The Perfect Kalita Wave: A Precision Brewing Guide
The Kalita Wave produces a balanced, full-bodied cup with incredible consistency. Its flat-bottom design and three-hole drainage create forgiving, repeatable extractions. Here's everything you need for consistently excellent coffee.
What You'll Need
- Kalita Wave dripper (size 185)
- Kalita Wave filters
- 20g coffee beans
- 300g water at 93°C
- Burr grinder
- Scale with timer
- Gooseneck kettle
Grind Size: 800-1000 Microns
The Kalita Wave's flat bed and slower drainage require a slightly coarser grind than the V60—aim for 800-1000 microns. This range produces even extraction across the entire coffee bed. Too fine (below 700 microns) causes clogging and over-extraction, while too coarse (above 1100 microns) leads to weak, underdeveloped flavors.
Starting Point: Begin at 900 microns. With a micron-calibrated grinder, you can dial in with real precision rather than guessing between arbitrary steps or clicks.
Fine-Tuning: If your brew time exceeds 3:30 or tastes muddy and bitter, adjust coarser by 50 microns (try 950). If it finishes under 2:30 or tastes thin and sour, go finer by 50 microns (try 850). These incremental adjustments let you zero in on your perfect extraction without overshooting.
Bean Variables: The Wave is more forgiving than conical drippers, but different coffees still need adjustment. Light roasts often perform well at 850-900 microns for adequate extraction, while medium roasts shine at 900-950 microns. Once you find your setting for a particular coffee, note it down—you can return to that exact micron measurement next time.
The Brewing Method
Prep: Rinse your filter with hot water to eliminate paper taste and preheat the dripper. The Wave filter has a unique pleated design—ensure it sits flat against the bottom. Discard the rinse water, add your ground coffee, and gently shake the dripper to level the bed.
Bloom (0:00-0:45): Pour 40g of water gently in the center, allowing it to expand outward naturally. The flat bed promotes even saturation. Wait until 0:45 on your timer.
Main Pour (0:45-2:00): Pour in a slow, steady spiral from the center outward, staying away from the filter walls. Add water in stages: pour to 150g by 1:00, to 240g by 1:30, then to 300g by 2:00. The Wave's three holes control flow rate, so focus on gentle, consistent pouring rather than manipulating drawdown speed.
Drawdown: Allow the coffee to drain completely. Total brew time should be 3:00-3:30 minutes.
Troubleshooting
Too bitter or muddy? Your grind is too fine, or your water is too hot. Move up to 950-1000 microns and drop temperature to 90°C.
Too sour or weak? Dial down to 800-850 microns, or increase water temperature to 95°C. The Wave's slower flow means you can go finer without the channeling issues common in V60.
Uneven drawdown? Ensure your coffee bed is level after adding grounds—tap the sides gently or give it a light shake. Pour gently to avoid disturbing the bed. If issues persist, try adjusting 25 microns coarser to improve flow consistency.
Stalling or clogging? You're grinding too fine. Move to 950-1000 microns. Also check that you're not pouring too aggressively, which can compact the bed.
Final Tips
Fresh beans matter. Coffee degases significantly after roasting—use beans within 2-4 weeks of roast date for best results. Store in an airtight container away from light and heat.
Water quality impacts flavor dramatically. Use filtered water with 50-150 ppm total dissolved solids for optimal extraction.
Keep a brewing journal. Note your micron setting, brew time, and tasting notes for each coffee. This creates a reference library—when you switch coffees or roasters, you'll have data to guide your starting point rather than guessing from scratch.
The Kalita Wave rewards consistency and patience. Its forgiving design makes it excellent for beginners, while the ability to make controlled, repeatable adjustments means experienced brewers can achieve exceptional results. Master your grind size and gentle pouring technique, and you'll consistently brew balanced, delicious coffee at home.
