Reddit reviews Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle Featuring Gooseneck Spout, BV3825B

Hario V60+Filters, Bonivita Electric Kettle (or any goose neck kettle), a kitchen scale that reads in grams, a stop watch/timer, and some coffee. Done. If you have the extra money get an electric burr grinder, if not just have the roaster or wherever you buy the coffee pre-grind it for pour over.

edit: Added some Amazon links in so people can see prices.

It looks like you are set on a grinder. Virtuoso and Encore are both great. It's up to you if the Virtuoso is worth the additional expense.

The Fellow Stagg Kettle looks sexy, but honestly the basic Bonavita gooseneck kettle is a workhorse and a great value. If you want a little more temperature control then you can go with the variable temp Bonavita gooseneck kettle. I have the basic Bonavita gooseneck kettle and honestly it does exactly what I need it to and I haven't missed having a temp control.

I recommend a stainless steel insulated french press, like this one from VonShef. It keeps the water temp from dropping during the brew process and it won't break like the glass body french press.

Good luck!!

You'll be in Seattle, what's the problem again? Oh, funds.

For dorm use a French Press and an electric kettle + a manual grinder should do you and not break the bank.

If espresso is more your thing, look into the aeropress, but the grinder and kettle recommendations stand.

When buying new gear like this, I often find it worthwhile to buy the good stuff from the beginning. It'll cost more upfront, but in the long run you save money by not sinking it into gear that you're just going to upgrade away from. I know you're looking for a starter kit, so I'll outline some entry level stuff and then some recommended upgrades.

For a burr grinder, a decent entry level manual grinder is the Hario Skerton. One complaint with this is inconsistent coarse grind size, which is what you'll be using with a French Press. Orphan Espresso makes an upgrade kit that fixes this problem, but personally I feel that if you're going to spend $40 on the Skerton and $15 on the upgrade kit, you should just spend a few more bucks and get something like the Capresso Infinity. This grinder is going to be way more convenient, versatile, and consistent than the hand grinder. For one last option, there's the Baratza Encore. This is probably the best grinder you'd want for French Press, because anything better / more expensive would just be overkill as they're primarily aimed at espresso.

The Press itself isn't too important. Bodum is usually the recommended brand.

You'll also need a way to heat water. You could go with a stovetop kettle, but I think electric kettles are more convenient, and are roughly the same price anyway. You can get a pretty standard one for less than $25. But getting a gooseneck kettle is going to help control your pour better and ensure the coffee grounds are completely saturated. If you don't want to worry about getting the perfect temperature for brewing, a variable temperature kettle will take care of it for you.

Other than that, you might want a kitchen scale to get the right coffee-to-water ratio, and a thermometer to check your water temperature.

The Bonavita Electric Kettle is what I just bought and I love it. Stainless steel all through the inside. I also see it used at a lot of coffee shops around here.

My best tips:

Fresh beans + fresh grind + good water = great coffee pretty much regardless of your brewing method.

The 4 ways you can increase the quality of your coffee is to focus on improving these things: beans, grind, water, brewing method.

This is my set-up:

Beans: I get whole beans sent to me in the mail every two weeks from Moustache Coffee Club. This ensures I always have fresh beans on hand.

Grind: I use this Porlex hand grinder and really like it. I used to use this Hario hand grinder, which was cheaper. I haven't yet splurged for an electric grinder. Maybe some day.

Water: I use a kitchen thermometer to make sure my water is between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the optimal range for brewing. I also use this Bonavita kettle for heating the water.

Brewing method: I started off using a Melitta pour-over cone. I've since moved to the AeroPress. I also have a French press. The AeroPress is what I use almost exclusively. I also have a kitchen scale to measure out the water and beans. I use a 16:1 ratio of water to beans. For the AeroPress, 16g of beans and 256g of water fits perfectly. When I measure the water, I aim for between 256 and 260g. I'm not so obsessive that I make sure it's exactly 256 every time.

This sounds like a lot (and there's more, but this is a good start), but I built up to this over a period of a few years. Take your time. Keep learning and exploring and have fun.

