Brewing with the Hario 3-4 Cup Cloth Filter | Coffee with April

This week, we're providing our thoughts on the Hario Cloth Filter, more specifically the size best suited to 3-4 cup brews.
We asked which brewer or method you were most interested to see us cover in a recent KZbin poll, and with 34% of the vote, the Hario was the standout favorite.
The device is classic and traditional, most commonly seen in Japan as opposed to in Europe. We found this to be an enjoyable way of preparing coffee, even if the cleaning and upkeep may be a little bit more exhaustive than other filter drip methods.
You can replicate the recipe featured in this video by using the following guidelines:
This recipe utilizes clean and filtered water at approximately 60ppm total hardness.
12g Coffee - 200g Water
94°C Water Temp
1:16.6 Brew Ratio
- 0:00 - Pour 50g of water within 10 seconds in a circle
- 0:30 - 01:50 - Pour 150g of water starting with a circle pour for the first 20g before ending in a center pour for the final 130g
Total Time - 2:20 Minutes
Comandante Grinder Clicks: 25
You can find more information about the brewer used in this video here: www.coffeedesk.com/product/38...
If you're especially curious about the content that we produce, make sure to check out our Patreon as we have several different ways that you can join our community: / patrikrolf
We're always interested in hearing what topics you're most curious to hear us discuss, and Patreon is a great way of reaching out to us if you would like to make a request.
We welcome your thoughts and feelings on the topics raised in this week's video, as well as other ideas you would like to see us discuss in the future. We really appreciate your feedback and support.
You can contact us or our collaborators using any of the channels below:
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Podcast: / coffee-with-april
Email: [e-mail] / [e-mail]
Music by Andrew Blumhagen
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Graphics by Chloé Shephard
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Produced by April Media - 2021

[@supadudez]

I have both the V60 and kalita cloth filters (by coffeesock) and use them daily, alternating between drippers. I've been using them for quite some time now and haven't really replaced them as of yet. Quick rinse after each use. Stored in a fridge within a masson jar filled up with water. Once a month, I'll soak them in boiling water mixed in with baking soda for a few hours and let them air dry. They are good as new and ready to be reused! I'll notice that towards the end of the month, the flow rate will considerably slow down. Not quite sure if it's the oils or small particles of beans embedded within the fabric that clog and prevent quicker drawdowns. That's usually when I tend to grind coarser, lower my temp, and increase total brew times.

[@pablosanmartinvarela1773]

"We prefer to go all the way old school" *pours with Fellow Stagg ketlle

[@ThinhTDiep]

Nice video! I voted for the cloth filter in the poll and as I'm typing this, I'm also waiting for my cloth filter from Hario to arrive. Can't wait to try stuffs out with it. As for the maintenance, as you said, it seems like the Japanese baristas are the ones who are most familiar with the method, so maybe looking around the Japanese community for tips and tricks may yield interesting knowledge.

[@thanasispinkflo]

My favourite filter method 😍

[@humblenut4410]

I've been using a cloth filter for years now and it's extremely quick and simple to maintain. You just rinse it for 30 seconds after brewing and then put it damp in the fridge. And that's it - one minute max. In return you get an amazing cup of coffee and an eco-friendly way of brewing. I encourage everyone at least to try it once :)

[@coffeewithapril]

That's great. Thank you for the insight and the tips. Do you have any recipe for a cloth filter style brew that you could share with us?

[@humblenut4410]

@@coffeewithapril sure thing - I'll give you more than one) despite that I like to always experiment with new techniques and recipes, there are two darlings of mine. firstly, it's Tetsu's 4:6 method, I just adjusted the grind size a bit to compensate for the faster flow rate of a cloth filter, it's usually 22 clicks on Timemore Slim hand grinder, which is still pretty coarse, but I like the sweet and delicate end result with my favorite Ethiopian light roast from Guji. and if you need to slow down the brewing process, you can grind finer or pour slower in a thin stream. the second recipe is an adaptation of Tetsu's actual cloth filter method, which he shares on his channel. Tetsu's original recipe - 20g of coffee beans for 200 grams of brewed coffee, a very coarse grind, brewing temperature is 91°C. you hold the filter in your hands, so you only measure the yield, not the actual amount of water that you pour. for a blooming faze, pour really thinly for 20 seconds so that you only extract 1g at the 45-second mark. wait for 30 seconds and start pouring thinly in a slow circular motion, so that you extract 100g at 2 minutes. you can make a pause and then continue pouring to yield 200g of coffee in total at 3-minute mark. my variation, based on preferences and coffee type: 24g of beans for 400g of end product, 24 clicks on Timemore Slim, 94°C. blooming - pour as little water as you can just to saturate all the grinds, wait for 45 sec, then pour slowly in classic circular motions, pausing if the filter is overflowing. the total brewing time is around 3 minutes, but it can vary. good luck:)

