Siphon Coffee Makers 2024: Hario Syphon Brewer Review & Must-Have for Coffee Enthusiasts

Siphon coffee makers have been gaining popularity among coffee enthusiasts in recent years. The meticulous brewing process and the unique, full-bodied coffee it produces have made the siphon coffee maker a must-have for many home baristas.

This article will delve into siphon coffee making, mainly focusing on the Hario Syphon Brewer as a standout choice for brewing exceptional coffee.

What is a Siphon Coffee Maker?

Before delving into the specific details of the Hario Syphon Brewer, it’s essential to understand the siphon brewing process and its advantages to coffee enthusiasts.

The siphon coffee maker, also known as a vacuum coffee maker, utilizes a unique process that involves vapor pressure and vacuum to brew coffee. The method creates a clean, crisp flavor with a delicate mouthfeel.

Understanding the Siphon Brewing Process

The siphon brewing process typically involves two chambers—one for water and one for coffee grounds. As the water in the lower chamber heats up, it transitions into the upper chamber, immersing the coffee grounds.

Once the heat is removed, the brewed coffee is drawn back down to the lower chamber, leaving the grounds behind and resulting in a flavorful cup of coffee.

Advantages of Using a Siphon Coffee Maker

One of the notable advantages of using a siphon coffee maker is the ability to control the brewing temperature, resulting in a more precise extraction. Additionally, the method’s visual appeal and the theatrical brewing process make it an ideal choice for coffee enthusiasts looking for a unique coffee-making experience.

Choosing the Right Siphon Coffee Maker for You

Factors such as size, material, and included accessories should be considered when selecting a siphon coffee maker. Choosing a siphon coffee maker that aligns with your brewing needs and preferences is essential to ensuring an optimal coffee brewing experience.

How to Use a Hario Syphon Brewer?

The Hario Syphon Brewer stands out for its user-friendly design and exceptional brewing capabilities among the diverse siphon coffee makers available. Understanding the setup process and the step-by-step guide to brewing with the Hario Syphon is essential to making the most of this brewer.

Setting Up the Hario Syphon Brewer

The Hario Syphon Brewer typically consists of a lower chamber for water, an upper chamber for coffee grounds, and a cloth filter to separate the coffee from the grounds. Setting up the brewer involves assembling these components securely and ensuring a tight seal to prevent air from entering during brewing.

Step-by-Step Guide to Brewing with Hario Syphon

To brew coffee with the Hario Syphon, add the appropriate amount of water to the lower chamber and place it over a heat source. Once the water is heated, add the coffee grounds to the upper chamber and allow the brewing process to occur. As the heat is removed, the brewed coffee will flow back to the lower chamber through the cloth filter.

Tips for Getting the Best Results with Hario Syphon

To achieve the best results with the Hario Syphon Brewer, experimenting with the coffee-to-water ratio, grind size, and brew time is essential. Fine-tuning these variables will enable you to tailor the brewing process to your desired taste preferences.

What Makes Hario Syphon Brewer a Must-Have for Coffee Enthusiasts?

The Hario Syphon Brewer offers unique features, making it a top choice for coffee enthusiasts. Its borosilicate glass construction and precise brewing capabilities make it a standout option for brewing exceptional coffee.

Unique Features of Hario Syphon Brewer

The Hario Syphon Brewer is crafted with borosilicate glass, known for its durability and ability to withstand high temperatures, making it an ideal material for siphon coffee making. Its ergonomic design and ease of use further enhance the brewing experience for users.

Comparison with Other Siphon Coffee Makers

When comparing the Hario Syphon Brewer with other siphon coffee makers, its attention to detail in design and consistent brewing results make it a top contender. Additionally, customer reviews and testimonials often highlight the exceptional quality of coffee produced with the Hario Syphon.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials on Hario Syphon Brewer

Many coffee enthusiasts have praised the Hario Syphon Brewer for its ability to produce a clean and nuanced cup of coffee. Its reliable performance and elegant design have garnered positive feedback, solidifying its position as a must-have for those seeking an exceptional siphon coffee maker.

Exploring Different Techniques with Siphon Coffee Makers

Aside from the standard brewing process, siphon coffee makers offer versatility in brewing techniques, allowing coffee enthusiasts to customize their brewing experience based on their preferences. Techniques such as using cloth filters, experimenting with different heat sources, and varying brew methods can elevate the siphon coffee brewing experience.

Using Cloth Filters in Siphon Coffee Making

Cloth filters, often included with siphon coffee makers, aid in producing a clean and clear cup of coffee by effectively separating the brewed coffee from the grounds. The use of cloth filters can influence the body and mouthfeel of the coffee, offering a different sensory experience for enthusiasts.

Comparing Heat Sources for Siphon Brewing—Alcohol Burner vs. Butane Burner

Regarding the heat source for siphon brewing, alcohol, and butane burners are commonly used. Each heat source presents subtle differences in heat control and brewing speed, allowing individuals to tailor their brewing process based on their preferred brewing style.

Experimenting with Different Brew Methods Using Siphon Coffee Makers

Various brew methods can be explored with siphon coffee makers, including adjusting the immersion time, bloom time, and stir patterns. These brewing parameters can significantly impact the flavor profile of the coffee, providing an avenue for customization and exploration for coffee enthusiasts.

