The Hario V60 coffee maker is named after the 60-degree angle on the iconic cone-shaped funnel that makes this device instantly recognisable. This coffee dripper has been a favourite among home brewers for many years and popularised simple pour over coffee makers that are now available in many different styles all over the world.
In the United States, the drip-brewing method is the most popular of all of the different ways that coffee can be made, although many people still depend on auto-drip machines to get their fix. The Hario V60 is a simple way to make delicious coffee at home, using a pour over method that is very similar to drip coffee.
This article will go into detail about the Hario V60’s history and design, how it can be used to make a flavorful cup of coffee, and what makes this particular device stand out from the other options on the market for drip and pour over coffee.
Where is the Hario V60 From?
The Hario V60 is made by the Japanese company Hario, which was founded in Tokyo, Japan. The V60 design was actually based on a similar coffee making device that was also developed in Japan, but it quickly grew to be the most iconic and popular coffee maker of its kind around the world.
What is the History of the Hario V60?
The Hario company originally began manufacturing high-quality glass in 1921, developing their own brand of Hario temperature-resistant glass for laboratories, and didn’t launch their first coffee product until 1949. Hario began working on a pour over device to rival the popularity of immersion brewers in the 1980s, but the V60 itself was launched wasn’t officially launched until 2004.
Where Did the Hario V60 Get its Name?
The name V60 refers to the V shape of the cone that is integral to its design, which is made at an angle of 60 degrees. The core of the design is based around what Hario refer to as “a shape in nature” and comes from the y=x² parabola, which is a curve with perfect symmetry.
What Does the Hario V60 Look Like?
There are now many different designs and styles of V60, but its iconic shape remains unchanged – a symmetrical inverted cone on a flat base. The overall look is similar to a coffee cup resting on a saucer as they also have a handle on the side, so it is easy to lift and carry around without burning your hands.
What is the Hario V60 Made From?
The V60 now comes in many different materials, including ceramic, glass, metal and plastic – there are even limited wood-based and copper versions. The original V60 is still manufactured using Japanese porcelain and is made in the town of Arita, where this special type of unclouded, clear ceramic has been produced using the Arita yaki method for 400 years.
Is the Hario V60 Breakable?
The traditional Hario V60 is made from porcelain, which can chip and crack, so it should be handled with a bit of care and is not necessarily recommended for taking with you while you’re travelling. There are plastic and metal options available, however, that are practically indestructible, which is why some people favour these over the standard ceramic model.
How Does the Hario V60 Work?
Using its 60-degree funnel, the V60 holds a filter inside so that coffee grounds can have water poured over the top of them which will then filter through into a cup below. The water extracts soluble coffee from the grounds as it passes through them, in a very similar way to how a drip machine works.
How Does Water Pass Through the V60?
Unlike some other drip or pour over coffee makers, the Hario V60 has one large hole at the bottom to allow the coffee to drip through and into the cup. Place your V60 onto your cup, or on top of a decanter if you prefer, and the filter allows brewed coffee to come through at a steady rate.
How Do You Make the Perfect V60 Coffee?
Rinse your filter first before you pour in 17 grams of medium-fine coffee grounds, making a little well in the centre. Pour 35ml of freshly boiled water and let your grounds bloom for 30 seconds, then fill to the top, pouring 120ml of water in concentric circles and letting it draw through before topping it up once more.
Is the Hario V60 Easy to Use?
Using a V60 is relatively easy, but it is also versatile so if you change the way that you use it you can end up with a different coffee each time. The size and amount of grounds you use, as well as the temperature of the water and how you pour it, can affect how much extraction you get.
Are There Special Techniques for Using the Hario V60?
A lot of people like to use different techniques that may help you to get more extraction and flavour from your grounds. Usually, this involves shaking or twisting the filter as you pour, or perhaps giving the mixture a little stir so that the grounds are agitated while the water passes through.
What Sort of Filters Does the Hario V60 Use?
The Hario V60 is designed to be used with cone-shaped paper filters, which you can buy from Hario themselves. It is also compatible with many other different brands and filter types, though they will still need to be made from paper and be the right shape to rest securely in the cone.
How Long Does Hario V60 Coffee Take to Make?
While the Hario V60 does require a bit more effort than an auto-drip coffee maker, it is a quick and efficient way to get your morning fix. Allowing for preparation, blooming, topping up twice and dripping through, it still only takes 3-5 minutes before your steaming cup of fresh coffee is ready to go.
Are There Other Devices Like the Hario V60?
Automatic coffee drippers are more common in the United States than the V60, but they don’t do quite the same job. Two popular coffee makers that are like the V60 are the Chemex, which has a unified funnel and vase design, and the Kalita Wave, which has a flat bottom and a different drainage style.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.