austin Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2011 Posts: 19 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Apr 27, 2011, 8:49am Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
The only times I really have control issues with the cheap oil drizzling can is during the pre-infusion phase where i'm trying to get all the grounds wet with the least amount of water. The water seems to dribble out of the spout. So there's accuracy issues initially... but for the rest of the pour it provides a nice steady stream.
CrayonShinchan Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 109 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: B. Maestro & Vario, Peugeot... Vac Pot: Cona D, Yama Drip: Chemex, V60, Kone,...
Posted Wed Apr 27, 2011, 10:09am Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
austin Said:
The only times I really have control issues with the cheap oil drizzling can is during the pre-infusion phase where i'm trying to get all the grounds wet with the least amount of water. The water seems to dribble out of the spout. So there's accuracy issues initially... but for the rest of the pour it provides a nice steady stream.
Same here, except it doesn't dribble out for me. I usually overshoot the grounds and hit the edges. I've since learned to anticipate and compensate my aim LOL
whd2102 Senior Member Joined: 5 Sep 2010 Posts: 79 Location: boston
Posted Wed Apr 27, 2011, 11:25am Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
CrayonShinchan Said:
Sure, but I'm talking about bling factor, which is obviously the most important aspect of anything in life.
And I'm not quite sure temp retention would be that much more drastic between the two sizes. Especially if you pre-heat your kettles and/or put it on the stove. Also, you don't always fill up the entire kettle so in those instances wouldn't .51 liters in a .9 liter kettle have the same temp retention as .51 liters in a .51 liter kettle?
I'm not quite sure I buy this high-class concern. I'm open to hearing otherwise though.
The "high-class" concern would be paying $100-$250 (depending on the Takahiro's finish) for "bling" when you already have multiple pouring kettles. If you want to buy that instead of my suggestion, no skin off my back.
I've made dynamic cups with the 0.51 (a friend's) when doing classic Japanese one-cup pour-overs but for anything larger, I prefer a larger kettle. I do fill it up to the brim.
austin Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2011 Posts: 19 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Wed Apr 27, 2011, 12:20pm Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
I've discovered that my pour control is really good when the oil drizzling can is not completely full. When the water level is below the level of the start of the spout, I can control drip by drip. Not bad for $6!
CrayonShinchan Senior Member Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Posts: 109 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Izzo Alex Duetto II Grinder: B. Maestro & Vario, Peugeot... Vac Pot: Cona D, Yama Drip: Chemex, V60, Kone,...
Posted Wed Apr 27, 2011, 10:00pm Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
whd2102 Said:
The "high-class" concern would be paying $100-$250 (depending on the Takahiro's finish) for "bling" when you already have multiple pouring kettles. If you want to buy that instead of my suggestion, no skin off my back.
I've made dynamic cups with the 0.51 (a friend's) when doing classic Japanese one-cup pour-overs but for anything larger, I prefer a larger kettle. I do fill it up to the brim.
Ok, I understand, and I was half-joking about the bling factor. It's a lot of money for a kettle. I wouldn't particularly brag that I paid $250 for a kettle. To be able to have one would be quite an honor and I'd use it for specific usages like the one you mentioned.
I'm not really trying to justify paying a lot of money for something. I'm just saying that .51 liter Takahiro looks cool and would be nice to add to the collection.
I wasn't literally upset that I found out about the .51 liter after the fact, it was more like, "oh wow, I didn't know they had that."
I have a cheap oil drizzler, a Hario Buono, and the .9 liter Takahiro. I like to collect and experiment with different equipment, so I'm not necessarily trying to go against your "suggestion," even though I didn't see any suggestion initially except that you stated that a smaller capacity kettle isn't ideal for temperature stability. Perhaps I wanted you to elaborate on that more.
I guess my point/question was, if you were stuck with a smaller capacity kettle, is temp stability a real issue or is it a high-class problem to have considering these type of kettles provides many benefits?
All in all, I think this is an interesting tangent this discussion has taken, so thanks for bringing it up (even if it was just short response to my post).
Posted Thu Apr 28, 2011, 5:43am Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
So, the mention of oil drizzlers sent my search in a couple of new directions. Came up with a few things that, while not designed for what we're doing, could work with little to no modification.
Click Here (www.amazon.com) I thought this one was stylish and probably ready to go right away, no mods. Price isn't terrible either, but I think we can do better.
Click Here (www.crateandbarrel.com) Interesting, because it's cheap and for many folks locally available. Might have trouble with that handle, but using a small towel to insulate against heat could help.
I've seen a few other items come up in searches for "oil can" and "oil drizzler" (weeding out automotive products). Might be worth your time to look.
austin Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2011 Posts: 19 Location: Los Angeles Expertise: I like coffee
Posted Thu Apr 28, 2011, 6:35am Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
@JPDyson The crate and barrel version looks slightly better than the one I have, if only because it has a slight kink on the end of the spout as well as a little lip. I'd like to see this in action, but I'm assuming this spout would help in the control department. As for the handle. it's basically no different than mine. I don't use a towel to insulate it against burning my hand. The handle itself stays cool and there's enough clearance between my knuckle and the kettle body that I don't burn myself.
Posted Fri May 6, 2011, 10:11am Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
austin Said:
@JPDyson The crate and barrel version looks slightly better than the one I have, if only because it has a slight kink on the end of the spout as well as a little lip. I'd like to see this in action, but I'm assuming this spout would help in the control department. As for the handle. it's basically no different than mine. I don't use a towel to insulate it against burning my hand. The handle itself stays cool and there's enough clearance between my knuckle and the kettle body that I don't burn myself.
Thanks for the tip on this C&B oil can. I just picked one up. Looks to be perfect for my needs. It's small enough (14 oz. capacity) not to rob too much heat from the water I add to it (especially after preheating the can). More importantly, it pours like a dream. Thin stream, good control, no drips. Note: I don't have a Buono to compare with in terms of flow. Also, I can confirm that the handle doesn't get hot. Looking forward to using it with a Kalita Kantan dripper later today!
Koldd Senior Member Joined: 2 Jun 2006 Posts: 14 Location: The Internet Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Fri May 6, 2011, 11:35am Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
I've been using an ordinary "briefcase" thermos . It has a screw-top with grooves designed for pouring when partially unscrewed. If unscrewed to the right level, it produces an amazingly thin stream. I feel it's easier to control than the Buono, since you can hold it right in front (think pencil vs calligraphy brush), though this is probably a matter of practice and preference.
Posted Fri May 6, 2011, 6:17pm Subject: Re: Pour over kettle alternatives
Yeah, the C&B oil can hold plenty for a single cup pourover, and pouring in just boiled water into a room temp can resulted in water at 205F for me. Nice pour out of it, too. It's a winner for those with small needs.
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