What Is a Gooseneck Kettle?
If you’ve ever seen someone prepare pour-over coffee, you’ve probably noticed they use a special kind of kettle to pour the water. The kettle has a narrow and long neck where the water pours out, and that kettle is what’s known as a gooseneck kettle or a pour-over kettle.
Why Use a Gooseneck Kettle? Do You Have To?
The Gooseneck kettle has been designed specially for use for pour-over coffee preparation. While you can still prepare your pour-over using a traditional kettle, a gooseneck kettle is a must-have for the following reasons:
- When preparing pour-over, you have to slowly pour down the water in circular motion. The curved long neck of the Gooseneck kettle allows you to control the speed of which the water flows with ease.
- The handle of a gooseneck kettle is made to give you a more comfortable grip while you slowly pour the water. It is designed to give you a full grip, and the width between the handle and the kettle itself gives your hand enough space to comfortably hold the kettle without touching the kettle.
So, while you probably don’t have to use a gooseneck kettle for your pour-over – (check the best gooseneck kettle alternatives here), using one will give you a much better control over your water flow and therefore better coffee results, as well as less strain on your arm.
Brewing Methods That a Pour-Over Kettle Is Recommended For:
Hario V60 – Chemex – Kalita Wave
Brewing Methods That Don’t Require a Pour-Over Kettle:
French Press, AeroPress, Clever Dipper, Moka pot
Manual vs. Electric Pour-over Kettle, Which One To Choose?
Gooseneck, or pour-over kettles, come in many different designs. But most importantly, they’re available in two kinds: a manual kettle or an electric kettle. How do you choose between those?
- You probably already know that the optimal water temperature for coffee brewing is 195F to 205F.
- With a manual kettle, you boil your water over direct heat, the traditional way. Place your kettle over a cooktop to bring it to boil, or boil your water in a kettle and fill it into the gooseneck kettle.
- With an electric kettle, also known as a variable temperature kettle, you plug in your kettle, set the temperature for the water and it will boil to that degree. There are also electric gooseneck kettles without the temperature control available.
We find that using an electric variable temperature gooseneck kettle is certainly more practical. It takes a lot of the guess work out of your process and it makes it much quicker and easier. Also, the auto shut-off of an electric kettle is more practical than you think. Many people end up ruining their manual kettles while forgetting to take it off a cooktop and boiling it dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What To Look For In a Gooseneck Kettle?
Pay attention to the capacity. Gooseneck kettles come in variety of sizes, so if you’re brewing for many cups or just one, it’s best to get one that suits your need the most.
Make sure the design of the handle would be comfortable for you. It will affect the way you pour tremendously.
Also, decide whether you want an electric kettle with adjustable temperature or a manual one.
Is a Gooseneck Kettle Needed For Other Manual Coffee Brewing Methods?
No, a Gooseneck kettle is used only for pour-over. For anything like French Press, Aeropress, Siphon, Clever dripper, none of these methods require a slow pour like Pour-Over coffee.
Are Gooseneck Kettles Good for Tea?
Yes, absolutely! While not necessary, they are a great choice for tea brewing, too. Especially if you are opting for a kettle with adjustable temperature settings. Lower temperatures are best for variety of tea brewing.
Do Pour Over Kettles Really Make a Difference?
The only thing gooseneck kettles make a difference is the way you pour the water, which in turn affects the extraction of your coffee. These kettles give you the best control over your pour: they’re lightweight and comfortable to hold. So overall, it will certainly make a difference in the success of your pour-over brewing.
What Is The Best Gooseneck Kettle For Pour Over?
We will break the list down for the two styles:
Best Manual Gooseneck Kettles – Best for Stovetop use, Induction Tops and for Camping
Hario V60 Buono Kettle:
One of the most popular gooseneck kettles out there, the Hario Buono has a 3 to 4 cup capacity. It works on every type of cooktop including gas, electric or Induction. It’s made of stainless steel, has a spout that is located at the bottom, which means you don’t have to raise it much to start pouring. And the handle is very comfortable to grip. Hario is a Japanese brand but the kettle is made in China.
Click here to learn more about Hario Buono Kettle, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Fino Gooseneck Kettle:
This kettle by Fino is also stainless steel and is suitable to use on any type of cooktop. It has a 6-cup capacity, a high curved handle for a comfortable grip. This kettle is made in Japan.
Click here to learn more about Fino Kettle, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Best Temperature Control Gooseneck Kettles – Best Pick for Pour Over, French Press or Tea
While I said that French Press and Tea don’t require a pour-over, and that is true, they do however recommend the idea of using adjustable temperature kettles. Both French Press and tea, just like pour-over, work best with variable temperature settings, depending on the coffee or tea leaves you’ll be brewing. Which is why I recommend this kettle for all these brewing methods.
Bonavita Variable-temperature Gooseneck Kettle
The Bonavita electric gooseneck kettle is the best rated in its category. It has 1000-watts power for quick heating, a digital display to show you the temperature of the water in real time and it can hold the water at your desired temperature for up to 60 minutes. The digital timer has another use, it has a count-up timer that will help you with your entire brewing process. The Bonavita is available as 1L or 1.7L capacity.
Other Electric Gooseneck Kettles (without temperature control):
Hario Buono Electric:
The Hario Buono Electric gives you the same design as the manual one but with an easier way to heat your water. Simply plug it in and flip a switch to start the water heating process.
Click here to learn more about Hario Buono Electric Kettle, read the customer reviews and buy it.
Osaka Electric Gooseneck Kettle:
Another great option for an electric gooseneck kettle. Osaka is inspired by the city of Osaka in Japan (although it’s made in China like Hario). It has a nice, large handle and a 1-liter capacity.
