POUR OVER VS. DRIP COFFEE: WHICH BREWING METHOD IS BETTER?
While both coffee brewing methods are based on the same premise of pouring hot water over coffee grounds to produce a flavorful brew, there are some key differences between pour over and drip coffee. Each of these ways to prepare coffee differ in terms of the equipment used and the amount of control over factors including water temperature, pour speed and brew time.
You might prefer waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from a quality drip coffee maker preprogrammed the night before. Or perhaps you enjoy the handcrafted precision made possible by the pour over method. Either way, you can kickstart your day at home using one of these two tried and true brewing styles.
WHAT IS POUR OVER COFFEE?
Pour over is a special manual drip brewing method that allows for a high level of control over the results. Using a cone designed to hold a filter and coffee grounds, hot water is slowly poured in a spiral pattern over the grounds and collected in a cup below. Adjusting variables such as grind size, water temperature and pouring speed can achieve different results in terms of boldness and taste.
Home baristas can experiment with these variables and use specific pouring techniques to achieve a delightful and personalized result. The pour over method can be a popular technique for coffee aficionados who have time to enjoy the handcrafted brewing process and want to make coffee for one or two people.
The process is about more than the flavor, though; many pour over coffee lovers find the careful attention to detail purposeful and calming.
POUR OVER VS. FRENCH PRESS
While pour over and French press are both manual coffee brewing methods, the extraction process is different. Pour over uses drip extraction while French press uses immersion. A French press coffee maker is used to steep coffee grounds in hot water for a set amount of time, then separate the grounds via a fine metal mesh plunger. Pour over can give you a lighter, cleaner finish compared to French press, which tends to be more intense due to prolonged immersion of the grounds in water. Due to the lack of a paper filter, French press also tends to have more grit in the final brew.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE POUR OVER COFFEE
This type of coffee is brewed using a pour over cone, a filter, a mug or container and a gooseneck kettle. Read on below to learn more about each element of the pour over method.
POUR OVER CONE
A pour over cone rests directly on top of your favorite coffee mug or carafe. Pour over cones are available in a variety of styles and sizes.
FILTER
As with a drip coffee maker, the pour over method uses filters as part of the coffee brewing process. The filter rests inside your pour over cone to hold the coffee grounds. Pour over filters come in either paper, cloth or metal. Look for filters specifically designed for your size of pour over cone.
MUG OR CARAFE
Depending on your personal preference and the number of cups you’d like to brew, you’ll need a coffee mug or carafe to collect your brewed coffee.
GOOSENECK KETTLE
Gooseneck kettles feature a unique spout that gives you more control over your pour to ensure evenly saturated grounds. KitchenAid® gooseneck kettles offer precise pour control with the addition of three unique flow rate settings to quickly and easily adjust your pouring rate for a range of brews.
According to the National Coffee Association, the optimal coffee brewing temperature range is between 195 and 205℉. Help ensure your water is at the optimal temperature with a gooseneck kettle featuring a built-in thermometer or an electric gooseneck kettle with variable temperature control. The Variable Temperature Selector on the KitchenAid® Precision Gooseneck Digital Kettle lets you select your desired brewing temperature customizable in one degree increments ranging from 140–212℉, with the option to hold for 30 minutes. Learn more about different types of kettles.
COFFEE GRINDER
For fresh coffee flavor, try grinding whole beans to a medium-fine grind for a pour-over cone. Learn more about the types of coffee grinders to discover which will provide the best grind for your tastes and needs.
SHOP KITCHENAID® PRECISION KETTLES & COFFEE GRINDERS
WHAT IS DRIP COFFEE?
A longtime household staple, auto drip coffee is brewed with a machine that automates the pour over brewing process—simply add water and coffee grounds. These coffee makers heat water from a reservoir, then pass it over coffee grounds in a filter basket. The brewed coffee is then collected in a carafe or other container below.
Because you can typically brew anywhere from 4 to 12 cups at once, an auto drip coffee maker is a good option for when you need to make coffee for a family gathering or brunch. The programmable options also make this a good choice for coffee lovers looking for convenience and consistency.
IS POUR OVER BETTER THAN DRIP?
The pour over method allows you to manually ensure full saturation of your coffee grounds for even extraction and a rich, balanced brew. You can achieve similar results when you choose an auto-drip coffee maker with a showerhead that helps distribute water evenly over your grounds.
Anyone who’s savored a heavenly cup of joe at their favorite neighborhood coffee shop knows that drip coffee excellence is indeed possible with the right design. KitchenAid® drip coffee makers feature a unique 29-hole spiral showerhead that evenly saturates coffee grounds for optimal extraction, producing an exceptionally flavorful cup of coffee.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO MAKE DRIP COFFEE
All you need to make drip coffee is a coffee machine, a filter and access to an electrical outlet. Learn more about the tools for making drip coffee below.
AUTOMATIC DRIP COFFEE MACHINE
There are nearly endless options when it comes to auto drip coffee makers. Though it’s an automated process, you can still choose from a range of capacities and features to customize your brew. Choose models with a warming plate to help keep coffee warm, a brew strength selector to help you achieve your ideal cup or preset brewing times so you can wake up to a freshly brewed batch.
FILTER
The drip coffee method is sometimes called filter coffee because it relies on filters to produce a quality brew and reduce grittiness from coffee grounds. Paper filters are one way to go, or you can opt for a coffee maker equipped with reusable filters. KitchenAid® drip coffee makers feature a reusable gold tone filter with a dosage ladder for easy measuring.
ACCESS TO POWER
Unlike the pour over coffee method, you’ll need a place to plug in your automatic drip coffee maker.
