We’ve done a number of coffee gear guides over the years, but only one of them is focused on espresso and even that one is more about using one specific machine (although it does mention several great espresso accessories as well).

It’s time we put together a gear list for espresso enthusiasts of all kinds, and what better way to start than by writing the spritual successor to our classic Awesome Coffee Gear guides?

…But First, The Beans

Nicoletti Coffee Roasters’ Espresso Roast Beans »

($13 for 12-ounce bag, $26 for 2.2-pound bag, $46 for whopping 5-pound bag)

Alright, this first one’s not gear per se, but to make great espresso, you do need some good, freshly roasted beans. And that’s what Nicoletti Coffee Roasters of Brooklyn offers.

Their espresso roast isn’t at all dark like you might expect; it’s more of a medium-light, with a deliciously nutty, chocolatey, and slightly sweet flavor profile. Moreover, most people receive their order within three days of roasting, which is way better than you’d get with most grocery-bought beans.

It’s hard to believe something this good comes through Amazon!

  + Read our original post here.

Now, Onto the Gear

Gaggia Classic Pro Espresso Machine »

($449 for plain stainless steel, $499 for any of the other colors)

The Gaggia Classic Pro is often touted as the starter machine for budding espresso enthusiasts, and it’s hard to disagree. Gaggia first introduced the original Classic model in 1991, and 30 years later, its successor holds up that reputation as a reliable workhorse.

Not only is it capable of pulling so-called “god shots” of espresso once you’ve learned its quirks and the necessary techniques to use, there are also lots of ways to trick out the machine and further enhance what it can do, if you’re willing to take on those kinds of projects. YouTube will be your friend on both fronts.

Eureka Mignon Specialita Espresso Grinder »

($699)

Don’t get us wrong, we still love the grind quality of the Baratza Setta 270, but there’s no denying that it’s a LOUD machine. Eureka’s Mignon Specialita grinder is way quieter — like, shockingly so — and produces similar or even better results, so if you’re an earlier riser than the rest of your family, you can still enjoy your morning espresso without disturbing their slumber.

If you single-dose shots like we do, you’ll be pleased with the extremely low retention of the Specialita — that is, hardly anything will be left in the chute after grinding; you get back just about all the coffee weight you put in. However, you’ll want a dosing funnel to ensure all the grounds make it into your portafilter.

Timemore B22 “Black Mirror” Espresso Scale »

($59)

Like any coffee brewing method — and actually even moreso — making espresso is all about accuracy. You can’t very well repeat good results if you’re not measuring the weight of both your beans before grinding and the output of each shot you pull. You’re aiming for a 1:2 ratio where the pulled shot weighs twice as much as the beans did. So, 18g of beans should result in a 36g double shot.

The Timemore B22 is a great tool for weighing everything out and timing your brew. If you’ve properly dialed in your grind, that weight ratio above should be achieved in roughly 25–30 seconds.

While you can accurately gauge the coffee weight with a jewelry scale and then use your phone’s timer app to see how it goes, and have no real problem doing so, having both functions in the same gizmo — especially one designed for exactly this task — is just nicer to work with.

Kitchables 2.7 oz Double-Walled Espresso Shot Glasses »

($15 for a set of two, or $20 for a set of four)

These 2.7-ounce double-walled espresso shot glasses are large enough to hold a double espresso shot each, and wide enough at the rim to catch espresso from both portafilter spouts at once, so you only need to use one glass at a time, not two side-by-side.

Since they’re double-walled, you can pick them up right after pulling espresso shots and you won’t feel a thing through the glass. Every time, you think you’re going to scorch yourself, and every time they surprise you. It’s weirdly fun. Those double walls also help keep the espresso shots warm longer than you’d expect, so you have time to admire that perfect crema before consuming or pouring.

Dreamfarm Compact Knock Box »

($25)

Using a trash can suuuuucks for disposing of espresso pucks after brewing. Half the time, if you’re not careful enough, the whole basket can fall out into the garbage. Gross.

What you want is a knock box near your espresso station. This is essentially a small bin with a built-in shock-absorbing bar across the opening, upon which you tap the middle of the basket (rather than the edge) and thus keep it from falling out when the puck does.

This is also a nice way of saving your spent grounds for composting and/or gardening purposes, so that’s a double-win.

Barista Basics Espresso Portafilter Tamping Mat »

($15 for 6″ x 6″, $16 for 5″ x 12″, $23 for 6″ x 8″ with 2″ front lip)

Tamping espresso into your portafilter day after day can wreak havoc on your countertop after a while. You can always throw down a folded towel to provide some cushion, of course. However, we find it more elegant to have a tamping mat like this that always lives at one’s espresso station.

It’s made from thick food-grade rubber that happens to be quite oil-resistant in case you accidentally spill a lot of coffee grounds on it (and as any espresso enthusiast will tell you, it will happen eventually). The slightly raised edges all the way around will keep those grounds contained as well. And finally, the mat is super easy to clean; all you have to do is rinse it under water.

This is the type of portafilter mat that’s heavy-duty enough for coffee shop usage, so it’s more than sturdy enough for your home espresso setup.

Mussa’s Handmade “Hera” Wooden Espresso Tampers »

(79€/~$93 USD or €139/~$164 USD, depending on wood choice)

Mussa is a Greek company that specializes in custom handmade espresso tampers and other accessories. One of their products is the “Hera” tamper, featuring a steel base topped by a lovely curved handle crafted from your choice of olivewood (pictured above, center), walnut(left), or ebony (right) wood.

Not only does this handcrafted tamper add some class to your own espresso station, you can also personalize the top of the handle with your initials, a short message, or even a logo/image.

“The Bloc Party” Espresso Tamp Station by St. Anthony Industries »

($348)

Now if you really want to up your espresso station’s utility and style in one go, take a look at St. Anthony Industries’ “Bloc Party” tamp station, which includes a hardwood block base with built-in knock box, a handle-free tamp made from stainless steel, and a similarly constructed depth-adjustable distribution tool for evenly distributing espresso grounds in your portafilter before actually tamping.

Together, these peripherals make a fine addition to any “end-game” espresso setup.

  + More details in our original post.

PortaKeeper Wall-Mounted Portafilter Rack »

($18 for one alone, with discounts available on purchases of multiples)

After diving into the world of espresso you’ll quickly find that your station can quickly become cluttered with all the paraphernalia that come with this hobby, including your portafilter(s). Thankfully, there’s a Wichita-based Etsy shop called GB Tactical that produces something called the PortaKeeper.

It’s an ABS wall rack that affixes to your wall — or even the side of the espresso machine itself! — via Command Strips (two are included), giving you an easy, out-of-the-way place to hang your portafilter when you’re not using it. This is especially handy if you have a spare one that you keep around for making multiple drinks in quick succession.

They make a variety of styles to suit 53–58mm portafilters from various brands/machines, including the 58mm diagonal-tabbed version of the Gaggia we discussed earlier.

Adorever Milk Steaming Pitcher »

($27)

One of the funnest parts of the espresso hobby is mastering the art of steaming milk for lattes/cappuccinos/flat whites. And by “art” we don’t just mean doing fancy latte art, but getting the actual frothing technique right.

As far as milk pitchers go, you don’t need anything over-engineered to get the job done, but you do want one of some quality. This one from Adorever works great.

The stainless steel feels pretty solid and just hefty enough without being too thick to tell temperature by handfeel. The pouring spout is also nice and pointy, which makes it a lot easier to attempt latte art. And, it even comes with a nifty latte art pen tool that can be used to “draw” shapes in the milk foam after pouring.

Pro tip: Put the jug in the fridge to chill before using it to steam milk. Very cold milk makes much better foam.

Happy brewing, everyone! ☕️

After all these years, the AeroPress remains one of our favorite ways to make coffee each morning. It’s simple to use, works with fine or coarse grinds, is easy to clean, and you can brew with it in a number of ways that all result in a heckuva cup of coffee.

It’s a tad more expensive than it used to be ($32 instead of $25) but we still consider it relatively inexpensive when you think about how much a good coffee machine usually costs. It’s also just as portable, versatile, and easy to clean up as ever.

As good as the AeroPress is on its own, it can be made even better with the addition of a few key accessories. We’ll share a few of our favorites below.

The Able Travel Cap. ($12)

Able Travel Cap »

The AeroPress is an excellent coffee maker to take when traveling. You can slide a dozen paper filters and a plastic bag of beans inside of the plunger whenever you’re going on a trip — the only problem being that the filters and beans have a tendency to fall out.

To fix this problem, the guys at Able Brewing made a rubber travel cap that fits snugly over the open end of the AeroPress plunger, allowing you to securely store filters and coffee beans when traveling. It also doubles as a comfortable brewing grip when you’re actually making your coffee.

Able Brewing stainless steel filter disk. ($15)

Able DISK Metal Filter »

When you buy an AeroPress it comes with a pack of paper micro-filters. These work fine and are easily disposable. However, for something different, there is this stainless steel AeroPress disk.

The disk is reusable and has ultra-micro perforations so that only water gets through the filter, even when brewing a super-fine espresso grind. Many people prefer the flavor that stainless steel filters allow as opposed to the bleached paper filters. Paper filters absorb some of the oils from the coffee beans; metal filters allow those oils to pass through for richer cup of coffee, particularly for dark roasts.

