Zerno Employee Reviews the Ratio Eight Brewer

Something is Brewing in Chicago: My Experience with the Z1 and Ratio Eight

Backstory
Hey There,

My name is Andrew - I lead Growth and Biz Dev efforts here at Zerno.

I just moved to Chicago to be closer to Zerno HQ—With my coffee setup still packed, I needed a quick, reliable coffee solution. Pictured is our little family on the way to our new home : ) 

Enter Ratio Coffee
I’d heard great things about the brand, but did not know much about their product line. After connecting with their Founder, Mark, he was generous enough to let me test drive their flagship brewer—The Ratio Eight. Here is my objective feedback after pairing with my Z1 grinder and coffee beans from Metric.

Unboxing and Setup
Unboxing the Ratio Eight was minimalistic and intentional, reflecting the attention to detail that Ratio is known for. My black machine with walnut accents matched my Z1 perfectly, and setup was effortless...literally plug it in and hit the 'brew' button. The thermal carafe ensured hot coffee throughout my morning, and its single-button operation kept things simple.

Workflow Details
I used the SSP UMV1 burrs at 550 microns with Metric Coffee’s En Masse blend. This is the standard burr setup and grind size that I usually pair with my pourover workflow, so not much tinkering was needed.

The Z1 setup and workflow process is equally as simple as the Ratio Eight— With almost no tinkering, the Z1 produced the uniform and quality grind straight out of its Zerno hard case. With my setup ready, I was looking forward to comparing the quality of brew to what I have come to expect with my Z1.

Brewing and Results
The Ratio Eight mimics pour-over with its pre-infusion bloom phase, delivering a vibrant, clean, and balanced cup. As you might expect, it is set to brew up to eight cups of coffee in one cycle.

It brought out the bright flavor and smooth body of Metric’s blend really well, with good clarity and flavor separation. While it doesn’t replace the full control of manual pour-over, it feels like the most pour-over-like experience a drip machine can offer.

Takeaways
The Ratio Eight paired with the Z1 is a winning combination for ease and quality. Thoughtful design, effortless brewing, and a sleek aesthetic make it a good option for those seeking pour-over quality with minimal effort. It is noted that some reviews concluded that the glass carafe did not keep their brew warm throughout the day, but that was not an issue in my experience since I was using their thermal carafe. In all, I would recommend this brewer for coffee lovers who value both style and simplicity.

Learn More
Visit ratiocoffee.com to learn more about their full product line and purchase yours this Holiday Season