How to Make Top-Notch Coffee With a Hario V60 Pour-Over Device

Despite its simple appearance, the Hario V60 is a precision brewing device. It produces a wonderfully aromatic and rich cup of coffee — but it does take some nuance to brew properly.

This pour-over style brewer is distinguished by its conical shape, spiral ridges, and a large single hole at the bottom for the coffee to flow. These design features allow for optimal air and coffee flow and uniform extraction during brewing.

The Hario V60 is available in ceramic, glass, metal, and plastic forms — as well as sizes ranging from single-serving to multiple cups.

Hario V60 Brewing Specs

• Brew Time: 3 minutes
• Coffee/Water Ratio: 1:15
• Grind: Medium-Fine (like table salt)
• Water Temperature: 208ºF (98ºC) 
• Recommended Coffee: Da Lat

Hario V60 Brewing Summary

1. Prepare the paper filter.
2. Measure & grind your coffee.
3. Add your coffee grounds to the Hario V60 filter.
4. Bloom your coffee with a small amount of water.
5. Swirl and wait. 
6. Add the rest of your hot water & wait to finish brewing.
7. Give one final swirl & enjoy!

Tools You’ll Need

To brew coffee using a Japanese-style Hario V60, you’ll need the following items/ingredients: 

• Hario V60 —  Available in ceramic, glass, metal, or plastic, designed for single servings of up to three cups of coffee.
• Paper Filters — Make sure you get specific V60 paper filters, or the paper may clog or rip during extraction.
• High-Quality Coffee — Opt for freshly roasted arabica beans to capture the best flavors during brewing.
• Gooseneck Kettle (Optional, but Highly Recommended) — This style of kettle features a small diameter pour spout to provide precise control over the pouring speed and water distribution over the coffee grounds.
• Food Scale (Optional, but Highly Recommended) — Ensures accurate measurements of coffee and water for consistent brewing results using this precision brewing system.
• Coffee Grinder — A burr grinder will provide the best grind consistency, but cheaper blade grinders will do the trick too. Aim for a fine grind with a coarseness similar to table salt.
• Hot Water — For V60 brewing, you’ll want to opt for a ratio of around 1:15 coffee to water. The total amount of water will depend on the size of your press.
• Timer (Optional, but Recommended) — Timing is important with the Hario V60, so get yourself a timer or use the one built into your phone.
• Cup or Carafe — Some V60 kits come with a dedicated carafe to catch the coffee. Alternatively you can place your cup directly under the filter.

Step-By-Step Instructions: Hario V60

Here’s a simple process for brewing coffee using the Hario V60 brewer.

Step 1: Prepare The Filter

Place your V60 on top of a mug, add the filter, and give the filter a quick rinse to wet it. This is important for getting rid of the papery taste the filter may impart and ensures the paper doesn't absorb any of your brewing water.

Dump out any water that runs through the filter and into your cup.

Step 2: Measure & Grind Your Coffee

The amount of coffee you should use depends on the size of your Hario V60 system (chart below).

Use a coffee grinder to prepare whole beans, or use a bag of our pre-ground coffee to skip this step entirely. Our DaLat (100% Vietnamese Arabica) beans are perfect for this brewing system. Any high-quality arabica will work.

If grinding coffee yourself, use the coarse setting (similar consistency to table salt).

Most experts recommend spraying your coffee with water before grinding to reduce static and ensure a more uniform grind size.

Hario V60 Water to Coffee Ratios:

Note: We recommend going for the V60 02 because you have the choice to brew either one or two servings of coffee. The larger V60 03 is much more unwieldy and can be more difficult to get a larger extraction. 

Part of the beauty of this system is that you’re brewing a single, high-quality specialty cup of fresh coffee. There are better systems for brewing multiple cups of coffee in one session, such as the French press, phin filter, or drip coffee machine.

Step 3: Bloom Your Coffee Grounds

The bloom stage is important to get the best taste from your coffee. Pour just enough water to wet the grounds, and wait about 45 seconds to let all the trapped gases escape.

Aim to pour 2 ounces (about 60 grams) of water for the bloom stage.

Step 4: Add the Rest of Your Water

Gently pour the remainder of your water (250 grams for the V60 01) in a circular motion. The goal here is to avoid disturbing the grounds too much.

After about 45 seconds, you'll see the first few drops of coffee enter your cup. The whole process should take around 3.5 minutes. 

Step 5: Sweeten, Stir, & Enjoy!

Once the brew is complete, give your cup a few swirls to re-mix any coffee particles that settled in the bottom during the brewing process.

Sweeten with your preferred sweetener, and enjoy!

Expert Tips For Brewing With The Hario V60 Ppour-Over Coffee Filter

This system is a balance between simplicity and precision, so there are a few small tweaks you can make that end up having a big impact on the flavor of your coffee.