Fellow’s “Prismo” attachment gives your AeroPress espresso-like superpowers. ($25)

Fellow “Prismo” Espresso-Style Attachment »

The folks at Fellow — makers of many fine coffee products — have an interesting attachment called Prismo that you can use in place of the standard cap to produce an espresso-like shot. No, it’s not actually espresso, but it’s pretty dang close, and you don’t have to buy a whole separate machine.

It’s comprised of two main features: a pressure-actuated valve and a reusable fine-mesh stainless steel filter (much like the Able one above). The airtight valve doesn’t drip unless you put pressure on it, solving the “slow drip” problem inherent to the AeroPress. Two things to keep in mind:

1. It does take more pressure to pull a shot from Prismo than you’d apply for a typical AeroPress brew, so expect a bit of an arm workout.
2. Don’t use it on a thin/fragile glass vessel.

The resulting shot is full-bodied and has a long-lasting “crema”, with a thickness and consistency comparable to traditional espresso. You can even do a bit of latte art with it. If you think tomorrow will call for some cold brew, it can do that too.

The PUCKPUCK turns the AeroPress into a cold-brew drip system. ($25)

PUCKPUCK Cold-Brew Coffee Attachment »

Another way to make cold brew with the AeroPress is with the PUCKPUCK attachment, which is more specifically designed to turn the coffee maker into a cold-brew drip system.

The idea is that you twist a compatible mineral water bottle — ideally an empty one with its bottom end cut off — onto the attachment valve, fill your newfound “reservoir” with ice water, and you then get a controlled drip over a bed of coffee grounds within the AeroPress chamber, which themselves are topped by the PUCKPUCK’s separate dispersion screen. (The AeroPress itself should, of course, be place atop a decanter of some kind.)

If you got the drip rate right — and their free companion app will help you do just that — then after a few hours you’ll come back to a batch of deliciously cold coffee that you can dress up however you like.

If sourcing a mineral water bottle sounds like a pain, the company offers a “PUCKPUCK Original” kit on their website that includes their 500mL water vessel (as pictured above).

Hexnub’s compact AeroPress organizer/stand/caddy, made from bamboo. ($32)

Hexnub Compact Organizer »

Serious AeroPress users will appreciate this nice little bamboo stand, which gives your coffee maker and all its other components (like the scoop, stirrer, and paper filters, if you’re using those) a place to rest when you’re not using them.

The company also makes a larger version ($40) that can accommodate two coffee mugs up top and lets you hang the AeroPress plunger pieces separately for better drying.

Having an addiction to lattes and other espresso drinks in this time of home isolation can be difficult if you don’t have the right equipment at home to make them yourself. And, not everyone is prepared to do a deep dive into the world of espresso-making and drop a thousand bucks on a good setup right off the bat. (Yes, that amount of money is considered “entry-level” for some.)

I have an alternative suggestion: the De’Longhi Dedica EC680, a modest espresso machine that runs for around $250 and is surprisingly capable — once you’ve made a few minor modifications.

Now, the Dedica is a machine that is often derided by hardcore espresso enthusiasts, primarily because it uses pressurized portafilter baskets, when the best espresso undoubtedly comes from non-pressurized ones.

This is the difference:

 

See that tiny center hole on the left? Pressurized baskets force espresso through that one hole while brewing, forcing a ‘false’ crema to appear in your shots, while the non-pressurized versions allow the espresso to flow freely, once the puck itself has provided the necessary pressure.

The reason pressurized baskets and portafilters exist is that they’re much more forgiving of uneven grinds, older roasts, preground grocery coffee, and overall technique. The downside is that there’s a ceiling on the quality of shot you can ever produce — the best you’ll ever get is “okay.”

🤓 A non-pressurized setup, on the other hand, requires you to really dial in every single aspect of the process yourself, particularly the grind and tamping — but, you then unlock the ability to achieve A+ shots that rival your local coffeehouse.

The Dedica also lacks certain features of even medium-level machines like the Rancilio Silvia or Gaggia Classic Pro.

So what does all this mean for Dedica users? Well, it means you have to do a bit of tinkering to get there.

The Modifications

Portafilter Basket

The first thing is to buy a third-party non-pressurized filter basket in the 51mm size, which is the portafilter size used by the Dedica. The industry standard is 58mm, so this is a somewhat small and unusual size, though certainly not an unmanageable one.

Swapping out portafilter baskets is typically easy enough, but for this one to fit properly, you’ll have to unscrew the Philips screw on the bottom of the Dedica’s portafilter and remove the inner plastic insert that channels espresso flow to the two nozzles underneath — otherwise, the new basket won’t fit down far enough. Looks like this:

Some people choose to simply trim off the top of that insert so it can stay in there, which does offer the benefit of keeping the aforementioned screw hole covered so espresso won’t drip out of it. However, that does immediately put us into “warranty ending” territory, so keep that in mind.

Grinder

As soon as you switch to a non-pressurized basket, you must have an espresso-capable grinder to get good results. That’s just the way it is.

I recently wrote about the Baratza Sette 270, which is among the best “entry-level” grinders — which, again, is a somewhat loose term given that it costs $399 new. The very nature of espresso prevents you from spending pour-over coffee or press pot levels of money to get top-tier results.

If you’re okay with using a manual grinder, there are some models on the market designed to work for espresso, such as the Lideo E-T ($195), the Kinu M47 Phoenix ($199), or the Comandante C40 ($250). You’re still going to pay a pretty penny either way, but at least a manual grinder gives you something of a “budget” option.

Go Bottomless

One thing a lot of people do after switching to non-pressurized is actually cut off the bottom of their Dedica portafilter — with something like a Dremel or hacksaw, followed by sanding down the metal edges — to expose the bottom of the basket. This is called a “bottomless” or “naked” portafilter, and it’s the type of thing that lets you get espresso porn like this:

…and this:

…and this:

🤩☕️✨

A bottomless portafilter also helps you visually diagnose any issues with your grind distribution or tamping. If your shot pulls are channeling or spurting, you’ll be able to see it with your own eyes without the portafilter disguising the fact.

Note: The videos above feature the Dedica EC685 machine, a “Deluxe” upgrade that accommodates taller cups and has a regulator ring on the steam wand, but otherwise functions exactly the same as the 680.

Steam Wand

The Dedica comes equipped with what’s called a panarello, a metal tube-like attachment for the steam wand that, again, attempts to remove technique from the equation so you can froth milk without having to think too hard about it.

Pictured here is the panarello of the EC685 “Deluxe” machine I mentioned a minute ago. The 680 model doesn’t have that hot milk/cappuccino toggle.

If you’d rather have more control over your milk-steaming process, you have a couple options:

1. The easy option is to simply twist and remove the panarello — yes, it’s designed to do that, mainly for cleaning purposes — revealing a silicone spout inside:

   

   You can simply use that spout to steam milk, like a shorter steam wand:

2. The harder option is to replace the steam arm altogether — for example, with the Rancilio Silvia wand. This requires taking the entire case apart to reach the mechanism, but it’s still doable in an afternoon (probably not even that long) if you’re moderately handy.

Either way, you’ll get better milk microfoam suitable for doing your own latte art.

Other Equipment

Outside the machine itself, I can recommend some other paraphernalia to get the most out of your Dedica brewing experience:

• These 2.7-ounce double-walled espresso shot glasses are large enough to hold a double espresso shot each, and wide enough that you can use a single one to catch espresso from both spouts of the stock (uncut) portafilter.
• Using a trash can suuuuucks for disposing of espresso pucks after brewing. Half the time, if you’re not careful enough, the whole basket falls out into the garbage. You want a knock box nearby, which has a bar laying across a bin where you can tap the middle of the basket (rather than the edge) and thus keep it from falling out when the puck does.

• Like any coffee brewing method — and actually even moreso — making espresso is all about accuracy. You can’t very well repeat good results if you’re not measuring the weight of both your beans before grinding and the output of each shot you pull. (You’re aiming for a 1:2 ratio where the shot weighs twice as much as the beans did. So, 18g of beans should result in a 36g double shot.)

  A simple digital pocket scale with 0.1-gram accuracy works for both needs. Here’s another good one that’s even smaller but costs a couple bucks more.

• The plastic tamper + scoop that comes with the Dedica…isn’t great. Since your tamping technique will matter a lot more with the non-pressurized switchover, you’ll want a nicer, heavier tamp like this one.

  Several of the reviewers have already approved the 51mm-sized one specifically for their Dedica machines, and LuxHaus is a brand that gets a lot of props from espresso enthusiasts.

Even with all these upgrades and accessories, you’re still paying less for this espresso setup than some fancier machines cost alone. It may not be the dreamiest option around, but once you’ve got the goods and a bit of technique and practice, you’re going to be pulling tasty shots like you wouldn’t believe.

To keep things easy, here’s everything in our suggested setup rounded up into one convenient list:

• De’Longhi Dedica EC680 machine (currently $254 in red, $269 in black, and $294 in chrome)
• 51mm non-pressurized basket ($8)
• Manual grinder ($199) or electric grinder ($399)
• Rancilio Silvia steam wand ($27) — Probably the most optional item on this list.
• 2.7-ounce double-walled espresso shot glasses ($15 for two)
• Knock box ($22 for this red one to match the red Dedica)
• Digital pocket scale ($10)
• 51mm tamp ($25)

Total minimum cost: $560 — For comparison, the oft-recommended Rancilio Silvia starts at $735. Really not a bad deal at all, in espresso terms.

