Kalita Wave
Flat Bed · Even Extraction
Forgiving. Consistent. Café-quality at home.
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The Kalita Wave is the pour over used most widely in specialty coffee bars. Its flat-bottomed design and wave-crimped filter create a more forgiving, even extraction than cone-shaped drippers. The flat bed distributes water uniformly across the grounds, reducing the risk of channeling. For home brewers who want café-quality pour over without the steep learning curve of a V60, the Kalita Wave is the best starting point.
What You Need
- Kalita Wave dripper (185 for 2+ cups, 155 for single cup)
- Kalita Wave filters (size-matched)
- Gooseneck pour kettle
- Burr grinder
- Digital scale
- Timer
Step by Step
Rinse the Wave Filter
Place a Kalita Wave filter in the dripper. The wave crimps hold the filter away from the walls — do not press them flat. Rinse with hot water and discard.
Set Up Over Your Vessel
Place the dripper on a server or mug on your scale. Make sure it is stable before adding coffee.
Grind and Dose
For 2 cups: 21g coffee, 340g water. Grind medium-fine like sea salt. Add to the filter and tare to zero.
Bloom Pour
Start the timer. Pour 60g water (3× coffee weight) in slow, even spirals. The flat bed distributes bloom water more evenly than a cone dripper — you should see uniform bubbling across the entire surface. Wait 45 seconds.
First Pour to 200g
Begin pouring slowly in tight spirals. Reach 200g total water by 1:30. Keep your pour steady and controlled.
Second Pour to Final Weight
Continue spiraling to reach total weight (340g). Stay centered — pouring along the filter edges bypasses the grounds and dilutes extraction.
Draw-Down and Serve
Let the Kalita drain completely. Total time: 3:00–3:30. Adjust grind accordingly if faster or slower. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips
- Never flatten the wave crimps — they are what enable even airflow and extraction.
- The Kalita Wave is the most forgiving pour over for beginners — start here.
- Use Kalita-specific filters only. Standard cone filters do not fit properly.
- The 185 size (larger) is better for home use — more forgiving than the 155.
The right coffee makes every method taste better.