8 picks
Coffee Gear Picks for Home Brewing
The grinders, kettles, scales, and pour-over kits we recommend for making cafe-quality coffee at home, chosen by the team behind Brooklyn Coffee Shops and cross-checked against the equipment used behind the bar at Brooklyn cafes we cover. Every pick is something we actually brew with, not a sponsored placement.
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Grinders
Baratza Encore ESP
The entry-level grinder that serious home brewers start with and rarely feel the need to upgrade. Consistent conical burrs, simple grind adjustment, and a motor built to last. Dials in cleanly for pour-over and drip.
1Zpresso JX Pro
The gold standard for manual grinding. Produces particle uniformity that rivals electric grinders at twice the price. Fast for a hand grinder, portable, and built with tolerances that feel Swiss. The choice for travel coffee.
Pour-Over
Hario V60 02
The classic cone dripper used behind the bar at half the specialty shops in Brooklyn. Rewards attention and produces clarity-forward cups with expressive acidity. The ceramic version holds heat better than plastic.
Chemex 6-Cup
Thick bonded paper filters strip most of the oils, producing a clean, tea-like cup that never turns bitter as it cools. The borosilicate glass and wooden collar look good enough to leave on the counter permanently.
Kettles
Fellow Stagg EKG
Variable-temperature electric kettle with a precision gooseneck spout designed for pour control. Holds temperature for 60 minutes. The one nearly every serious home brewer ends up buying after one too many scalded cups.
Mugs
Fellow Atmos Tumbler
Double-wall vacuum insulation that keeps coffee hot for hours without picking up metallic off-notes the way cheaper stainless can. Fits most car cup holders and seals completely to prevent spills.
Scales
Acaia Pearl
A scale built specifically for coffee. Highly responsive load cell, Bluetooth, and a companion app with brew tracking. Used behind the bar at some of the best shops in the city. Worth every penny if you brew daily.
Timemore Black Mirror Basic+
A serious coffee scale at a fraction of the Acaia price. Fast response time, built-in auto-timer, and a clean two-button interface. The best value in the category. Almost no one who buys one regrets it.
Have a piece of gear we should test? Tell us on the contact page, and browse the Brooklyn shops whose bars inspired these picks.