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Thoughts on drip assist devices? (self.coffee)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Imgonnatrythis to c/[email protected]

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I'd like to experiment with a drip assist tool. Currently looking at Melodrip vs Hario v60 drip assist. The Hario is much cheaper, and I like the idea of not having to tie up both hands. Of note, I have been using less of my Chemex and more of the Orea big boy for multicup brews. It looks close, but I think the Hario drip assist might fit on big boy without falling in. Do you all think that these drip assists will have a bigger or smaller impact on these bigger multicup brews? Is channeling a real concern with the Hario and a bigger brew bed? What if I just rotate it between pours? How much are you adjusting grind size for these?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago (3 children)

Someone at the office brought a Gabi Dripper (or whatever the proper name is). Basically a Kalita Wave compatible filter holder, with a shower thingy on top that you just dump water into.

I love that thing. It makes it stupid simple to brew good coffee, without faffing about, and if you want to take the time or experiment, you can still take the top off and do a manual pour.

The way I see it: it's an addition. I've seen posts about "does this defeat the purpose", and I consider that silly gate keeping. The purpose is good coffee, yeah?

[–] Imgonnatrythis 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yes the Gabi B. Seems like the Hario is a bit more popular. I'm a self proclaimed faffer, so while I'd love to simplify, I'm sure I'll use it as another way to help complicate my workflow. I'm already thinking about using it at end of brew to lower agitation but using open pour at the beginning to get some bed agitation and float up the fines. I think 75% of the time a good drip brewer makes a near perfect cup, but being able to have tools and adjustments in pour over technique is what allows you to hone in on the best cup as tailored to the specific beans and roasts you are working with.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

Hario could be more popular because Hario, not sure though. I'll ask said coworker if he has experience with other devices (pretty sure he dailies a V60).

As for faffery levels: yes, if that is your cup of tea (ha), that slightly changes things of course. ;)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

A little late to this party, but when I saw this thread and looked up what the Melodrip was, I thought my OXO pourover does the same thing, but hands free. The Gabi looks to be pretty similar.

I avoided pourover for a while, not wanting to get more gear like a gooseneck and to stand around doing the magical pouring routine. I got the OXO when it came out and Reddit was ripping on the thing left and right. This thing is dead simple, I get consistent results, and I think it makes a clean tasting delicious cup of coffee. It's under $20, so cheaper than all the other options in this thread too.

This guy and the Aeropress give me everything I find myself needing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

From the look of things, yeah, the OXO device looks similar enough to a Gabi, just a different filter type and a different (bigger) size. If there's a disadvantage to the Gabi, it's that: it's rather small, so unless you're doing single cups, you'll have to pour in a couple of rounds, making sure your bed doesn't dry out in the meantime, etc. It won't be a problem if you do single cups, so I suppose that's what it's primarily aimed at. Oh, and the type of filters differ, of course, so if you have a strong preference there, that might dictate the dripper/drip-assist you can use.

Either way, yes, the OXO looks to be the same kind of thing, good to hear it works well, too!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm not sure how they compare between each other (Gabi and Hario), but I don't really see much difference from manually pooring. Basically going the immersion route makes your water touch the coffee longer. That might extract more fats and make it less healthy, and in my opinion not a better taste (I don't like other immersion products either). Taste is personal of course.

It might give you a slight improvement in comfort, but at what cost.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

but I don't really see much difference from manually pooring.

Main difference is ease of use, you don't need to use a gooseneck to circle around, another time, wait a bit, make a pentagram, invoke some eldritch coffee god, pour the rest. You just fill the top resorvoir and wait for it to drip through. Refill until you've hit your water volume.

Basically going the immersion route makes your water touch the coffee longer.

It's not immersion route, afaict, not more so than a regular pour-over. Unless I'm misunderstanding you (or the processes).

It might give you a slight improvement in comfort, but at what cost.

Roughly 30-40 euros, I believe. ;)

[–] Imgonnatrythis 1 points 2 months ago

Update for the archive. I bought the Hario drip assist for $14usd but I'm going to return it. My issues are that A. It fogs and you can't see what's going on with the coffee bed B. If you want to play around with conventional pours for bloom or increased agitation taking this on and off messes with your scale readings. I don't do maths prior to coffee C. Obvious evidence of significant channeling with this.

I got temporarily excited about a 3d printable holder for the aeropress cap to use as drip assist but watched some videos and it clearly does a lousy job without a filter. With a filter it's too slow and you need to poke holes in it. Way too fussy, not doing that.

Going to keep my eye out for a deal or used melodrip.