What you need for great coffee at home

1. Freshly roasted coffee, whole beans

No gear fixes stale coffee. Buy whole beans, check the roast date and choose bags you’ll finish in two or three weeks. Keep it in an opaque canister, away from light.

2. A burr grinder

It’s the purchase that changes the cup most. Ground just before brewing, coffee keeps its aroma; and a burr grinder gives more even particles than a blade one. To start, a hand grinder: I explain it in hand grinders.

3. A scale with a timer

Weighing coffee and water lets you repeat what works and fix what doesn’t. It’s the cheapest upgrade. Options in coffee scales.

4. The brewer

Here taste rules. AeroPress if you want something easy; V60 to learn filter; French press for body; moka pot for strength without a machine; espresso if you’re serious.

5. The kettle (filter only)

For V60 and Chemex, a gooseneck kettle helps you pour slowly. For the other methods, the one you already have will do.

Three setups, by budget

Combinations I would buy myself. I don’t list prices because they change daily: you see them when you click each link.

FAQ

Is a grinder worth it if I buy pre-ground coffee?

Yes, if you switch to whole beans. Ground coffee loses aroma sooner; that’s why the grinder is the first purchase I recommend.

Which method is easiest to start with?

The AeroPress: its starter recipe is add the coffee, water to the 4, stir, wait a minute and press.

What temperature should the water be?

It depends on the method. Bodum asks for 92-96 °C for the French press; AeroPress recommends 85 °C (or boiling water if you can’t choose); for the V60, Hario publishes a recipe with freshly boiled water for light roasts.

Do I need an espresso machine to make cappuccino?

For a real cappuccino, yes: you need steam for microfoam. With a moka pot or an AeroPress you can make strong coffee and add hot milk.