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MiiR Pourigami Review

A cleverly designed, compact, and easy to clean pour-over device that brews consistently great coffee
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MiiR Pourigami Review (While the Pourigami isn't as weightless as other models in our review, at only 4.89 oz it is light enough that you're...)
While the Pourigami isn't as weightless as other models in our review, at only 4.89 oz it is light enough that you're unlikely to notice its heft unless you're thru-hiking or cutting weight on your backpacking kit.
Credit: Jared Ross
Price:  $30 List
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Manufacturer:   Miir
By Mary Witlacil ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 21, 2021
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 15
  • Taste - 40% 9.0
  • Ease of Use - 25% 7.0
  • Group Cooking - 15% 6.0
  • Portability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

Hands down, the MiiR Pourigami is one of the coolest coffee makers on the market. This aptly named device achieves an unsurpassable degree of form and function. It is sleek, clever, elegant, and delivers consistently delicious coffee with minimal effort. It commands very little space when broken down and stows away into a pocket-sized carrying case. It is sure to impress die-hard coffee aficionados, space-conscious gear nerds, and camping coffee lovers of all persuasions. It is the only pour-over device we have reviewed that packs down easily and wins our taste tests. Plus, it's made from stainless steel and is reasonably affordable. Check out our article on the best camping coffees to see how it ranks versus competitors.
REASONS TO BUY
Gourmet flavor
Stylish
Compact
Easy to clean
Easy to use
Made from stainless steel
REASONS TO AVOID
Hefty
Not ideal for big groups

Compare to Similar Products

 
miir pourigami
This Product
MiiR Pourigami
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Camping Coffee Maker
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Best Buy Award
A Great Deal for Backpacking
Top Pick Award
Best Backpacking Option
Top Pick Award
Best Instant
Price $30 List
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Bottom Line A cool and innovative pour over device that is compact, easy to clean, and delvers tasty coffee every timeGreat taste, easy to use, and lightweight - we love this plastic iteration of the classic glass and ceramic versionsDurable, light, and compact, this is a fantastic option for backpacking trips or any kind of light travelA tried-and-true, no-fuss filter that is great for backpacking and can also be used for steeping tea and pre-filtering waterAn easy, fast, and ultralight instant coffee that actually tastes good
Rating Categories MiiR Pourigami Hario V60 Plastic D... Primula Coffee Brew... MSR MugMate Alpine Start Instant
Taste (40%)
9.0
9.0
7.0
6.0
4.0
Ease of Use (25%)
7.0
7.0
9.0
8.0
10.0
Group Cooking (15%)
6.0
6.0
4.0
4.0
2.0
Portability (10%)
8.0
5.0
9.0
8.0
10.0
Weight (10%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
9.0
10.0
Specs MiiR Pourigami Hario V60 Plastic D... Primula Coffee Brew... MSR MugMate Alpine Start Instant
Measured Weight Dripper alone: 4.89 oz
Dripper + case: 5.52 oz
Dripper alone: 2.95 oz
Dripper + scoop: 3.37 oz
1.1 oz Filter alone: 0.7 oz
Filter + lid/coaster: 1.0 oz
1 packet: 0.13 oz
Box of 8: 1.62 oz
Brew Type Pour Over Pour Over Pour Over Filter Instant
Main Material Stainless steel with Hardshell powder coat Hard plastic Nylon filter Nylon/Stainless steel N/A
Filter Needed Yes Yes No No No
Notable Features Easy to clean, collapsible pour over with slim carrying case Cone shape, large hole, ribs along side Rests on any mug Can be used for coffee or tea, compact Tons of options and available in bulk as well.

Our Analysis and Test Results

From concept to product, the MiiR Pourigami has stolen the show. We love this device because of its innovative origami-esque design that breaks down into a compact carrying sleeve, and more importantly, because it brews consistently delicious coffee. It's easy to clean, easy to use, highly portable, and it earned top marks in our blind taste tests. Read on to learn more about this new Editors' Choice Award-winning product, the only one ever to un-seat the Hario V60.

Performance Comparison


miir pourigami - nothing beats desert morning coffee, and the pourigami provides what...
Nothing beats desert morning coffee, and the Pourigami provides what you want with style.
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Brew Features


The Pourigami features three interlocking stainless steel panels that fit together with ease. Many of the other top-performers in our review use plastic — with this model, you can be rid of any concerns about combining plastic with hot water. The angle of the Pourigami enables you to make great coffee with minimal effort or knowledge. However, you can dial in the flavor with some finesse and patience by altering the grind and brew time. For a stronger cup, use a finer grind and a slower brew time; for a weaker or more subtle flavor, use a coarser grind and quicker brew time. We found that a grind about the consistency of table salt and brew time of 3-3.5 minutes produced an excellent cup of Joe. Even without using a timer or being terribly attentive to the grind, it still produced great coffee. Beyond all this, it is among the easiest devices to clean and comes with a slim carrying case you can slip into a pocket.

miir pourigami - the pourigami features three interlocking stainless steel panels...
The Pourigami features three interlocking stainless steel panels that snap into place to create a stable pour-over device.
Credit: Jared Ross

Taste


In head-to-head taste tests, the Pourigami garnered top marks among even the most discerning tasters. In blind taste tests, we were often impressed by the bright but balanced flavor and supple mouthfeel of the coffee it produced.


