The debate between drip coffee over pour over is as old as coffee itself. The coffee fanatic loves to debate the best brewing technique on the market. It seems the debate is not yet over as there are new coffee machines developed each day to enhance our experience.
Today, we shall be comparing two of the most popular methods of brewing your cup of joe. The article will explain what the pour-over coffee maker is while offering its pros and cons. Also, it will candidly explain the drip coffee machine and its pros and cons.
Pour-over Coffee
If you’re a coffee lover chances are that you have taken coffee in the shops. Also, chances are that you’ve checked on the menu and you’ve seen “Pour-over Coffee”.
In simple terms, pour-over coffee is a traditional brewing method that is manual. You don’t need any machine to have your cup of coffee.
The process involves the coffee maker pouring hot water slowly over the coffee bean and allowing it to steep. There is no debate that this gives you strong coffee which is well-flavored and has an aroma of traditionally concocted coffee.
Pros
Gives you more control of the brewing process
Offer a flavorful cup of coffee
Easy to clean
Cons
Time-consuming
Requires practicing skills to perfect
Despite these drawbacks, pour-over coffee is growing in popularity due to its unique flavor profile and ability to provide complex coffees such as Arabica beans from different parts of the world at home without any specialized equipment. If you’re curious about trying out this unique brewing method but are hesitant because of its difficulties or risks, consider looking for an automated
Drip-Coffee Maker
It is a lavish technique mostly used by young and urban people to make coffee. It is similar to the pour-over in that it uses gravity to remove flavors from coffee beans. The hot water drips through the coffee grounds into a cup. However, the major difference is this is automatic (uses a machine) while pour-over is manual.
Drip coffee is considered more popular than pour-over because it’s easier to control the temperature and brewing time, and it’s usually less expensive than pour-over.
Pros
Easy to control the temperature and brewing time
Cons
Costly compared to pour-over
Brewing Process: The Art of Brewing (Coffee Pour Over Coffee vs Drip
Tips on How to Brew Pour-over Coffee
As earlier stated, pour-over coffee is an art that is performed manually. Follow the following tested technique to give you a tasty flavor.
Heat the water to the ideal temperature (195F -205F).
Measure, grind and place the coffee grounds and filter in a dripper
Then, take the dripper and place it over a coffee mug or a carafe (Most of the pour-over coffee machines have this feature)
Then pour the hot water at the center of your coffee ground in a circular motion
Stop your pour and permit the coffee to drip down. You’re likely to observe a bloom or coffee grounds rising.
After about half a minute, begin your second pour starting from the center of the coffee grounds working outward in a spiral motion.
Permit the solution to draw down for about half an hour
Continue with the process until you get your desired amount of coffee
Tips on How to Brew Drip Coffee
For beginners, the process involves using a coffee machine.
The machine draws cold water from the reservoir, heats it, and moves the water to the shower head.
On reaching the shower head, it filters through the coffee grounds.
Next, the freshly brewed coffee moved through the filter into the carafe
After the machine brew it completely, you will get an enjoyable pot of black coffee
The process is fast and is mostly done in under 3 minutes for most machines
For Beginners: What Does Poorly Extracted Coffee Taste Like?
Most of the coffee baristas started the brewing journey with a cup that tasted bad. Perhaps, they perfected their art by getting advice from peers in the industry. It is vital to understand that bad coffee is mostly from over or under-extraction.
Characteristics of Under-Extracted Coffee
It’s acidic
Salty
Sour
Characteristics of Over-Extracted Coffee
It’s bitter
Hollow, flat, or lack any notable taste
Anyway, the solution to over or under-extraction is simple. To achieve a tasty flavored cup of joe, you need to tweak or twist the water temperature, brew time, or the grind size
| Coffee Extractions | Flavor | Brew Time | Water Temperature | Grind |
| Over | Bitter | Decrease | Hotter | Coarser |
| Under | Sour | Increase | Decrease | Finer |
Brewing Technique and its Recommended Grind Size
| Brewing Technique | Grind Sizes |
| French Press Percolator Coffee Cupping | Coarse |
| Café Solo Brewer Chemex Coffee Maker Clever dripper | Medium-Coarse |
| Aero press (3+ Brew Minute) Siphon Coffee Maker Flat Bottom Drip Coffee Maker Cone-shaped Pour-over Brewer | Medium |
| Moka Pot Espresso Aeropress (1 minute brew time) | Fine |
| Turkish Coffee | Extra Fine |
What Ratio of Coffee to Water Should You Use for Pour Over Coffee?
