185 Glass Dripper
“Well built, leak-free and beautiful on the counter. For people who love the ritual of pour-over.”
I bought this myself. Nobody paid for this review.
My take
Pour-over started in 1908, when Melitta Bentz in Dresden lined a brass pot she had poked holes in with blotting paper from her son's notebook. The Normcore is a modern take: a double-wall glass dripper in smoky gray, built for Kalita Wave 185 filters, with a glass lid and a protective EVA travel case. The glass is solid without being heavy, the double wall keeps the outside cool and the coffee warm, and the seal has never leaked. I've used it since early October, mostly in the evenings with decaf, and at the recommended 1:16 ratio the cup comes out smooth, clean and full of flavor.
What stood out
- Holds about 320 ml (10.8 oz) of water
- Takes Kalita Wave 185 (flat-bottom) filters, which are more forgiving than a cone for beginners. Filters aren't included
- Double-wall glass: cool to the touch, holds heat, great for swirling
- Comes in a protective EVA case. The lid is glass on glass, so keep it in the case in a bag
- Cleanup is tossing the filter and rinsing the glass
Loved
- Solid, well-made glass
- No leaks
- Comfortable double-wall carafe that keeps coffee warm
- Looks great on the counter
- Travel case fits everything
Not so much
- Not very backpack friendly once you add filters, beans and a kettle
- Pour-over takes time. Not for people who want coffee fast
Who it’s for
Anyone who loves the pour-over ritual and wants a brewer that looks clean on the counter, travels for road trips and hotels, and makes a great Christmas gift at about $40.
How I brew it
Pour-over: rinse the filter, bloom for 30 seconds, pour slowly, 1:16 ratio