I felt like this was a big enough price drop on Amazon to share it. I picked it up today so I can get a work setup going. Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle for $28.94US

The Bonavita Variable Temp Electric Kettle is arguably the best and while it's normally around $85, it did get down to $68 the other week (though this was by far the lowest it had ever been) on Amazon. I purchased mine then as I had been using their non-variable temp one for the past 2 years and had been lusting after this one. I highly recommend it but if you can't wait for the sale, the non-variable one is just as good, if not quite as convenient (and requires a separate thermometer if you want to ensure your temp is accurate).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0F40

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YR0GDA

AeroPress, for sure. Here is probably the cheapest setup you can do, and still get the best flavour/experience.

Aerobie AeroPress + Able DISK Fine - $40 (I strongly suggest the DISK Fine over paper filters, but the AeroPress does come with a bunch of filters.)

Pocket Scale - $7

Carafe - $7 (so you press straight into this, and measure yield, as most mugs will not fit on the scale; also great for serving two)

Hario Slim burr grinder - $34 (if you'd rather go electric, the Bodum Bistro burr is a great buy and can be had for $120 new or under $100 used/refurbished)

Bonavita Gooseneck kettle - $50 (You do not need a gooseneck for the AeroPress, but you do for any type of pour over, so why not?)

Good luck, and have fun! Give my video a gander to see how to prepare with the AeroPress. It is fun! Almost as fun as an espresso machine. Ha! Yeah, right! But definitely worth the small coin.

It seems you will not be making tea for people other than yourself on a regular basis so you don't need a tea set.

I personally have never needed variable temperature kettles. Others love them. I personally don't own but have used this Bonavita. It's a tad pricey but I love the goose neck. One friend runs a teashop and uses those there. Cheaper electric kettles exist.

I would get a cheap porcelain pot, with a shallow brew basket. What happens is the tea brews and as soon as you pour out the first cup, the water level goes below the brew basket and can sit without overbrewing. The shallow brew baskets are 5 bucks and can be found at most large Chinese grocery stores.

My college setup is going to be a Hario Skerton, Hario V60, and a Bonavita Electric Kettle. It may seem like a lot of money, but after that initial investment you'll spend about 90 cents per cup. Also, the V60 is much easier to clean than a french press.

I was in the market a few months back as well.. ended up avoiding the Hario kettle because it supposedly has thick walls that makes boiling water take longer than normal.

I ended up going with the Bonavita electric kettle and will never boil water for coffee on the stovetop again.

I've had this one for almost a year now and I'm pretty pleased with it so far. I installed a probe thermometer in one of the vent holes.
http://amzn.com/B005YR0GDA

I've been using the Bonavita one without the temp control, and it has worked well for my work set up with a V60.

http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-0L-Electric-Kettle-BV3825B/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426096288&sr=8-1&keywords=bonavita+1+l+kettle

Not OP but:

Grinder

Coffee

Brew_Method

Brewing_Gear

Edit: I should note that these beans are roasted. Roasting your own can be a whole new game. Also you will want to get a Water_kettle

Gooseneck kettle is a must for pour overs if that's what you see in your future! I have the Bonavita 1L electric kettle. Looking back, I would have invested in the more expensive version that lets you vary temperature, but I've had great results with mine regardless.

I started out with a v60, then a Chemex, then the Aeropress. Of the 3, I use the Chemex the most often; it gives the best quality brew with the highest quantity (37g @ ~600mL of water). It took me quite a while master the pour, but it was definitely worth it!

Hope this helps and good luck on your coffee journey!

EDIT: For grinders, I have the Hario skerton. It takes a while to grind the beans, but was marvelous for my budget at the time. Once I have the money though, I'm going for the Baratza Encore. It's cheaper than the Virtuoso, but an old roommate had the Encore and I LOVED having all my beans ground in such a short amount of time.

Just some food for thought!

>I thought about a pour over, but I don't really know what I'm getting myself into

Honestly, not that much. It's pretty straight forward. A Chemex produces a fantastic cup, and would only really require you get a gooseneck kettle. Ditto if you go the v60 route. Bonavita has a couple, either temperature controlled or not. Other wise Hario kettle would also work.

Regardless, take a look here at Brew Methods. It has summaries on a variety of brew methods, from chemex to other. May give you some ideas.