For best results when making a pour-over, you will want to wet the filter prior to use, then add a small amount of hot water to allow the coffee to bloom for 15-20 seconds before adding the rest of your water. You will also need to achieve the appropriate grind. When car camping, we love to use a hand-cranked burr grinder. Set to a relatively fine grind — about the consistency of table salt — we could produce a perfect cup every time.

For a perfect pour-over, you will want to experiment a little to find the ideal grind for your palette. With a finer grind and slower extraction time, you will achieve a stronger cup of coffee. With a coarser grind and faster extraction time, you will get a weaker cup. This is because a finer grind results in a greater surface area of ground coffee coming into contact with water for a more thorough extraction. We prefer a pour-over that takes about 3-3.5 minutes for brew time. If you really want to nerd out about how to brew the best pour-over, Miir has a great recipe and tutorial you can use to get started.

miir pourigami - in blind taste tests, as well as testing in the field, the pourigami...
In blind taste tests, as well as testing in the field, the Pourigami earned high marks from even our most discerning testers.
Credit: Jared Ross

Ease of Use


While the Pourigami didn't earn the highest marks for this metric — mostly because pour-overs require extra care to produce an excellent cup of coffee — this is a category where it otherwise shines.


Once you dial in your perfect grind and recipe, the Pourigami couldn't be easier to use. Each section of the device slots easily into place. To put it together, make sure the lettering is facing out and is oriented to be readable — this positions each piece so the long slot is on the left and pointing up. Then, hook the smaller tabs into the long slots to put each piece together. There is enough play in the slots to hook the final tab into place at the end, but not so much to render it unstable. It is truly an ingenious design. After you are done making your coffee, simply remove the filter and throw it away (or save it for the compost).

miir pourigami - we loved how easy it was to use and clean the pourigami. if you're...
We loved how easy it was to use and clean the Pourigami. If you're in the field, simply lift out the filter and wipe down each of the panels, and you're done.
Credit: Jared Ross

Group Cooking


The Pourigami scored fairly average in this metric. It is ideal for making just one 8-10oz cup of coffee at a time.


However, given that the Pourigami is among the easiest devices to clean, you could use it to efficiently make multiple cups of coffee with minimal turn-around time. The only gum in the gears is how quickly you can boil water and the time it takes to make each pour-over.

miir pourigami - if you need to make coffee for the whole crew, the pourigami...
If you need to make coffee for the whole crew, the Pourigami requires minimal clean-up, so you can have another cup brewing just as soon as the first one's done. Simply lift out the filter, add a new one, and you're ready to go.
Credit: Jared Ross

Portability


Portability is a metric where the Pourigami crushes most of the competition.


The Pourigami stows away into a compact Cordura carrying case measuring 2.75" x 5.5" — that is slimmer but approximately the same dimensions as a smaller smartphone. The case also has space to accommodate a few filters, so you can keep your pour-over and filters together without taking up any extra real estate in your camp kitchen bin or backpack. It barely commands any space at all, making it the most portable pour-over device in our review and among the most portable devices overall.

miir pourigami - the pourigami stows away in a slim cordura carrying case that...
The Pourigami stows away in a slim Cordura carrying case that commands as little real estate as an older smartphone.
Credit: Jared Ross

Weight


At 4.89 ounces for just the dripper or 5.52 ounces for the dripper and case together, the Pourigami nabs an average score for weight among our review suite.


While it isn't winning any awards for being an ultralight coffee maker, the Pourigami is decently lightweight for what it is. It packs some heft because it is made from stainless steel, rather than plastic (which is lighter-weight) or titanium (which would be more expensive). If you're a gram-counting ultra-lighter, you may want to skip this model in favor of a lighter-weight backpacking coffee maker or even instant coffee. However, if you don't mind lugging along a couple of luxury items on a weekend backpacking or bikepacking adventure, you're unlikely to notice the weight of the Pourigami in your kit. Likewise, it would be a great option for making your own coffee while traveling. Alternatively, if you're looking for a car camping coffee maker that doesn't cramp your style or fill your cupboards, we think you'll find this model to be light and compact enough to suit your needs.

Value


The Pourigami is not the least expensive model in our review, but neither is it the most expensive. It is, on the other hand, an elegant and compact device that produces consistently delicious coffee at a reasonable price. We think it offers an excellent value for what you get, and given its durability, you'll be making coffee with this clever “pocket pour-over” for years to come.

Conclusion


We fell in love with the Pourigami. The innovative design left us speechless because we were surprised that a coffee maker could be both aesthetically appealing and make great coffee. It is easy to use, easy to clean, reasonably lightweight, compact, and imminently portable. Beyond all these perks, it is downright fun to use. It's no wonder it has become our go-to for making coffee while car camping or even in our home kitchen.

miir pourigami - we love the pourigami and we're sure you will too!
We love the Pourigami and we're sure you will too!
Credit: Mary Witlacil

Mary Witlacil