How to Brew the Perfect Hario Switch Coffee
The Hario Switch sits right in that sweet spot between pour over and immersion, a true hybrid brewer that gives you the best of both worlds. You can run it fully open and treat it like a classic Hario V60 for a bright, clean cup, or keep the valve closed and let it steep more like an AeroPress, building body and depth.
That flexibility is what makes it so good, but it can also leave you wondering where to start. There are a lot of ways to brew with it, and none of them are wrong.
For this guide, we are focusing on a hybrid approach that leans into both sides. You get the fuller body that comes from immersion, along with the clarity and delicate notes you expect from a pour over. It is a simple method that shows exactly why the Switch has become such a go to for people who want control without overcomplicating things.
What You’ll Need
Coffee - 20g
Chutzpah's Choice - Simcha Single Origin
Grind Size - Medium-Fine, 14 on a Baratza Encore/ 16 clicks on a Timemore Chestnut C2
Water - 320mL at 205°F Use filtered water for best results!
Ratio -1:16
Brew Time: ~3 minutes
Lighter roasts are really exceptional in the Switch, but since it is a hybrid brewer, all roasts taste great if you adjust the timing of when you open and close the switch, for darker roasts, let the coffee undergo more of the immersion (switch closed), for lighter roasts, more of the pour over (switch open).
Step by Step Brew Guide
- Prep the filter. Place the filter in the Switch and then rinse it with hot water. Let it drain and then dump the rinse water. Then place your device over a mug or cup.
- Load in the coffee. Pour your ground coffee into the filter. Give it a gentle shake to level the bed. A flat bed means even extraction!
- The fist pour. Pour half of the water (160ml) into the Switch with the switch open, meaning the coffee will drip into your mug. Wait 45 seconds before going to the second pour. The pour should be slow concentric circles moving outwards from the center. This pour extracts all of the brightness and fruitiness from the coffee!
- The second pour. Close the switch and pour in the remaining 160ml of water. Again, the pour should be slow concentric circles moving outwards from the center. Then let let this sit for 2 minutes. For darker roasts, you can wait a bit longer to extract more of the deep, full bodied flavors.
- Open the switch! Open your switch, and let the coffee drip out! When it stops draining, remove the device and enjoy!
What You Should Taste
A well brewed Hario Switch cup is clean and bright like a pour over, but with added body and smoothness from immersion, giving you a balanced, easy drinking cup where the flavors come through clearly without feeling thin.
Tips and Adjustments
Adjusting for Light Roasts:
Light roasts are denser and harder to extract, do the following to ensure a better brew:
Use hotter water (between 205 and 210°F)
Grind a touch finer
Extend your brew time
Adjusting for Dark Roasts:
Dark roasts extract faster and can get bitter, do the following to ensure a better brew:
Use cooler water (between 200 and 205°F)
Grind a touch coarser
Shorten your brew time
Pro Tips
Use fresh coffee! A fresh roast means better bloom and stronger flavor
Control your pour! The Switch rewards creativity, Play around with different timings on the opening and closing of the switch to get unique brews!
Dial your ratio
For stronger coffee try 1:15
For lighter coffee try 1:17
Coffee Feedback
Every bean is different! If your coffee tastes bitter, you most likely over extracted, follow the same adjustments for darker roasts, by cooling the water, grinding coarser, and shorting the brew time. If your coffee tastes sour or watery, you most likely under extracted, follow the same adjustments for lighter roasts, by heating up the water, grinding finer, and increasing the brew time.
Enjoy your perfect cup!
L'chaim!