Last September we put together a buying guide full of classy matte black coffee gear. As a direct counterpoint to that list, we’ve decided to bring you today’s roundup of brilliantly alabaster implements for your brewing and consuming needs.

Hario’s ceramic + olive wood coffee mill. ($70)

Hario Ceramic & Olive Wood Coffee Mill »

Hario’s ceramic + wood coffee mill has a simple yet eyecatching design, sporting a combination of ceramic hopper and olive wood container in an hourglass shape that fits perfectly in your grip.

It holds up to 30g of coffee grounds, and the burr is also ceramic so there’s no metal smell or rusting to worry about. The burr can be adjusted 20 steps between coarse and fine by turning the nut under the hopper, which for most people is plenty enough fine-tuning.

The ceramic Hario V60 pour-over cone. ($23)

Hario V60 Ceramic Pour-Over Coffee Dripper »

Hario also produces the far more widely known ceramic V60 dripper, a classic standby for pour-over drinkers everywhere. If you’ve ever been to a coffee shop that does pour-over coffee, the V60 is probably what they use. It makes a delicious cup of coffee and cleanup is a piece of cake.

The ceramic V60 pairs quite beautifully with JM&Sons’ “flat white” pour-over coffee stand — however, as of this writing the studio is in the midst of relaunching their online shop so you’ll have to wait a while before you can purchase anything from them again.

Fellow’s Stagg EKG kettle in matte white. ($149)

Fellow “Stagg EKG” Variable-Temp Gooseneck Kettle »

With any pour-over brewing method you’ll need a good gooseneck kettle. Fellow’s matte white Stagg EKG is a fine choice indeed, with its brilliant white color, variable temperature control, and ergonomically counterbalanced handle. You might also consider the verson of it they produced with Blue Bottle, which features lovely maple wood accents.

The Flair Signature espresso maker. ($239)

Flair Signature Manual Espresso Maker »

If espresso is how you prefer to start your day over simple brewed coffee, then you’ll want to check out the Flair espresso maker. It’s not a machine, but rather a 100% human-powered press. Pressing down on the lever produces 8–12 bars of pressure — right in the sweet spot for getting that lovely crema and mouthfeel that signify a great espresso shot.

Fellow’s “Carter” travel mug. ($30 for 12 oz, $35 for 16 oz)

Fellow “Carter” Vacuum-Insulated Travel Mug »

Now that we’ve covered grinding and brewing, we turn to an excellent drinking vessel: the Fellow “Carter” mug, which goes beyond vacuum-insulated temperature retention by also focusing on pleasant hand-feel and coffee aromatics — much like drinking from your favorite mug at home, but on the go.

The Carter features a matte textured exterior that feels great in the hand, plus an aromatic wide mouth so drinking your coffee becomes the multi-sensory experience it was meant to be. But they didn’t stop there — it’s also coated with ceramic on the inside to make sure your coffee tastes as good on the road as it does at home.

The stainless steel drinking lip is even tapered for maximum comfort, as opposed to a lot of travel mugs with their almost sharp sipping edges. That same lip is 69mm in diameter, perfectly wide enough to fit the V60 dripper we mentioned earlier.

If you take coffee as seriously as we do, then you already know you’d rather not fill your kitchen with a bunch of plain-jane brewing gear. You want something with a bit of class.

The élégamment noir recommendations listed below should get you there.

Fellow’s Stagg EKG electric gooseneck kettle. ($149)

Stagg EKG Kettle »

Fellow’s understated Stagg EKG is a variable-temp gooseneck kettle that pours as good as it looks, featuring the same minimalist matte black look and ergonomically counterbalanced handle as its older sibling, the original Stagg.

The EKG’s base has a temperature control knob that lets you heat water anywhere between 135°F (57°C) and 212°F (100°C), with an option to hold that temperature for an hour. After heating, the base’s built-in stopwatch can help you time your brewing process.

Compared to the 1,000-watt heating element of the similarly sleek Bonavita Interurban, the EKG’s 1,200-watt one heats all the faster.

La Pavoni’s “Apollo” manual coffee grinder. ($280)

The Apollo Manual Coffee Grinder by La Pavoni »

Few coffee grinders draw the eye like La Pavoni’s Apollo manual grinder, with a design that evokes the look of an ancient Greek column — and appropriately so, given its name. Don’t worry, it has the high level of performance to back up its good looks.

The Apollo boasts a main unibody and other parts that are CNC machined from solid anodized aluminum. Even the crank handle feels super thick and solid. The 48mm Italmill conical burrs inside have a NanoTech coating that should protect them from corrosion and lend them a longer life.

On the performance side, it can grind up to 25g of coffee at a time, with settings from coarse to espresso. It allows for surprisingly fine levels of adjustment, too. And, those vertical grooves on the “column” aren’t just for looks; they make it easy to hold while grinding so it doesn’t have to be gripped too tightly.

Mecraft ceramic pour-over dripper in matte black. ($13)

Mecraft Ceramic Coffee Dripper »

You’ve got the kettle, you’ve got the grinder, now you need something to actually brew the coffee with. That’s where Mecraft’s matte black ceramic dripper comes in. It’s ideal for brewing 1–2 cups of great pour-over coffee, it’s easy to clean afterward, and at only $13, it looks way more expensive than it really is.

The Flair Signature manual espresso maker. ($199)

Flair “Signature Black” Manual Espresso Press »

Maybe espresso is more your style. If you don’t mind manually pressing out your shots, the Flair “Signature” espresso maker is a chic, 100% human-powered press for brewing espresso at home — no batteries or power plug necessary. The action all comes from pressing down on the lever, which produces 8–12 bars of pressure — right in the sweet spot for getting that lovely crema and mouthfeel that signify a great espresso shot.

The Technivorm Moccamaster KBG drip coffee maker in matte black. ($329)

Technivorm Moccamaster KBG Coffee Brewer »

Okay, maybe you hate the idea of fussing over your coffee brewing and just want it done. Not to worry, the Technivorm Moccamaster KB boasts an easy one-button operation that will let you reclaim some of those precious early minutes of the day without sacrificing the quality of your morning coffee.

In true European style — Technivorm is a 50-year-old Dutch company, after all — the Moccamaster combines exceptional drip coffee with stylish design. Not only is it easy to operate, it also brews quickly and quietly (4 to 6 minutes per full 40oz pot) and is built to last.

  + We’ve got more details on the “KB” model brewer here. The only major difference is that the KBG (pictured above) has an automatic drip-stop (meaning you pull out the carafe and the machine stops automatically) while the KB has to be stopped manually.

The travel-friendly Espro Press. ($31)

Espro Travel Coffee Press »

Need to make coffee on the go? Well, the Espro Press is a nifty invention that essentially combines a French press with a travel mug.

The main body is your standard double-walled stainless steel insulated tumbler that can keep liquids hot for 4–6 hours. What makes it special is the double micro-filter integrated with the drinking lid, which means you can brew your coffee, twist the travel lid on, throw the whole thing into your bag, and go.

Zojirushi stainless steel mug. ($25 for the 16-ounce one, or $28 for the 20-ounce)

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug »

If you don’t require your drinking vessel to have a coffee press built in, the Zojirushi stainless steel mug is the space shuttle of vacuum-insulated travel mugs. It almost defies logic how many hours it can keep coffee hot (or cold, if you prefer that sort of thing).

To this day we can’t believe how consistent the temperature retention is, and yet the exterior is always comfortable to the touch. It’s totally spill-proof too, and even has a lock to prevent the lid from opening accidentally. The lid also disassembles for easy cleaning, so no worrying about gross gunk building up in there.

And now, I’ll leave you with this fantastic photo by Bhagas Nissreyasa:

There is no shortage of awesome coffee stuff in the world to nerd out about, and we take full advantage of that. Some products, however, stand out from the crowd.

Just in the past year, we’ve come across half a dozen coffee gizmos that delight us moreso than others, with uses ranging from grinding to brewing to storage. Let’s take a look.

Nanopresso Portable Espresso Maker »

($51–$57, depending on color)

With the Nanopresso handheld espresso maker as your travel companion, you can make yourself an excellent cup of espresso just about anywhere. You can use it with hot or cold water, and you’ll still get a lovely crema out of it — no battery or electricity needed.

It come in black, red, yellow, and orange.

  + Read our original post here.

HyperChiller V2 Iced Coffee Maker »

($30)

Want a glass of cold coffee but don’t have the patience for dealing with special brewing methods? With the HyperChiller V2, you could have some perfect iced coffee in about one minute after brewing a fresh pot. It’s essentially a glorified ice pack made just for this purpose.

  + Read our original post here.

The Apollo Manual Coffee Grinder by La Pavoni »

($280)

Few coffee grinders draw the eye like La Pavoni’s Apollo manual grinder, with a design that evokes the look of an ancient Greek column — and appropriately so, given its name. Don’t worry, it has the high level of performance to back up its good looks.

There are four colors to choose from: champagne gold, matte black, silver, and something called “grape champagne gold” (a sort of brassy rose gold).

  + Read our original post here.

Brim Electric Handheld Burr Grinder »

($70)

If grinding coffee by hand isn’t your favorite morning ritual — believe us, we’ve been there — Brim’s electric handheld grinder is a quality, affordable, and most importantly, compact burr grinder on par with, say, the Porlex JP-30, except motorized instead of manually cranked. It’s also a bit quieter, which is nice.

  + Read our original post here.

