Feb 7, 2018 11:23 PM

Gearhead: 5 Coffee Essentials

Absolute control is key to crafting the perfect cup.

Featured in this article

Baratza Virtuoso

Pro baristas will tell you that burr grinders are the way to go for a uniform grind. Baratza’s conical crusher excels at producing a wide range of grind sizes, and it cuts down on “fines,” the powdery bits that can make your brew bitter. ($249)

Acaia Pearl Scale

Keep close tabs on the weight of beans and the amount of water you pour with this smart scale that’s accurate to within a tenth of a gram. Connect with the Acaia Coffee app to look up appropriate bean-to-water ratios and brewing times. ($150)

December Dripper

Most pour-over drippers lack moving parts. The December’s cone twists so you can control the flow, modulating between three speeds or cutting it off completely by opening and closing the holes in the base. ($55)

Heath Ceramics Stack Mug

Sip from a mug that’s a winner on two fronts: The space-saving stackable design is timeless, and the hand-glazed ceramic vessel is made in California by workers who get health and retirement benefits. ($30)

01
Baratza Virtuoso
Pro baristas will tell you that burr grinders are the way to go for a uniform grind. Baratza’s conical crusher excels at producing a wide range of grind sizes, and it cuts down on “fines,” the powdery bits that can make your brew bitter. ($249)
02
Acaia Pearl Scale
Keep close tabs on the weight of beans and the amount of water you pour with this smart scale that’s accurate to within a tenth of a gram. Connect with the Acaia Coffee app to look up appropriate bean-to-water ratios and brewing times. ($150)

03
December Dripper
Most pour-over drippers lack moving parts. The December’s cone twists so you can control the flow, modulating between three speeds or cutting it off completely by opening and closing the holes in the base. ($55)
04
Heath Ceramics Stack Mug
Sip from a mug that’s a winner on two fronts: The space-saving stackable design is timeless, and the hand-glazed ceramic vessel is made in California by workers who get health and retirement benefits. ($30)

05
Fellow Stagg Pour-Over Kettle
Gorgeous to look at and lovely to hold, the Stagg kettle has an analog thermometer that monitors water temperature. Together, the swan-necked spout and weighted handle allow for a smooth and steady pour. ($69 and up)

Comments

Food writer Joe Ray (@joe_diner) is a Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year, a restaurant critic, and author of Sea and Smoke. ... Read More

WIRED Contributor

TopicsAMP Stories coffee gear

Coffee Pot Physics

When you flip on an electric coffee pot, complex thermodynamics go to work. Dot Physics blogger Rhett Allain delivers a hot mug of science regarding the morning routine.

Supreme Beans: 6 Home Coffee Roasting Methods Tested

Recently, the micro-roasting movement has brought coffee roasting back into the home. We test six methods -- from expensive and fancy to cheap and simple.

Why Copyrighted Coffee May Cripple the Internet of Things

One of the country's biggest coffee companies is putting DRM protections on their single-serve brew capsules. It's exactly this kind of closed system that could strip the internet of things of its early promise.

When Robots Invade the Kitchen

A new generation of robots is mixing salads, building pizzas and brewing coffee.

Why Starbucks Will Win Over Italy: It Doesn't Really Sell Coffee

Starbucks doesn’t simply offer its customers buckets of coffee. Like Google and Apple, it offers a canvas onto which we can project our consumer identities.

Spore Yourself Rotten With WIRED’s Mushroom Gift Guide

We’re talking mushroom gummies, shiitake-infused cooking oil, and even an automated monotub for serious spore enthusiasts.

The Best Pizza Ovens of 2025 to Make the Perfect Pie

Craving carb-y comfort? We picked our favorite outdoor ovens for backyards, countertops, or camping.

The Best Base Layers for Every Adventure

Whether you’re layering up for winter cold or looking for an ultralight summer system, we’ve tested and found the best base layers for all your outdoor adventures.

Diaspora Cookbooks Hit Their Heyday

Six new cookbooks bring stellar dishes—and cultures—from around the world into your kitchen.

13 White Elephant Gifts Worth Fighting Over

Bring the gift everyone will want to win from this year's holiday party, from a bathrobe for a bottle of wine to magnets they'll wish they could eat.

33 Best Gifts for Cat Lovers

Want to surprise your feline friend or find the perfect gift for a cat lover? WIRED has you covered.

The Best Functional Drinks to Wake Up or Get Down

I tasted dozens of mushroom teas, kava drinks, and party drinks to find the best. Brez and Juni are the two I recommend for most people looking for focus.