OVALWARE Pour Over Procedure
Pour over coffee is one of the most rewarding ways to brew at home. It takes about 4 minutes, uses no electricity, and gives you full control over every variable that affects flavor — grind size, water temperature, pour speed, and ratio. The result is a clean, bright, nuanced cup that highlights the natural character of your coffee beans.
This guide covers the exact process for the Ovalware Pour Over Coffee Maker — including the right ratios, water temperature, grind size, and technique.
What You Need to Make Pour Over Coffee
Pour over brewing requires just a few things: medium to medium-fine ground coffee, a pour over coffee maker with a filter, hot water just off the boil, and a kettle — ideally a gooseneck for controlled flow. The Ovalware Pour Over Coffee Maker comes with a reusable stainless steel filter — no paper filters needed, no ongoing cost, and the natural oils that give coffee its body and sweetness pass through freely.
A scale is recommended for consistent results. Eyeballing grounds leads to inconsistent cups — a few grams makes a noticeable difference in strength and flavor.
Pour Over Coffee Ratio: How Much Coffee to Use
The standard pour over ratio is 1:15 — one gram of coffee for every 15ml of water. This produces a balanced, full-bodied cup. Adjust to taste: 1:14 for a stronger brew, 1:16 for something lighter.
| Cup Size | Coffee | Water | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (250ml) | 15–17g | 250ml | Balanced, ready-to-drink |
| 2 cups (500ml) | 30–34g | 500ml | Balanced, ready-to-drink |
| Full carafe (500ml) | 30–34g | 500ml | Balanced, ready-to-drink |
For a deeper breakdown across all brew methods, see our coffee to water ratio guide.
Step-by-Step Pour Over Brewing Instructions
The full process takes about 4 minutes. Here's exactly how to do it.
Step 1 — Add coffee grounds to the filter. Measure 15–17g of medium to medium-fine ground coffee per 250ml of water and add to the stainless steel filter. Give it a gentle shake to flatten the grounds — an even bed ensures even extraction.
Step 2 — Bloom the grounds. Pour just enough water to wet all the grounds — roughly twice the weight of your coffee (30–35ml for a single cup). Pour in a slow spiral from the center outward. Wait 30 seconds. This bloom releases CO2 trapped in fresh coffee, which would otherwise create uneven extraction. You'll see the grounds swell and bubble — that's a sign of fresh coffee.
Step 3 — Pour in slow spirals. After the bloom, begin your main pour. Use your kettle to pour water in a slow, controlled spiral — starting from the center and moving outward. Keep the pour steady and continuous. Avoid pouring directly onto the filter walls. The goal is to keep the grounds evenly saturated throughout the brew. This takes 2 to 3 minutes total.
Step 4 — Remove the filter. Once all the water has dripped through, lift out the filter with the spent grounds. The stainless steel filter holds the grounds cleanly — just knock them out, rinse, and it's ready to reuse. No paper filter waste.
Step 5 — Pour and serve. Your pour over is ready. Pour into a cup or serve directly from the carafe. For the best experience, serve in Double Wall Tasting Glasses — the double-wall keeps your coffee at the right temperature while the open shape lets the aroma open up as you drink.
Step 6 — Replace the lid to keep coffee warm. If you've brewed a full carafe, place the lid back on to retain heat. The borosilicate glass carafe holds heat well and goes straight to the table for sharing.
Water Temperature for Pour Over Coffee
Use water between 90°C and 96°C (194°F–205°F) — just off the boil. Water that's too hot over-extracts the coffee and produces bitterness. Water that's too cool under-extracts and produces a flat, sour cup. If you don't have a thermometer, bring water to a full boil and let it rest for 30 to 45 seconds before pouring.
For the most consistent results, a gooseneck kettle with a built-in thermometer gives you precise control over both temperature and pour flow.
Grind Size for Pour Over Coffee
Use a medium to medium-fine grind — finer than French press, similar to table salt. This is the right grind for the Ovalware Pour Over Coffee Maker and ensures the water flows through at the correct rate. Too fine and it'll stall and over-extract; too coarse and the water rushes through and under-extracts.
How Long Does Pour Over Coffee Take?
A full pour over takes 3 to 4 minutes from first pour to last drip — plus 30 seconds of prep. The bloom takes 30 seconds. The main pour takes 2 to 3 minutes. Total active time is about 4 to 5 minutes. If your brew finishes in under 2 minutes, grind finer. If it takes more than 5, grind coarser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best coffee-to-water ratio for pour over?
Use 15–17g of coffee per 250ml of water (a 1:15 ratio). This produces a balanced, full-bodied cup. Use 1:14 for stronger coffee, 1:16 for lighter. For a full 500ml carafe, use 30–34g of grounds.
What water temperature should I use for pour over coffee?
Use water between 90°C and 96°C (194°F–205°F). Bring to a full boil and let it rest 30 to 45 seconds. Water that's too hot over-extracts and tastes bitter. Water that's too cool under-extracts and tastes flat or sour.
What grind size is best for pour over?
Use a medium to medium-fine grind — similar to table salt. This allows water to flow through at the right rate for a 3 to 4 minute brew time. Too fine = slow flow, bitter taste. Too coarse = fast flow, weak and sour taste.
Why do you bloom coffee before pour over?
Blooming releases trapped CO2 from freshly roasted coffee. If you skip it, CO2 escapes during the main pour and disrupts even extraction — you get uneven flavor. Pour just enough water to wet all the grounds (about twice the coffee weight) and wait 30 seconds before continuing.
How long does pour over coffee take to brew?
Pour over takes 3 to 4 minutes from first pour to last drip. Add 30 seconds of prep and you're looking at about 4 to 5 minutes total. If your brew is finishing in under 2 minutes or taking more than 5, adjust your grind size.
Shop Pour Over
| Pour Over Coffee Maker with Filter $46.99 Shop Now | Double Wall Tasting Glass — Set of 2 $39.99 Shop Now |