SHOP KITCHENAID® AUTO-DRIP COFFEE MAKERS
| POUR OVER COFFEE | DRIP COFFEE | |
|---|---|---|
| EXTRACTION METHOD | Manual Drip | Automatic Drip |
| FLAVOR CONTROL | Water temperature, amount and quality Pour over timing, flow rate and technique Coffee bean dosage, quality and grind |
Water temperature, amount and quality Adjustable brew strength setting1 Coffee bean dosage, quality and grind |
| NUMBER OF CUPS | 1-4 | 2-14 (typical range) |
| EQUIPMENT | Gooseneck Kettle, Thermometer, Pour Over Cone, Filters | Auto-Drip Coffee Maker, Filter |
| CLEANUP | Discard grounds and filter, or wash reusable filters Wash cone |
Discard grounds and filter, or wash reusable filters Rinse carafe Run cleaning or descaling cycles according to owner’s manual |
1. On select models.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POUR OVER AND DRIP COFFEE?
Both pour over and drip are great ways to make coffee by pouring hot water over grounds. The difference between these coffee brewing methods lies in the journey to a flavorful cup and your personal preferences. Pour over is a good option if you enjoy having more control over the process, and drip coffee is a solid choice if you prefer convenience or greater quantity.
Learn more about the differences between drip and pour over coffee below.
1. EXTRACTION METHOD
Pour over brewing extracts flavor from the coffee beans by allowing the grounds to bloom during short pauses between slow, circular pours. The auto drip extraction method is faster and much less hands on. The coffee machine quickly heats the water and automatically pours it over the grinds in a continuous stream to produce a fresh pot in minutes
2. CONTROL & CUSTOMIZATION
Drip brewing does not offer the same level of control and customization that pour over brewing does as the process is automated and carried out by your coffee maker. Pour over coffee allows you to experiment with water temperature and brewing speed to create a coffee routine that is customized to your taste.
3. COFFEE BEANS & GRIND SIZE
Both drip and pour over brewing methods recommend a medium grind size to get the best extraction. You can choose your favorite type of coffee beans for both brewing methods and play around with different roasts to find the bean that brews your perfect cup.
4. FLAVOR
Pour over brewing tends to result in a more robust and flavorful cup of coffee than traditional drip, thanks to the controlled stream of water that creates an even saturation of the coffee grounds.
5. STRENGTH
Pour over and drip coffee are both weaker than espresso, however, pour over coffee typically has slightly higher levels of caffeine. The water used to brew drip coffee is often a higher temperature, which leads to a slightly less caffeinated brew.
6. QUANTITY
Drip coffee makers typically brew larger batches of coffee compared to the pour over method. You may want to opt for auto drip if you reach for 2–3 cups each day or if you are entertaining guests.
7. EQUIPMENT
Pour over coffee utilizes a pour over cone, a filter, a gooseneck kettle and a mug or carafe, while drip coffee requires a coffee maker, a filter and access to an outlet.
8. CONVENIENCE
If you’re looking for a quick and convenient way to brew coffee at home, the drip brewing method may be the best option for you. Pour over coffee takes a little longer to brew and the process is a bit more meticulous.
9. PORTABILITY
When you make pour over coffee with a stovetop kettle, you can brew a delicious batch of java almost anywhere. Pour over brewing offers portability as you don’t need access to an electrical outlet to prepare your cup of joe, making it a convenient option when traveling or camping.
10. CLEANUP
Both drip and pour over coffee materials are pretty easy to clean up, however, a drip coffee maker requires more frequent cleaning and descaling. Pour over brewing accessories simply need to be rinsed out after each use, while coffee makers should be cleaned and descaled once a month.
BREWER’S TIP:
Whichever method you choose, freshly ground coffee beans will elevate your results from ho-hum to brimming with joy. The KitchenAid® Burr Coffee Grinder lets you fine-tune your grind for your ideal results. Opt for a medium grind for flat-bottom filters and medium-fine grind for cone-shaped filters.
PROS OF THE POUR OVER COFFEE BREWING METHOD
The pour over coffee method is ideal for dedicated coffee connoisseurs who like to experiment and enjoy the process of controlling different brewing variables to achieve singular results.
Pour over coffee is a good choice for people who:
Have more time in the morning to savor the brewing process
Have a craftsman mindset and enjoy making by hand
Love experimenting with variables like grind size and pour speed to hone the taste
Are coffee connoisseurs seeking the crisp, vibrant and nuanced pour over coffee flavor
Appreciate the mindful experience of working with their brewing equipment
Sip just one or two cups of coffee each day
PROS OF THE DRIP COFFEE BREWING METHOD
Drip coffee is great for casual coffee aficionados and those who prefer convenience or need to brew enough coffee for a group. Many drip coffee makers come with a variety of settings that still allow for a personalized experience and result. If you’re that person who hovers in front of the coffee maker while it brews—no judgment—a Pause and Pour feature on select KitchenAid® models lets you grab a cup while the pot is mid-brew.
Drip coffee is a good choice for people who:
Enjoy waking up to the aroma of coffee that’s already made, thanks to a programmable auto brew setting on some models
Need to get out the door quickly and want hot, delicious coffee ready when they wake up
Want to expend less effort without sacrificing quality
Prefer more flexibility on when to enjoy their cup with features like Pause and Pour or warming plates
Like to have more than one cup, or to brew coffee for company
SHOP THE KITCHENAID® COFFEE COLLECTION FOR A VARIETY OF BREWING METHODS
From precision kettles for pour over to programmable coffee makers for drip coffee, KitchenAid brand has everything you need to craft your perfect cup of coffee. Whatever method you prefer, grab a coffee grinder from KitchenAid brand to elevate the freshness and flavor of your coffee beans. .
