Gear matters less than technique — but the right dripper can make dialing in a whole lot easier. Here’s what we’re currently brewing on at Deep Space Coffee and why we landed on each one.
The Drippers
Hario Alpha Series V60-01 Dripper
The HARIO Alpha V60-01 is a new version of HARIO’s timeless pour-over brewer. Crafted from easy-to-clean, BPA-free, and shatter-resistant Tritan, it features twelve evenly spaced canals that guide water flow downwards while keeping the paper filter adhered to the brewer. The result is an evenly extracted coffee bed that promotes balanced flavors and more detectable aromatic compounds.
- Conical HARIO V60 shape permits a consistent, downward flow of water
- Travel-ready Tritan is shatter resistant and easy to pack — perfect for camping and travel
- 1–2 cup capacity, ideal for single servings
- Crafted by HARIO Taiwan with a goal of innovating and elevating traditional coffee gear
- Compatible with HARIO V60-01 Paper Filters
Brew Recipe (courtesy of Eight Ounce Coffee)
- Boil water to around 90°C (199°F), or to your preferred temperature.
- Wet the HARIO V60-01 paper filter inside the dripper to remove paper taste.
- Weigh out a 1:16 ratio of ground coffee to water (e.g., 12.5g of coffee for 200g of water). Adjust ratio if necessary.
- Add 2–3x the weight of coffee in water for your bloom. Let it sit for 30–45 seconds.
- Add the remaining hot water intermittently. Timing will vary, but generally this takes 1:15–1:30 minutes, with a total brew time of 3–4 minutes.
The Origami Dripper
The Origami is a hybrid — it works with both flat-bottom and cone-shaped filters, giving you two completely different flavor profiles from the same brewer depending on which filter you use. With a flat filter it brews more like a Kalita Wave; with a cone filter it opens up like a V60.
It’s also stunning to look at. The ceramic build retains heat well, and the origami-folded ridges create an air gap between the filter and the walls that helps with even extraction. We love it for showcasing coffees with complex, layered flavor — the kind of cup you want to slow down and pay attention to.
Hario Switch
The Hario Switch is an immersion/pour over hybrid. It looks like a standard V60 but has a valve at the bottom that you can open or close to control when water drains. Close the valve and steep like a French press or AeroPress; open it and it drains like a traditional pour over.
This gives you the clarity and brightness of pour over with the body and sweetness of immersion brewing. We use the Switch when we’re experimenting with new coffees or want to highlight sweetness in natural process beans — a short immersion phase before the drain brings out a lot of depth.
The Filters We Use
CAFEC Abaca
Abaca filters are made from Manila hemp fiber rather than standard paper pulp. The result is a filter that’s incredibly strong when wet, has almost no paper taste even without rinsing, and produces a slightly richer cup than standard bleached filters. We particularly like them with the Origami and the Alpha — they hold their shape well and don’t collapse under aggressive pours.
If you haven’t tried Abaca filters before, they’re a noticeable upgrade from grocery store filters. The cup is cleaner and more nuanced.
Hario Meteor Filters
The Hario Meteor filters deliver nearly 3 times the permeation rate of classic V60 filters. That higher flow rate helps highlight delicate acidity and refined clarity in the cup — making them an excellent match for light roast single origins where nuance matters most.
Made from a multi-layer structure of paper, abaca, and polylactic acid (PLA), they combine natural resilience with advanced flow performance. Abaca — a banana-like plant fiber — is flexible, durable, and known for its excellent liquid permeability. The result is a filter that moves fast, stays strong, and stays out of the way of the coffee’s flavor.
Our General Approach
We don’t think there’s one perfect dripper for every coffee. Different tools bring out different characteristics, and part of the fun of specialty coffee is experimenting. Here’s how we typically match them up:
- Hario Alpha + CAFEC Abaca — everyday clarity and consistency, great for fruity light roasts
- Origami + CAFEC Abaca (cone) or Kalita Flat Bottom Filters— complex layered cups, coffees with floral or tea-like character
- Hario Switch + Hario Meteor — natural process coffees, anything you want to brew with more body and sweetness
Want to know more about dialing in your brew? Check out our Brew Guides or our post on how to dial in your grind for pour over.