• Pour-over coffee doesn't require expensive gear or obsessive precision. The biggest wins come from fresh beans, a consistent grind, and a simple ratio. Most brewing myths—like the need for a gooseneck kettle or exact water temperature—are optional upgrades, not requirements.
• Fresh beans beat fancy gear every time.
• A 1:16 ratio (coffee to water) is a forgiving starting point.
• Grind size matters more than water temperature precision.
• You don't need a gooseneck kettle to make great pour-over.