Choosing the Best Siphon Coffee Maker for Your Home Brewing Setup

When selecting the best siphon coffee maker for your home brewing setup, considering factors such as material, size, and available options in the market is crucial. The benefits of using a borosilicate glass siphon coffee maker and the different types available offer insights for making an informed choice.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Siphon Coffee Maker

Factors such as ease of cleaning, durability, and aesthetic appeal should be considered when choosing a siphon coffee maker. The capacity and compatibility with different heat sources are essential for a seamless brewing experience.

Benefits of Using Borosilicate Glass Siphon Coffee Maker

Borosilicate glass siphon coffee makers offer durability and the ability to withstand high temperatures, making them a reliable choice for siphon coffee brewing. The clear visibility of the brewing process and the ability to maintain heat consistency contribute to the appeal of borosilicate glass siphon coffee makers.

Types of Siphon Coffee Makers Available in the Market

A wide range of siphon coffee makers are available in the market, including stovetop siphon, electric siphon, and tabletop siphon models. Understanding the unique features and brewing capabilities of each type can assist in narrowing down the options to find the best siphon coffee maker for your home brewing setup.

The coffee siphon (or vac-pot) experienced a renaissance among coffee professionals around 2007.

In its heyday, baristas wielded siphons as they wielded portafilters: updated, interpretively under-extracted, and shrouded in a wizard’s cloak of theater and pocket science. While some cafes still offer siphons, it’s nowhere near as famous as once—but that doesn’t mean it’s not delightful and delicious!

There are plenty of variations on the siphon: Hario TCA-2, TCA-3, TCA-5, and related knockoffs with cloth or paper filters; Bodum varieties; Cony glass filter rod models and their antique predecessors.

Today, we will focus on the TCA-5 with a paper filter. Cloth filters are standard, but given the effort that goes into making a siphon and cleaning it, using it often isn’t practical, so keeping a cloth filter in water in a ziplock is a practice that hasn’t stood the test of time.

The siphon is still a hit at parties and fun to brew, so why not? Let’s make some siphon coffee!

What you’ll need:

☑️ Siphon coffee maker

☑️ Siphon coffee filters

☑️ ground coffee

☑️ hot water

☑️ heat source (we use a butane torch)

☑️ cup

What you’ll want to have:

☑️ decanter

☑️ coffee grinder

☑️ hot water kettle

☑️ coffee scale

☑️ thermometer

☑️ stopwatch

☑️ stirring device (we use a paddle in this guide)

Shop local—find a roaster selling gear in your area online. Don’t know where to start? Check out this map.

The Sprudge Siphon Brew Recipe
This guide applies to the Hario TCA-5 Siphon Coffee Maker.

35g ground coffee (medium)
560mL hot water (205ºF)

Step one:

Measure out 35g of coffee and get your hot water going. Grind the coffee “medium,” like beach sand. Place the bottom globe onto a scale and measure 560g of water. You can start with room-temperature water, but using a kettle to pre-heat the water is faster than heating the water in the globe with the butane burner.

Place the bottom globe over the burner and turn it on its highest setting. Meanwhile, assemble your paper filter retainer and run the assembly under some hot tap water to rinse the paper filter. Place the filter assembly into the upper chamber and secure it in place.

Step Two:

Once the water starts to approach a boil (tiny bubbles but not quite rolling), place the top chamber onto the bottom globe and ensure a good seal by twisting it into place.

Step three:

Lower the temperature as the water rises to the globe’s top. Once the rising of the water accelerates and before it finishes rising, lower the heat considerably until the flame is visible. This should produce a brew water temperature close to 200ºF/93ºC.

Step four:

When the water has finished rising into the top chamber and the flame is situated to keep the water elevated, add the ground coffee and start your timer.

Step five:

With a spoon or paddle, gently stir the coffee to saturate it thoroughly. We prefer a back-and-forth gentle paddling, just enough to saturate it. After 00:30, give the crust of the coffee another gentle saturating stir.

Step Six:

After 02:00, please turn off the burner and remove it from under the siphon. After a short pause, the coffee will begin the drawdown. Don’t worry if it isn’t immediate. Once the coffee begins to draw down, give the coffee another gentle back-and-forth paddle. We prefer this to an aggressive stir, which forms a dome out of the grinds. The total drawdown should take about a minute and a half. If these numbers don’t exactly add up, don’t stress. Taste the coffee and adjust the grind appropriately based on taste rather than points in time.

Most siphons come with some spirit lamps, but we prefer refillable butane tabletop cigar lighter-type burners because they are adjustable and reliable.

The TCA-5 and similar sizes are specified to produce larger quantities of coffee, but closer to their actual capacity, the risk of stalling on the drawdown becomes greater and greater.

Approach a siphon like an AeroPress because it offers a temperature-stable environment with extraction time independent of gravity. Like the AeroPress, feel free to experiment with extraction time and grind once you build a confident routine.

Temperature management is a little more tricky. Indeed, an instant-read digital thermometer comes in handy to verify water temperature before ground coffee is added. Maintaining a higher flame through the extraction will create more steam that will elevate the water temperature in the brewing chamber.

Attaching the globe too soon and turning the flame down too low too early may produce a temperature on the lower end of acceptable. However, consider that the temperature will remain flat through the extraction rather than decline over time, like a filter method. Our advice: stick with a program and adjust one variable at a time.