Coffee Accessories For Your Home Coffee Bar

We love a well-stocked home coffee bar. But beyond the coffee itself, what are coffee accessories that can make the brewing experience fun and easy? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common coffee accessories and how they can enhance your coffee brewing experience.

1️⃣ Coffee Filters & Accessories

When looking at home coffee bar accessories, these are a great place to start. There are three different types of coffee filters, depending on your setup.

• Paper coffee filters
• Reusable/mesh coffee filters
• Pour-over coffee dripper

And an accessory that'll just make your life easier:

• Coffee filter holder

Paper Coffee Filters

Paper coffee filters are disposable filters that are used in drip coffee makers and pour-over coffee methods. They’re usually either white or brown (and the brown filters are supposed to be healthier because they don’t undergo a bleaching process. They’re also environmentally friendly.) 

These filters come in all different shapes and sizes and are made from paper that is specially designed to filter out coffee grounds while allowing the coffee to pass through. Paper coffee filters are easy to use and can be disposed of after each use, making them a convenient option for many coffee drinkers.

Reusable/Mesh Coffee Filters

Reusable/mesh coffee filters are made from metal or plastic and can be used over and over again after a quick clean. They’re environmentally friendly and  budget friendly because you won’t need to keep stocking up on paper filters.

They work in the same way as paper filters – by filtering out coffee grounds while allowing the coffee to pass through. 

Some additional coffee filter accessories are…

Pour-over Coffee Dripper

You may have seen these in places like Getaway that have tiny cabins and limited storage space. A pour-over coffee dripper is a cone-shaped device that sits on top of a coffee mug so you don’t need anything additional to brew it. 

It’s super simple to use; you pour hot water over coffee grounds that are placed in the dripper, and voila. This method allows for a more hands-on coffee brewing experience, is great if you’re traveling, and can result in a richer, more complex flavor profile.

Coffee Filter Holder

A coffee filter holder is used to hold paper coffee filters in place during the brewing process. You may be able to find one that looks aesthetically pleasing so it can stay on top with your other coffee bar accessories.

2️⃣ Coffee Grinders & Accessories

If you’re someone who loves how fresh coffee tastes after grinding directly before brewing, or wants to move into whole bean coffee, coffee grinders are great coffee accessories to keep on hand.

• A blade coffee grinder
• A burr coffee grinder
• Coffee bean grinder cleaner

Blade Coffee Grinder

A blade coffee grinder is pretty self-explanatory – it uses blades to chop coffee beans into smaller pieces. It’s usually a bit less expensive than a burr grinder but is more difficult to clean, and produces less consistent results.

Burr Coffee Grinder

A burr coffee grinder crushes coffee beans between two plates to produce a more consistent grind. It’s a bit more expensive than a blade grinder but produces better-quality coffee. Burr grinders are a great option for those who love getting specific and scientific with their brewing methods to manifest the perfect cup.

Some additional accessories to go with your coffee grinders are…

Coffee Bean Grinder Cleaner

On the list of underrated coffee accessories is the coffee bean grinder cleaner. This is a small brush or cleaning tool used to remove coffee residue from the grinder blades and lemme tell you – it works much better than just shoving a piece of paper towel in there and twirling it around. 

It's important to clean your grinder regularly so your coffee tastes fresh and doesn't pick up any old flavors and residue.

3️⃣ Milk Frothers & Accessories

If you’re a fan of lattes, cappuccinos and other types of coffee drinks, a milk frother is a great addition to your coffee accessories you should consider investing in. They come in different styles and types, but they all serve the same basic function: aerating and heating milk to produce a smooth and velvety texture.

There are a few different types of milk frothers like,

• Handheld milk frothers
• Electric milk frothers
• Steam wand frothers
• French press milk frothers
• Latte art pen (wait, what?!)

Handheld Milk Frothers

These are small, battery-operated devices that are easy to use and clean, and can be used to make a single cup of coffee. They work by using a whisk to create foam – pretty simple right? Handheld milk frothers are the most affordable type of frother and are great for making a quick latte or cappuccino at home.

(Plus, there are so many vendors that make adorable milk frothers for your coffee bar in a ton of different colors and patterns.)

Electric Milk Frothers

These are larger and more powerful than handheld frothers, and used to make larger batches of frothed milk. These typically have more settings and options for customizing the texture and temperature of the milk.

Steam Wand Frothers

These are typically found on espresso machines and are used to steam and froth milk simultaneously. They’re a little bit more complicated to use than the handheld frothers or electric milk frothers, but give you a little more control over the end result and can make drinks that are a bit more complicated.