There are various suggestions on the best ratios for water to coffee. We prefer 1:16 or 1g of coffee to 16g of water. Starting from this point, you can adjust to find a recipe that works for you.
If it lacks notable taste, add more coffee without altering other variables such as coffee temperature. Also, you can add more water or reduce the amount of coffee to reduce the intensity. Note the changes and replicate them to attain a perfect brew.
Also, don’t forget to use filtered water as tap water has minerals and contaminants affecting your flavor.
Side-by-side Comparison between Pour over vs Drip Coffee
| Characteristic | Drip | Pour-over |
| Ease of Use | √ It’s automatic | Labor Intensive |
| Coffee Brew Time | √ Take less time (3-5 minutes) | Takes about 10 minutes |
| Portability | Less portable Designed for home and office use Needs power | √Small enough to fit in a backpack |
| Grounds Grind Size | Medium | Finer |
| Coffee Flavor | May Taste Flat or Bitter Due to inconsistent Temp Extended water contact | Strong Taste Water has less contact with the grounds |
| Coffee Beans Cost | Less Costly | More Costly Needs High-Quality coffee beans |
| Coffee Filters | Thin flat bottom-shaped filter | Slightly thicker cone-shaped filter |
| Water temperature | 200 degrees Fahrenheit | 195-205 Degrees Fahrenheit |
Which is better for you?
Pour-over coffee typically uses a dripper to add water to the ground coffee, while drip coffee gets its water from the hot water pot. Pour Over coffee is often considered more flavorful than drip coffee because the water slowly filters through the ground coffee, giving it a richer flavor.
If you’re looking for convenience, the Keurig drip coffee maker may be your better option. It’s easier to make and clean up and you can customize your drink by adding flavored syrups or milk.
If you’re concerned about environmental impact, however, pour-over is definitely worth considering. Most of the water used to make pour-over coffee goes down the drain instead of being wasted in a pot on the stove.
Read the ultimate buying guide for coffee makers here
Conclusion
In this article, we compare pour-over coffee vs. drip coffee makers and explore the pros and cons of each method. We find that pour-over coffee is more flavorful and gives a richer cup than drip coffee, but it can be more difficult to make. Ultimately, the choice between pour-over and drip coffee will depend on personal preference and the desired outcome of the cup of coffee. Overall, we recommend both methods for different reasons, so choose which one is best for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use pre-ground coffee with the pour-over method?
Yes, but it will not give you a strong flavor. We suggest that you our own grind your own coffee.
What are the Different Types of Filters used for Pour Over-Coffee?
There are basically three types of pour-over coffee filters: paper, cloth, and metal.
Paper filters:
They’re the cheapest and work well for beginner pour-over brewers. They’re easy to clean and require only water to operate. However, they can produce a slightly sour flavor because of their inability to filter out large particles.
Cloth filters
They’re more expensive but also more efficient than paper filters. They’re made of fine fabric fibers that trap larger particles and produce a smoother, richer flavor than paper filters. Cloth filters can be difficult to keep clean, however, since they absorb water and become heavy and moist after use.
Metal filters
They’re the most expensive but also the most effective at filtering out large particles. They’re made of sturdy metal threads that can withstand high levels of water pressure and allow for a clear, strongly brewed cup of coffee. While metal filters are harder to keep clean than either cloth or paper filters, they offer the best overall brewing experience due to their ability to extract all the rich flavors from your beans.
How do you choose the Right Pour Over Coffee Filter Type?
There are a few factors you need to consider when choosing the right pour-over coffee filter type. The surface area of the coffee filter should be large enough to catch all of the ground coffee, but not so large as to create a mess.
The shape of the coffee filter should also be designed specifically for pour-over brewing; most standard cone-shaped filters will not work well with this method. Finally, make sure the filter is affordable and easy to find, as a good pour-over coffee system can be expensive.
Can I make pour-over coffee if I don’t have a scale?
Yes. If you’re missing a scale, you can make pour-over coffee using the following instructions:
2 stable spoons for ¾ cup
4 tablespoon for 1 ½ cup
What are the benefits of using filtered water to make pour-over coffee?
The benefits of using filtered water to make pour-over coffee are numerous. Filtered water has a low chlorine content, which is great for those who are sensitive to the chemical. Additionally, filtered water has a higher quality than municipal tap water. This means that it typically contains more minerals and antioxidants, which can improve the flavor and texture of your coffee. Finally, using filtered water makes it easy to avoid impurities that can spoil your coffee beans.
