Ready to take your home coffee setup to the next level? Beyond the basic brewer and grinder, there’s a world of tools and accessories that can elevate your coffee game. Here are 10 must-have coffee gear upgrades for the intermediate coffee enthusiast, along with why each item is worth considering:
- Burr Coffee Grinder: If you don’t already have a quality burr grinder, make this your #1 upgrade. As discussed, a burr grinder (like the Baratza Encore or 1Zpresso hand grinder) yields consistent grind size and unlocks better flavor. Product Example: Baratza Encore Burr Grinder.
- Gooseneck Pour-Over Kettle: For pour-over fans, a gooseneck kettle gives you precise control over water flow. This helps with even saturation and better extraction. An electric variable-temperature gooseneck kettle (like the Fellow Stagg EKG) lets you heat water to the optimal brewing temp (around 195–205°F) easily. Product Example: Fellow Stagg EKG Kettle – set exact temperature for your pour-overs.
- Digital Kitchen Scale: Brewing coffee is part art, part science. A small digital scale ensures you use the right coffee-to-water ratio every time. Weighing beans and water leads to consistency from cup to cup. Aim for a scale with 0.1 gram accuracy for espresso, or 1 gram accuracy is fine for pour-over and drip. Product Example: Hario V60 Drip Scale.
- Reusable Metal Filter (or Upgraded Filters): If you use pour-over drippers like the Chemex or AeroPress, consider trying a reusable metal filter. Metal filters (or a mesh Chemex filter) allow more oils into the cup for a fuller-bodied coffee, and they’re eco-friendly. For AeroPress, a metal disc filter (e.g. Able Disk) can replace paper. Alternatively, upgrading your paper filters (e.g. bleached vs. natural, or specialty filters like CAFEC) can subtly improve clarity and flavor.
- French Press (Upgrade or Addition): If you’ve only brewed drip or pour-over, adding a French press can broaden your coffee horizons. French press brewing yields a rich, heavy-bodied cup and is great for highlighting chocolatey or nutty notes. If you have a basic press, an upgrade like the Espro Press (with double micro-filters to reduce grit) can give a cleaner cup while keeping full immersion flavor.
- Precision Coffee Tools for Espresso: For those making espresso, a few small upgrades go a long way:
- Tamper & Distributor: A solid, calibrated tamper ensures even pressure when tamping. A distribution tool (often combined with a tamper in a dual-sided tool) helps level out the grounds in the portafilter before tamping, reducing channeling.
- Bottomless Portafilter: This is an advanced tool that replaces the spouted portafilter. It allows you to see the espresso extraction and identify channeling or uneven flow, helping you improve your technique.
Product Example: Normcore 2-in-1 Distributor/Tamper (58mm) – helps ensure even espresso extraction.
- Milk Frother or Steaming Pitcher: Love lattes but don’t have an espresso machine steam wand? A standalone electric milk frother can heat and froth milk for cappuccinos and lattes. (Examples: Nespresso Aeroccino or Breville Milk Café.) If you do have a steam wand, investing in a good stainless steel pitcher (with volume markings and a nice spout for latte art) is key. Product Example: Breville Milk Café Frother – great for automatic hot & cold froth.
- Coffee Storage Canister: To keep those freshly roasted beans at peak flavor, use an airtight container that minimizes oxygen exposure. Even better, a vacuum-sealed canister like the Fellow Atmos can significantly slow down beans going stale by removing air. Product Example: Fellow Atmos Vacuum Canister – locks out oxygen to preserve bean freshness.
- Cold Brew Maker: If you enjoy cold brew in hot weather, a dedicated cold brew pitcher or kit makes the process easy. These devices (like the Takeya cold brew pitcher or the OXO Cold Brew maker) usually have a fine mesh filter for steeping grounds in cold water. They simplify filtration and fit neatly in the fridge. Cold brew makers are inexpensive and deliver smooth, low-acid coffee concentrate ready for iced drinks. Product Example: Takeya Cold Brew Coffee Maker.
- Thermometers & Timers: Finally, dialing in the details: a simple frothing thermometer helps you steam milk to the right temperature (around 140–150°F for lattes – too hot and it tastes burnt). And a timer or stopwatch (though your phone works too) is useful for tracking brew times (e.g. a 3-4 minute French press steep, or timing a 30-second espresso shot). Some kettles and scales have built-in timers, but if not, a basic kitchen timer is handy.
Each of these upgrades targets a specific aspect of the brewing process – from bean storage to water pouring technique to milk texturing. You don’t need them all at once, but over time these tools will help you refine your technique and enjoy even better coffee. The key is to upgrade gradually and learn how each tool can improve your workflow or flavor results. With the right gear and a bit of experimentation, you’ll be equipped to brew coffee that rivals your favorite café, every time.