>I don't want to spend a ton of money,

Depends on what "a ton of money" is to you, but:

• you may want to consider a new grinder, it will allow for expanding what you can do with the coffee. Potentially too much money, but a refurb Baratza might be worth saving for. Especially the Maestro/Virtuoso if you aren't doing espresso.
  
• a scale to weight coffee and water to nail down variables
  
• a gooseneck kettle for pourovers
  
  > would a chemex be a better investment?
  
  Yes, imho. Buy a cheap gram scale, a gooseneck kettle, and a chemex/v60. You'll be very pleased with the results.

So I was in a similar position to you at one point.

I found someone on a reddit community I frequented who sold me his Baratza Preciso for $100. It’s basically a retired version of the Virtuoso with micro adjustments on top of the regular macro. It’s served me very well. I had a friend who I got into coffee who just picked up an Encore and he’s delighted with it. For the bang for the buck it’s hard to go wrong with Baratza really in the sub $200 range. Especially considering you can find their refurbs which are updated (on Thursdays I think?) regularly and can get an encore for sub $100.

I find the Chemex to be far more forgiving than a V60. Some people say it’s expensive ($35ish) but considering you can get away with not using a gooseneck it’s cheaper in the long run in my opinion. If you don’t use a gooseneck with a V60, you’re going to have a bad time. V60s are finicky until you get a good feel for them. Don’t get me wrong, they can make a fantastic cup, but you have to put in the work. You can also look at the Kalita Wave which I think you can find the 185 on amazon for like $25 instead of $45 which is typical. It also takes funky filters that are hard to find (similar to v60).

As others have said the body is going to naturally be a little softer and more nuanced with a chemex. If you like big juicy Kenyans like me that may not be your preference, whereas if you like more floral, delicate Ethiopians then you’re golden. As time has gone on I’ve learned to appreciate my chemex more. It’s easy to dial in and brew correctly. Very forgiving of pour and what not and the body issue (less oils from the thicker filter) is more or less non-existent now that I have a little more developed palate (although I’m far from a connoisseur or q-grade taster).

Also a scale is super important if you aren’t using one. It’s ridiculous how easy it is to think you’re measuring correctly and you are totally off without a scale.

TL;DR Buy an encore or virtuoso and a chemex if you don’t have a gooseneck. Maybe a Kalita Wave if body is a huge deal for you. Get the V60 if you’re obsessive compulsive and want to really nerd out and probably brew shittily extracted coffee until you get it down. Any extra money invest in a good kettle and SCALE.

Cheap ass Shopping List:

• refurb encore $99
  
• chemex 6 cup $35
  
• chemex filters $8 amazon lists them for twice the normal price everywhere else FYI
  
• super reliable, cheap ass, beater scale $26
  Total: $168
  
  For shits and giggles: plain bonavita gooseneck $29 and variable temp version $69 (you want this one if you go this route)

Honestly, the easiest way to start is probably an Aeropress and a decent kettle. Get a gooseneck early, then you won't have to buy a second kettle later if you decide to start playing with pour-overs. If you want to make boiling water a little more passive, get an electric one. I have this one and it works like a charm.

Another cheap starter option for brewing is the V60 and its various clones. The original is plastic, but this one is ceramic and only $20. It takes some practice to get pour-overs just right, but it's worth it. And for $20, it's not a bad way to give it a shot or just to have in your collection.

Grinders are a whole discussion. I have a Baratza Encore that I really like. It's easy to maintain and Baratza's support was pretty good to me when I needed them. If you want to go a little cheaper, you might consider a Skerton or Mini Mill.

For beans, have fun. There are a ton of places to get decent beans, and part of the fun is finding new places. There are a number of redditors that roast and will probably sell beans to you if you like. (Including me!) I would suggest some, but I actually skipped this part and went straight to roasting.

EDIT: Oh, and good luck. You're opening a door to a rabbit hole, now.

You are definitely using too little coffee. Normal ratio is usually around 2 tbs per 8 oz of brewed coffee, or 6 oz if you like it on the stronger side. Coffee Ratio Chart

You generally want to shoot for a 3-4 minute extraction. If your filter cone is draining in less than two minutes, it's going to be under extracted. Adding more coffee will increase the water transit time, as will grinding finer. Start by increasing the coffee amount, and then time your brew and adjust the grind accordingly.

