut creamer
Flavored creamers (optional)

*Well-known pour over brands like Chemex and Hario are excellent but often more expensive. We prefer a more budget-friendly model that has lasted through daily use for nearly two years.

**If you own a grinder you can buy whole beans and grind them fresh. For simplicity we often buy pre-ground coffee or have beans ground at the shop.

What is Pour Over Coffee?

Pour over is a manual brewing method where hot water passes through ground coffee and a filter into a carafe or mug. Like drip machines, it uses hot water and a filter, but pour over is manual and gives you greater control. Because nothing sits on a warming plate, the resulting cup often tastes fresher and less bitter than coffee that has been kept hot for extended periods.

Basic electric brewers sometimes don’t heat water to ideal temperatures and can wet grounds unevenly, which affects consistency and flavor. Machines with warmers can also create an overcooked or bitter taste. Pour over avoids those issues and is easy to rinse clean without hidden tubing or parts that can harbor residue.

If you prefer electric drip or single-serve systems, that’s perfectly fine—coffee is personal. We’re simply sharing why pour over works for us: minimal waste, low cost, ease of cleaning, and great flavor.

Pros & Cons of Pour Over Coffee

Pour over appeals to many because it gives you control over brewing variables like water temperature, grind size, and brew time. For us, the simplicity of the method is its biggest advantage: we can get a reliably delicious cup without obsessing over the details.

The pour over setup is compact and ideal for small kitchens. It can be as straightforward or as meticulous as you want. Below are the key advantages and trade-offs we consider:

Pour Over Coffee PROS:

Cleaner, more pronounced flavors
Inexpensive to start
Compact and attractive on the counter
Reusable components reduce waste
Simple to clean

Pour Over Coffee CONS:

Not automated or programmable
Small learning curve to optimize results
Best for one to three cups at a time
No built-in warmer to keep coffee hot

Video Guide

We also made a step-by-step video demonstrating our process from start to finish, including a short segment showing how we make cold brew and how to froth milk. If you prefer visual guidance, watching the full routine can be helpful.

How to Make Pour Over Coffee

Below are the simple steps we follow each morning. Once your water is boiling, the active portion of the brew takes only a few minutes and much of the time is waiting for the coffee to drip through, so you can multitask while it brews.

6 Step Instructions To Make Pour Over Coffee at Home

Place the reusable filter into the glass carafe.
Add one scoop of ground coffee (scoop usually included).
Slowly pour boiling water over the grounds until saturated.
Allow the water to drip through into the carafe.
Remove the filter and pour the coffee, holding the cork collar.
Add milk, creamer, and/or sweetener to taste.

It’s that straightforward. The short notes below expand on each step so you can tailor the brew to your preference.

1. Place the filter into the carafe

We use the stainless steel reusable filter that comes with our pour over set. Some people prefer paper cone filters, which absorb more oils and create a lighter-bodied cup. Paper makes cleanup faster, but we appreciate the sustainability and convenience of the metal filter: it rinses clean and eliminates ongoing paper waste.

2. Add 1 scoop of ground coffee

Use the scoop that comes with the carafe: one scoop per cup is a good starting point. We sometimes make a slightly stronger batch by adding a bit more. Adjust the amount to your taste—if the coffee is too weak, increase the scoop; if too strong, reduce it.

Note: Our 34oz carafe lists a small serving size in marketing copy, but in practical terms it produces about three full mugs in our household.

Adding One Scoop of Ground Coffee Into Pour Over Coffee Maker

We’ve brewed several batches back-to-back for guests and found the flavor stays fresh when you make multiple small batches rather than brewing one very large pot.

What kind of coffee grounds should I use?

A medium to medium-coarse grind is commonly recommended for pour over. If you prefer to keep things simple, buy recently ground coffee at the store or have beans ground at the shop. Freshness matters more than perfection for everyday enjoyment.

3. Slowly pour boiling water over the grounds

Pour carefully to avoid splashing and to ensure even saturation. You can experiment with pouring techniques—circles, pulses, or a bloom phase—but we usually keep it simple and make sure the grounds are completely wet.

Pouring Boiled Water Into Pour Over Coffee Maker

How much water should I use?

We aim for about 12 ounces of water per scoop, slightly less if we plan to add cream. Many days we simply eyeball the amount and are happy with the result. If you prefer precision, measure the water into a cup before pouring it over the grounds.

4. Allow the water to drip through

Filtering usually takes one to two minutes. We use that brief window to finish small tasks in the kitchen; it also brings the coffee to a comfortable drinking temperature.

5. Pour the coffee

After the water has passed through, set the filter aside to drain and pour the brewed coffee from the carafe. The carafe glass can be hot, so grip it by the cork collar when pouring.

6. Add cream and sugar to taste

Some days we drink the coffee black; other days we add a sweetener packet and a splash of coconut creamer. I prefer flavored creamer or sweetened almond milk. For an extra treat, froth the milk (see the bonus step below).

Adding Coconut Creamer To Mug of Pour Over Coffee

Bonus Step: How to Froth Milk at Home

A small handheld frother makes it easy to add cafe-style foam. It’s inexpensive and quick—perfect for weekends or whenever you want a fancier cup.

3 Steps to Froth Milk For Pour Over Coffee at Home

Pour a small amount of milk or milk alternative into a cup. Submerge the frother tip and turn it on, moving it side to side.
When the milk is frothed to your liking, pour it into the coffee.
Enjoy. If you want extra sweetness, stir a little sweetener into the milk before frothing.

How to Clean Your Pour Over

Cleaning our pour over maker is straightforward. Most parts are dishwasher-safe except the cork collar and any leather or fabric ties. We usually rinse and handwash most pieces daily and run the glass and metal filter in the dishwasher once a week.

Boden Pour Over Coffee Maker Drying On Over Sink Drying Rack

A simple routine keeps everything in order:

Dump grounds into trash or compost.
Rinse and gently scrub the filter.
Rinse the carafe and let it dry upside down.
Occasionally run dishwasher cycles for a deeper clean.

Yes, it’s more effort than tossing a single-use pod, but it’s no more work than washing any other small kitchen item—and the flavor and sustainability benefits make it worthwhile for us.

Why We Love Pour Over Coffee

We’ve stuck with pour over because it balances convenience, cost, and taste. It can be a finely tuned ritual if you want, but it can also be a quick and reliable way to get excellent coffee every morning. After nearly two years of daily use, the simplicity and quality keep us coming back.

Prefer Cold Coffee?

Pouring Homemade Cold Brew Into Glass With Ice

If you enjoy cold coffee, a simple cold brew pitcher is an easy alternative. Cold brew can be made in large batches and stored in the fridge, which is convenient for busy mornings or warm weather.