What is a V60?
tl;dr: nice one, Hario
My personal favourite method of making coffee at home and it’s also one of the cheapest. Big up Hario, big up the Japanese and big up cones.
The Hario V60 is one of, if not the most iconic filter coffee brewing methods out there, but what exactly is a V60, and why is it so great?
The V60 is a pour-over coffee dripper designed by Hario in the early 2000s. It features a 60-degree cone shape (hence it’s name), spiral ridges inside, and a large single hole at the bottom, all of which help control water flow and extraction.
A Brief History of Hario and the V60
Originally making heatproof glass, Hario took an unexpected pivot in the 60s and ventured into the world of coffee. Starting close to home with glass drinkware, it wouldn’t be for another 40 years that they’d invent the V60, a scientifically driven improvement on the Chemex - changing the world of filter coffee forever.
Since 2004 when the V60 was born Hario have been a global icon in coffee - if you give a shit about filter, you’ve probably got one of their infamous cones at home. It’s also been an inspiration for other brewers, such as the Fellow Stagg, Ceado Hoop and the clever brewer.
But why 60 degrees?
tl;dr science, bitch.
This comment I found on Reddit is probably the best explanation, albeit I understood about 15% of it.
Plastic vs Ceramic V60s: Which One is Right for You?
The Hario V60 comes in a variety of options, including plastic, ceramic, metal, and glass. However, plastic and ceramic are the most commonly used versions, each with distinct advantages and trade-offs.
I had a glass one once. I dropped it. Don’t buy a glass one.
Plastic V60s
Cons
Doesn’t look as nice
Feels quite cheap
Lighter colours can yellow/stain
Pros
Retains heat well during brewing
Lightweight and travel-friendly
More affordable (typically around £5-£10, free from Pact Coffee)
Ceramic V60s
Cons
Much more expensive, normally £20-£30
Takes longer to heat up, inferior to plastic for single cup brewing
Fragile - can smash if dropped
Pros
Aesthetically very pleasing
Better heat retention for brewing multiple batches at once
Doesn’t stain/ages well
tl;dr ceramic feels nicer but save £20 and buy some pints
Where to buy a Hario V60?
If you just want the V60 brewer and some papers, you’re better off dropping into your local independant/speciality coffee shop - it’ll be the same price as anywhere online and it’s nice to support local (insert something bad about Amazon here).
You can also pick one up for free when you grab a coffee subscription from Pact Coffee - If you’re just getting started with at home brewing, I’d strongly recommend them - great rotating coffees keeps things fresh and their prices are just as good as you’ll get from an independent roastery.