Hoffmann's hybrid Switch method — closed for the bloom and first pour (immersion), open for the percolation finish. A balanced mix of body and clarity.
In 2022, James Hoffmann published his method for the Hario Switch, and it quickly became the community standard for using this hybrid device.
The Switch is a 2017 Hario creation — a V60 mounted on a silicone cup with a switch that can be closed or opened. Closed = full immersion. Open = regular percolation filter. The idea: get the body and sweetness of immersion and the clarity of filter in one brew.
Hoffmann's philosophy:
1. Closed for bloom + first pour: 60g bloom + pour up to 300g, all in immersion. This lets the coffee gain sweetness and body that's hard to achieve in a regular V60. The immersion time also ensures even extraction — no dry pellets.
2. Open to finish in percolation: The second pour (up to 500g) and opening the switch right after finishes the brew like a regular filter. This cleans up the cup and restores clarity that would otherwise be lost in long immersion.
3. Coarser grind: Because there's long contact time (~2 minutes in immersion), a fine grind would over-extract and turn bitter. Coarser than a regular V60 is recommended.
The secret of the hybrid:
Hoffmann showed that the most critical timing is 2:00 — when to open. Too early = less sweetness. Too late = muddiness and bitterness. Two minutes is the sweet spot for quality light-roast coffee.
The method became especially popular because it's very forgiving — if the grind is off, immersion compensates. If the pour isn't perfect, immersion mixes it. It's a Switch recipe for everyone, beginner to advanced.