BREW GUIDES
We are always here to help you brew the best cup of coffee. Below are some guides for the most common ways to brew coffee. If you have any questions or want to learn more, reach out to us at classes@fourbarrelcoffee.live.
FRENCH PRESS brew guide
For 8 Cups:
- Coffee: 56g
- Water: 850g
- Brew Time: 4 minutes
For 12 Cups:
- Coffee: 85g
- Water: 1275g
- Brew Time: 4 minutes
1. Preheat the French Press:
- Pour hot water into the carafe, ensuring the metal filter is fully submerged.
- Discard the water after the carafe is preheated.
2. Prepare the Coffee:
- Measure the appropriate amount of coffee based on the number of cups you’re brewing.
- Grind the coffee coarsely, resembling coarse beach sand.
3. Add Coffee and Water:
- Add the ground coffee to the French press.
- Zero the scale and start a countdown timer for four minutes.
- Carefully fill the French press with hot water, almost to the top. Ensure safety while pouring.
4. Stir and Top Off:
- After one minute, a thick, gaseous crust will form on the surface. Gently stir the crust to fully saturate the grounds.
- Top off the French press with hot water to reach the desired weight.
5. Place the Lid and Plunger:
- Position the lid and plunger on the French press, ensuring the filter sits just below the liquid's surface. This helps keep the grounds fully submerged.
6. Press the Coffee:
- After four minutes, slowly press the plunger down all the way. If you encounter resistance, slightly lift the plunger to clear the filter screen, then continue pressing.
7. Serve or Decant:
- If you're not serving the coffee immediately, decant it into another preheated container to preserve the flavor.
8. Enjoy your freshly brewed coffee!
V-60 brew guide
1. Preheat the V60:
- Place the filter in the V60 dripper.
- Pour hot water through the filter to preheat the V60 and rinse the filter. Discard the water.
2. Prepare the Coffee:
- Measure 22g of coffee and grind it to a medium-fine consistency, similar to granulated sugar.
3. Set Up the Brew:
- Add the ground coffee to the filter cone.
- Distribute the coffee grounds into an even, inverted cone shape.
4. Begin Brewing:
- Zero the scale and start a count-up timer.
- Slowly pour 30g of water over the coffee, starting in the center and working outward to fully saturate the grounds.
5. Continue Pouring:
- At 30 seconds on the timer, begin pouring the remaining water in a slow spiral motion, starting from the center and moving outward while avoiding the filter.
- Once all the coffee is evenly saturated, maintain a steady pour in the center, keeping the water level about 2 inches below the top rim of the filter.
5. Finish the Brew:
- Complete the 330g water pour within two minutes.
- Allow the coffee to finish dripping through, which should take an additional 30 seconds.
6. Serve:
- Discard the used filter and enjoy your coffee!
AEROPRESS brew guide
1. Heat the Water:
- Heat water to 185°F (85°C) using your kettle. If you don’t have a kettle, bringing the water to a boil is also fine.
2. Grind the Coffee:
- Measure 20g of coffee beans.
- Grind the coffee to a medium-fine consistency, similar to fine granulated sugar.
3. Prepare the AeroPress:
- Separate the plunger completely from the main chamber.
- Insert a paper filter into the filter cap, then twist the filter cap onto the chamber.
- Thoroughly wet the filter with hot water.
4. Set Up the Chamber:
- Place the chamber on a sturdy, standard-sized coffee mug.
- Add the ground coffee to the chamber.
- Gently shake the chamber to level the coffee grounds.
5. Brew the Coffee:
- Pour the heated water into the chamber, filling it up to the #4 mark on the side.
- Stir gently for 3 seconds.
- Insert the plunger about 1/2 inch into the chamber to create a vacuum and stop the drip-through.
- Wait 60 seconds.
6. Press the Coffee:
- Begin pressing the plunger down, applying gentle, constant pressure. Do not push too hard.
- Continue pressing until you hear a hissing sound as the air pushes the last bit of brew through the coffee grounds.
7. Clean Up:
- Remove the filter cap and set it aside.
- Position the AeroPress over a sink or compost bin and push the plunger all the way through the chamber until the coffee grounds "puck" pops out.
- Remove the paper filter from the filter cap and rinse it.
- Rinse the silicone end of the plunger with fresh water.
- Store the AeroPress in its organizer stand.
- Clean the AeroPress with gentle soap and a soft cloth every two weeks to maintain its longevity.
8. Enjoy:
- Your coffee is ready to enjoy!
CHEMEX brew guide
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS FOR AN 8-CUP CHEMEX BREWER
1. Prepare the Chemex:
- Place the filter into the Chemex with the three-layered side facing the spout.
- Preheat the carafe by pouring hot water through the filter, then discard the water by pouring it out the back.
2. Measure and Grind the Coffee:
- Measure 40g of coffee,
- Grind the coffee to a medium-coarse consistency, similar to fine playground sand.
3. Add Coffee to the Filter:
- Add the ground coffee to the filter.
- Gently press the coffee grounds down with a spoon to ensure the filter is properly seated.
4. Start the Brew:
- Zero the scale and start a count-up timer.
- Pour 60g of hot water evenly over the grounds, allowing the coffee to bloom.
5. Continue Pouring:
- At 30 seconds, begin adding the remaining water.
- Pour in a slow, spiral motion starting from the center and moving outward, pouring intermittently.
- Complete the water pour over the course of 3 minutes and 15 seconds. The total brew time should be around 5 minutes.
6. Finish and Serve:
- Once the coffee has finished dripping, discard the filter.
- Enjoy your freshly brewed coffee from your 8-cup Chemex!