If you are looking for a new at-home coffee brewing method, you have come to the right place. There are many ways to brew coffee outside of the standard automatic coffee maker (which you’re probably a pro at by now).
Below is a list of popular brew methods for you to try, with step-by-step instructions. For each of these brew methods, I would recommend using whole-bean Arbor Day Coffee for optimal freshness, a water kettle, and a burr coffee grinder. If you don’t have a grinder, no worries — your ground coffee will work just fine. But as you dip your toe into the world of brewing coffee, a nice coffee grinder will absolutely elevate your coffee experience.
If you’re in the market for a coffee grinder, I would recommend going with a burr grinder as opposed to a blade grinder. A burr coffee grinder grinds coffee in a more uniform way by using two revolving burrs that often can be adjusted to achieve your desired grind size.
Pour-Over Brewing Method

There are many different pour-over brew methods, from the Chemex to the single cup OXO Pour-Over Coffee Maker. I would recommend choosing a pour-over device that best meets your daily consumption. I find the 8-cup Chemex is the perfect amount for my household in the mornings, however if I only want one cup brewed fresh in the afternoon, the OXO Pour-Over is where it’s at!
You’ll need:
- A pour-over brewing device that best meets your needs.
- Special Chemex filters if you’ve chosen to go with a Chemex, or the Melitta #4 filters if you’ve chosen most any other pour-over device.
Brewing instructions:
- Measure out your coffee for a 1:18 brew ratio (more or less depending on your preferred coffee strength). In an 8-cup Chemex, our recommendation would be to use 50 grams of coffee and 900 grams of water. In a single cup pour-over, 23 grams of coffee is a great starting point.
- Grind your coffee medium-course so it is the consistency of fine sea salt. (Read: The Art of Grinding Coffee)
- Heat the water until it comes to a boil and then reduce the heat. You’ll want your water just off boil (200–205° F).
- Place the filter into the pour-over device and pour some of the hot water through the filter to rinse out the paper fibers. (Don’t forget to dump out the water.)
- Pour your ground coffee into the filter.
- Slowly pour the hot water over the grounds (or into the reservoir if using the Oxo Pour-Over) until gradually the scale reaches your preferred amount of water in grams. This will take roughly 4 minutes.
- Remove the filter with the grounds and enjoy a smooth and delicious cup of coffee.
French Press

French press coffee is a favorite for many, mostly for its simplicity and consistently great results. Because there’s no paper filter used, French press coffee delivers a complex, full-bodied, and slightly more viscous cup of coffee. (often you’ll see a small amount of coffee sediment on the bottom of your cup, similar to loose-leaf tea.)
You’ll need:
- A French press that best meets your consumption needs. Here is an example of a 34 oz., 8-cup Bodum Caffettiera French Press, however there are several brands and sizes to choose from.
Brewing Instructions:
- Measure out your coffee for a 1:15 brew ratio (more or less, depending on your preferred coffee strength). In a 34 oz. French press, with a 1:15 brew ration, that would be 60 grams of coffee and 900 grams of water.
- Grind your coffee course. It should look like course sea salt. (Read: The Art of Grinding Coffee)
- Heat the water until it comes to a boil and then reduce the heat. You’ll want your water just off boil (200–205° F).
- Pour your ground coffee into the French press and give it a little shake so the grounds settle at the bottom.
- Pour the hot water over the grounds, ensuring all the grounds are saturated. Pouring the water until it reaches the top will be approximate 900 grams, so using a scale isn’t necessary for this brew method.
- Put the plunger lid on and set your timer for 4 minutes.
- After 4 minutes, slowly push the plunger all the way down. Then enjoy!
Moka Pot Stove-top Method

If you are a fan of a strong cup of coffee, the moka pot is a great brew method to try. This method does not require a hot water kettle or a paper filter, because it will sit right on your stove-top burner, similar to a percolator. If you are a fan of camping, the moka pot would be a great option to bring with you!
You’ll need:
- The moka pot, like most other brewing devices, comes in different sizes. Here is an example of a 6-cup Bialetti Express Moka Pot.
Brewing Instructions:
- Unscrew the bottom half of the moka pot, remove the funnel-shaped metal filter, and fill the lower chamber with cold water until the water is right below the valve.
- Grind your coffee fine. It should look powdery. (Read: The Art of Grinding Coffee)
- Fill the funnel-shaped metal filter with your finely ground coffee. It’s important not to tamp down the grounds. Place the metal filter back into the lower chamber.
- Attach the top back onto the base and place the moka pot onto a stove-top burner.
- Heat the water to a boil. The coffee will percolate through the center spout.
- Once the coffee is done coming through the spout, turn the heat off, and pour your strong and robust coffee into your favorite mug.
Trying new coffee brewing methods is a lot of fun. It’s truly amazing how the brew method and grind size can enhance your coffee experience and enjoyment.
Order some delicious shade-grown coffee to try and be sure to share your perfect cup with us on Instagram or Facebook!
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