To brew pour over coffee you need five items:
- A brewing device (and associated coffee filters)
- Coffee Grinder
- A kitchen scale
- A kettle (or other method to make hot water)
- Good Coffee
If you are looking for a starter kit, this is my recommendation list:
Brewing Device:
There are a variety of pour over devices available. The Hario V60 has become my daily choice (even though I also own a Chemex and a Kalita Wave). What is nice is that Hario actually has a starter kit that includes a pour over device, a range server to brew into, and some filters to start.
Hario Link: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Craft-Coffee-Clear-Black/dp/B07YQ6LY2S/
Coffee Grinder:
To a beginner, any burr grinder will be good. Originally, I bought a Cuisinart burr grinder from Bed Bath and Beyond for $50. The most important part is that it is a a burr grinder to provide even grinding of the coffee beans.
The best choice in my opinion are grinders from the company Barratza, and the Encore model is perfect for home use at around $170. They rarely go on sale, and people frequently buy the refurbished models direct from the company web site.
Barratza Link: https://www.amazon.com/Baratza-Encore-Conical-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B007F183LK/
A more affordable option is a Capresso Infinity at around $100:
Capresso Link: https://www.amazon.com/Capresso-560-01-Infinity-Conical-Grinder/dp/B0000AR7SY
An even more affordable option (around $30) is a hand grinder, but hand grinding coffee is usually not a fun chore most mornings. Most people stick with an automatic grinder.
Hario Mini Mill Link: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-Mini-Mill-Coffee-Grinder/dp/B001804CLY/r
Kitchen Scale:
Pretty much any kitchen scale will work, but this one is relatively inexpensive ($18), has a silicone base to deal with heat, and even has a built-in digital timer. There are many brands available on Amazon, but this one seems to get good reviews and has a good price point.
Cozy Blue Scale Link: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Coffee-Scale-Timer-Pour/dp/B07XY15THS
Water Kettle:
Any kettle will do as really you just need to have hot water, but for pour over the focus is usually on controlling the water flow and controlling the water temperature. The best type of water kettle for the water flow control is a goose neck kettle. The best type of kettle for controlling temperature is an electric kettle with temperature control, and my favorite is the $70 Bonavita brand.
Bonavita Link: https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-BV382510V-Variable-Temperature-Gooseneck/dp/B005YR0F40
A more affordable option is the Bodum. It does not have temperature control, but will stop at boiling. Currently the price is between $30 and $40.
Bodum Link: https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Gooseneck-Electric-Water-Kettle/dp/B07G2MBM6L/
Good Coffee:
Good coffee is mandatory for getting the best cup of coffee. I recommend locally roasted options, but mail order works too. Fresh coffee roasted within a few weeks is much better than coffee that has been sitting on a grocery store shelf for months. Also, I highly recommend a medium/light roast of single origin coffee to find the unique tasting notes.
Some of my favorite Michigan roasters to buy from are:
White Pine Coffee Roasters: https://www.whitepinecoffee.com/
Dessert Oasis Coffee Roasters: https://www.docr.coffee/
Madcap Coffee Roasters: https://madcapcoffee.com/
one simple angler 