The Ultimate V60 Technique

This is my recommended technique for making coffee with the Hario V60, and any other cone-shaped brewer with a large open area.

More information:

Water for coffee links:

Expect a video in the future covering more on water.

Music:

[pieter]

*THE ULTIMATE V60 TECHNIQUE*

Brew ratio: 60 g/L (e.g. 30 g per 500 mL)
Grind size: medium fine
Temperature: *the hotter, the better* (especially with lighter roasts)

◉ Grind 30 g of coffee
◉ Rinse paper filter with water just off the boil

_This removes any paper taste and preheats the brewer_

◉ Add coffee grounds to V60
◉ Create well in the middle of the grounds

_This helps to evenly saturate all the grounds during the blooming phase_

◉ Start timer

_t = __0:00_

◉ Add 2x coffee weight = 60 g of bloom water

_Don’t use more than 3x coffee weight_

◉ Swirl the coffee slurry until evenly mixed

_The aim is to wet all the coffee grounds by evenly mixing bloom water and coffee_
*Swirling is better than using a spoon*

◉ Bloom for up to 45 s

_This allows CO2 to escape which will improve extraction_

_t = __0:45_

◉ Add water aiming for 60% of total brew weight = 300 g in the next 30 s

*This phase is critical!*

_Since you already added 60 g bloom water, add 240 g in 30 s (flow rate = 8 g/s)_
_A full V60 is good to maintain high temperatures_

_t = __1:15_

_P.S.: Don’t worry about pouring directly onto the V60 filter_

◉ Add water aiming for 100% of the total brew weight = 500 g in the next 30 s

_Since you already added 300 g water, add 200 g in 30 s (flow rate = 6.66 g/s)_
_Poor a little slower than in the first phase, not too aggressively_

_t = __1:45_

◉ Stir 1x clockwise and 1x anticlockwise with spoon

_This knocks off grounds from side wall_

◉ Allow V60 to drain a little
◉ Give V60 a gentle swirl

_This helps obtain a flat coffee bed at bottom of V60 for even extraction_

◉ Let brew drawdown

*The higher the temperature, the faster the drawdown*
_Filter paper also affects drawdown_
_Aim to finish drawdawn by t = __3:30_

◉ *Enjoy!*

[sketchysketchin]

I’m glad YouTube doesn’t tell me how often I’ve watched this video

[Mo]

Can we just appreciate for a moment how excellent a communicator James is. A masterclass.

[Yayojayoful]

Been practicing this for the past 2 days. Think I finally got the technique down this morning. We had a houseguest from Los Angeles visiting and I told him to give the coffee a try. His response was, "Damn, you people in Seattle really know how to make good coffee".

I thought my pour over was good before. Thanks for improving it several times over by sharing this excellent technique.

[coffeeforjulia]

its unhealthy the amount of times i come back to revisit this and i still learn something new

[SILKOFAG]

If you're struggling to remember how much 60% of the total water weight is, it will always be 10x the amount of coffee when using his ratios. So 30g coffee->300g water.

[paulcarlton]

Excellent quote: "The best technique in the world beautifully executed but with low quality coffee will just give you a perfectly terrible cup of coffee." XD

[fiercekrypton]

Timestamps for Replays:
3:49 coffee to water ratio/ filter rinse
4:36 final setup before pour
5:26 bloom stage pour
5:52 bloom stage swirl
6:33 60% total liquid in
8:05 100% total liquid in
8:30 spoon knock down
8:49 final swirl
11:01 conclusion/extraction adjustments

[shadowstab]

I'm studying chemistry, and this is more complicated than 90% of my labs

[hopeplay]

"The best executed with low quality coffee will just get you a perfectly terrible cup of coffee." One of the world's great truths.

[Enn-]

I keep coming back to this video. It's a good touch-point, to reset any habits I've slid into, and to question any changes I've made to my brew. Thanks James!

[timothyisidro]

I have been home brewing for 4 years now and I still come back and watch this from time to time. You always re-learn something, or maybe understand some things a little better.

[dennischiapello]

This series is such a welcome alternative to most other coffee instruction videos, with their meandering narrations and clumsy presentations. The Hoff is fluent, focused and engaging, with a likable personality. His speaking voice is well-rounded, not over-extracted, with prominent notes of origin.

[Ipam]

IT'S FINALLY HERE! WE FINALLY BULLIED JAMES INTO MAKING IT!

[d-in--minutes-or-less]

Just used this technique for my first non-aeropress home coffee in 7+ years. Love it! Thanks for all you share with us, James.

[varunshetty]

This has been my technique for V60 for over a year. It took me a long time to get the grind size and technique right (weeks to months) but now I can produce consistently delicious pour overs. Thank you!

[jacksonalley]

I probably rewatch this at least once a month and re-evaluate my brew process.

[higgsbosonseeker]

I never had interest in making amazing coffee until I ran into your channel. Now I have a coffee grinder, good beans and spend all my time wondering how I can best optimize the flavor of my coffee. What have you done to me James!!!

[Futt.Buckerson]

Got my first V60 (and first pour over device ever) and have been watching this every morning to help myself master the art. Thanks James!

[telecasterman]

James, as a healthcare professional with a heavy science background, I absolutely love your in-depth and scientific dive into the science behind brewing. You are a great teacher. Also, this method does brew the best V60 in my wife and I’s opinion. We’ve only been drinking coffee for 20years or so and got married in a coffee shop so I think our opinion is valid. Ha