How I Brew Coffee: My Go-To Method for Great Coffee at Home
No matter how you like to brew your coffee at home, the key to consistently good results is paying attention to the details and making small adjustments based on what your taste buds tell you. Since coffee has so many variables — grind size, water temperature, brew time — it’s hard to create a one-size-fits-all recipe for every roast. But having a solid “stock” approach gives you a reliable foundation to work from.
The Essentials for Brewing Great Coffee at Home
Whether you’re using a V60, Chemex, Aeropress, or another brew method, there are a few non-negotiables when it comes to making good coffee:
✅ Use a quality grinder. I use a Fellow Ode Gen 1 with SSP burrs. Grinding fresh, right before brewing, unlocks the best flavors in the coffee. Burr grinders are key for consistent particle size, which affects extraction.
✅ Weigh your coffee and water. Consistency is everything. Use a digital scale to measure both your coffee and water so you can dial in your brew and recreate results.
✅ Use good water. Water quality makes a bigger difference than most people think. I recommend filtered water (like Brita or fridge-filtered water) as a baseline. If you want to take it up a notch, try starting with distilled water and adding a mineral blend like Third Wave Water to optimize your brew.
My Preferred Brewing Methods
At home, I usually stick to three main brewing methods:
☕ V60: This is my go-to about 95% of the time. It’s what I’m most familiar with, and I like using it as a benchmark to compare different coffees.
🧪 Chemex: Great for making larger batches.
🚀 Aeropress: Handy when I want something quick and easy.
My V60 Brewing Recipe
When using the V60, I typically follow a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio. If you prefer a lighter cup, try a 1:17 ratio. For a bolder brew, go with 1:15. Experiment a bit and see what suits your taste!
Here’s my standard approach:
What You’ll Need:
- 32g of coffee, ground medium-fine
- 500g of water, heated to 205°F
- V60 dripper and paper filter
- Digital scale
- Timer
Step-by-Step V60 Brewing Instructions
Step 1: Weigh 32g of coffee and grind to a medium-fine consistency.
Step 2: Heat 500g of water to 205°F. Rinse the paper filter with hot water before adding the coffee to remove any papery taste.
Step 3: (Bloom) Pour 50-60g of water over the grounds, ensuring everything is evenly saturated. Let it sit for 30 seconds. I like to give it a little stir with a plastic spoon to ensure all the grounds are wet.
Step 4: (Pour) After 30 seconds, pour in water up to 200g. Let the water draw down, then pour another 200g. Wait again, then add the remaining water to reach 500g.
Target brew time: Aim for a total drawdown time of around 3:30. Some coffees may take a bit longer (or shorter), but 3:30 is a good baseline.
Recommended Coffee Gear
If you’re looking to up your home brewing game, here’s the gear I swear by:
🔧 Burr Grinder: Essential for consistent particle size
🔥 Kettle with Temperature Control: Precision is key
⚖️ Digital Scale: For accurate coffee and water measurements
💧 Good Water Source: Filtered or mineral-enhanced water makes a huge difference
Final Thoughts
Brewing great coffee at home doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with good equipment, pay attention to your ratios, and be open to adjusting based on the results. With practice and a little experimentation, you’ll find what works best for your taste!