It’s not hyperbole to say that finding the perfect coffee maker is key to the…
Sasha Pavlovich is a coffee expert with years of experience as a barista, and she knows quite a bit about caffeine and coffee. She manually curates every single page on CaffeineStats.com to make sure that you are getting the right information at your fingertips.
Sasha's expertise is backed by a strong foundation of credentials. She is a certified Coffee Roast Master, specializes in Green Coffee Analytics, and is a certified Sensory Cup Taster.
You’re probably here because you love coffee. And if you love coffee, you’ve probably heard of, if not tried, pour over coffee. When properly made, the pour over method enhances the aroma and flavor of the coffee. The best way to achieve a perfect pour over? With the best gooseneck kettle.
When I was three years old, I had a performance of “I’m a Little Teapot.” I had no idea how important “here is my handle and here is my spout” would become. Read on to learn just how much that spout matters.
If you want to make superior pour over coffee, finding the best pour over kettle is an essential element. This specially designed kettle controls the outflow of water and lets you aim precisely where you want the water to go.
Great coffee depends on even extraction. When using a regular kettle to make pour over, it’s hard to not fill the filter cone all the way. Why does this matter? As the water drains, the coffee grinds stick to the walls of the filter. The coffee high on the filter isn’t contributing to the flavor, so it’s basically wasted. And the grounds on the bottom are doing double duty. The grinds are exhausted and over-extracted, which leaves your coffee bitter.
Just like you don’t use a sledgehammer to mold tiny details in gold, don’t use a regular kettle to make pour over coffee.
If you’re new to the world of pour over coffee, you may wonder which features are important and why. Do I need one with all the bells and whistles? Here, we’ll talk about the most common features and how to decide if you need them or not.
This is the biggest decision to make. When heating water for pour over coffee, your best bet is likely the electric. They are often quicker than heating water on the stove. They’re also easy to use in places like your work office.
Another benefit of electric kettles is the ability to bring water to a precise temperature. While this isn’t absolutely critical it does make life easier.
But what if you already have a great, regular spout electric kettle? You may want to consider a less expensive stovetop kettle. You can heat the water in your electric kettle, then pour it into your gooseneck stovetop kettle to get the proper pouring technique.
Even if you don’t already have an electric kettle, you still might want a stovetop version. For starters, you won’t find an outlet when you’re camping. (I mean real camping, not tooling around in your RV.) Another thing about stovetop kettles is that you can reach a higher temperature than with an electric version. Also, with a stovetop kettle, you don’t have to worry about the electric and electronic components frying. Lastly, a stovetop kettle doesn’t take up valuable counter space.
Most electric gooseneck kettles will have some type of variable temperature setting. If you want to make minute adjustments to fine-tune your coffee preparation, look for a kettle that lets you set the temperature by a single degree.
If you’re not as picky, a number of electric gooseneck kettles only have temperature presets. This is convenient, especially if you also drink tea. White teas are brewed at a lower temperature than pour over coffee, and black tea is brewed at a higher temperature. Some kettles label the presets by what beverage that temperature is for.
When looking at stovetop gooseneck kettles, you might want one with a built-in thermometer. This can be incredibly helpful for getting the correct temperature, but it may cost a little more. If you want to replicate your perfect cup of coffee, knowing the temperature is important.
You can still make pour over coffee without a thermometer. The rule of thumb is to bring water to a boil, take it off the heat, and let it sit for 30 seconds. Of course, variables such as elevation and room temperature will make a difference, but you’ll usually get about the right temperature.
This is another big decision. Will you be mainly making coffee just for yourself? Are you making coffee for the family or frequent guests? If brewing mainly for yourself, you can get by with a 0.8-liter gooseneck kettle. If brewing several cups at a time, you’ll want 1.2 liters or larger.
Why so much? The best way to brew pour over is to pre-saturate the paper filter. This also preheats the dripper and the mug or carafe. While 0.8 liters may sound like a lot, you want your kettle to hold twice the amount of water as you need for your coffee. That way, you have enough to complete this preparatory step.
For the most part, when choosing a kettle for a pour over maker, you want one with a slow flow rate. Physically, this means a narrow spout. One exception may be if you plan to use your pour over kettle for other purposes. You’ll find the best pour over kettles with various spout widths. If you often make tea or other preparations, you might consider one with a faster flow rate.
This is about keeping your cool. Some handle designs get hot, especially if you’re heating water on a stove. You can look for handles made of wood or other material that does not conduct heat. You also don’t want your hand to touch the outside of the kettle. If you have larger hands, look for a kettle that has a handle that sticks out from the kettle.
When looking for the best stovetop or electric gooseneck kettle, you may be surprised by the sheer variety. They each have their own aesthetics, size, and features. This review is to help you sort through what’s out there and choose the kettle that will work best for you.
Gooseneck electric kettles can simplify your morning routine. They vary in features and price. Here are reviews of several electric kettles, what they offer, and their drawbacks. No single kettle will be perfect for everyone.
While electric kettles allow precise temperature control and can often keep the water hot for a period of time, stovetop kettles have their own advantages. Here are some popular stovetop kettles and some of their features.
It’s all about control. To get the best pour over coffee, you need to pour the water slowly and be able to control where the water goes. Using a regular kettle for pour over coffee sets you up for uneven extraction and bitter coffee. The capacity is large enough for most home baristas, and it heats up so fast that you can have another batch of hot water in a few minutes.
A gooseneck electric kettle lets you precisely control the water temperature. Many can also maintain that temperature for a period of time. Some stovetop models have a built-in thermometer, but it requires constant monitoring to get the right temperature.
For best results, empty the kettle after each use and allow the inside to dry. Even with these precautions, you may notice deposits on the bottom. When you do notice a buildup of minerals, you can descale by using lemon juice or vinegar. You can also use a commercial descaler.
Technically, yes. But you won’t get as good of a result. It will not give you a precise pour. It also has a stronger flow. This can cause extra turbulence, leading to over-extracted coffee.
Top all-around honors go to the Fellow Stagg EKG, electric pour-over kettle. It’s a reliable electric kettle that offers precise temperature control. The spout design offers precision for even the pickiest pour-over coffee brewers.
In the stovetop category of best gooseneck kettle, our top choice is the Coffee Gator gooseneck kettle. The built-in thermometer makes it stand head and shoulders above the rest. The triple-layer base means it works great for gas and all types of electric stoves. The handle stays cool, and we like the control the spout gives.
If you haven’t already, we strongly encourage you to venture into the world of gourmet pour over coffee. The rick flavor will win you over. And now you’re armed with the knowledge to get in the game with the right kettle.
