Nextlevel Pulsar brewer

Systemic

First outing withe the Nextlevel. Followed the recipe - 3 x dose weight for one minute bloom then opened the valve to draw down then remainder of water in doses to keep level constant. Brew came out at 1.72% TDS but the volume extracted was 376grms meaning 120grms were ‘lost’ to the puck which had me scratching my head. Normally with pour over I lose about 60grms of water tot he puck. Maybe I made a mistake - will try again later.

Systemic

First impressions. Reminds me of Aeropress in concept but, unlike the Aeropress, there’s no chance of leakage providing you make sure the paper is properly seated. There’s no chance of fines being trapped in the filter paper on the sides as with the Hario Switch as there is nothing to trap them. Whether this is a good or bad thing, time will tell. The brewer is compact and lightweight which makes it a good travel companion. What I don’t like is the rip off price for filter papers - £15.00 for 100. I can see myself making my own.

tompoland

Systemic early days of course but any taste impressions?

Systemic

Deliberately chose a bean that has delicate notes - rose water and mint. Rose water came through. Early days and I haven’t tried the frozen ball either.

Systemic

It’s very controllable. The gradation marks on the side are very useful - no guesswork with pours.

dfk41

Not having the tastebuds to really benefit from this sort of thing, how much improvement does it really make over your normal V60 method. I understand ‘on paper’ improvements but I am talking in real life terms.

MWJB

dfk41 Probably doesn’t.

Systemic

dfk41 Not having the tastebuds to really benefit from this sort of thing, how much improvement does it really make over your normal V60 method. I understand ‘on paper’ improvements but I am talking in real life terms.

V60 method is entirely percolation. Brewers like the Switch and Nextlevel can do percolation and immersion independently or a combination of both so you can tweak the result you’re looking for, e.g. if you want more body you might increase the immersion element of your brew.

Systemic

Second brew was a disaster. Tried turning the valve one handed - not a good idea. Tipped the brewer over. Good job it’s not made of glass.

Systemic

Third brew slightly more successful but some grinds ended up in the jug - I hadn’t sealed the brewer on to the base fully - something I think is rather easy to do. The base is made from squidgy plastic I guess to aid better sealing but it clearly isn’t difficult to leave a minute gap if you aren’t careful.

MWJB

Systemic Hario also have the switch which can do the same. It’s not clear to me what any advantages are of immersion over percolation, other than to perhaps ensure saturation at the bloom stage (which doesn’t really seem to be an issue with percolation.

Systemic

MWJB Hario also have the switch which can do the same

Agree Mark. There isn’t a major difference between the Switch and Nextlevel in terms of capability. Where the Nextlevel scores over the Switch is there is no chance of bypass via the fins on the Switch.

MWJB

Systemic Sure, but there is always the chance of bypass when water is dropping into the slurry and displacing grounds, in any brewer. With V60 & Switch, the bed/slurrry can often form around the fins, reducing airgap (I am very skeptical of the concept of ‘no bypass’ brewers, I haven’t yet seen one, the Tricolate didn’t achieve it). The Switch will also takes the smoother Mugen cone…but to be fair, for the price of that and a Switch you could probably afford the Pulsar.

How is the clean up?

Systemic

MWJB How is the clean up?

Bit like the Aeropress. Pull the vessel off the base and dump the puck into the bin.

Systemic

This morning’s brew came out at 22.5% EY - clean and balanced. 30grms to 500grms of water. 100grms bloom for 45secs then draw down. Remainder of pours completed by 4min 30sec-ish and full draw down completed in 5min 30secs.

Noted a couple of niggles. I pour the bloom water without the dispersal gizmo in place for ease as I then WDT. This means, when you put the dispersal gizmo on, you’re scales are out by exactly 50grms so, in my case, I pour to 550grms to compensate. Not a game changer but means another thing you have to keep in your head while brewing.

Perhaps more significantly is the fact that a tiny amount of grinds get past the paper and into the cup/jug. I thought, with the previous brew, I hadn’t sealed the paper properly so took extra care this morning but still got some. There are three ridges around the sides of the container which may account for this. I will try wetting the filter before inserting the container to see if this makes a difference.