Here are a few other suggestions that will help you get the most out of your dripper:

Add a small amount of the water at the beginning of the brew, and let the coffee "bloom". Then give it a good stir to make a slurry, and then add the rest of your water. This will ensure the CO2 from the coffee doesn't prevent the water from reaching it, leaving much of the coffee under extracted.

If you are using a paper filter, always rinse it out with hot water before brewing. This will open up the paper a little, and wash out some of the "paper-filter" taste.

If you're having trouble getting into the 3-4 minute mark, try pouring the water over the filter slowly, and in small batches. Having a kettle with a goose-neck really helps with this.

Hope you can find some useful info in all of that. Happy brewing :)

http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-0L-Electric-Kettle-BV3825B/dp/B005YR0GDA

Can you recommend a scale?

Is it worth it to get a temp-controllable gooseneck vs a standard gooseneck?

Grinder is the NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. Seriously do not skimp here. I'd almost maximize your $125 budget and get baratza encore. It doesn't seem like grind quality can make a difference but after experience better grind consistency I will ALWAYS recommend that.

Get the barazta encore for $100 (refurbished) - $130 shipped prime

THen save up for a bonavita kettle - http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-0L-Electric-Kettle-BV3825B/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420866671&sr=8-2&keywords=bonavita+kettle

That one has been GREAT for me.


Any scale will work.

You absolutely need the following to enjoy coffee out of a chemex:

• Burr Grinder: I suggest, to start, the Hario Mill Grinder
  
  
• Gooseneck Kettle: I suggest the Bonavita Electric Kettle
  
  
• Scale: I suggest the AWS Pocket Scale
  
  
  The scale is the least necessary, but the other two are absolutely essential to make decent coffee out of the chemex.
  
  Once you have those, watch a couple demonstration videos and mess around to find what you like! Below is the video I watched when I first started using this method:
  
  
• Buddy Brew Chemex Tutorial
  
  Overall, it's a bit of an investment, but it's so worth it! The chemex is a great method, and I use it often! Good luck!

Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_X8IBzbKG2GP85

Hand grinder- I'm using a java presse, a Hario will work well too

Scale-American Weigh Scales AMW-SC-2KG Digital Pocket Scale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RF3XJ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_lOKBzbRWNCTD5

Choose what you want for a brewing device. V60/Kalita wave or a French press are your best bets in my opinion. If you are new to coffee I would suggest holding off on an aero press.

New non-electric gooseneck for $27, pair this with an $8 plastic V60 and get free shipping, or New (in damaged packaging) electric gooseneck, Delivered for $39. I'm not sure you can ask for much cheaper unless you hunt thrift stores for used stuff.

Will that base work with the non-temp controlled gooseneck? I have the $40 ones without temp control.

http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-0L-Electric-Kettle-BV3825B/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=pd_sbs_hg_6?ie=UTF8&refRID=00MAPWRXP7EP1NZ0HM07

Right, I'm not knocking electric goosenecks in general, specifically variable temperature kettles as opposed to non-temperature-controlled ones. BonaVita has a standard electric version, and it's $20 cheaper.

I have the Bonavita and I love it. the gooseneck is fantastic if your looking to perform the gong fu cha ceremony as it is easy to aim the stream of water. It heats a liter of water in 4 minutes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005YR0GDA/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?keywords=bonavita%20kettle&qid=1366633447&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005YR0GDA/ref=sxts1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473890857&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65

I didn't get the variable but I got this cheaper version instead. The water leaks through the lever on the side.

I use this and a thermometer but there's also a temperature regulated version. Both get high marks from most people, both online and irl.

I might recommend this kettle, mostly just cause it's cheaper than the one you chose. The one you linked to will work well, I'm sure. If you're looking to splurge, this is the kettle I'd like the most, but I'm gonna get this kettle soon.

The pour is actually very important in making good tea, and most people don't realize that. Gooseneck kettles have a great, easily controllable pour. You might not notice it for a while, so that's why the first kettle is good for beginners.

http://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-0L-Electric-Kettle-BV3825B/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=sr_1_20?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1381476090&sr=1-20&keywords=electric+kettle+no+plastic

or

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-KUA-17-Cordless-Automatic-Electric/dp/B00004S9CZ/ref=sr_1_12?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1381476090&sr=1-12&keywords=electric+kettle+no+plastic

It's the Bonavita! But that one is the electric model.

