Pour Over Cone

There is a seemingly infinite variety of options here. I have a standard Melitta style cone I got while working for Starbucks. Some of the more popular ones that have been around for awhile are the Kalita Wave and the Hario V60.

It seems there is a new option every month or so. They all vary slightly in usage, but all make good coffee once you get the hang of it. I would recommend you find one that you like the look of and stick with that one for awhile. Learn it well before trying other varieties.

Chemex

This is my most used brewing device. I love it for its beauty, clean cup profile, and simplicity.

The beauty comment speaks for itself, just look at it. It is a work of art. Truly, it is in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

The clean cup comes from its filters, which are much thicker than your standard filter papers. This ensures all the impurities, fines, and most oils are removed.

By Simplicity I mean that it is an all in one unit. There is no need for a secondary brewing carafe.

Aeropress

This is the brewer I think everyone should own. Why? It’s cheap, easy to use, versatile, and easy to clean.

I typically use this to brew a single small cup of coffee, but it can be used for multiple cups by using a bypass technique. Basically, you make a much stronger coffee, split it between two cups, and add extra water to each.

This brewer is also and excellent option for travel coffee. It is small, compact, and not fragile. It’s a very popular option for camping.

Baratza Encore

If you want to start making good coffee at home, YOU NEED A GOOD GRINDER. Plan to spend at least $100. It will be worth it.

The Encore is the entry level grinder from Baratza, but don’t let that fool you, this is a good grinder.

My favorite part is that they actually encourage you to fix and upgrade your grinder instead of replacing it. Imagine if your cell phone provider did that!

Stagg Kettle

Do you really NEED a gooseneck kettle to start making coffee at home? No.

Will you want one eventually? Yes.

Fellow makes a lot of great products and even more important, they stand behind them with GREAT customer service. I have the basic kettle since I already had an electric kettle, but if you’re looking to buy at kettle and don’t already have an electric one, I’d recommend upgrading to the Stagg EKG.

Atmos

If you’re investing in good beans, you’ll want a good way to store them. I have three of these canisters and I really like them. There is just something very satisfying about pushing that little button in the morning and hearing the vacuum seal undone.

I also have and recommend and Airscape canister. I use this for bigger volumes of coffee, like when I get a full pound, rather than 10-12 oz.

Ember

I bought this mug on a whim in 2017 while working at Starbucks. Full disclosure, I was offered a nice discount as an employee.

I absolutely love this mug. I drink from this daily and it has made my rather extensive mug collection obsolete. I bought one for my wife the following year and have subsequently convinced several others to get one for themselves.

Over the years, I have had one issue with the charging coaster and one not even really an issue with the mug. Both times customer service was amazing and very easy. Didn’t even need a single phone call.

 Carter

I have had a lot of to-go mugs over the years and this is my current go to. I love the screw on top to prevent leaking. I have tossed it in a back pack as well as a pack on my bike. No worries about it sitting upright to prevent leaks. I also love the thin lip for easy drinking.

A few things to consider:

1 The original Carter Everywhere mug is very wide and most likely won’t fit in your car’s cup holder. I am fortunate that it fits in both of my vehicles just fine.

2 There is no little sip hole, it is a wide open mug when the top is off.

3 The newer Carter Move addresses these issues, with a narrower profile and splashguard inside.

I have both the Everywhere and the Move and love them both. Wether you get these or not, I recommend spending a little more and getting a good mug. No one likes tepid coffee.

Acaia Pearl

This is my scale, if you want to create and recreate good coffee at home, you’ll want some sort of scale. There are much cheaper ones than this and there are certainly more expensive ones as well. Find one you care comfortable with and use it every time.

Using a scale helps you create consistent coffee. Light roasts weigh more than dark, some types of beans are different sizes, weight is the best way to ensure you’re doing it the same every time. Next time you are at Starbucks, place a bag of their Blonde Veranda next to a bag of their Italian Roast. Both bags weigh one pound, but the amount of beans it takes to reach that pound is drastically different.