Fixing the Kalita Wave's flow rate issues (Easy DIY mod)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- The steel Kalita Wave has BIG problems regarding flow rate and reliability... But is there really a way to improve it?
In this episode, we take out the drill and see if it's possible to "DIY mod" the Kalita.
More geeky details in my original blog post:
coffeechronicl...
Flair Pro Dispersion Screen (for the bottom):
flairespresso....
Thanks to James Perry for the inspiration:
/ jamesperrycoffee
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Should we make a petition for an improved steel Kalita? 🤔 Sign up here 👇
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Yes!!
what about comparing the fixed edition , with Kalita Wave Tsubame 185 Copper?
kurasu.kyoto/products/kalita-tsubame-185-copper
and kalita wave sagan 185?
@@igalk474 Maybe in the future but as I mentioned in the video, I'm taking a well-deserved break from Kalita videos :D
Yes, petition them! :P
I have Kalita Wave 185 and so far I have no problem I don't need to drill holes for my Kalita 👍
As I just recently added a kalita for pour over in addition to my v60, I found this video as well as the one with the kalita recipe helpful to optimize the described issues.
However, as the Flair dispersion screen is hardly to get within Europe and puck screens don’t go below 48.5mm max, I coincidentally came across a perfect alternative I wanted to share with the community.
The Bialetti 1-2 cups stainless steel filter plate only costs around €4 and fits perfectly into the kalita.
On top it’s very easy to get
The stainless steel Kalita is my only pour over device. I never really understood why it took so long to drain: I thought I was doing everything right. Thanks for pointing out these issues. I gave up on it and use an aeropress, but now I might try this mod or give another version a try. Also, thanks to one of your other videos, I have a new K Max grinder. Great content!
Thanks for this. I didn't know that the drain times between the Kalita models were so different! Also, I've been curious of Törnqvist's mod, thanks for sharing what the mod actually is. Will try it on my 185.
Hi Johan, thanks for the kind words. It was also surprising to me! One should think that they have a QC department in Kalita's office, but it seems that isn't the case. The mod is definitely worth trying.
I have what I think is a simple solution to the stalling issue.........try double filter...it seems to give the bottom of the filter a little more support above the holes.
I would love to find an original version of the SS Kalita. I wonder if they ever pop up on eBay.
They should come like that in the box!
Exactly!
The Coffee Chronicler would you still use The Flair dispersion screen after drilling bigger holes?
@@shawnsgear Don't have a conclusive answer yet. My brews have been quite solid and consistent without the screen. I will say that both mods are efficient, however they work on different issues. So you can do the one that's easier/cheaper for you at first and then decide if it makes sense to proceed to the next step.
The Coffee Chronicler thank you!
This is really helpful, I have been having tons of issues with my draw downs!
Would you do the hole resizing and the dispersion plate or just one or the other?
You delivered on that promise to fix the stainless Kalita!
Yup, now we just need to get the executives in Japan to fix this issue for good :D
Blue Bottle dripper is still my go to, no mods necessary
I'm clumsy myself and would have been very tempted to buy the stainless steel version. But I'm glad you've hammered home the problems. I started my pour over journey with the ceramic V60 and have stuck with it. I've dropped and broken a couple of them. So last time I bought 2 at once. When, not if, I break these I'll check out the Wave. Might even go with the plastic version!
Hopefully Kalita will put out a proper "updated" steel version before that day comes :) At the moment there aren't many good flat bottom options for us clumsy people, unfortunately.
After drilling the 3 holes a bit larger it flows so much better remember to grind or file the rough edges to make smooth the holes opposite of drilling
I have a gut feeling that a standard hole widening reamer, hand held would work too.
Never tried that tool, but I think that would work as well 👍
Kalita wave is the best tools of manual brewing coffee☕
Does that dispersion screen fit the Wave 155 stainless as well?
I used a pre-drill metal punch(slightly larger than the hole) and push the holes out just like the glass dripper. It is now flowing just like the glass dripper.
