*this post is NOT sponsored but it does contain affiliate links – that just means if you do purchase anything I get a very small commission – these are all the products that I use every day/week in my own kitchen or have used in the past*
For folks who have followed me for a while, you know that I LOVE everything about coffee. I’ve worked as a barista and equally love brewing at home.
If you’re reading this post, it means you’re looking to update or upgrade your current coffee setup. I’m so happy you’re taking the steps to make amazing coffee at home because it’s genuinely one of my favorite rituals. When you brew coffee at home manually (meaning not in a drip coffee machine) using high-quality coffee you might be shocked by how flavorful and YUMMY coffee can be. Once I started making coffee at home using manual methods with fresh coffee beans I realized that I didn’t want to add any milk or sugar (not that there’s anything wrong with adding milk or sugar) because the coffee black was just SO good.
Making great coffee at home can feel pretty overwhelming at first (like what do you mean I have to grind my own beans?) however if you have the right tools I promise it’s not hard. In fact, it might become your favorite morning ritual.
Coffee Makers
To start: Hario v60 Pour Over
I LOVE this pour-over maker. It’s small, very portable, great for travel and everyday use. I use it all the time when I’m making coffee for just myself. I love simple it is to use and small it is. You can put in on top of your mug and brew a beautiful cup of coffee directly into your cup in less than 5 minutes.
The one downside is that the v60 can’t make a ton of coffee at once. If you’re in a household where you know you’re making coffee for 2+ people I would look into getting a Chemex (below) instead.
Investment: Chemex 8 Cup
The Chemex is iconic for a reason. It’s another type of manual pour-over coffee maker. What makes it unique is actually the specially designed filters. They deliver a really clean cup. Not a ton of oils or residue. If you’re used to making coffee in a drip machine or even a french press I think you’ll be really pleased with how clean and not bitter your coffee will be using the Chemex. I love using our Chemex on the weekend with my husband Chris for our morning coffee.
Filters & Accessories:
For Chemex:
For the v60:
Grinders
I think a lot of people are surprised to learn just how important the grind is when it comes to coffee. The way you grind coffee will impact the way it is extracted, which is what dictates the flavor. If you want to start an at-home coffee routine I highly recommend investing in a grinder. It’s absolutely worth it!
To start: a Blade Grinder
While blade grinders aren’t ideal, they are definitely more affordable. The big downside to blade grinders is that you can’t control the grind size or uniformity. However, I used a blade grinder for years in college and it still did the job just fine. I personally think that for the home brewer on who is on a budget, good coffee is more important than the perfect grinder.
Investment: a Burr Grinder
I was lucky enough to receive this grinder through a past partnership with OXO and I absolutely love it. If it does ever break I will totally buy this model again. It’s a burr grinder which means you will get a really even grind (better extraction, better flavor). You can also easily adjust the grind size. This bad boy works like a charm. Highly recommend.
Kettles
To start: electric kettle
Any beverage lover definitely needs an electric kettle. This is a tool you’ll use every single day for more than just coffee. Because this one doesn’t have a temperature gauge, I would recommend waiting 30 seconds after boil to start using the water.
Investment: temperature-controlled gooseneck kettle
This was also something I received through a previous partnership with OXO and like the grinder I’m also obsessed with this temperature-controlled electric gooseneck kettle. Guys, I don’t mean to be that stereotypical barista snob, but once I went gooseneck I couldn’t go back. It gives you so much more control as you’re pouring water over the grinds and just makes brewing SO MUCH EASIER. If you are looking to level up your setup this is a really great item to upgrade.
Coffee Beans:
Drink Local
I highly recommend you check out any local coffee shops that roast their own coffee in your neighborhood. Chat with the baristas or roaster about what they recommend based on your preferences. There’s a high likelihood they’ll let you try different beans and blends so that you can find something you really enjoy.
It’s an easy delicious way to support your local economy. It’s how I found my favorite coffee roaster: Counter Culture. It wasn’t locally roasted, but it was served at my favorite local cafe. Now Chris and I have a subscription (there aren’t any great local roasters here on Nantucket.)
I know a lot of folks who read the blog are from New England. My favorite Boston coffee roaster is George Howell so if you’re in Boston definitely check out their coffee shop and stock up on some of their amazing beans.
Get a Subscription
If good local coffee is hard to find you can sign up for a regular coffee subscription. Chris and I get 2 lbs. of Counter Culture every two weeks (lol we drink a lot of coffee).
I also get coffee from my brother-in-law’s company: SK Coffee. He also does a great coffee subscription where you get coffee from different regions of the world. Trying different coffees from different continents can help you develop your palate (if that’s something you’re into).
I hope this guide helps you figure out what to invest in for your coffee setup. Happy brewing!
JOIN THE SQUAD
Get bonus podcast mini episodes, ramblings & reflections that aren't on the blog and lots of fun goodies in your inbox
Madi
Been waiting for this post! I’d love to know if you’ve done any research into reusables for at home brewing- like a reusable filter. I buy boxes and boxes of pour over filters and am looking to not do that anymore, but haven’t seen much reliable info on an alternative. Keep up the great work 😍☕️
Chris Pederson
I was told that making coffee at home is better than buying it. It makes me happy to see how you say it is one of your favorite morning rituals. I want to get my life on a routine so I think that could help me out a ton.
Rachael
Georgie, where did you get that gorgeous mug from?!