Hand Brew Coffee Dripper Full Analysis: Comparison of V60, Kalita 155, and 101 Drippers

November 20, 2024 咖啡舞台COFFEE STAGE

What should you pay attention to when choosing a coffee dripper?

The coffee dripper is one of the key tools for hand brewing coffee, and choosing the right dripper is very important for enhancing the flavor of the coffee. Whether you are a beginner coffee enthusiast or an experienced coffee player, understanding the characteristics and suitable occasions of different drippers can help create a better coffee experience. This article will delve into the introduction of several common types of drippers and the considerations when purchasing them.

Common types of drippers

1. Cone-shaped dripper (V60)

The V60 dripper is one of the most popular drippers in hand brewing coffee, especially suitable for those who pursue bright and refreshing flavors. It features a spiral rib design and a large opening for water to flow through more smoothly, resulting in a highly variable extraction effect.

Advantages: Suitable for intermediate users, rich in flavor layers, and better control over the coffee flavor.
Disadvantages: Requires higher pouring skills, which may be difficult for beginners to control water flow.
Recommended for: Intermediate coffee enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with different pouring techniques to alter flavors.

2. Flat-bottom dripper (Kalita 155/185)

Kalita's flat-bottom drippers, such as the 155 and 185 models, have a three-hole design that stabilizes flow rate, ensuring even extraction, especially suitable for beginners or coffee players who prefer more stable flavors.

Advantages: Easy to operate, concentrated flavor, and reduces the impact of unstable pouring.
Disadvantages: Less flavor variation, unable to achieve the diversity of the V60 dripper.
Recommended for: Beginners or coffee lovers who enjoy balanced flavors.

3. Trapezoidal dripper (Kalita 101/102)

The trapezoidal dripper has a wide top and narrow bottom shape, usually with one to three drainage holes at the bottom, which can extend the water flow time through the coffee grounds, suitable for medium to dark roasted coffee beans, bringing out a rich and full-bodied mouthfeel.

Advantages: Suitable for extracting rich and full-bodied coffee flavors.
Disadvantages: Relatively slow flow rate, requiring higher pouring skills.
Recommended for: Medium to dark roast lovers, suitable for experienced hand brewing coffee players.

Common Questions Q&A

Q1: How should I choose between V60, 155, and 101 drippers?

A: If you are a beginner, it is recommended to choose the Kalita 155 dripper because its three-hole design ensures water flow stability, making it easier to operate. If you have some experience and want to try more different hand brewing flavors, you can choose the V60 dripper. For users who enjoy medium to dark roasted coffee and pursue a full-bodied mouthfeel, the trapezoidal dripper 101 is a good choice.

Q2: Does the material of the dripper affect the flavor of the coffee?

A: Yes, different materials of drippers can affect the thermal retention and extraction temperature of the coffee. For example, ceramic drippers have good thermal retention, suitable for users who pursue stable extraction; glass drippers heat up quickly, suitable for those who want a refreshing flavor; plastic drippers are suitable for outdoor use, being lightweight and not easily broken.

Q3: What is the function of the rib design in a dripper?

A: The rib design inside the dripper determines the speed and direction of water flow. For example, the spiral rib design of the V60 allows water flow to evenly pass through the coffee grounds, helping to improve the evenness of extraction and flavor layering. The flat-bottom design of the Kalita dripper, on the other hand, can reduce extraction instability caused by uneven water flow.

Q4: Why does the flow rate of some drippers become very slow?

A: The slow flow rate of a dripper may be related to the pouring technique and the evenness of the ground coffee. If the grinder produces too much fine powder, these fine particles may float on the water surface or clog the filter paper, leading to slower water flow. Therefore, when using a V60 or other drippers, it is recommended to choose a grinder with higher evenness and pay attention to the pouring technique.

Q5: How to choose the size of the dripper?

A: The size of the filter cup affects the extraction amount and flavor of the coffee. For example, the Hario V60 has two sizes, 01 and 02. Size 01 is suitable for 1-2 servings, while size 02 is suitable for 3-4 servings. Choosing the right size requires considering your daily coffee needs and whether you want to extract multiple cups at once.

Comparison of Filter Cup Materials

The choice of filter cup material has a certain impact on the coffee flavor, with different materials having different characteristics:

Ceramic: Excellent heat retention, stable extraction temperature, suitable for home use.
Glass: Aesthetic and conducts heat quickly, can rapidly cool down, suitable for users who emphasize visual effects and a clean taste.
Plastic: Affordable and lightweight, suitable for carrying, but has slightly poorer heat retention and stability.
Stainless Steel: Durable and not easily broken, suitable for outdoor use or users who want a multipurpose tool.
Copper: Conducts heat quickly and has heat retention effects, but is more expensive, suitable for users with a special preference for coffee equipment.

Conclusion and Recommendations

When choosing the right filter cup, consider the following points:

Experience Level: Beginners are recommended to choose a flat-bottom filter cup, while advanced users can try the V60.
Coffee Flavor Preference: Those who like a clean taste can choose the V60, while those who prefer a rich mouthfeel can choose a cone-shaped filter cup.
Material Requirements: For home use, ceramic or glass can be chosen; for portability, choose plastic, stainless steel, or copper.
Filter Cup Size: Choose the appropriate size based on daily coffee needs to ensure the coffee quantity extracted each time is sufficient.