Equipment
Grinders, kettles, scales, and brewers — what actually matters and what doesn't.
Good equipment matters, but not all equipment matters equally. The hierarchy: grinder > water > scale > brewer > kettle.
Spend money on your grinder first. A mediocre brewer with an excellent grinder will outperform the inverse every time.
Grinders
Grind consistency is everything. Uneven particles mean some over-extract and some under-extract simultaneously.
Burr Types
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Flat burr | Consistent, unimodal distribution | Expensive, retention |
| Conical burr | Low retention, forgiving | Bimodal distribution |
| Blade (propeller) | Cheap | Avoid — produces dust and chunks |
Grinder Recommendations by Budget
| Budget | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| €30–60 | Hario Slim / Timemore C2 | Hand grinders, surprisingly good |
| €80–150 | Timemore C3 / 1Zpresso JX | Hand grinders, excellent for filter |
| €150–300 | Baratza Encore ESP | Entry electric, versatile |
| €300–600 | Niche Zero / Eureka Mignon | Excellent for espresso + filter |
| €600+ | Comandante C40, Weber Key | Premium hand; or DF64 Gen 2 for electric |
Scales
Precision is essential for repeatability. Brew by weight, not volume.
| Feature | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 0.1g minimum |
| Capacity | 2kg+ |
| Timer | Built-in preferred |
| Response time | Fast (Acaia Lunar, Timemore Black Mirror) |
The Timemore Black Mirror Basic+ (~€60) is the best value. The Acaia Pearl is the benchmark but costs 4× more.
Kettles
For pour over, a gooseneck kettle gives you flow control. Temperature control is useful but not mandatory if you have a thermometer.
| Model | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hario V60 Buono | Stovetop | €30–40 |
| Fellow Stagg EKG | Electric, temp control | €160–180 |
| Brewista Artisan | Electric, temp control | €100–130 |
| Bonavita Variable | Electric, temp control | €70–90 |
Brewers
The brewer is the least important variable — once you have a consistent grinder and scale, almost any brewer works.
| Brewer | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hario V60 (plastic) | €8 | Maximum control, retains heat |
| Kalita Wave | €30–50 | Forgiving, consistent |
| Chemex 6-cup | €45 | Beautiful, clean cup, entertaining |
| AeroPress | €35 | Travel, experimentation, speed |
| French Press | €20–40 | Low effort, full body |
| Moka Pot | €20–40 | Espresso-adjacent, stovetop |
Water Filtration
Filtered water is often more impactful than upgrading your brewer.
- BWT Penguin — popular in specialty coffee, magnesium-enriching filter
- Peak Water Jug — adjustable mineral content
- Third Wave Water — mineral packets for distilled water
- RO + remineralization — maximum control, significant setup cost
Maintenance
Equipment you don't clean is equipment that degrades your coffee:
- Grinder — brush after each use, deep clean monthly (Grindz tablets)
- Espresso machine — backflush daily, descale every 3 months
- Carafes and brewers — rinse immediately, wash weekly
- Scale — keep dry, calibrate occasionally