Sometimes the simple things in life are the best, and I’m a big fan of brewing up a pot of pour over coffee at the weekend!
This is coffee done slow and simple. It’s a ritual in itself, and a very pleasurable way of starting those quieter days.
In my Bodum Pour Over review, I’m going to explain how to enjoy this very cost-effective entry point for pour over coffee.
(Want to learn more about home coffee brewing? Take a look through my guide for other brewing methods, buying guides and more.)
- Innovative pour over coffee maker that makes barista-quality coffee at home.
- Made from premium borosilicate glass that’s non-porous and doesn’t absorb taste or aroma.
- Permanent stainless steel filter that produces a rich taste and robust aroma.
- Environmentally friendly brewing method – no paper filters or plastic capsules.
- Easy to use and easy to clean.
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About Pour Over Coffee
A manual pour over coffee maker lets you brew exquisitely aromatic and flavorful coffee.
You won’t be able to make big batches with this sort of coffee maker. If you enjoy the care and craft of a simple process done very well though, I think you’ll really enjoy getting stuck in!
If you want to make bigger brews for a household of coffee drinkers, you’ll need something more robust. There are some high-capacity manual pour over makers, but they’re quite time-consuming.
There are even some automatic pour over coffee makers on the market, which will make a bigger batch without you having to do anything at all!
The Bodum Pour Over Coffee Maker
The Bodum Pour Over is designed to give everyone access to the world of pour over coffee at an extremely attractive price point.
It’s a simple machine designed for a simple job, but it gets that job done really well.
Out of the box you get the glass carafe, a permanent mesh filter, a measuring spoon and a silicone seal to ensure the coffee stays warm in the carafe.
You can use pre-ground coffee right away, but if you want the best results you should start with fresh whole beans.
- Innovative pour over coffee maker that makes barista-quality coffee at home.
- Made from premium borosilicate glass that’s non-porous and doesn’t absorb taste or aroma.
- Permanent stainless steel filter that produces a rich taste and robust aroma.
- Environmentally friendly brewing method – no paper filters or plastic capsules.
- Easy to use and easy to clean.
The minute you crack open a coffee bean, some of that flavor and aroma potential starts evaporating away.
Grind fresh though and you’ll get the best possible results. That does mean, however, that you’ll need to purchase a good grinder separately if you want to go down this path.
Pour over coffee benefits from a grind coarseness very similar to that of French Press coffee.
I’ve reviewed a number of these grinders elsewhere on Viva Flavor, so take a look through that article if you need some pointers.
Features
Here’s a closer look at some of the key features of the Bodum Pour Over.
Design
This is a simple device without any fancy bells and whistles, but I still think it’s a stylish, well-designed piece of kit.
The glass carafe is a sturdy thing and I think you’ll get many years of service from it if you’re careful.
The heat-resistant silicone seal is robust too. I can’t see it falling apart any time soon.
As for capacity, you have the option of a 12, 17, 34 or 51 version of the maker.
The Bodum Pour Over’s available in a number of color options too. If you want to get something that matches your kitchen I don’t think you’ll struggle to find one that works.
Brewing
The better the beans you use, the better your drink will be when it comes to pour over coffee. It really is that simple.
As I’ve already mentioned, you’ll get the best results using whole beans that you grind yourself – and right before you brew them.
Compared to other pour over makers, I think the Bodum performs as well as anything else on the market.
I also think the resulting flavor is cleaner and richer than you’ll get from, say, brewing the same beans through a French Press.
That gold permanent filter goes a long way towards improving the results. I find that paper filters always leave a tiny bit of their taste behind.
Cleaning
Overall you’ll find the Bodum Pour Over a lot easier to clean than the French Press you likely already have in your home kitchen.
That permanent filter really benefits from regular care and attention though, so don’t leave it to get gunked up.
Fortunately, you can run every part of this coffee maker through the dishwasher. That’s incredibly helpful in a busy household like mine!
How to Use the Bodum Pour Over
The process of brewing with the Bodum Pour Over is very simple, but it’s important you do it just right.
Here’s what you need to do:
- If you’re using fresh whole beans, grind them down using a coarse grinder setting. This helps the grounds soak efficiently, and minimizes sediment reaching the cup.
- Add the filter to the carafe, then tip in the coffee grounds.
- Heat up enough water for however many cups you want to make – assume 8 oz per cup. You want the water to be simmering, rather than boiling. Let it cool a little if you think you’ve gone too far here.
- Add just a gentle splash of the hot water to the grounds. You want to just about moisten them entirely.
