Brewing Guide

Introduction

How to Brew Great Coffee at Home with a Vacuum Pot

Vacuum Pots are an old and established method of preparing great coffee. In the opinion of many aficionados they are, in fact, the best possible way to brew a cup of coffee. The keys to getting good coffee from a Vacuum Pot are: using high quality, fresh coffee; using the correct grind and grinding with a high quality burr grinder; paying close attention to the brewing process (i.e. not walking away); and keeping the equipment clean. Vacuum Pots are not entirely simple to use and tend to be fragile, but if you’re careful and enjoy tinkering, the results can be stunning.

You’ll need a vacuum pot, coffee, a grinder, a spoon, hot pads, and a heat source.

Step One

Grind Coffee

You need to grind the coffee with a quality burr grinder. The grind should be reasonably fine. How fine? This is different with each Vacuum Pot. You’ll need to experiment. Start by grinding as you would for auto-drip. If the water rushes through the coffee and the coffee is thin and weak, grind finer. If the coffee clogs the brewer, grind coarser. We recommend 8 grams (0.28 oz or about one rounded tablespoon) coffee per 4 oz of water.

Step Two

Fill Bottom Globe with Water and Put on the Heat Source

If you’re using an alcohol burner (or the like) you should preheat the water in an electric kettle (or something similar) to decrease boiling time. If you do this, be very careful when handling the brewer as it will become very hot quite quickly.

Step Three

Assemble the Vacuum Brewer

When the water starts to near a boil (forming small bubbles) put the top globe onto the bottom globe. Fairly quickly after you have sealed the brewer, water should start making its way to the top vessel. Allow this to continue till vapor starts to escape the bottom vessel and the brewer begins to gurgle.

Step Four

Stir in the Coffee

Add your coffee and stir until there are no dry grounds. This step should take approximately 10 seconds.

Step Five

Wait Then Stir

Allow the coffee to brew for 30 seconds then gently re-submerge the grounds.

Step Six

Remove Brewer from Heat

Remove the brewer from the heat source and turn off (or extinguish) the source. This should be about 50 seconds to a minute after you initially added the coffee. Be careful and use hot pads.

Step Seven

Watch the Extraction

You will see coffee begin to extract back through the filter into the bottom globe as the brewer cools. After the draw-down begins, give the coffee one gentle stir to create a whirlpool in the brewer. Once the water stops pulling back through the coffee and the filter, remove the top globe and pour the coffee into cups. Again… be careful and use hot pads.

Step Eight

Drink Wonderful Coffee

Pour into cups and enjoy.