Fellow “Prismo” Espresso-Style Attachment for AeroPress »

($25)

The folks at Fellow — makers of the Stagg EKG kettle — have an interesting product called Prismo that attaches to your AeroPress coffee maker (in place of the existing cap) and produces a full-bodied, espresso-like shot. No, it’s not actually espresso, but it’s pretty dang close and you don’t have to buy a whole separate machine.

  + Read our original post here.

Ankomn Turn-N-Seal Container »

($30)

Coffee keeps you fresh, right? Well, the Turn-N-Seal container keeps the coffee fresh. Once you’ve popped the lid on, you can turn that big dial in either direction about 8–10 times to create an airtight seal, causing the silicone indicator in the corner to sink.

No electricity required, and it keeps your coffee beans (or loose-leaf tea) fresher, longer.

  + Read our original post here.

In what is slowly becoming a favorite series of mine to write, today’s guide focuses on coffee brewing paraphernalia that isn’t 100% necessary to have in your life, but is worthy of your consideration all the same.

Whether you want anything on this list for yourself or you’re looking for something novel to gift a loved one, I bet at least one thing here will pique your interest.

The Tias Kettle by Os Tableware. ($220)

The Tias Kettle »

The Norwegian-made, timeless-looking Tias Kettle by Os Tableware isn’t just any kettle. It’s designed for brewing what’s called kokekaffe (don’t ask us to pronounce it), a traditional Scandinavian kettle-steeped coffee sometimes referred to as “cowboy coffee”.

The brewing process is actually similar to what happens inside a French press: You mix some coffee into the water boiling inside, let them get to know each other a few minutes, then serve. You’re probably thinking, “Wait, wouldn’t you just be pouring the grounds directly into your cup?” Good question, but no. The Tias Kettle has a removable plastic flow restrictor in its spout, which prevents grit from entering the cup while still letting all those tasty coffee oils through.

In the end, this is a novel way to brew coffee for you and any guests you have over.

As far as we’re aware, for North American customers the Tias Kettle is only available for $220 from Heart Coffee Roasters in Portland, OR. For those of you in Europa, Asia, and Africa, check Os Tableware’s international retailer list to find one more locally.

The Fellow “Prismo” espresso-style attachment for AeroPress. ($25)

Fellow “Prismo” Attachment for AeroPress »

The folks at Fellow — makers of the Stagg EKG kettle — have an interesting product called Prismo that attaches to your AeroPress coffee maker (in place of the existing cap) and produces an espresso-like shot. No, it’s not actually espresso, but it’s pretty dang close and you don’t have to buy a whole separate machine.

It’s comprised of two main features: a pressure-actuated valve and a reusable fine-mesh stainless steel filter. The airtight valve doesn’t drip unless you put pressure on it, solving the “slow drip” problem inherent to the AeroPress. Two things to keep in mind:

1. It does take more pressure to pull a shot from Prismo than you’d apply for a typical AeroPress brew, so expect a bit of an arm workout.
2. Don’t use it on a thin/fragile glass vessel.

If you’ve brewed with an AeroPress before, you’ll feel right at home using Prismo.

The resulting shot is full-bodied and has a long-lasting “crema”, with a thickness and consistency comparable to traditional espresso. You can even do a bit of latte art with it. If you think tomorrow will call for some cold brew, it can do that too.

Gourmia foldable travel kettle. ($28 for black, $25 for white)

Gourmia Foldable Travel Kettle »

The Gourmia GK320B foldable kettle is a silicone kettle that’s great for making coffee or tea on the go, then collapses down for easy storage. It works with two different voltages (100-120V and 220-240v) so you can bring it anywhere your travels take you. It holds enough water for 1 or 2 cups, and the heating element boils water within minutes.

The main downside is that the silicone interior can at first impart a funny taste and smell to the water you heat in it. To remedy this, you can simply boil water in it a few times — preferably with either a couple teaspoons of baking soda or some vinegar (but not both!) — and give it a good rinsing afterward. The silver ring around the top of the base also gets extremely hot during use, so be mindful not to burn your hand on it.

Breville Barista Express espresso machine. ($599)

Breville “Barista Express” Espresso Machine »

A home espresso machine is one of those specialty tools that almost no one needs, but for that person who really wants one, it pays to have one that does it all. Breville’s Barista Express fits the bill. It has a built-in conical burr grinder (sweet!), super accurate PID (proportional integral derivative) temperature control, an articulating steam wand for frothing milk, and includes all the accessories you need for pulling shots and steaming milk.

Osaka pour-over driper + wood stand. ($45 for mahogany, $50 for natural)

Osaka Pour-Over Coffee Dripper with Wood Stand »

Let’s be honest, brewing pour-over coffee doesn’t have to be all that complicated. Most people don’t need a full rig in their kitchen to get the job done. However, if you’re truly dedicated to this brewing style, Osaka’s handsome pour-over coffee dripper w/ wood stand is a full set that has just about everything you need (minus a kettle).

It includes:

1. A wire stand with a stainless steel drip plate and water-resistant wooden trim. Also sports non-slip grips underneath.
2. Stainless steel double cone filter.
3. 20 oz. borosilicate glass carafe, which — in addition to being thermal shock-resistant — won’t absorb any odors, chemicals or residue from the coffee you brew.

Richard Sapper’s Alessi 9091 melodic kettle. ($225)

Alessi 9091 Melodic Kettle »

Need a little music in your water-boiling routine? Check out Richard Sapper’s delightful Alessi 9091 kettle, which sports a brass whistle that produces a pleasant little melody when the water’s ready, rather than an ear-piercing screech.

The thing is, it’s not that good of a kettle as these things go. It’s certainly very solidly constructed, maybe even indestructible, but there are tradeoffs: The kettle is quite heavy even when empty, and it takes a long time to heat up. It’s also pretty expensive, at $225.

But, we’d argue you wouldn’t buy something like this for practicality anyway. You can use it like a normal kettle, but it’s more of a fun collector’s item from the 1980s — a quirky art piece you can show off to your friends and family.

Ever heard the quote, Every day, somebody’s born who’s never seen The Flintstones? I think about it a lot.

As a blogger, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking everything I write about is already known by everyone, or that our audience on T&T has seen everything we’ve ever published. It’s good to remember that every day, someone might be part of the lucky 10,000 to learn something new-to-them.

With that in mind, I thought I’d put together a “back to basics” guide on coffee brewing. We’ve certainly covered this topic in a number of ways, so think of this guide as a compilation/remix of all that information.

Getting Started

Making great coffee from home is almost entirely a matter of having the right gear, fresh beans (i.e. roasted within the last two weeks), and a recipe. We’ll get to the gear and brewing methods in a bit, but where do you source fresh coffee beans from?

You typically have two options:

1. Buy some from a local coffee roaster. (Ask them for whatever’s been roasted most recently.)
2. Use a subscription delivery service like Crema.co or Blue Bottle.

Whichever way you go, you’ll need a way to store the beans that keeps them fresher, longer. We’ve always recommended the 64oz. Airscape coffee canister. It uses a two-lid system (one inner, one outer) wherein the inner lid is pressed down onto the coffee itself, forcing air out through its one-way valve and creating an airtight seal. The outer lid has a rubber seal of its own for added freshness, and lets you stack multiple Airscapes together if you like.

One last thing: If you want to make use of brewing recipes, be sure to pick up a decent kitchen scale to accurately measure how much coffee and water you’re working with.

Brewing Implements

Next, you’ll want to decide how you’d like to brew your coffee. There are many ways to get the job done well, and let’s just say they all preclude the use of K-Cups.

If you just want to make a good cup of coffee every morning without going nuts about gear, then we recommend these three starting basics: a good burr grinder, a simple coffee maker, and an electric gooseneck kettle.

A good conical burr grinder: Our two favorite entry-level grinders are the Baratza Encore and the Bodum Bistro.

At the risk of snobbery, we only use burr grinders and never blade grinders:

• Burr grinders produce a consistent grind without damaging your coffee beans. We tend to prefer conical burrs over flat burrs because they grind more slowly, so they’re quieter and less likely to overheat the coffee.
• Blade grinders don’t actually grind your coffee beans, they chop them and give you a combination of tiny dust specks, medium bits, and larger chunks all in there together. Brewing this jambalaya of coffee grounds means some of the coffee will get grossly over-brewed while some of it will be under-brewed. Blade grinders also tend to statically charge and overheat the grounds, causing them to stick to everything and taste awful besides.

If you think a manual grinder is more up your alley — maybe you need a daily arm workout, or you want something to travel with — then we suggest the Porlex JP-30. Or, if you’d like an upgrade over the Baratza Encore, check out their Virtuoso model.

A simple coffee maker: To this day, the AeroPress remains our favorite way to brew coffee. It’s simple to use, works with fine or coarse grinds, is easy to clean, and you can brew with it in a number of ways (including right-side-up or inverted) that all result in a heckuva cup of coffee. We’re certainly not alone in this thinking — they have world championships for this thing, and a documentary is even in the works.

One thing that’s great about the AeroPress is its portability. You can use it as the centerpiece of a whole travel coffee kit, if you like.

An electric gooseneck kettle: If there’s one kettle we recommend owning, it’s the Bonavita Variable-Temp Gooseneck (though it did recently get some competition with the release of the handsomer-but-doubly-expensive Stagg EKG). Not only does it sport a gooseneck spout for surprisingly fine pour control, it also comes with an electric base that lets you set your own temperature (°F or °C) then have the kettle hold that temperature for an hour.