- Wait 30 seconds for the coffee to “bloom” in advance of the full extraction.
- Keep topping up with water every minute or so until the whole lot has run through into the carafe.
- Remove the filter, insert the silicone seal to retain the heat, and pour into cups.
Here are a few extra tips to help you get the most out of your Bodum Pour Over:
Sediment – It’s all but inevitable you’ll get a little bit of sediment in the final few sips of your cup. It just goes with the territory when you’re making pour over coffee. If it’s unbearable for you, just get in the habit of leaving the last ten per cent or so of your drink.
Beans – Pour over coffee works really well with any high quality coffee, but for the best results I recommend using dark roast beans. Ultimately the quality of your drink from such a simple process depends heavily on the quality of the beans you use!
Alternatives
There are some other highly-regarded pour over coffee makers that you might want to look into before settling on the Bodum model.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker
Chemex is the most well-known of the pour over coffee maker brands. It’s reputation for quality and durability really is second to none.
- CHEMEX - simple, easy to use with timeless, elegant design
- All CHEMEX Coffeemakers are made of the highest quality, non-porous Borosilicate glass which will not absorb odors or chemical...
- The patented CHEMEX pour-over design allows coffee to be covered and refrigerated for reheating without losing flavor
- All CHEMEX Coffeemakers are measured using 5 oz. as 1 cup
- Use CHEMEX Bonded Filters FP-1, FC-100, FS-100, FSU-100, Filters not included.
If looks are particularly important to you, I think you’ll find this a better option. As you’ll see from the image I’ve included there’s a little more fine detail in the design that I think sets it apart from the rest of the pack.
The carafe has a maximum capacity of 40 oz. Chemex claims that’s good for eight cups, but in reality I think you’re looking at more like five.
Coffee Gator Pour Over Coffee Maker
Coffee Gator isn’t as big a name in the pour over coffee world, but their beginner set is very attractive. You can pick one up in a 10.5, 14 or 27 oz capacity.
- BARISTA APPROVED: Channel your inner barista with our pour over coffee dripper and brew the perfect cup of coffee in minutes.
- TASTE: Unlock your coffee's full flavor potential with our pour over glass coffee maker. Hand-brewing your coffee accentuates its...
- REUSABLE: Built with a laser-cut stainless steel mesh filter, our BPA-Free pour over drip coffee maker delivers a cleaner taste...
- CONVENIENT: Espresso-ly crafted with BPA-free, heat-resistant glass and a cool-touch collar for easy handling, our pour over...
- GIFT: No matter the occasion, our drip coffee pour over carafe makes a thoughtful gift for the coffee enthusiast in your life. A...
I don’t think the metal filter is quite as good as Bodum’s, but at least you’re not reliant on paper filters.
Hario Pour Over Starter Set
Hario’s another set that gives you everything you need right out of the box. Just add beans!
- Note: 1)Too coarse a grind, too little coffee, or insufficiently tamping the grounds before brewing can all lead to inadequate...
- Hario Starter Kit: Everything you need for a professional pour over cup of coffee at home or work—Just add coffee and water! The...
- Pour Control: The V60 features a single large hole, improving pour flow and provides users the ultimate freedom-- Pour water...
- Kit Includes: V60 02 Coffee Dripper, V60 02 Coffee Server, Coffee Scoop and V60 02 Disposable Paper Filters (100-pack)
- Japanese Design: Sleek, modern and minimalist coffee set to suit any kitchen design. Heatproof glass server with BPA-free handle,...
This model is available in a number of different colors, and is good for brewing a maximum of four cups at any given time.
Just be aware that this pour over maker uses paper filters. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere in this review I’m personally not a fan of the taste these add to the drink.
My Verdict
It’s very hard to go wrong with the Bodum appliance as an entry point into the world of pour over coffee.
It’s sturdy, well-designed and makes it very easy for you to get an amazing cup of pour over coffee with little fuss.
- Innovative pour over coffee maker that makes barista-quality coffee at home.
- Made from premium borosilicate glass that’s non-porous and doesn’t absorb taste or aroma.
- Permanent stainless steel filter that produces a rich taste and robust aroma.
- Environmentally friendly brewing method – no paper filters or plastic capsules.
- Easy to use and easy to clean.
I think the permanent gold-mesh filter really helps deliver a killer brew here as well, and overall it’s a very easy coffee maker to care for.
Click here to find out more about this ever-popular brewing option!
Mark’s a lifelong food fanatic and spent ten years working as an entertainment journalist. He now combines his love of food, drink and writing as the founder and editor of Viva Flavor. Read more