Common Mistakes Home Baristas Make (Pour Over)

Brewing café-quality coffee at home is a dream for many coffee lovers. With the rise of specialty beans, affordable equipment, and a growing community of passionate home baristas, it’s easier than ever to get started. But like any craft, learning to brew great coffee comes with a few bumps along the way.

At Brewno, we work with passionate home brewers every day, and we’ve noticed some common pitfalls that can hold you back from unlocking the full flavour of your beans. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common mistakes home baristas make and, more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Using Beans That Aren’t Fresh

One of the biggest mistakes is starting with old or supermarket-grade beans. Coffee is at its best within a few weeks of roasting, and anything older than that will taste flat, stale, or bitter.

The Fix:

Buy freshly roasted specialty beans from a local roaster like Brewno.

Store beans in an airtight container, away from light, heat, and moisture.

Avoid buying too much at once; order smaller amounts more frequently to keep your coffee supply fresh.

2. Ignoring Grind Size

Even the freshest beans won’t taste right if they’re ground incorrectly. A grind that’s too coarse can make your coffee watery, while a grind that’s too fine can make it bitter and over-extracted.

The Fix:

Invest in a burr grinder rather than a blade grinder for consistent particle size.

Adjust grind size depending on the brew method: coarse for French press, medium for pour-over, and fine for espresso.

Experiment; small adjustments can dramatically improve flavour.

3. Not Measuring Coffee Properly

Eyeballing coffee scoops leads to inconsistency. One day your brew is strong and bold, the next it’s weak and lifeless. Precision matters.

The Fix:

Use a digital scale to weigh both your coffee and water.

Start with a 1:15 ratio (1 gram of coffee to 15 grams of water) and adjust to taste

Keep a brewing journal to track what works for you.

4. Using Poor-Quality Water

Coffee is 98% water, yet many home baristas overlook it. Tap water that’s too hard, soft, or chlorinated can ruin your brew.

The Fix:

Use filtered water or a water jug designed for brewing coffee.

If you want to get serious, look into water mineral kits designed for coffee brewing.

Always brew with fresh, cold water; never reboil the same water in the kettle.

5. Incorrect Brewing Temperatures

Boiling water straight onto coffee is a surefire way to scorch the grounds and create bitterness. On the flip side, water that’s too cool won’t extract enough flavour.

The Fix:

Aim for 90–96°C (just off the boil).

If you don’t have a kettle with temperature control, boil water and let it sit for 30–45 seconds before pouring.

6. Skipping the Bloom Phase

When brewing pour-over or using fresh beans, you’ll notice bubbles forming during the first pour. That’s CO₂ escaping and ignoring this step can lead to uneven extraction.

The Fix:

Always pour a small amount of hot water over the grounds first and let them “bloom” for 30–45 seconds.

After blooming, continue pouring in a slow, steady spiral for even extraction.

7. Not Cleaning Equipment Regularly

Old coffee oils and residue can build up in grinders, espresso machines, and brewers, leaving rancid flavours in your cup.

The Fix:

Rinse brewers and filters after every use.

Backflush espresso machines weekly (or more if you brew a lot).

Clean your grinder with a brush or dedicated cleaning pellets once a month.

8. Rushing the Process

Coffee is a ritual; but many home baristas get impatient, cutting corners with brew time, tamping, or grind adjustments. This often leads to inconsistent, disappointing results.

The Fix:

Treat brewing as part of your daily routine rather than a task to rush.

Follow consistent steps every time: measure, grind, brew, taste.

Remember, even professional baristas tweak and test constantly; it’s part of the fun.

9. Using the Wrong Beans for the Wrong Method

Not all beans suit every brew style. A bold espresso blend might overpower a delicate pour-over, while a fruity Ethiopian single origin might taste thin in milk-based drinks.

The Fix:

Choose beans based on your preferred brew method.

Espresso & milk drinks: go for bold blends like Brewno’s Before 5am Blend.

Filter & black coffee: try bright, washed coffees like our Bean There, Dripped That Blend.

Adventurous espresso drinkers: experiment with floral single origins such as Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.

10. Forgetting That Coffee Is Personal

One of the most overlooked mistakes is chasing someone else’s perfect brew. Coffee is subjective, and what matters most is what you enjoy.

The Fix:

Use guides and recipes as starting points, not rules.

Taste, adjust, and repeat until you find your own preference.

Remember, being a home barista is about discovery, not perfection.

Take Your Home Barista Skills Further

Avoiding these common mistakes can dramatically improve the quality of your daily brews. But the journey doesn’t stop there. As you refine your process, experiment with different origins, blends, and brew methods to expand your palate and skills.

At Brewno, we’re here to support your passion. From freshly roasted specialty beans to guides and resources designed for everyday brewers, we’re committed to helping you level up your coffee game.

Learn more on our Home Barista page !