FLOW REGULATION

We are known for making the fastest brewers out there (within reason). The OREA V2 started a trend for "fast-flowing brewers", continued by the V3 and the V4 FAST. With this release, we don't look just at SPEED, rather we look at CONTROL. The regulators use the same design as our beloved V4 FAST base, with even contact points across the bed of the brewer and plenty of space for air and water to flow to ensure the brew never chokes/clogs/stalls. The difference from our V4 FAST is that each regulator has an intentional set max output flow rate - to let you control the contact time predictably. 

WHY WE MADE THIS

Coffee should be fun - brewing should be for the curious. We love to tinker and experiment because coffee changes constantly. Every coffee is different. Due to where it's grown, the processing method, and how it's roasted - coffee can behave so differently when brewed. If our V4 explored flow patterns, this project explores flow regulation. 

In the past few years a few (almost opposing) trends have accelerated:

1. The ultra-processed coffees (think "advanced process", "thermal shock", "co-fermented", etc) which tend to be incredibly soluble and easy to extract 

2. The ultra-light roast movement often favours ultra-clean traditionally processed coffees that tend to be a lot less soluble and honestly very tricky to extract

3. The refinement of more developed roasts as ex-champions adapt and evolve the darker roasts into something more clean and sweet

Ah, coffee used to be so simple. 

Alas - with these changes come new challenges. With this project, we wanted to make affordable extensions to our beloved O1/O2 series brewers to address some of these changes. 

IS SLOWER BETTER?

We know many of you will instinctively see a photo and think - "this is slow". In fact, neither of these regulators (or any of our brewers) are slow. Traditionally, a slow brew resulted from clogging - not from the "size of the exit hole". In fact, many brewers with "large openings" will flow slowly, and unpredictably, despite the large opening - because they are designed to fail and clog. Our designs are so efficient that we need to make comically sized openings to limit their flow rates significantly. And no - this is not happening because of "bypass", it is achieved through efficient drainage.

Yes - each regulator will flow a bit slower than the other (#2 being the "slowest", #4 the "medium", and the #8 Switch regulator the "fastest") but this is by design. The MAXIMUM flow rate enforces a MINIMUM contact time and forces one to grind coarser to hit the same brew times as with our faster bottoms. This can be very beneficial in many scenarios. Importantly - neither is slow, they are just slower than each other at the same parameters. If you want 2 minutes of contact time, you can achieve it on all of them, and they can all taste delicious, for the right coffee. 

Some examples:

1. The super-soluble fast-flowing hyper-processed coffees will benefit from coarser grind sizes at the same contact time. We would use "slower" regulators so we can grind coarser and hit 2-2:30 contact time for a super clean, balanced, brew. This way we avoid the "funk/ferment" intensity at finer grind sizes for these coffees. 

2. The ultra-light roasts can often benefit from more contact time at the same grind size. Contact time through motion, friction is more beneficial in this case than contact time through immersion. In this case we would use a "slower" regulator to achieve longer contact times. This helps avoid those empty, grassy brews.

3. In more developed roasts, going coarser will always taste better. But they are also the most soluble coffees, and in other brewers, going coarser means not getting enough contact time. Using the regulators ensures a minimum contact time while letting you grind coarser, with a clean, balanced result. 

Yes - you can achieve this with slower paper filters. However, when you make a filter slower, you are adding additional filtration. This will change more than the contact time, it will thin the brew, it will remove more of what you may love. Controlling the output flow rate via the brewing device makes a lot more sense (as we do not increase filtration), and works hand-in-hand with great paper. Of course, experiment with paper - but don't think that it gives you any control on contact time, as it introduces many other variables too.

WOW, THAT WAS A LOT

We know. Think of the regulators as training wheels. Super easy to brew with, making sure your brews don't run too fast, and letting you grind coarser in most instances while keeping the brew times you'd expect. This reduces the fault rate, makes brews more predictable, and more importantly - delicious. 

IMMERSION-READY

A lot of people really love hybrid or immersion brewing - as it also gives a level of control not found in percolation. We understand this and wanted to make the "fastest" regulator work with the most popular immersion tool - the Switch by Hario. The orange, #8 Regulator is designed to fit into the Switch base, to open up a new world. We paired the fastest of the lot with immersion-use as we thought it was very important to clear the water quickly after a period of immersion. This gives you steep-and-release powers with a quick drawdown, for the best flat-bottom hybrid brewing in the world. 

COMPARISON 

#2 Regulator: DARK GREY, "slowest" maximum flow rate. 
#4 Regulator: BLACK, "medium" maximum flow rate 
#8 Regulator: ORANGE, "fastest" maximum flow rate + Switch compatible

At the SAME grind size, recipe, you add 15-30 seconds of contact time as you go from FASTEST to SLOWEST regulator, depending on coffee. This additional contact will also predictably increase TDS at the SAME grind size. Yes, we highlighted that twice - because it is important. 

LOOKING FOR BALANCE

We are in a constant search for balance. As we design and taste, we optimise for balance in the cup. Not too sharp, not too punchy, not too funky, not too sweet, not too sour. This series of Regulators are designed by taste, intentionally manipulating flow patterns and contact times to result in a more balanced cup. 

COMPATIBLE DEVICES

The regulators work with the O-Series and OPEN bottom brewers listed below. Please note, if the device is not on the list below, it would not work with these accessories.

→ O1 Brewer STEEL (RAW and OBSIDIAN)
→ O1 Brewers Tritan plastic
→ O2 Brewers Tritan plastic 
→ Our old OPEN-bottom porcelain brewer
→ Our old OPEN-bottom glass brewers

SUPPLY CHAIN CHOICES

We make these regulators in Taiwan with a boutique family-run manufacturer that also makes our O1 and O2 brewers. They treat their workers well and fairly and do their best to source everything locally in Taiwan. They treat their products with special care and respect. We know that our pricing to you - or their pricing to us - will never be the lowest - if you're looking for that, there are other companies to shop from. We are focused on quality and paying back in the value chain - supporting those that do business the right way. We visit this facility 3-4 times per year, spending time on their factory floor and with their team to ensure we can continue bringing you the best quality products possible. 

PARTICULARS