One nice feature is that since the kettle’s heating element isn’t exposed, you can set it directly on a countertop or table, even while hot. There’s also a count-up timer to help you brew even more accurately.

Other Ways to Brew

• Pour-over: If you’ve ever been to a coffee shop that does pour-over coffee, the Hario V60 is probably what they use. It makes a delicious cup of coffee and cleanup is a piece of cake. When more than one cup is needed, use the iconic Chemex carafe instead.

• Press pot: No brewing method is more classic than the French press. However, in recent years there have been many interesting takes on the concept of pressing coffee. You’ve got the double-walled stainless steel Espro Press (along with its travel variant), the even larger Stanley Classic Vacuum French Press, the American Press (which falls somewhere between an AeroPress and French press), and even more.

• Siphon vacuum pot: Now we’re just having fun. A siphon pot makes coffee brewing feel like a ⚡science experiment⚡. It makes a full-bodied cup of coffee like any of the full-immersion methods above, but with a brighter taste. Not only is the coffee from the siphon delicious, it’s the most “dangerous” and exciting to brew. Make sure you get a butane mini burner and a can of butane fuel.

Brewing with a Machine

So far we’ve talked a lot about methods of brewing by hand. But what if you’re not into that? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

• Coffee maker: For all the joy we get from brewing with all the contraptions above, sometimes we just want a plain ol’ cup of drip coffee like our parents used to make. For that, we turn to the BUNN Velocity Brew.

  This is a very simple but understatedly handsome coffee maker. There’s no digital clock, and it only has two buttons: one for the machine itself, the other for the hot plate. It’s also fast. Thanks to its internal hot water tank, the Velocity can brew 10 cups’ worth of coffee in 4 minutes — no more waiting for cold water to heat up (provided you’re brewing daily and thus never giving the water in the tank a chance to evaporate away).

• Espresso machine: A home espresso machine is one of those specialty tools that almost no one needs, but for that person who really wants one, it pays to have one that does it all. Breville’s Barista Express fits the bill. It has a built-in conical burr grinder (sweet!), super accurate PID (proportional integral derivative) temperature control, an articulating steam wand for frothing milk, and includes all the accessories you need for pulling shots and steaming milk.

Cold Brewing

Ah, we finally arrive at my personal favorite kind of coffee: cold brew.

This method calls for the greatest amount of planning in advance — on the order of 24–48 hours of steeping to get it right, and certainly no less than 12 — but the smooth, mellow concentrate that results is worth the time investment. You can drink it straight for maximum caffeine buzz, cut it with water to your liking, mix in some sugar and/or milk for a refreshing treat, or blend it with ice cream to make a delicious coffee shake. (As a bonus, it makes your fridge smell awesome.)

If you want the full rundown on two awesome cold brew techniques, we have a separate guide for that. For now, we’ll point out our favorite kits for making cold brew:

• Toddy Cold Brew System: This has everything you need in one kit — the best part being that you don’t have to pour the cold brew concentrate into a separate filter/container and risk a mess. Instead, you simply pull out its cork, place the brewer over the included decanter, and let it drip on its own. The Toddy system can also brew pretty large batches, which is nice.

• OXO Good Grips Cold-Brew Coffee Maker: This setup has some advantages over the Toddy system:

  • It uses a valve to drain the coffee rather than a rubber stopper — which tends to get lost easily anyway — so you can simply flip a switch to close the valve while the cold-brew concentrate is draining, pour yourself a little to taste, and flip the switch again to let it continue draining, all without making a mess on your fingers.
  • It has a reusable mesh filter rather than those little felt pucks that are somewhat of a pain to remove and rinse.
  • It looks cooler. Not much else to say here; I mean, the Toddy brewer is basically a white plastic bucket, so it’s not a hard competition.
• Ovalware RJ3: This one uses more of an infusion basket to produce great cold brew, which also makes it ideal for brewing tea (loose leaf or bag, hot or cold).
• Hario Mizudashi: Also of the infusion type, the Mizudashi coffee pot is for those who need to make the smallest possible batches of cold brew.

When it comes to brewing coffee, no method is more classic than the French press. However, in recent years there have been many interesting takes on the concept of pressing coffee.

Below are a few of our favorites.

The AeroPress coffee maker. ($30)

AeroPress »

What, you thought we weren’t going to mention the AeroPress? Pfft, you don’t know who you’re dealing with here.

*Ahem* Anyway, the AeroPress remains our favorite way to make a cup of coffee. It’s just so simple to use and easy to clean up, plus there are lots of ways to brew with it. You can also take it with you anywhere.

Espro’s Coffee Travel Press. ($27–$33, depending on color)

Espro Coffee Travel Press »

With the Coffee Travel Press the folks at Espro took everything we loved about the original Espro Press and turned it into something you can easily take with you on the road.

The main body is your standard double-walled stainless steel insulated tumbler that can keep liquids hot for 4–6 hours. What makes it special is the double micro-filter integrated with the drinking lid, which means you can brew your coffee (or tea), twist the travel lid on, throw the whole thing into your bag, and go.

Watch their short how-to video to see it in action:

The Espro Coffee Travel Press comes in your choice of matte black ($29), brushed stainless ($27), bright white ($33), or red ($30).

+ For something in a similar vein that holds much more coffee, check out the Stanley Classic Vacuum French Press. (Temporarily out of stock as of this writing, but still worth a gander.)

The American Press coffee maker. ($80)

American Press Coffee Maker »

The American Press is a single-serve coffee maker created by a guy named Alex Albanese, with a design that falls somewhere between an AeroPress and a classic French press. That is, it’s not a full immersion brew, but more like a hand-powered percolator.

Here’s how it works:

1. You fill the internal brew basket with your coffee grounds of choice (medium-fine to coarse works best). This “pod” has micro-mesh filters (100-micron, to be exact) on both the top and bottom when closed.
2. Close the pod, thereby mounting it onto the plunger stem.
3. Fill the carafe with hot water. (The carafe is made from double-walled, air-gap insulated Tritan, meaning it’s super durable and safe to touch even with boiling water inside.)
4. Mount the plunger assembly and slowly press down. The amount of time you press can last anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes, depending on how much extraction you want.

The pressure of this brewing process forces water up through the grounds (or loose leaf tea, if that’s your thing) and into the space above the plunger, resulting in a rich, clean, and complex cup of coffee that can be poured into your vessel of choice.

Check out this video by Prima Coffee Equipment for a great overview of the American Press, plus a couple tips on ways you can experiment with your brewing:

The Manual Coffeemaker Nº3. ($115 pre-order)

Manual Coffeemaker Nº3 »

After a successfully funded Kickstarter, you can now pre-order the Manual Coffeemaker Nº3, a double-walled, hand-blown glass pitcher with a natural cork lid that can actually do any of three whole-pot coffee-brewing jobs:

1. French press (the kit includes a special cork lid with a built-in French press plunger)
2. Pour-over
3. Cold brew

Once brewed, the pitcher keeps the coffee warm for over an hour. You can also use it as an all-purpose pitcher, where the double-walled, no-sweat construction similarly helps keep drinks cool longer.

Yield Design’s borosilicate glass French press. ($85)

Yield Design’s Glass French Press Coffee Maker »

Perhaps you consider yourself something of a purist when it comes to coffee presses, and yet you appreciate owning beautiful versions of things. If that hits close to home, then you ought to check out this glass French press by Florida-based studio Yield Design.

It works the same as any French press you’ve ever used, but aesthetically speaking, it might be the most beautiful one you ever own. It’s also made from borosilicate glass, the same super durable stuff that old Pyrex kitchen products are still prized for (compared to their less-heat-resistant soda-lime glass counterparts today in the US).

This French press comes in clear, gray, and amber.

+ If glass isn’t your thing, Yield Design also offers a line of ceramic French presses.

We’re all big on traveling here at Tools & Toys. We’re also big on quality coffee. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive, despite what many think. You just have to be willing to pack an extra bag.

Below is our buying guide for assembling an awesome travel coffee kit.

The Porlex JP-30 manual coffee grinder. ($54)

Porlex JP-30 Manual Coffee Grinder »

You could grind some coffee beans before your trip and hope they stay fresh throughout, but this would be the wrong move. Instead, grind them fresh with the Porlex JP-30 manual grinder (or its mini counterpart). It has a capacity for 30g of coffee (which will brew you about two cups’ worth of joe) and can also grind anywhere between espresso and French press.

Not only is the build quality of this grinder superb, but it can actually stow inside an AeroPress for easy stowage in your travel bag. You know it’s great for traveling when sailors recommend it for grinding coffee at sea.

The AeroPress coffee maker. ($30)

AeroPress Coffee Maker »

What can we say about the AeroPress that hasn’t been said already? It’s portable, inexpensive, and makes a heckuva cup of coffee. It’s also versatile — you can use fine or coarse grinds with it, and brew it right-side-up or inverted for all sorts of combinations of different types of brews — and extremely easy to clean up. ‘Nuff said.

If you also want to put the Aeropress plunger’s open interior to good use while traveling, you can store coffee beans and paper filters in that space and keep it all sealed up with the Aeropress Travel Cap + Brewing Grip ($10) from Able Brewing Co.

The Fast Weigh pocket scale. ($12)

Fast Weigh Digital Pocket Scale »

We like brewing with the AeroPress using the “inverted” method, which we’ve detailed here. When brewing this way, it is possible to roughly measure coffee into the cylinder without weighing it on a scale first; for example, if the plunger is even with the “4” circle, fill the coffee to the “3” circle above it.

