Can You Make Pour-Over Coffee with an Espresso Machine?
While espresso machines aren’t traditionally designed for pour-over coffee, recent technological advances have made it possible to replicate this brewing method using specialized equipment. Here’s a detailed look at how this works and what it means for coffee enthusiasts.
Key Differences Between Pour-Over and Espresso
Pour-over coffee relies on gravity for extraction, with water slowly filtering through the coffee grounds to highlight subtle flavors. This method takes longer and works best with coarser grounds, allowing for more nuanced flavor development.
In contrast, espresso is brewed under high pressure (approximately nine bars) using automated machines, quite different from traditional pour-over coffee made at atmospheric pressure (one bar) over a longer duration. The high pressure in espresso machines enables quick flavor extraction and works ideally with finely ground coffee.
How to Use an Espresso Machine for Pour-Over Coffee
While traditional espresso machines weren’t designed for pour-over coffee, some modern professional coffee machines now incorporate technology allowing them to brew at lower pressures and adjust flow rates, simulating pour-over conditions.
For example, the Heylo coffee module uses induction heating technology to control these variables, enabling it to produce results similar to pour-over coffee. Alessandro Ceriani, a member of Heylo’s R&D team, explains that their new technology addresses the limitations of traditional boiler systems, allowing complete control over pressure, flow rate, and water temperature.
As Alessandro notes: “By using preset flow patterns and dedicated particle sizes, we can simulate an extraction process similar to filter coffee.”
Standard Recipe for Machine-Made Pour-Over Coffee
- Brewing Time: 5-10 minutes (machine dependent)
- Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:16
- Grind Size: Medium (sea salt consistency)
- Water Temperature: 195–205°F (90–96°C)
Step-by-step
- Insert a new filter into your pour-over coffee maker
- Fill the water reservoir to the marked level
- Measure and grind your coffee
- Start the machine
- Pour and enjoy
Common Brewing Ratios
| Machine Size | Số thành phẩm | Lượng cà phê | Lượng nước |
| 2-cup maker | 1–2 cup | 4 tbsp (28g) | 2 cup (470 mL) |
| 4-cup maker | 3–4 cup | 8 tbsp (56g) | 4 cup (950 mL) |
| 6-cup maker | 5–6 cup | 12 tbsp (84g) | 6 cup (1,4 L) |
| 8-cup maker | 7–8 cup | 16 tbsp (112g) | 8 cup (1,9 L) |
| 10-cup maker | 9–10 cup | 20 tbsp (140g) | 10 cup (2,2 L) |
| 12-cup maker | 11–12 cup | 24 tbsp (168g) | 12 cup (2,8 L) |
Summary:
Technological advances are enabling some machines to recreate pour-over coffee conditions. While it’s possible to make pour-over coffee using an espresso machine, success depends on using the right equipment and techniques designed for this purpose. Whether you choose espresso or pour-over, the ultimate goal remains the same: achieving the perfect cup of coffee.
Images used in the article were collected by 43 Factory Coffee.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the main difference between pour-over and espresso coffee?
These methods differ significantly in their extraction process. Pour-over relies on natural gravity for slow water filtration through coarser grounds, producing subtle flavors. Espresso uses high pressure (9 bars) for quick extraction and requires finely ground coffee.
2. How can espresso machines make pour-over coffee?
Modern professional machines now include technology for low-pressure brewing and flow rate control. The Heylo module, for example, uses induction heating to simulate traditional pour-over conditions.
3. What benefits does new technology bring to machine-made pour-over coffee?
New technology enables precise control over pressure, flow rate, and water temperature during brewing. This allows machines to replicate pour-over coffee’s characteristics while overcoming traditional boiler system limitations.
4. How might machine-made pour-over coffee impact the coffee industry?
This technology could transform café operations. Instead of training staff in time-consuming manual pour-over techniques, cafés can use machines to produce consistent, quality pour-over coffee more efficiently.
5. Is machine-made pour-over coffee currently feasible?
While still evolving, the technology has made significant progress in replicating pour-over conditions. Success depends on using specialized equipment and proper techniques, combined with appropriate filters.