Hej Asser,
To confirm... did you use a 4mm drill bit? If not, what size did you use? Takker :)
Yes, 4mm should be about right. I used a nail :)
You have confirmed what I have long suspected. I did a comparison of my ceramic and metal Kalita, found the same results and preceded with the hack straight away. Thank you!
What are the dimensions of the flair dispersion screen?
I am a beginner who recently got a SS Kalita 185 to start my pour-over journey. I noticed the clogging issue almost immediately. My question is: can you get good pour-over out of the SS Kalita 185 with the dispersion screen fix, or should I just buy a ceramic model, or a V60?
With the the drill fix or the dispersion screen, you can get good coffee. The flow rate becomes a lot more predictable. But if money is no concern, then I'd probably get the ceramic one.
How about a new mod? Try inserting raised ridges near the holes. Maybe use tooth picks or pieces of skewer sticks or stir sticks . . .
I like mods and hacks to be replicable at home, so for that reason I have focused on the one with the Flair dispersion screen and this drill one here. I think small sticks might be unpredictable. And of course could have minty or woody flavors :)
Dang, I would have probably tried to drive out those spacing ribs on the ground to gain a few Millimeters in height...(and likely failed at that😂).
Also I think it’s worth the effort to try to file those holes clean as that should reduce possible surfaces for gunk to gather.
Good point! I need to channel my inner handy man and sand them down :)
Yes please change the dripper
Why not grind coarser or when you still run into the same issue?
Yes, it's unrelated to grind size
This video saved my coffee. New to pour over drippers, I thought the Kalita was perfect for me, but the different problems with it have been giving me over extracted brews. That, and I was learning to use my new Encore grinder.
I'll be drilling my stainless Kalita and also my copper Kalita.
Did you use a 4 mm drill bit? Maybe I'll try a 3 mm.
Brilliant idea! I have not ordered one yet, but wondered if those minuscule holes might not benefit from a quiz zap of the drill. 'Cause after all, you ARE using a paper filter too. But, question: Do you think that drilling can possibly compromise the safety of the stainless steel (the non-toxicity of which is the main reason I like this product, versus plastic, aluminum, plutonium, etc)?
I have the "welded ribs" version, and it's not significantly better. It's also very prone to clogging.
As said before; Blue Bottle Flat Bottom dripper FTW!
The BB dripper just arrived! It's a beauty. So far it seems very consistent in its drawdown.
A shame with the welded version. Surprised to hear that it's not much better.
@@coffeechronicler Sweet! How did you get hold of one? I had to have an american member of a coffee group on Facebook send me one, as they do not ship outside of the US.
@@Abrikosmanden Yeah, I also had to find a creative solution :)
Does that dispersion screen fit the Wave 155 stainless as well?
I just re-asked this question... Did you ever determine this? Thanks!
@@cyclopsamurai No, I never found out :(
If the issue is the filter sticking to the bottom of the wave and preventing water from dripping out at a faster rate, could this problem similarly be solved by say, breaking some wooden chopsticks and placing them into the bottom of the kalita wave so that doesn't happen?
My kalita wave dripper is 12 years old. Never stalls. Maybe they changed?
Place thin sheet metal on a hardwood (sacrificial) block to drill a cleaner hole. Yes sharper bit helps, but also need high sppd and don't push hard. Acone shaped grinder or appropriately shaped file can clean up the backside if needed,
It’s could the same if i would use the screen drainer of the moka? Tnxx
I definitely vote for Kalita resuming production of their original stainless model. It's actually a little hard to believe that Kaslita has let this stand! Such a huge difference, and such a bad one! I've been using a December Dripper, with its holes that can be opened enough to give a flow rate that's decent. I don't see the December Dripper online anymore. Has it stopped being made? I like to close the holes for the bloom, then open them before starting the rest of the pouring..
Thanks for your insights and information it's greatly appreciated. 👍😎
My reasoning for considering the stainless steel version, I haven't purchased anything yet, is if it gets dropped on the floor by mistake you're not left with something that ends up in a trash or worst cutting someone. I'm one of those guys that drilling is no big deal, but I don't understand why the manufacturer has such a different flow rate with these it seems pretty obvious and doesn't correct it if needed? I'm just now starting to consider and research pour overs. Again thank you.
