What’s the Difference Between Drip Coffee and Pour Over?

The main difference between drip and pour over coffee comes down to brewing method. With a drip coffee maker, you put in the water and coffee into the assigned compartments then flip on a switch. A pour over process doesn’t necessarily require a machine and you 100% control the amounts of water and coffee grounds.

This means with pour over style coffee, you have to master the process while drip coffee doesn’t require much brain power. So, while drip is good for mindless morning zombies, pour over is ideal for those who like to play barista at home. To know which one will be good for you, read on about all the variations between these brewing methods.

How Does Drip Coffee Differ from Pour Over in Brewing Method?

Between drip coffee and pour over, drip coffee is a little easier but pour over offers more control. There really isn’t much monitoring or thinking with drip coffee like there is with a pour over.

Drip Coffee

To make the perfect cup of drip coffee, you put a paper filter into the grounds basket and then top it with your grounds. You then put water into the reservoir and flip on a switch. The machine pulls the water through as it heats up and then disperses scalding hot water over the grounds.

Pour Over

Pour over is a little different. Many people use something like a Chemex, designed specifically for the pour over process. However, there are others who get a little more creative and resourceful. You can use an old percolator with a top basket or any contraption that will allow coffee to flow down into a vessel.

This is a more hands-on way to make coffee. You moisten the paper filter and put it into the top basket (or similar device). Then measure out your grounds and pour them onto the paper filter. Once the water reaches a particular temperature, you then slowly pour it over the grounds. This requires finesse to get the best extraction possible.

Does the Difference between Drip Coffee ; Pour Over Change the Coffee’s Quality?

As long as you have quality beans, the quality of the coffee that comes from drip or pour over methods will be good. However, cheaper drip makers may burn high-quality beans. Likewise, if you don’t have your technique down for pour over, it can taste either bitter or not extracted enough, resulting in a weak cup.

But, if you have a bag of cheaper beans, it may be better to go with a pour over so you can control the conditions for the best quality coffee possible. You can play with grind measurements, the size of the grind, temperature and water amounts to make the coffee taste better.

Which Is Faster: Drip Coffee or Pour Over?

By far, drip coffee is much faster than pour over. A drip machine will take at most 10 to 15 minutes to produce a pot of coffee. This is because you fill up the machine with grounds and water. Then you just flick the switch.

Pour over, on the other hand, can take up to 30 minutes. This is because you have to heat the water yourself along with allowing a short time for the grounds to bloom before you pour in the rest of the water. And then there’s the matter of waiting until all the water seeps through the filter before you can drink it.

How Does the Equipment between Drip Coffee ; Pour Over Differ?

To create a pot of drip coffee, you need to have a machine specifically designed for the job. Unless you’re an engineer, you have to purchase one. Pour over coffee, on the other hand, does have specific-designed devices you can buy. However, you can do a makeshift version out of items you have around the house.

All you need is some kind of vessel to hold the coffee grinds and filter along with a means for boiling water. You can use an old percolator pot, as already discussed, or something like an old basket for a defunct coffee machine that fits perfectly into anything that will catch the final brew.

Is There a Difference in Temperature with the Water Used for Drip Coffee versus Pour Over?

While there is a meager difference in temperature between the water used in a drip machine and pour over, you do have more control with the pour over. This is because you have to use a saucepan or kettle to heat up the water. You can go as low as 185°F or as high as 205°F. Drip machines don’t have an ideal range, just 205°F.

It’s this tidbit of difference that can over extract or burn the beans. If you have a super strong tasting bean, 205°F will make for a bitter cup of coffee.

What is the Difference in Flavor between Pour Over ; Drip Coffee?

While drip coffee machines produce a consistent, smooth flavor they do create a cup that tends to be weaker than a pour over. The blooming process required of the pour over method means it will give a bold, rich and flavorful cup. The timed intervals mean each particle of grounds extracts to perfection.

However, if you don’t have your technique down to a precise science, the flavor will vary with every cup. Drip coffee, however, tends to be a little more forgiving if you make a mistake in the grounds to water ratio.

Overview of Pour Over versus Drip Coffee

	Pour Over	Drip Coffee
Brewing Method	Manual device for grounds and water	Machine for grounds and water
Ease of Brewing	Must have precise technique	Easy to load and use
Quality of Coffee	Varies	Varies
Speed in Brewing	20 to 30 minutes	10 to 15 minutes
Equipment	Device or Makeshift Contraption	Specific Machine
Temperature	185°F to 205°F	205°F
Flavor	Consistent and smooth	Bold and rich but can vary