But, if you’re persnickety about getting it absolutely right, right down to the 0.1th gram, you can’t go wrong with the Fast Weigh pocket scale. It’s super compact and powered by a couple of AAA batteries. The included cover even doubles as a tray for holding beans while you’re weighing them.

Seamless Enamel Steel Mugs by Best Made Co. ($32 for a set of two, in blue or white)

Best Made Company’s Seamless Enamel Steel Mugs »

You’ve gotta have something to brew into and drink from, right? Well, these handsome coffee mugs — designed for camping use and more than tough enough for our kit (don’t microwave them though) — are forged at a 100-year-old factory in Poland using World War II-era machinery, and are made from top-quality enamel-coated steel. The rim and the handle, which are the two spots that receive the most abuse, are reinforced with a double dipping of enamel.

• Once you’ve brewed coffee into one of these mugs, if you need to take it elsewhere or simply need it to stay hot for a long time, you can always pour it into a Zojirushi stainless steel mug. (Brewing directly into the Zojirushi from an AeroPress is a difficult proposition, or else it would’ve been our main mug pick.)

Proctor Silex’s 1-liter electric kettle. ($15)

Proctor Silex 1-Liter Electric Kettle »

Let’s talk about the bulkiest item of our kit: a kettle. Now, you could try to source hot water from places you travel to — whether it’s from a hot water dispenser, heated up in a microwave, or even run through a cheapy hotel room coffee maker (we advist against this option because the water will taste terrible) — but we find that having a decent kettle on hand is worth the additional packing cost.

Our recommendation is the Proctor Silex 1-liter electric kettle. It can boil a few cups’ worth of water in about 5–7 minutes, so it works well if you’ve got a travel companion or two to brew for, or if you want to make some oatmeal alongside your coffee. The short power cable disconnects when it’s time to pour, which is nice.

Note: Keep in mind that, while the handle stays cool, the sides do get hot. Handle the kettle carefully.

Spring is officially here in the US. Those of us who live in warmer states have already enjoyed several weeks of nice weather, and it’s only going to get hotter over the next few months. You know what that means: It’s cold coffee season. (Okay, it’s always a good time for cold coffee, but especially so in spring and summer.)

Below is our guide to the hows and whys of making two kinds of cold coffee: Iced and cold brewed.

Iced Coffee vs Cold Brew — What’s the Difference?

The first thing to clear up is that iced coffee and cold brew coffee — sometimes referred to as “cold drip” or “cold press” depending on who you ask — are not the same.

Cold brew is — you guessed it — brewed cold and never heated. Brewing this way requires a minimum of 12 hours (or 24–48 hours if you want the best stuff), which results a smooth, mellow concentrate.

Pros:

• Extremely smooth, mellow flavor — almost always a nutty, chocolatey profile, regardless of bean origin.
• Less acidic, so it’s easier on your stomach.
• Easy to make, even in large quantities; the only things you need are a container, a filter, and time.
• Long shelf life (typically two weeks in a fridge).
• Can be drank straight for maximum caffeine dosage, cut with water to your liking, and/or mixed with milk & sugar or ice cream for a refreshing treat.
• Makes your kitchen/fridge smell amazing the whole time it brews.

Cons:

• Takes a long time to brew (12–48 hours), which requires some planning in advance.
• Some coffee drinkers find the mellow flavor dull and uninspiring. We disagree, but YMMV.
• Tends to work best with milk and/or sugar. Drinkers who prefer black coffee may not care for it as much.

Iced coffee is brewed hot and then either chilled (which tends to make the coffee bitter), poured over ice after brewing (which dilutes the taste), or our favorite way: brewed at double-strength directly over ice using something like an AeroPress, a Chemex, or a Hario V60 (or any other single-cup pour-over). This latter technique is known as the “Japanese iced method”, or “flash brew” in some circles.

We’ll spare you the science class on why Japanese iced coffee is good (solubility, volatility, and oxidation, oh my). Suffice it to say that, thanks to the magic of brewing the coffee hot at double-strength and cooling it instantly — i.e letting it drip directly onto ice, which also dilutes it to normal strength — it produces a cup that preserves the flavors and aromas of hot coffee. It’s pretty wild, actually.

Pros:

• Bighter, crisper, more nuanced flavor than cold brew, and with all those lovely aromatics preserved. This is honestly the best reason to make Japanese iced coffee over cold brew.
• Brews in only 3–4 minutes and can be served immediately. Impatient drinkers, raise your glasses.

Cons:

• Doesn’t pair as well with milk or ice cream; it’s meant to be consumed black, which not everyone is into.
• More acidic, which is what makes the coffee taste so complex but can also make it not sit well with some drinkers.
• Short shelf life. It’s meant to be consumed immediately, not stored for later use. Store it for any longer than a day or two, and it basically reverts to the flavor of cold brew.

Methods

Note: Regardless of which method you choose, a good coffee grinder a kitchen scale, and a gooseneck kettle are ideal tools to have on-hand if you want to reproduce the same results every time, just as with hot coffee. The scale is the least-important of these though, since we rely mainly on ratios (which are subjective anyway) to get the job done.

Photo: Dennis Miyashiro

Cold Brew Coffee

For cold brew coffee, you need:

• Some kind of container — mason jar, pitcher, Pyrex measuring cup, bucket, etc, depending on how much concentrate you’re wanting to make.
• A filter — paper filter, rice strainer, cheesecloth, an old t-shirt, whatever. (Don’t really use an old t-shirt though, because ew.)
• An appropriately-sized carafe/decanter to drip the coffee into when it’s ready.

The Toddy cold brew system. ($28)

If you’d rather not assemble those things yourself, you can always use our preferred brewer, the Toddy Cold Brew System. It’s got everything you need in one kit, the best part being that you don’t have to pour the coffee/water mixture into a separate filter/container and risk a mess; instead, you simply pull out its cork, place the brewer over the included decanter, and let it drip on its own. The Toddy system can also brew pretty large batches, which is nice.

As for how much coffee and water you need, the most common ratio is 1:2, i.e. one part of coffee to every two parts of water. This is totally subjective though, and you should experiment to find the best ratio for you. If anything, it’s better to brew too strong than vice versa; that way, you can later cut it with water to taste.

The coffee beans themselves should be ground somewhere between medium to coarse. Cold brewing works okay with fine grounds, but we’ve found coarser grinds better to work with, not so much in terms of coffee extraction but more when it comes to the filtering process at the end (coarse grinds allow the concentrate to drip faster).

Instructions:

1. Put the coffee grounds in your brewing container of choice.
2. Pour water over the grounds, gradually and evenly.

3. Give a gentle stir to make sure the grounds are all moistened.

   If you’re using the Toddy brewer, it’s recommended you NOT stir this mixture, because it tends to clog the filter pad. Instead, gently tamp the top of the grounds with a spoon or paddle to make sure they’re submerged. Also, the instructions call for a bit of water to be poured in before any coffee, which helps prevent any dry pockets of grounds at the bottom.

   If you do find later that the filter is too clogged to drip properly, try sticking a butter knife down into the mixture and gently scrape the top of the filter with it.

4. Cover the container (optional) and let it sit — either at room temperature or in the fridge — for at least 12 hours. (We prefer leaving it for 24–48 hours ourselves, but 12 gets the job done.)
5. Strain the mixture into a decanter container somehow. One way of doing this is by placing a paper filter or cheesecloth into a fine mesh strainer over the decanter.
6. Voilà! You’ve got some delicious cold brew coffee concentrate to do whatever you want with. It’ll stay good in the fridge for a couple weeks, although ours never makes it that far before it’s gone.

Like we said earlier, you can drink this concentrate straight if you’re in dire need of caffeine, or cut it with water/milk to taste. If you like, sweeten it with simple syrup or blend it with ice cream for a refreshing treat.

Photo: Sarah Hauser, Offbeat + Inspired

Japanese Iced Coffee

As with cold brew, there are many ways to make Japanese iced coffee. Our favorite method involves the 6-cup Chemex brewer, so we’ll use that as our example.

The key here is that, whatever amount of water you would normally use to brew hot coffee, you want to replace half that amount with ice placed in the Chemex instead.

What you’ll need:

• Chemex + filter (paper or metal)
• Gooseneck kettle (← this one is a variable-temp model that lets you set an exact temperature and hold it for an hour)
• Timer (there are plenty available for iPhone)
• 8 oz of ice (typically, one ice cube = ~1 oz of water, so use 8 cubes)
• 8 oz (1 US cup) of water
• 1 oz (30 grams / 2 tbsp) ground coffee — if you like a stronger brew, you can add another half-ounce or tablespoon

Instructions:

1. If you’re using a paper filter, rinse it with hot water and dump the rinse water from the Chemex. (This water is not counted in the 8 oz listed above.)
2. Set kettle to 206°F if you have the variable-temp model we linked above, or otherwise bring the water to boil and let it sit for a few seconds.
3. While the water is boiling, fill the Chemex carafe with ice, get the filter in place, and place your coffee grounds into the filter.
4. Pour a portion of the hot water over the grounds (just enough to cover them) like you would a normal pour-over: in a circular motion, starting from the center and working your way outward.
5. Let the coffee bloom and drip for 30 seconds, then continue pouring the water over the grounds in the same circular motion.
6. When it finishes dripping a few minutes later, remove and dispose of the filter, and give the Chemex a swirl to make sure everything mixes nicely.
7. The now-diluted iced coffee is ready to serve. Pour it into a glass (or glasses) of your choice and enjoy!