Amazon link, electronic

Ebay, stove top

Ebay, non bonavita, but bit cheaper

I am no way affiliated with these guys, just giving some links if you're interesting in a pour-over, I own one of those homeloo kettles, they're really nice.

Getting a goose neck does seem like a good idea. Next paycheck I'll probably get this one: Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B.

This is a real decent stovetop kettle with a great pour: https://www.amazon.com/Hario-VKB-120HSV-Stainless-Stovetop-Original/dp/B000IGOXLS

Electric kettles aren't that expensive if you don't get one with temperature control. I use a simple electric bonavita kettle without temperature control : https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Electric-Featuring-Gooseneck-BV3825B/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=sr_1_3?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1543086763&sr=1-3&keywords=bonavita+kettle which looks like it's cheaper than the Hario above. They also have a stovetop model: https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-Stovetop-Gooseneck-Kettle-BV3825ST/dp/B005YR0IBU/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1543086763&sr=1-4&keywords=bonavita+kettle

This to heat your water: https://www.amazon.com/Bonavita-1-0L-Electric-Kettle-BV3825B/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495751642&sr=8-2&keywords=bonavita+kettle

This to brew your coffee in: https://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Brazil-French-Coffee-34-Ounce/dp/B000KEM4TQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1495751673&sr=8-7&keywords=french+press

The electric kettle is quiet and will not whistle when the water reaches boil temperature. French Press because it wont make any noise because you're just pushing a plunger down.

If you use whole beans, just grind them up earlier in the day so you won't wake anyone and if you buy pre-ground coffee then you're set. Also, by getting these you're upgrading your coffee equipment without spending a ton of money and if you plan on in the future to become quite the connoisseur of coffee, well, you already have what you need.

A pour over set up can be had for quite cheap.

Hario V60 Plastic Coffee Dripper, Size 02, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RBTSMM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WcZ5AbRMPN9JG

Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TeZ5AbY1C3CZG

Hario V60 Paper Coffee Filters, Size 02, 100 Count, Natural https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O0R46I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_yfZ5Ab8GY8NBT

$5.67 + $6.21 + $29.34 = $41.16

I realize you’re using euros so it will be slightly different. And honestly if you got a different kettle you could cut out 10 or more dollars to get you into the ~30 USD range which from what I can tell would be saving you money. Just make sure it’s a gooseneck and keep in mind the fewer times you have to rebuy something the likely less cost efficient it is.

> Electric Kettle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005YR0GDA/

It is amazing how much these have dropped in price. I remember when $50 was a deal.

> Scale: https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scale-Ac-100-Digital/dp/B003O5K3JQ/

That scale is small and designed for low weights.

It's basically the same kettle without the digital control.
Bonavita 1.0L Electric Kettle BV3825B https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YR0GDA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fuV2xb1GA1SZK

The Bonavita Variable Temperature Kettle is as good as it gets. Especially if you make tea or coffee. You can set it to keep the water at a particular temperature, and the gooseneck helps pour the water.

The Bonavita's are by far the best. Having that kind of control when pouring is awesome. They have a model for 90USD with temperature control. as well as a model for 60USD without.

3-Cup Chemex // Aerobie Aeropress

Mini Ceramic Conical Burr Mill // Electric Burr Grinder (Faster than manual, but inferior grind quality and life)

Immersion Water Boiler // 1 Liter Gooseneck Kettle

/r/Coffee — Join Us.

Hmmm I see, would you recommend the hario buono or the non temp adjustable bonavita electric kettle?

Yeah, I made my first cup today with a standard kettle and it was just too hard to pour due to lack of accuracy and consistency of the stream.

The regular is in stock @ $60: Bonavita Pouring Kettle

edit: sorry. I'm dumb. fixed.

side note: the 1.7L non-pouring Variable Temp is on sale @ $35. 58% off. I have it and like it. I haven't had any of the issues that the bad reviews mention. Plus, bonavita's support is typically pretty good.