French Press Milk Frothers

This is actually a new one to us. 🤔These are essentially French presses that have been modified to froth milk instead of coffee. Like a French press for coffee, you use it by moving the plunger up and down to create foam. They don’t require being plugged in, but they don't produce the same level of foam as other types of frothers.

Okay, this next addition to coffee bar accessories isn’t necessarily a must-have but is certainly fun.

Latte Art Pen

You know how the barista makes little designs in your latte that can only be sorcery? Well, they’re probably using a latte art pen. A latte art pen is a tool used to create designs on the surface of milk foam. It’s usually made from stainless steel and has a super fine tip for precise drawing.

Sorry baristas, your magic has been unveiled and brought to light.

4️⃣ Serving and Storage Coffee Bar Accessories

When it comes to serving and storing your coffee, there are a few accessories that can make your life easier like a…

• Coffee carriage
• Coffee storage container
• Espresso shot glasses
• Coffee drip tray
• Milk pitcher

Coffee Carafe

If you plan on serving multiple cups of coffee, have guests over, or want to keep your coffee hot for an extended period, a coffee carafe is a great accessory to have. These are usually made from glass or stainless steel and come in a variety of sizes. Some coffee carafes even have features like temperature control or vacuum insulation to keep your coffee hot for longer. 🤯

Coffee Storage Container

This is definitely a must-have to maintain freshness. it's important to store coffee in an airtight container away from light and moisture to keep it from getting stale. There are a number of different types of coffee storage containers to choose from, including vacuum, stainless steel and glass, that we’ll be covering in a future post.

Espresso Shot Glasses

If you're a fan of espresso, how about some super tiny espresso shot glasses to complete your coffee bar? These are small glasses that are usually designed to hold 1-2 ounces of liquid and usually have a tiny handle as well.

Coffee Drip Tray

A coffee drip tray is a small tray that sits underneath your coffee maker or espresso machine to catch any drips or spills – most will already come with one, but if they don’t, you can purchase it separately. It’ll help keep your coffee bar or kitchen counter clean from pesky stray grinds or liquid.

Milk Pitcher

This is used to hold and pour milk, and something you’re probably familiar with from your fave local coffee shop. It’s usually made from stainless steel and comes in a range of sizes.

5️⃣ Coffee Accessories for Brewing

Finally, let's take a look at some of the most common accessories used for brewing coffee like a…

• Coffee kettle
• Coffee tamper
• Digital coffee scale
• Coffee bean moisture meter
• Coffee scoop
  

Coffee Kettle

If you're not using a regular coffee maker or Keurig, you'll want to add a coffee kettle to your home coffee bar accessories. The ones you'll traditionally come across are,

• Electric Kettles
• Stovetop Kettles
• Gooseneck Kettles (our fave!)
• Travel Kettles (mobile coffee bars)
• Variable temperature kettles

We'll be covering the differences and nuances between these types of coffee kettles in a future post.

Coffee Tamper

If you have an espresso machine, you'll need a coffee tamper to pack the coffee grounds into the portafilter so it brews well. These are usually made from metal and have a flat bottom that fits the size of it.

Digital Coffee Scale

Welcome to the coffee lab!

For precise brewing, a digital coffee scale is a must. It allows you to measure the exact amount of coffee beans or grounds you're using so you can have a consistent taste every morning.

Coffee Bean Moisture Meter

This is a tool used to measure the moisture content of coffee beans to make sure they’re not drying out.

Coffee Scoop

You likely have this but it’s worth adding to the list. A coffee scoop is a simple tool to help measure your coffee grinds. They’re usually made from metal or plastic and can hold one or two tablespoons of coffee. If you’re still using a metal spoon, this is your sign to pick one up. 🙂

6️⃣ Additional Coffee Accessories

These didn’t really have a specific category but…

• Mug warmer
• Stirring spoon

Mug Warmer

Next up on the list of coffee accessories is a mug warmer! A mug warmer is used to keep coffee warm while drinking, for those of us who like to pour it and then forget it exists because we fall down a rabbit hole of whatever we’re working on. I’m sure you’ve seen the Ember, which is a popular option/gift for coffee drinkers.

It’s usually a small, electric plate that’s placed under the mug. Mug warmers are a great option for those who like to savor their coffee slowly (or those of us who forget we just poured it.)

Stirring Spoon

A stirring spoon is used to stir coffee and make sure all ingredients are blended in. It’s also great to use for rituals, as you can stir while thinking about your intention as part of your spell work.

These items are great starters to add for home coffee bar accessories whether you’re new to brewing coffee, a seasoned drinker, or have limited space. Any others you would add to this list?