First pour-over setup under $40 - what actually matters and what is just gear hype?
I want to try pour-over coffee without falling into the gear rabbit hole. The internet says I need a gooseneck kettle, a burr grinder, a scale, and a specific dripper, and suddenly a 40 dollar experiment is 150 dollars. I already drink decent beans and I have a regular kettle. For people who actually brew pour-over at home: what is the one thing worth spending on first, and what can I skip until I know I like it? Pre-ground vs grinding fresh, dripper choice, kettle - what actually changes the cup?
1 answer
- Grinder first, skip the fancy kettle
Spend the 40 dollars on a cheap burr grinder, not a kettle. Pre-ground coffee goes stale fast and no dripper fixes that, while a regular kettle with a slow pour works fine once you practice the pour. A basic plastic dripper and paper filters cost almost nothing. If you hate the ritual after a month you still own a grinder you will use for any brewing method.