Hario V60, also known as the V60 pour over, a brewer or, commonly, a coffee dripper. Every enthusiast of the black craft coffee has come across it at least once, and once they did, they surely love it. Hario V60 is a perfect tool to start with, so if you are in the beginning of your coffee journey and want to have your own coffee dripper, you are in a good place. But which one to choose: plastic, glass or metal? We are here to help!
Today’s guide is designed to help you choose your favorite Hario V60. There are several options to choose from, and the differences between them, small as they may seem, allow you to adjust the device perfectly to your needs.
Size
They say size doesn’t matter… In this case, it does matter a bit. There are three sizes available, labeled 01, 02 and 03, 01 being smallest and 03 the largest. Brilliant, right? So, no matter which Hario V60 you dream of, first choose the size. The most common and universal size is 02. This dripper can easily brew 250-300 ml of coffee, as well as 500-600 ml. But if you rarely brew more than 300 ml at a time, 01 will be more convenient and handy. Version 03 is a great option for whole families, corporate families and crazy singles who drink unbelievable amounts of coffee in one sitting.
Plastic is fantastic?
Size chosen? Now Hario V60 offers you the selection of materials from which your dripper can be made. First, plastic. This is the most budget option because it costs not more than 5 EUR – less than a package of good specialty coffee. The color versions, i.e. white and red, look like their ceramic counterparts. You can also get a clear, transparent version.
If it’s so cheap, where’s the trick? Easy. Its brewing properties are identical to those of its glass, ceramic or metal siblings, so the only difference is the design. Plastic is cheap to produce and is not as noble as other materials. For that reason, the plastic dripper will be a better fit, for example, for trips, camping, a summer cottage or a student lodgings, than for a designer studio apartment with a view of the sea.
The classics: Ceramics
The ceramic Hario V60 is a classic version of this device. The first pour overs were made of porcelain and they’re still the most common. They’re quite heavy, stable, keep the temperature of the brew well during extraction, even when it’s slightly drafty. They’re nice to the touch and look more serious than plastic ones. Perfect for most cafes and for home. I’ve had the white 02 myself for many years and unless it breaks, I’m not going to replace it. Well, unless the color versions that were created for the London coffee festival a few months ago happen to be on sale.
What are the disadvantages of the ceramic Hario V60? It’s definitely a more expensive toy compared to plastic V60, as prices vary anywhere upwards from 28 EUR. It’s less safe to transport in a suitcase or a backpack, and it weighs a little more. However, ceramics are more ecological, and the dripper keeps the temperature better and will look much cooler in your kitchen.
Pour over the glass
V60 glass drippers are available in a wide range of colors. Glass is always transparent and white, but the brewers differ in the type and shape of holders. They come with plastic, white, black and red holders, and there is also my favorite version – V60 Glass Dripper Olive Wood, with the holder made of olive wood. There’s also a matching server with an olive-wood handle. I own one of those and it looks just great.
Glass is a very universal material when it comes to adaptability to various interiors and applications. Of course, it is not as durable as plastic when it comes to frequent transport. However, the transparent glass nicely shows what’s happening inside during brewing and fits many sets, be it a server, a cup or a bar arrangement in a cafe.
Fabulous metal
The Hario V60 copper dripper is the ultimate dream of many people. It looks really good and matches perfectly the industrial design trends of cafés and houses. What’s more, it is worth noting that it is light and definitely more resistant to breakage than its ceramic or glass siblings.
Currently, the available metal 02 versions are: the aforementioned copper, silver with a silicone holder and brushed copper, also with a silicone holder. You can find all metal drippers here. The prices are higher, over 65 EUR, but the appearance compensates for a lot. And if you add the Hario Buono copper kettle to it… Amazing!
What else?
To brew drip coffee, you also need the filters – you can read about them here. You will also need a scale, a grinder, a server and some good coffee, of course. And if you don’t want to spend big money, you can invest in the basic kit like this one right here. Now you’re good to go!
