At Fish River Roasters, we’re huge fans of the Hario V60 coffee brewer - and we’re not alone. This iconic pour-over method has earned a cult following among specialty coffee lovers worldwide. Why? While it looks deceptively simple, the V60 offers an incredible amount of control, resulting in a beautifully clean cup that highlights the delicate, complex flavours of high-end coffee beans.
Whether you're new to manual brewing or a seasoned barista, the Hario V60 is a fantastic way to elevate your coffee game.
What Is a Hario V60?
The V60 brewer is a cone-shaped, pour-over coffee dripper made by the Hario company in Japan. Its name comes from the 60-degree angle of the cone’s walls. You place it over a flask or mug, insert a paper filter, add ground coffee, and pour in hot water. That’s it, right? Well… yes, but also no.
The brilliance of the V60 lies in its simplicity and the amount of brewing control it offers. From grind size to water temperature to pouring technique - every variable can be tweaked to suit your taste.
How to Brew Coffee with a Hario V60
What You'll Need:
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- A coffee grinder
- A Hario V60 brewer
- V60 filter papers
- A kettle (preferably gooseneck)
- A digital scale
- A timer
- Step 1: Heat Your Water. Aim for a brewing temperature around 92°C for lighter roasts (like our microlots) and around 88°C for darker blends. If you don’t have a thermometer, let the water cool slightly after boiling. Tip: Water temperature can really impact the final cup. Experiment to find the sweet spot for your favourite coffee.
- Step 2: Prep the Filter. Place the paper filter in the cone, fold along the seam if you like, and rinse with hot water. This removes any papery taste and preheats the brewer. Discard the rinse water.
- Step 3: Grind the Coffee. Grind your beans to a medium-coarse consistency - similar to coarse sand. A great starting ratio is 15g of coffee to 240g of water (or 1:16).
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Step 4: Pour and Brew. Place your V60 and carafe on the scale, add the ground coffee, and zero the scale. Start your timer. Begin with a bloom: Pour 80g of water in slow, circular motions to saturate the coffee bed. Let it bloom for 40 seconds.
Then, add water in 50g intervals every 10 seconds, pouring in gentle spirals.
Stop at 240g of water. The total brew time should land around 2.5 minutes.
Why Is the Hario V60 So Popular?
The V60 is one of the most loved manual brewers in the specialty coffee world. Here's why:
Incredibly Clean, Sweet Cups
The paper filter and pour-over method yield a clean brew that lets subtle tasting notes shine - especially in light roasted or single origin coffees.
Full Control
You can customise nearly every aspect of the brew:
- Water temperature
- Brew time
- Coffee-to-water ratio
- Pouring technique (tight spirals, high/low pours, bloom time…)
These small changes result in unique flavour profiles, making the V60 ideal for experimenting and learning more about coffee.
Affordable and Durable
A basic plastic Hario V60 set costs around $50, making it a budget-friendly way to brew better coffee at home. And yes, the plastic model is tough and travel-friendly!
Final Thoughts
While espresso might still be our go-to brew method at the roastery, the Hario V60 offers a refreshing and rewarding way to experience coffee - especially if you're working with high-quality beans.
If you want to explore more flavour, refine your technique, or simply slow down and enjoy the ritual, the Hario V60 might just be your new favourite brewer.
Want to Try It Yourself?
Check out our range of microlots and customer-favourite coffee blends, perfect for V60 brewing.
