ESSENTIAL COFFEE GEAR
Asser Christensen
Here’s some of my favorite coffee gear. Whether you’re a newbie or more advanced coffee snob, you can benefit from having these brewing tools in your arsenal.
This list is a work in progress and might change as I encounter new products.
However, to end up here, products not only have to help you make delicious coffee, but they also have to be affordable and easy to use.
Hario V60
The Hario V60 is the standard cone dripper in the coffee industry at the moment. It has been used by five out of the eight Brewers Cup champions since 2011.
I recommend the plastic version for increased temperature stability, and because it’s cheaper than the other options.
1Zpresso K-Ultra
A capable grinder is essential if you want to make tasty coffee at home. The K-Ultra is my personal favorite model and in my eyes, the ideal all-rounder. This model grinds exceptionally fast for both pour over and espresso.
This luxury model can easily rival electric grinders that are 2-3 times more expensive.
PS: If this model is out of your price range, then consider the J, also from 1Zpresso, or the brand new S3 from Timemore, both which offer amazing value for the money.
Baratza Encore
If you make big batches of coffee often, grinding manually will become cumbersome. I think the Baratza Encore is the best electrical grinder in the entry-level price range. Most people in the coffee industry echo the sentiment. It’s not as consistent as the abovementioned manual grinders from 1Zpresso, but for most people, it will suffice.
Timemore Black Mirror Pro
This coffee scale from Timemore is a pleasure to use. It’s precise, responsive, looks great, and the price is just right.
If you want to take your brew up to the next step, you need a coffee scale.
Personally, I think the Timemore version is worth every penny, but this cheaper model will also get the job done.
Gooseneck Kettle
When making pour over coffee it’s worth getting a gooseneck kettle. To be honest, most brands will produce decent results, even though they might have varying flow rates.
You can either get an electrical one, like this excellent model from Timemore that I personally use on a daily basis, or just get a basic one and add hot water yourself from your regular kettle.
Xiaomi TDS-meter
This little pen can test whether your local water is suitable for coffee. Just dip it under the surface, and right away it will give you a score of ‘total dissolved solids.’
If you want to experiment with water, this is an invaluable tool that will remove a lot of guesswork. Very cheap. I use mine almost every single day.
additional tools
You don’t need the following tools to brew a great cup. However, if you plan to treat coffee as a serious hobby, they are definitely worth investing in.
Cafec Abaca
I highly recommend these filters for the Hario V60.
The paper filters actually have a significant impact on flavor and mouthfeel, and since Hario changed their factory a few years back the quality has dipped.
Luckily, Cafec still makes great paper filters from the special Abaca plant.
Hario Drip Assist
This handy device is used for controlling agitation when making pour-overs. You place it on top of the cone and pour in one of the two concentric circles. It creates a cup with an intensely smooth aftertaste. It’s not entirely a replacement for a gooseneck kettle, however. I prefer to use both.
DF64 Gen 2
The DF64 Gen 2 is an outstanding single dose espresso grinder that can also be used for other brewing methods. With 64 mm burrs, you have the options to swap burrs and change the flavor profile completely. You can also upgrade to SSP burrs and get elite level grind consistency.
. You get almost zero retention and static with this grinder. The DF64 Gen 2 is a powerful, minimalistic, and modern coffee grinder.
coffee beans
It might seem obvious but many people don’t realize it: You can’t make delicious coffee without getting some proper beans. Here are a few worthy bean pushers that can give something extraordinary.
Kaffebox.no
If you like ultra-light roasted beans from some of the most innovative coffee brands in the world, you should try Kaffebox.no. The concept is simple; sign up and get 2 or 4 packages of coffee sent to your home every month. What’s unique about this coffee box is that all the roasters are from Norway, Sweden, and my home country, Denmark.
Pro Tip: This subscription is only for serious manual brewing geeks since the coffee tends to be a ultra light roasted.
Angels’ Cup
This is a rad coffee club that I highly recommend if you want to train your palate.
Every month you receive four coffee samples repacked in an anonymous black bag. This allows you to blind taste the coffee without any prejudice.
The beans all hail from American top-roasters, so you can slurp with confidence.
