Kalita Wave Glass Dripper

The Kalita Wave Glass Dripper requires no assembly. Before first use, rinse the glass dripper and plastic collar under warm water. The dripper sits on top of a cup, mug, or server — no stand is included. Ensure the vessel below has enough clearance for the dripper to sit stably on the rim.

The Wave comes in two sizes: 155 (designed for 1–2 cups, 12–16oz yield) and 185 (designed for 2–4 cups, up to 24oz yield). Match your filter size to your dripper — Kalita 155 filters for the 155, Kalita 185 filters for the 185.

The key design feature of the Kalita Wave is its flat-bottom basket with three small drain holes, paired with the 20-wave filter that stands away from the basket walls. This creates a consistent, even extraction by controlling the flow rate — the three holes limit drainage speed and the wave filter prevents uneven contact between paper and basket. The result is a forgiving, balanced extraction that is less sensitive to pour technique than conical drippers.

Kalita Wave Brewing Method

Grind: Use a medium-coarse grind, slightly finer than Chemex but coarser than a standard drip machine — approximately the texture of coarse sea salt.

Ratio: 1:15 to 1:17 (coffee to water by weight). For 20g of coffee, use 300–340ml of water. This yields approximately 12–14oz. Adjust to taste — lower ratio (1:15) for stronger coffee, higher (1:17) for lighter.

Step 1: Place the Kalita 155 or 185 filter in the dripper. Pre-rinse the filter with hot water to remove paper flavor and preheat the dripper and vessel. Discard the rinse water.

Step 2: Add your medium-coarse ground coffee to the filter. Give the dripper a gentle tap to level the bed.

Step 3: Bloom. Start your timer and pour 40–60ml (2–3x the coffee weight) of hot water (approximately 200°F / 93°C) in a small circular motion to evenly wet all the grounds. Wait 30–45 seconds. Fresh coffee will bloom vigorously — this is the CO₂ releasing.

Step 4: Continue pouring in slow, steady circles, maintaining the water level in the filter without letting it run dry between pours. Pour in 3–4 additions, adding water every 20–30 seconds. Keep the total brew time to 3–4 minutes for a 20g dose.

Step 5: When all the water has drained through, lift the filter with the spent grounds and discard. Pour and enjoy immediately.

Adjusting Your Brew

Too slow / over-extracted (bitter): grind coarser. Too fast / under-extracted (sour, thin): grind finer. The flat-bottom and three-hole design of the Wave limits how fast even a coarse grind will drain, making it more forgiving than V60-style conical drippers.

Glass vs. Stainless Steel

The glass Wave retains heat well during brewing. Handle with care — borosilicate glass is durable but will break if dropped or subjected to sudden temperature change. Do not place a cold glass dripper directly into boiling water.

After Each Use

Remove and discard the used filter. Rinse the glass dripper under warm water. Hand-wash with mild dish soap if needed and rinse thoroughly. The plastic collar can be removed for washing. Do not use abrasive sponges that can scratch the glass.

Dishwasher

The glass dripper is dishwasher safe. Place securely where it won't shift during the cycle. The plastic collar is also dishwasher safe.

Storage

Store the glass dripper upright in a safe location where it won't be knocked over. The glass is impact-resistant but will break if dropped on a hard surface.

Coffee Draining Too Slowly

Grind is too fine. Adjust coarser. Also ensure the filter is not pressed flat against the basket walls — the wave pattern should stand away from the sides. If the filter collapses flat, the wave structure is compromised and flow slows dramatically.

Coffee Draining Too Quickly / Weak Flavor

Grind is too coarse or pour is too aggressive. Slow your pour and try finer grind.

Uneven Extraction / Grounds Channeling

Ensure grounds are evenly distributed and leveled before brewing. Pour in circles rather than straight down in one spot — the bloom and subsequent pours should evenly wet the entire bed.