I have had better success maintaining flowrate by using a cloth filter.
Will it be even better if you make it 6-holed?
The link you have to the dispersion screen goes to the entire espresso machine part (Second Shot Plus - Flow Control Portafilter) and is $73.00. Any idea where to get just the dispersion screen?
The link is actually the correct one, but for some reason Flair's website is redirecting to that page. You can just copy/paste this in your browser: flairespresso.com/product/pro-dispersion-screen/
I recommend using a titanium stepped drill bit. I widened my Hario Buono's center steam vent hole to fit a thermometer inside, and the bit made the job super easy and flawless, like it came that way from the factory.
What size drill bit?
The simplest solution for faster flow rate is to buy a v60, if you really love wave filter, buy april dripper or use 155 filter on 02 v60.
From what I have heard the April dripper also has a rather slow flow rate. I think Blue Bottle and Espro are among the fastes right now.
If you have an Aeropress funnel, just put a Kalita filter inside
Is this trollling?
I'm going to make a dispersion filter from stainless wire mesh. The goal is to keep the paper filter from clogging the Kalita drain holes AND it should hold it's flat shape. It looks like #10 or # 20 mesh should work. What mesh do you recommend. Buying an espresso dispersion filter is rediculously expensive.
I haven't tried the mesh solution. But the dispersion screen is only $12, fits perfectly without any cutting and will last for a lifetime, so I wouldn't say it's ridiculous when compared to coffee gadgets in general.
If I remember correctly, I saw a video from Scott Rao where he showed he was using a mesh screen in the steel Kalita, too, to reduce clogging.
What Grinder are you using? Kalita dont like many fines do to his nature of the smal holes. I dont have a problem with my 155 and i dont get the problem with the paper creating a seal ? never happend to me ones.
I have been using it with many good grinders. Wilfa Uniform, Jx, Helor 101, etc. The issue is more pronounced with Kalita 185 so maybe that's why you haven't experienced it.
@@coffeechronicler What are your thoughts on the new Fellow Ode Grinder? Just discovered and enjoying your channel by the way.
have you tried April Brewer ? I think it's a perfect version of Kalita wave. I havn't tried it myself, Its quite expensive for dripper and not easy to find.
I haven't tried it yet. I have heard that it acts a bit weird sometimes.
@@coffeechronicler how about kalita paper on origami dripper? will that solve the flow rate issue?
Question: does the dispersion screen sits perfectly level ? or can it also sit unenvely due to the ridges.
Yes, it's level. Haven't noticed it being uneven
@@coffeechronicler cool, might try the trick soon 👍🏻
I have used the glass one for a few years and it has less definition than the V 60 but is still not bad.
The glass one is quite good! You should be able to make some clear cups with it if you follow my Kalita recipe in another video :)
very useful tip for kalita!
Thanks Nindy!
The mod you do can increase the maximum flow rate of the dripper, but it can't fix the consistent problem of this dripper. The consistency of a dripper is related to the effective area of filter. The larger the effective area is, the less the possibility of clogging is. When paper filter sticks to the dripper, there is no room for water passing through. That's why we need ribs in drippers to create some passages of water. A good rib design example is blue bottle dripper. Even there is only one small hole at the bottom of blue bottle dripper, it's really hard to clog this dripper. Because there are so many ribs to support the filter, that means there are larger effective filter area and can tolerate more fines without clogging. So the problem of steel kalita is not just shallow ribs, but also short ribs. Compared to ceramics kalita, the steel one gets shorter ribs, the outer part of filter is more easy to stick to the bottom of the dripper. The effective filter area of steel kalita is less than ceramics one, that means less consistency of brewing and higher clogging possibility. imo, the ribs pattern providing full-range filter support like blue bottle dripper is better.
Couldn't have said it better! I just started experimenting with the BB dripper and it seems extremely consistent in spite of only having one hole.
Curious. Never had any of these problems. Works great. Flow rate fine. This system is known to be slower when compared to other pour over systems. Clogging is most likely caused by too fine of a grind. If all these things are an issue I would suggest using a different product.