It’s no secret that we obsess a bit about awesome coffee gear here at Tools & Toys, particularly when it comes to pourover methods.

In addition to a good grinder, you’ll also want to have a great kettle on-hand. Here are a few of our favorites, in terms of both practicality and interesting design. This guide focuses primarily on gooseneck models, with the exception of one kettle at the end that would make a great gift for the coffee-accessory collector in your life.

Bonavita’s variable-temp gooseneck kettle. ($69)

Bonavita Variable-Temp Gooseneck Kettle »

If there is one kettle we would recommend owning, it’s the Bonavita Variable-Temp Gooseneck.

Not only does it sport a gooseneck spout for surprisingly fine pour control — the kettle looks deceptively unwieldy at first sight — it also comes with an electric base that lets you set your own temperature (°F or °C) or use one of the six presets available, then have the kettle hold that temperature for an hour. There’s also a count-up timer to help you brew even more accurately. One nice feature is that since the kettle’s heating element isn’t exposed, you can set it directly on a countertop or table, even while hot.

Needless to say, if you want to take your pourover coffee game to the next level, this is the kettle to have. As The New York Times once put it, “It’s like picking up a drafting pen after only writing with Magic Markers.”

[Don’t care for fancy temperature control, or simply want to save a few bucks? Check out the variable-temp’s non-adjustable counterpart ($55).]

The Hario Buono coffee drip kettle. ($36)

Hario Buono Coffee Drip Kettle »

Ever been in a coffee shop where they offer pourover coffee? Then you’ve probably seen the Hario Buono kettle in-use or sitting on the counter — and for good reason. For just $36 you get the same sort of pour control as the Bonavita Variable-Temp above, but in a cool retro-style body.

While it, like most kettles, cannot be pre-adjusted to an exact temperature, nor is it self-powered (unless you want to spend nearly twice the money, in which case just get the Bonavita), it can be placed directly on a stovetop burner, gas or electric.

Honorable mentions in this category:

• Fino Pour Over Kettle
• Kalita Wave Kettle

Takahiro gooseneck kettle. ($83)

Takahiro Gooseneck Kettle »

Imported from Japan, the Takahiro gooseneck kettle sacrifices an insulated handle for a gorgeous design and probably the most delicate pour control of the bunch. The folks at Blue Bottle agree:

There is no kettle, in our opinion, that is as silky and responsive to a pour. After a little practice, we got a stream of water that was so slow — yet fine and unbroken — that we could see the individual drops of water cohere like we were pouring the tiniest pearl necklace.

We recommend using this kettle with an electric burner, because open flame can cause the handle to become extremely hot. If you must boil on a gas burner, try to offset the kettle so that the handle is not directly above the flame. Its base is a bit smaller than many US-made kettles, so this should be doable in most kitchens.

Monarch Methods’ copper gooseneck kettle. ($105)

Monarch Methods Gooseneck Kettle »

The Canadian-made Monarch Methods pour over kettle is among the more unique designs we’ve seen, with its small copper construction and handle-less design. You grip it by the tanned harness leather insulator rather than an external handle, giving you better control over the pour. The lid has a recessed port for a thermometer (not included) should you need one.

It should be noted that this kettle is designed for preheated water and not intended for direct heat.

As of this writing, the 320ml kettle is about $105 USD, and the larger 500ml model is $120 USD.

Richard Sapper’s Alessi 9091 Melodic Kettle. ($249)

Alessi 9091 Melodic Kettle »

Need a little music in your water-boiling routine? Check out Richard Sapper’s delightful Alessi 9091 kettle, which sports a brass whistle that produces a pleasant little melody when the water’s ready, rather than an ear-piercing screech.

The thing is, it’s not really all that good of a kettle, as these things go. It’s certainly very solidly constructed, maybe even indestructible, but there are tradeoffs: The kettle is quite heavy even when empty, and it takes a long time to heat up. It’s also pretty expensive, at $249.

But, we’d argue you wouldn’t buy something like this for practicality anyway. You can use it like a normal kettle, but it’s more of a fun collector’s item from the 1980s — a quirky art piece you can show off to your friends and family.

Nearly a year ago, around the time of our big relaunch, we published the updated version of our guide to awesome coffee gear.

We still stand by that guide. However, being the coffee nerds we are, we thought a follow-up guide with even more great coffee accoutrements would be fun to put together, so here it is. Let’s get right to it, shall we?

The BUNN Velocity Brew coffee maker. ($96)

BUNN Velocity Brew Coffee Maker »

For all the joy we get from brewing with odd contraptions like the AeroPress or a Chemex + gooseneck kettle pourover setup, sometimes we just want a plain ol’ cup of drip coffee like our parents used to make. For that, we turn to the BUNN Velocity Brew.

This is a very simple but understatedly handsome coffee maker. There’s no digital clock, and it only has two buttons: one for the machine itself, the other for the hot plate. It’s also fast. Thanks to its internal hot water tank, the Velocity can brew 10 cups’ worth of coffee in 4 minutes — no more waiting for cold water to heat up (provided you’re brewing daily and thus never giving the water in the tank a chance to evaporate away).

Read our full review of the BUNN Velocity Brew for more details.

The Porlex JP-30 manual grinder. ($40)

Porlex JP-30 Manual Coffee Grinder »

Whereas many burr coffee grinders we’ve recommended in the past have been electric, the Porlex JP-30 is all manual. While manual grinders can be slow and annoying for some, their clear advantages are 1) portability and 2) the ability to grind even during a power outage.

Out of all the great manual grinders out there, we like the JP-30 most because its build quality is superb and it can stow inside an AeroPress for travel purposes. (You know it’s great for traveling when sailors recommend it for grinding coffee at sea.)

It has a capacity for 30g of coffee (which will brew you about two cups’ worth of joe) and can also grind anywhere between espresso and French press. Just don’t necessarily think of it as a primary grinder unless you want an arm workout every morning before you get your caffeine fix.

Seamless Enamel Steel Mugs by Best Made Co. ($32 for a set of two, in blue or white)

Best Made Company’s Seamless Enamel Steel Mugs »

These handsome coffee mugs are forged at a 100-year-old factory in Poland using World War II-era machinery, and are made from top-quality enamel-coated steel. The rim and the handle — the two spots that receive the most abuse — are reinforced with a double dipping of enamel. These cups are ostensibly made for use by the campfire, but are fine enough that they may find their way into your kitchen cabinet as well.

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug. ($26–$29, depending on your choice of 12oz, 16oz, or 20oz)

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug »

If you prefer to take your coffee on the go, Zojirushi’s stainless steel mug is the space shuttle of vacuum-insulated travel mugs. It keeps drinks hot or cold for hours — up to half a day, in our experience (not that it takes us that long to consume coffee).

We’re constantly amazed how consistent the temperature retention is, and yet the exterior is always comfortable to the touch. It’s totally spill-proof, and even has a lock to prevent the lid from opening accidentally. The lid also disassembles for easy cleaning, so no worrying about gross gunk building up in there.

Honorable mentions in this category: the Contigo autoseal tumbler and the Stelton vacuum jug.

The Ekobrew refillable K-Cup. ($14)

Ekobrew Stainless Steel Elite — A Refillable K-Cup for Keurig Coffee Brewers »

I (Chris) have mixed feelings about Keurig brewers. There’s no denying their sheer convenience — I mean, you literally just push a button to brew — but those disposable K-Cup pods are wasteful and tend to produce a subpar cup of coffee besides. Despite this, none of my relatives seem anxious to be rid of their machines.

The Ekobrew Stainless Steel Elite seems the best workaround for this problem. Rather than tossing out K-cup after K-cup, you simply fill the reusable Ekobrew with your own freshly-ground coffee and brew as normal. When it’s done you empty the Ekobrew, quickly rinse it out, and it’s ready to use again. A dispersion cone under the lid helps disperse hot water more evenly, while the cup’s many side- and bottom-perforations allow for a better extraction.

You can get the Ekobrew on Amazon for about $14. I recommend buying two so you can easily swap them back and forth.

(Note: These will not work with Keurig VUE brewers, along with other models listed on the Amazon page.)

Toddy Cold Brew System. ($37)

Toddy Cold Brew System »

We’ve talked a lot about ways to make hot coffee, but what about a little iced goodness? If you enjoy treating yourself to some cold brew coffee as much as we do, you can’t go wrong with the Toddy Cold Brew System.

It’s nothing fancy, really: Just a plastic bin, a glass container, a filter, and a cork. But combined, this stuff makes for a simple way to make a large amount of smooth, delicious, cold coffee concentrate with a refrigerator life of 3 weeks. We recommend brewing for 48 hours (the minimum is 12) for best effect.

Rip van Wafels ($25 for pack of 16)

Rip van Wafels »

Okay, okay, we know, Rip van Wafels aren’t technically “coffee gear”. Bear with us on this one.

Based on The Netherlands’ traditional stroopwafel, Rip van Wafels are cookies comprised of two thin, mildly-spiced waffles with a thin middle layer of caramel. The idea is, when it’s time to take a coffee break — koffietijd, as they call it in Amsterdam — you place one of these wafels over a fresh, hot cup o’ joe and let it soak in all those great aromas before eating it. While the coffee cools and the wafel heats, you get a few moments to yourself to sit quietly and reflect. Calming and mindful, as all coffee breaks should be.

