Recently, I had the privilege of personally testing a few different pour over coffee kettles. I was a skeptic. I mean, what could really be better about simply pouring water over my coffee rather than letting it drip?? When I put a pod in my single-cup brewer, doesn’t it also just, you know, pour the water over the grounds?
I really didn’t understand the difference. Until I tried it. I am not blowing smoke when I say that I don’t ever want to go back. I packed up my single cup brewer after I made my first cup of pour over coffee. It was that good.
If you’re looking for a gooseneck kettle (and you should be), it can be hard to choose just the right one, because there are so many. In fact, a lot of them are totally useless because they can burn your hand and be hard to pour. That’s why I created this list.
The Hype
Sure, there’s a lot of hype around pour over coffee, and maybe you even feel like a hipster or a poser, because who even drinks the stuff and why? To be honest, whoever discovered that simply pouring hot water over coffee grounds would taste better is a genius.
The key to making a great manual pour over coffee is extraction. With a gooseneck kettle (as opposed to a standard hot water kettle), you get more control over where and how the water falls over the grounds, which improves your extraction by giving you balanced saturation.
You can even find pour over recipes online that give you precise instructions on how to regulate each pour. A gooseneck kettle will prevent under pouring or over pouring, so your coffee will taste just right.
What to Look For
It’s worth it to be picky when choosing a gooseneck kettle. After all, a gooseneck kettle for the barista is like a fine-tipped brush for the painter. It’s a tool that helps the artist achieve perfection. You need to pay attention to the details of each kettle while you shop.
Comfort
It may seem like comfort shouldn’t be at the top of the list, but imagine holding a hot kettle filled with steaming water out in front of you for minutes at a time as you gradually pour in increments until your steaming cuppa is full.
Your kettle should be comfortable and ergonomic. The handle should be wrapped in something that will keep your hand from getting burnt and that you can hold for long periods of time. Comfort is often subjective, but nothing is worse than an awkward handle.
Flow rate
Speed is less important than consistency. The goal is to maintain precise control over your flow, so you need a kettle that makes it easier to achieve that. Some kettles will pour slower than others while some will be immediately responsive to subtle changes. A quick pouring kettle may take some getting used to, but as long as you master pouring it evenly, you’ll be well on your way to excellent coffee.
You want even extraction, no matter what pouring method you’re using. Since manual pouring methods are subject to human error, do some research about different pouring methods, try each, and attempt to master your favorite.
Capacity
The ratio of coffee to water is another important component of great pour over coffee. You need a kettle that will hold just the right amount of water for your purposes, whether that’s a cup for you in the morning or a batch brew for some friends.
Most gooseneck kettles top out at about 1 liter, but you can find some variations. Look for convenient measurements on the side that make it easier to fill it more precisely.
Material
Water and metal don’t mix, so avoid kettles that are built with low quality materials. Cheaper kettles from off-brand manufacturers will wear more quickly and may even crack along the joints. They may use plastic parts, making them even less durable, and they will certainly rust.
Make sure you’re investing in a kettle that’s made with quality stainless steel or even copper to avoid corrosion and breaking.
Features
There’s a wide range of options that offer more than just a standard gooseneck kettle. If you’re into simplicity, that’s fine, but if you want some extra features that maximize efficiency, they’re available, too.
While most kettles feature a thermometer that allows you to monitor the temperature of your water, some will let you set the exact temperature. Controlling the temperature of your water is another way to make your coffee taste better.
Best Pour Over Coffee Kettles
This is what you’ve been waiting for. These are the pour over coffee kettles that I love, and I know they’ll work for just about anyone. None of them is of poor quality and each will allow you to control the flow rate. Some will even allow you to control the temperature. These are durable options that will last for years to come as long as you take care of them.
Coffee Gator Pour Over Kettle
This unit is my all time favorite. Of everything I tried, it was the easiest to use and offered the best value. At first glance, I simply loved the design. It’s funky and cute. Plus, the size is pretty much perfect for a cup of coffee or tea for both my husband and I in the morning.
Aside from its lovely brushed stainless steel appearance, it’s a sturdy kettle that can withstand daily use without corrosion or wear and tear. The handle is covered in a comfortable, durable hard plastic that won’t get too hot to hold and offers an ergonomic grip.
The removable lid has a built in thermometer, which improves its usability and eliminates the need for spending more on an external option. The gooseneck pour spout is incredibly easy to control, so you’ll get the perfect flow every time. I like that it’s difficult to pour quickly, because I prefer an incremental pour to something fast.
The only downside to this particular model is that it’s advertised to hold 1 liter, but the max fill line measures about 0.6 liters. It’s not a problem for me, because I generally only brew enough water for 2 cups of coffee at once, but it could pose a problem for others.