1. Don’t Forget the Bloom!

The bloom phase is critical for this brew system. If you skip this step (adding all the water at once), you risk clogging your filter and overextracting the coffee. If this happens, your final brew will have a bitter and acidic taste, which covers all the nuanced and delicious flavors inherent to arabica coffee.

2. Opt For a Gooseneck Kettle If Possible

This kind of kettle features a long, thin pour nozzle, which is necessary to pour the water slowly without disturbing the surface of the coffee grounds. You'd be surprised how big of a difference this makes in the final cup.

3. Use a Food Scale & Measure by Weight Rather Than Volume

This system's strength is its capacity for precision — so if you're going for the best cup of coffee possible, we highly recommend weighing your coffee and water rather than measuring by volume. A simple food scale will do the trick. Place everything on top of the scale, tare to zero, add the coffee, tare again, then add your water.

4. Preheat Your Equipment

The Hario V60 brews slowly over the course of about 4 minutes. During this time, the temperature of the water drops dramatically. Preheating both the filter and your cup (or carafe) greatly reduces the temperature drop and ensures a more stable temperature throughout the brewing process. This ultimately leads to a more balanced and flavorful cup.

History of the Hario V60

The V60 was introduced by the Japanese company Hario in 2004. It quickly became associated with the third wave of coffee — a movement that emphasizes high-quality coffee and precision brewing methods. 

The V60 is named for its V-shaped cone and 60-degree angle. The idea is that this angle allows for the most uniform brew possible. 

Its design encourages a precise pour and has captivated coffee lovers seeking to showcase the distinct characteristics of different types of arabica coffee beans and produce a clearer taste profile.

FAQs & Troubleshooting: Hario V60 

1. What type of coffee grind is best for the V60?

A medium-fine grind is generally recommended for the V60. Grind size may need to be adjusted based on your specific taste preferences and the brew time. Finer grinds produce stronger, more bitter coffees; coarse grinds produce lighter, more acidic coffee. Finding the perfect balance for your taste may require some trial and error.

2. How much coffee should I use in the V60?

A common starting ratio is 1:15, meaning one part coffee to sixteen parts water by weight. For example, using 15 grams of coffee would require 225 grams of water. This ratio can be adjusted based on your personal preference.

3. What is the ideal water temperature for brewing with the V60?

The ideal water temperature for brewing with the V60 is between 200°F and 208°F (93°C to 98°C). This temperature range allows for optimal extraction without over-extracting undesirable flavors. Higher temperatures extract more from the coffee; lower temperatures are more selective and produce a lighter brew.

4. How do I prevent a bitter or sour taste in my V60 coffee?

A bitter taste often indicates over-extraction, while a sour taste suggests under-extraction. Adjusting grind size, brewing time, or water temperature can help balance the extraction. A finer grind, longer brew time, or higher temperature can increase extraction and vice versa.

5. Can I use tap water to brew my coffee with the V60?

Yes, tap water can be used — but depending on the quality and chemical makeup of your local water, it could tarnish the flavor of your coffee. Filtered or bottled water with a balanced mineral content is recommended for the best flavor.

6. How do I clean my V60?

The V60 is super easy to clean. Simply rinse it with hot water after each use. For a deeper clean, it can be washed with soap and water or placed in the dishwasher (depending on the material it’s made from).

7. What makes the V60 different from other pour-over coffee makers?

The V60's unique design features spiral ribs, a specific 60º angle, and a large single hole at the bottom. This design is optimized for a rapid flow rate and gives the brewer more control over the brewing time and extraction rate. The Hario V60 is known for producing an evenly extracted and clean cup of coffee. It’s most similar to the Chemex pour-over coffee maker.

8. How important is the pouring technique with the V60?

A slow and steady pouring technique is crucial when using the V60. A spiral action ensures the water evenly saturates the coffee grounds, promoting a uniform extraction. Many users prefer using a gooseneck kettle for better control over the pour. Regular, wide-mouthed pour spouts on kettles can disrupt the surface of the coffee, resulting in an uneven extraction. 

9. Can I make cold brew coffee with the V60?

While the V60 is primarily designed for hot coffee, it can be used to make cold brews, too. It’s best paired with a drip device that slowly drops water over coarse coffee grounds. This method can take up to 18 hours to complete.

10. Can I use robusta beans in my Hario V60?

While you can use robusta in the Hario V60 to make Vietnamese pour-over coffee, this method is not recommended for most users. This brewing device is ideal for extracting the lighter, more flavorful elements inherent to arabica coffee. Robusta benefits more from brewing devices that ensure thorough extraction, such as the Phin filter, French press, or AeroPress.