What we like about Rip van Wafels is that they are not only tasty, but relatively healthy. Each wafel is only 130 calories and 8g of sugar, and they use all-natural ingredients — no HFCS, preservatives, or any such garbage you’d find in other packaged snacks. In fact, they’re quite nice to munch on during long bike rides.

They come in packs of 16 for $25, in either original caramel or dark chocolate + sea salt versions. If neither of these is enough to satisfy your wafel needs, Rip van Wafels offer a monthly subscription service, which can also include coffee or tea.

This morning, the Apple Watch embargo lifted and the in-depth reviews have already started pouring in.

We and our fellow Apple nerds have a lot of reading ahead of us, so here at Tools & Toys we figured, why not put together a list of our favorite AeroPress coffee-brewing recipes and other related miscellany? By the twentieth reading of the word fluoroelastomer you’ll be glad you were caffeinated enough to push through.

Just be careful about trying all the recipes at once. Our goal isn’t necessarily to have you seeing in new colors or vibrating into higher dimensions. Pace yourself and enjoy in moderation.

Brewing Equipment

Before we get started, here’s what you’ll need for brewing:

• An AeroPress, of course. We love this brewer because it’s simple to use and easy to clean.
• Fresh coffee beans. We recommend starting up a Blue Bottle Coffee subscription to continually have fresh beans delivered right to your door.
• A coffee grinder. If you don’t know which one to pick, you can’t go wrong with the Baratza Encore.
• A digital scale to weigh the beans and water. Luckily, as of this writing the Ozeri Touch 12 lb. Digital Scale is on sale for just $20 (down from $25).
• A gooseneck kettle for accurate water pouring.
• A timer of some sort. Here are some good suggestions for iPhone.
• And last but not least, a great coffee mug.

P.S. It never hurts to emotionally prep yourself with Adam Lisagor’s video tribute to the AeroPress:

Now, onto the recipes!

AeroPress’d Americano

Essentially a standard AeroPress brew, with some additional hot water at the end.

• 16g finely ground coffee
• Add 125 ml. of hot water (about 195°F.)
• Stir quickly, then slowly press the coffee — taking approximately 60 seconds for a total brew time
• After the coffee is made, add hot water to taste (about 100ml works for us.)
• Enjoy

Inverted AeroPress

This is how we prefer to brew most of the time.

Note: To brew a cup of coffee with the AeroPress inverted, place the rubber plunger into the top of the AeroPress until it’s even with the “4” circle. Then, set the AeroPress upside down so that what is now the “top” is where the filter and cap screw on.

• 15g of medium-grind coffee
• Begin a timer / stopwatch
• Quickly add 50 ml. of hot water (just off boiling)
• Let bloom (i.e. don’t touch it) until the timer says 45 seconds
• Add 200 ml. more of water (thus making a total of 250ml.).
• Stir, the add the filter cap and let sit until the timer says 90 seconds
• Flip over the AeroPress and press the coffee, finishing up by the time the timer reaches 2 minutes
• Enjoy

2012 World AeroPress Championship Recipe

A trusty favorite.

• 18g coarsely ground coffee
• Slowly add 225 ml. of hot water (just off boiling)
• Stir, then slowly press the coffee, stopping the press as soon as you hear the “hiss”
• Enjoy

You can find more AeroPress Championship recipes here.

The “Just Add Water” Method

This is another “inverted”-style recipe, but less finnicky than the one above. The video was recorded by the guys at Tonx before they were acquired by Blue Bottle.

• 14g finely ground coffee
• Add 220g of hot water
• Start a timer for 1min 30sec
• Stir the coffee
• Flip AeroPress over, then press slowly and evenly into mug until you hear the “hiss”
• Enjoy

Jeremy’s Winning AeroPress Recipe

Jeremy Moore, founder of Bonlife Coffee, won the 2014 U.S. AeroPress Championship with this recipe.

• 17g of coffee, ground mid-fine (during the competition, Jeremy used Peru Cecovasa from Stumptown Coffee Roasters)
• Pour 260 grams of 202°F water slowly over coffee in a circular motion, taking approximately 46 seconds
• Stir once
• Place plunger onto AeroPress and let brew for another 47 seconds (don’t push just yet)
• Plunge slowly for 48 seconds
• Enjoy

Verve Coffee Roasters Method

Another simple inverted brew.

• 14g of coffee, ground a little finer than drip
• Add 200g of hot water (as the video says, pour “viciously” to really mix everything up)
• Give the mixture a good stir
• Cap the AeroPress, then leave it for one minute
• Flip AeroPress and plunge for anywhere between 15 to 30 seconds, and as always, stop when you hear the “hiss”
• Enjoy

Heart Roasters Method

View this recipe as a nicely-formatted PDF here.

• 18 grams of coffee, ground a bit finer than filter drip
• Start timer and pour 270g of hot water (between 200°F and 205°F)
• Pull water off of the boil, and wait 45 seconds to a minute, or until the water is 200-205 degrees Fahrenheit
• Stir coffee, then place plunger in just enough to seal the top (which prevents the “bleed-through” issue people tend to have with non-inverted methods, where some of the coffee drips into the mug before you’re ready to plunge)
• At 50 seconds, remove the plunger, and stir for five seconds. Then place the plunger back onto the AeroPress (again, to prevent any bleed-through)
• At about 1 minute 45 seconds, remove plunger again and stir for another five seconds
• Place the plunger and slowly push down for about 20 seconds, until you hear the “hiss”
• Enjoy

Here at Tools & Toys, we like to think of ourselves as discerning coffee drinkers. As such, we’ve become fans of specific coffee mugs over the years.

Some are perfect for travel, some are tough enough for the outdoors, and some we like simply because they’re quirky. This is by no means an exhaustive list but you may come away with a cool new mug (or three) to add to your collection. We know you have one.

Seamless Enamel Steel Mugs by Best Made Co. ($32 for a set of two, in blue or white)

Best Made Company’s Seamless Enamel Steel Mugs »

This mug is forged at a 100-year-old factory in Poland using World War II-era machinery, and is made from top-quality enamel-coated steel. The rim and the handle — the two spots that get the most abuse — are reinforced with a double dipping of enamel. This cup is made for use by the campfire, but it’s fine enough that it may find its way into your kitchen cabinet as well. If that happens, don’t worry about it. Who could blame you?

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug ($27–$39, depending on your choice of 12oz, 16oz, or 20oz)

Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug »

Zojirushi’s stainless steel mug is the space shuttle of vacuum-insulated travel mugs. It keeps drinks hot or cold for hours — up to half a day, in our experience (not that it takes us that long to consume coffee).

We couldn’t believe how consistent the temperature retention is, and yet the exterior is always comfortable to the touch. It’s totally spill-proof, and even has a lock to prevent the lid from opening accidentally. The lid also disassembles for easy cleaning, so no worrying about gross gunk building up in there.

Honorable mentions in this category: the Contigo autoseal tumbler and the Stelton vacuum jug.

KeepCup Brew ($24–$26)

Photo: Alex Bernson, Sprudge

KeepCup Brew »

The KeepCup Brew — a newer glass version of the plastic KeepCup Original — is a reusable coffee cup that aims to do away with wasteful, disposable paper cups and look great doing it. If you frequently stop in for a quick cup at a local coffee shop or ever need to take your home-brewed coffee on-the-go, the KeepCup Brew is your friend.

Made from durable, fully-tempered soda lime glass and sporting a silicone thermal band around the middle, the KeepCup Brew also features a redesigned version of the original’s eco-friendly plastic lid that makes it easier than ever to sip from and clean later. The colors of the lid, band, and plug can all be customized during the ordering process.

It’s available in two sizes:

• Small ($24): 8oz/227ml – The same size as a standard latte glass.
• Medium ($26): 12oz/340ml — Comfortably supports an Aeropress.

The glass portion is microwavable (but not the lid, so leave it off!) and can even hold boiling water, although they don’t necessarily recommend it in most cases.

KeepCup also offers a limited edition series (pictured above) that sports a cork band instead of silicone. It’s a bit more expensive, costing $30 for the small and $32 for the medium, but it looks way cooler.

Bodum double wall glass mugs. ($29 for a set of 2)

Bodum Pavina Double Wall Glass Mugs »

These delicate mugs work wonders to keep your coffee (or tea) hotter for longer. They’re made from a heat-resistant borosilicate glass that doesn’t sweat, and they’re insulated enough that you won’t burn yourself holding one.

Just be careful handling them, they are surprisingly fragile and require an extra gentle touch. Don’t put them in the dishwasher, these are hand-wash only. We also recommend using bamboo stir sticks over metal spoons (they steal less heat from the liquid anyway).

Cuppow ($8–$15)

Cuppow »

If drinking cold brew coffee out of a mason jar is your thing, you’ll appreciate having a Cuppow around. It’s a BPA-free plastic lid that essentially converts the jar into a travel mug. You can sip straight from the lid or use a straw, whichever you prefer.

There are a variety of Cuppow colors and sizes to choose from, whether you’re drinking from a regular-mouth or large-mouth jar. Prices for single lids are about $8 or $9. Double packs are also available for $15.

For hot drinks, try slipping one of these bridle leather sleeves over the jar. They look pretty sweet, and keep your hands from getting scalded.