However, at the price, you really can’t go wrong with this simple but elegant solution. There’s also a 100% money-back guarantee, because they know you’ll just love it after you try it. If you don’t, send it back for a full refund.
Pros:
- Brushed stainless steel design
- Comfortable and ergonomic handle
- Excellent flow rate control
- Built-in thermometer
- Great value
- 100% money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Only holds 0.6 liters
Willow & Everett Electric Kettle
This is a great option for those who want to brew coffee or tea at the office or anywhere they don’t have access to a stove. It’s a simple electric kettle that offers quick boiling and turns off automatically when it’s done.
You can ensure that this unit will heat water more quickly than many stovetop options, but you don’t get any precise temperature control and there’s no built in thermometer. It heats to boiling, and if you want a lesser temperature, you’ll have to buy an external thermometer and monitor the water until it cools to your preference.
The handle is comfortable and the spout makes it easy to pour, so you’ll get easy and precise pouring. Despite its 1-liter capacity, it feels much lighter than other kettles, but the downside is that it doesn’t feel as durable.
There’s also no max fill line, so you have to be careful not to fill it too full or it will boil over quickly. The other problem I found with this unit was that if I filled it to capacity, once the water boiled, it rocked the kettle on the base. I was afraid it would tip over and spill boiling water everywhere, but it never did.
However, at this price point, it’s still quite impressive that you get a stainless steel unit with a functional gooseneck spout and an automatic shut-off, so it’s a good value option.
Pros:
- Automatic shut off
- Rapid boiling
- Electric and easy to use
- Comfortable handle
- Lightweight kettle
Cons:
- No max fill line
- No built-in thermometer
- Seems to be made of lesser quality materials
Willow & Everett Gooseneck Electric Kettle With Temperature Controls and Presets
This upgraded option from Willow & Everett features a sturdy base with temperature controls on it. There are a lot of really great things about this kettle that make it worth the increase in price. This is probably the best electric kettle you can get for the price.
The temperature presets have suggested uses under them. For instance, 180 degrees is best for green tea while 205 degrees is perfect for pour over coffee. You can also boil it at 212 degrees or keep it warm.
Just like the other Willow & Everett electric kettle, this one will shut off when it reaches the preset temperature. However, after it turns off, the temperature preset you just used will still be illuminated so you don’t lose track of what you’re doing.
This one is a lot more sturdy than the basic Willow & Everett kettle and won’t wobble when it reaches boiling temperatures. Better yet, it’s easy to control the flow rate, but its 1-liter capacity makes it pretty heavy.
The outside of this kettle gets hot to the touch, which can make it a bit hard to pour, and it’s not really an ideal option for a household like mine with 4 small kids. It would be perfect for an office environment where people like a variety of drinks.
Pros:
- Sturdy stainless steel
- Temperature control and presets
- Illuminated buttons and audible beeps
- Keep warm option
- Easy to control pour
Cons:
- Heavy
- Outside of kettle gets hot
- No celsius reading
Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Pour Over Kettle
This electric pour over kettle is pretty expensive, but it’s incredibly stylish and functional. It comes in sleek black, matte white, classy copper, and shiny silver. This unit is built with quality craftsmanship and will last for a long time.
My favorite thing about this one is that the handle has one of the most ergonomic designs of any other kettle I tried. It felt sturdy in my hand and the multiple cool touch points meant I could put my thumb in a number of places to give me more control over pouring.
You can also dial in just the right temperature, anywhere from 135-212 degrees. There are no preset buttons, which means you can choose exactly what you want for your beverages. Once it reaches that temperature, it will hold it automatically for up to an hour. If you tend to drink more than one cup of coffee in the morning, you can keep your water hot until you’re done.
The display shows the temperature you dialed in and the current temperature so you’ll know just how much longer you have to wait. You can also toggle it from Fahrenheit to Celsius. With the built-in brew stopwatch, you can time your flow rate for the perfect pour every time.
Pros:
- Stylish and functional
- Comes in 4 colors
- Precise temperature dial
- Ergonomic handle
- Keeps water warm for an hour
- Built-in stopwatch
Cons:
- Expensive
Final Thoughts
My absolute favorite kettle was the Coffee Gator pour over kettle because it was easy to use and had a funky design. It’s also affordable and features a built-in thermometer and ergonomic handle.
If you’re looking for an electric kettle, the Willow & Everett unit with temperature controls because it marries excellent design and functionality with an affordable price. If you do want to go all out, the Fellow Stagg EKG is definitely the one.
All of these pour over coffee kettles are functional and made with quality. You’ll be happy no matter what you choose, as long as you ensure it has the features you need.