Office coffee setups
For worker bees, getting that perfect brew in the office pantry can be a real struggle. Without stoves to get your water to a rolling boil, and storage to keep all your equipment at hand, it’s easy to slouch your shoulders in defeat all the way back to the ghastly Nescafe Alegria coffee machine.
No matter how cramped or ill-equipped your pantry might be, here are 7 compact office coffee setups for you to whip up truly exceptional coffee every morning.
1. Pour over set (Hario V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex) – ultimate control over your office coffee brewing
When it comes to speciality coffee, doing a pour-over is one of the most accessible to unlock those complex flavours in your brew. The conical Hario V60 ($10), cupcake-shaped Kalita Wave ($35), and the decidedly hourglass-shaped Chemex ($76) are your main options in this category.
You’ll also need to purchase disposable filters, and your set-up will be good enough to brew preground coffee in your pantry. If you’re looking to up your pour over game, a set of compact scales, a microwave-safe gooseneck kettle alternative (like a fat separator) and a hand-grinder should be on your list.
If you’re struggling to pick from the options, the Hario V60 is the most cost-effective if you opt for the plastic dripper. The Kalita Wave dripper is a little harder to source in Singapore, and you might be confined to the more expensive ceramic and metal options. Made in the USA, the all-glass Chemex probably the sleekest bit of kit, and is large enough to double as a carafe.
Pros: Ultimate control over the brewing process, affordable options.
Cons: Might draw unwanted attention, time- and focus-intensive, multiple components might necessitate multiple trips to the pantry.
2.Clever Dripper – for a balance between control and convenience
Though it might seem similar to the other pour-over drippers above, the Clever Dripper ($30) is fundamentally different. Instead of allowing water to drain straight out the bottom, the Clever Dripper holds it all in.
This brews the coffee by immersion instead of percolation (water constantly passing through a “bed” of grounds, which can create a very different flavour profile. For one, immersion brews tend to have less control over the extraction process, meaning a less nuanced cup of coffee.
Like on the other pour over drippers, you bloom, pour boiling water and then agitate your grounds. Once you reach a total brew time of around 3 minutes, you simply set the Clever Dripper over your mug which sets off the mechanism that lets the coffee liquid drain out.
Pros: The simpler process lets you brew at your desk if you want.
Cons: As an immersion brew, there’s less control over the extraction process.
3. French press – simple brewing for larger batches
Speaking of immersion brews, we come to the French press – the quintessential piece of kit for this brewing method. There’s a bewildering assortment of brands, ranging from the Ikea Upphetta ($24.90) to the mid-priced Bodum Chambord ($60) to the exorbitant Hario French Press ($199).
More so than the Clever Brewer, your French press is perfect for brewing at your desk. Simply add boiling water to your grounds, push in the plunger such that it touches the surface of the slurry, and let it sit for 3-4 minutes.
Once ready to serve, plunge the filter all the way to help keep the grounds from working their way into your mug. The main drawback – cleaning out your French press can easily be the bane of your busiest Mondays.
Pros: Can be used to brew looseleaf teas too.
Cons: Very messy cleanup, less control over the extraction process.
4. Cold brew – for zero prep in the morning
Meticulously weighing out your grounds, precisely swirling your gooseneck kettle and timing each step of your brew really isn’t for everyone – especially in the morning.
If “acute” is the last thing you’d call your dawntime mental performance, a cold brew setup might be just the solution for you. Simply combine coarsely-ground coffee overnight (anywhere from between 12-24 hours) and strain the grounds out.
Pros: Fuss-free, ready-made coffee ready to go in the morning, no complicated equipment required.
Cons: Not ideal for those who prefer a hot drink to start the day.
5. Aeropress – espresso-style coffee in a portable package
Combining elements of an espresso machine and a French press is the Aeropress. It treads the fine line between percolation and immersion brews, with a process that steeps your grounds before filtering them out under pressure.
Pressing down all the way ensures you have a dried, easily disposable puck of coffee for easy cleanup, while third-party attachments available let you mimic a more espresso-style high-pressure percolation brew.
Pros: Unique brew style, third-party attachments to try different methods.
Cons: Not ideal if brewing in bulk.
6. Electric Moka pot – for a thicker brew to supercharge your day
Another espresso-style brewing method that uses pressure is the Moka pot. Bialetti is the brand to go for if you’re looking for a traditional Moka pot, but most options are made for gas stoves. However, if you pantry has an induction hob, you can get the Bialetti Moka Induction ($88); otherwise, an electric hot plate (~$20) or an electric Moka pot (~$100) are viable workarounds.
Pros: Strong, espresso-style brew.
Cons: Cleanup isn’t the easiest, especially if you don’t want your pot to smell in the long run.
7. Nespresso machine hack – only for true MacGyvers
Almost every company has a Nespresso-style machine in the pantry. If quality pods are always snapped up or you want to have a go with your special brew, you can hunt down reusable Nespresso pods to hack your morning Joe.
These pods cost between $10-$20, and often come in a set with a doser, tamper and brush to help with the packing of your grounds and subsequent cleanup. Some even come with different filters for you to play around to perfect the extraction and crema.
Pros: Low cost, ingenious way to use the company machine.
Cons: Requires effort to make good espresso consistently.
Office coffee brewing set-ups
With restrictions and limitations on your use of a shared pantry at work, it’s important for us to consider our brewing gear of choice. Whether it’s a classic V60 pour over or a nifty hack for the office Nespresso machine, you’ll never have to resort to sour, musty pantry coffee ever again.
Hi five for SG office life!
I drown my cold brew in milk and zap it in the office microwave if I really want a hot drink. Good for post lunch slump