[@unol]

I love my hario woodneck and cloth filter. I tend to use it when I have more time on my hands due to the rinsing. Most of the time it's fine if you rinse it with boiling water straight after a brew then put it straight itln the freezer. For a deep clean I leave my cloth to soak in caffetto EVO espresso machine cleaner then thoroughly rinse afterwards. I totally agree with you on light roasts, the method lltends to bring out more sweetness and the body tastes good too.

[@kathyanderson9775]

I love using my Hemp cloth filter in my V60. I rinse it really well then store it in a baggy in the freezer. A quick rinse in warm water & it's ready to use. I contemplated washing it in my dishwasher to get some of the oils out. Clipping it on the top rack... I haven't tried it yet.

[@GoTellJesusSaves]

I love the flavor of cloth filtered coffees! When it's done right... rivals the best coffee I've ever had.

[@MohammadRauf1]

damn, lots of work.

[@m.andre824]

Patrik, consider trying the cloth cone/V60 filters made by Broken Gooseneck! It lets a bit more oils through while allowing you to use any cone type brewer!

[@klarinetta]

Some of the best cups I've had have been using the clothfilter. Coffees like Nicaragua Los Congos Pacamara(19th place on Coffee reviews top 30 coffees 2015) was amazing as well as Barzil Abiental Fortaleza(natural). Also many other coffees from Brazil from Daterra farm like Sweet Collection(pulped natural),Organic(pulped natural),Reserve(pulped natural) and Full Bloom(natural) shine in this method. Now I'm drinking India Harley Estate via Woodneck that is very interesting. It's produced with help from wine makers using anaerobic method with added yeast to it. Very sweet and soft with notes of pineapple,mango,brown cake mix( cinnamon,ginger,cacao,clove,anis etc.) with aftertaste of truffles.

[@EB-coffee]

I like brewing with cloth filters, but I think most people over-exaggerate the added texture and body. I like that you didn’t do this. It definitely adds texture and body, but I don’t think the increase is great enough to justify a daily use for me. I use it on the weekends when I want something slightly different.

[@mariai9549]

Hmmm. i just use immersion method for that

[@mesri3]

doesn't cloth increase bypass?

[@chengiggs]

Wondering what kind of rost is best for cloth filter?

[@slalomie]

I think lighter roasts with more nuanced fruity tasting notes benefit the most from cloth filters. Compared to paper, cloth lets in more oils and makes a slightly more richer cup with a little more body.

[@lellinger]

I've been brewing with it inside out? Oh boy...

[@slalomie]

Nah they actually brewed it inside out. The stitched side with the seams are supposed to be on the outside.

[@lellinger]

@@slalomie Found that out later... Close call.

[@nightfilm11]

I use a cloth filter with the Hario Switch. I get both the immersion and the draw down. After rinsing it's bs you have to store it in water in a glass in the refrigerator as Mr. Hoffman advises. Instead, I squeeze out as much water as possible and then invert, or tent, it over a cup by a window and let fresh air dry it out. Once a month I throw them away and begin with new ones, alternating two in that one month period. They do draw down faster than paper, which is why I use them with the Hario Switch. After a 2:30 to 3:00 immersion I want the draw down to be as fast as possible. I find the resultant brew to be richer, but then I grind pretty fine for my method. Straight pour-over with cloth happens too fast for me no matter how fine I grind it. I'll be interested to see if April makes a cloth filter for their new flat-bottom dripper. Probably not, but it would be nice.

[@slalomie]

I don’t advise leaving it out to air dry. I did it once on accident and the cloth developed a rancid off flavor. It took a bunch of boiling in hot water mixed with baking soda & white vinegar to get it clean. The fact that you’re replacing them monthly is a sign of that. Even daily use with proper cleaning and storage should last you around 6 months or so.