Hello from the roastery,

Big news from the Singapore coffee scene — Oscar from Fluid Collective just took home the Singapore National Brewers Cup 2025 title, and he did it with the Solo dripper. That's another win for this sleek little brewer that's been quietly making waves in competition circles.

If you've been wondering what all the fuss is about with the Solo dripper, or how it stacks up against your trusty V60, let's dive in.

What Makes the Solo Different?

While your V60 has those familiar spiral ribs and that classic 60-degree cone, the Solo takes a different approach. Designed by Jackie Tran (Czech Republic Brewers Cup Champion 2024), this dripper sports a 40-degree angle instead of the V60's 60 degrees, plus a curved bottom that guides water smoothly toward the central hole.

The big difference? Speed. The Solo is designed as a fast dripper with a large central hole that lets water flow through quickly. This opens up different brewing possibilities — you can experiment with various grind sizes, pour techniques, and recipes to balance the extraction just how you like it.

V60 vs Solo: The Real Differences

Flow Rate & Extraction

• V60: Medium flow rate, relies on your pour technique to control extraction

• Solo: Fast flow rate, emphasizes bright, clean flavors naturally

Grind Size

• V60: Medium-fine grind (around table salt consistency)

• Solo: Opens up flexibility — experiment with different grind sizes to find your sweet spot

Brewing Technique

• V60: Requires precise pouring technique, timing, and flow control

• Solo: More forgiving, designed to be consistent even if your pour isn't perfect

Cup Profile

• V60: Great for clarity and flavor separation, can highlight different notes in complex coffees

• Solo: Produces bright, clean cups with balanced extraction — perfect for showcasing single origins

What We Can Do More with the Solo

Here's where it gets interesting — Jackie Tran, the Solo's designer, recently shared something that changed how we think about this dripper. He discovered that slightly lifting the filter paper reduces surface contact and tension, letting water drain more freely. It's all about the capillary effect — when the filter sits completely flat against the bottom, surface tension actually slows the flow.

As Jackie puts it: "A dripper that flows too slowly can be limiting. But a faster one gives you the room to slow down when needed."

This is the Solo's real superpower. It's not about brewing fast — it's about having the flexibility to find your perfect balance. You can adjust through:

• Grind size — Go coarser for a lighter cup, finer for more body

• Filter positioning — Slight lift for faster flow, flat contact for more resistance

• Pour technique — Slow, controlled pours or more aggressive extractions

• Dose adjustments — Play with your coffee-to-water ratio

Why We're Loving the Solo

Here's what we've discovered brewing with it at the roastery:

Consistency — The 40-degree angle and curved bottom design means less channeling and more even extraction. You get repeatable results, which is why it's becoming a competition favorite.

Beginner-friendly — While the V60 rewards skill and practice, the Solo is more forgiving. New to pour-over? This might be your perfect starting point.

Travel-ready — Made from durable polypropylene, it's virtually indestructible. No separate stand needed either — those outer ribs sit perfectly on most glass servers.

As Jackie reminds us: "Brewing isn't a race but it's a rhythm." The Solo helps you find yours.

Our Solo Recipe

Since the Solo's a fast dripper, we've been experimenting with different approaches. Here's what we're loving:

• 15g coffee, ground to suit your taste preference

• 250g water at 93°C

• 30-second bloom with about 50g water

• Pour remaining water in two stages, maintaining steady flow

• Total brew time: around 2:30-3:00 minutes

The key is embracing that flexibility — don't fight the dripper, work with it to find your rhythm.

Should You Make the Switch?

If you're already nailing your V60 brews and love the control it gives you, there's no need to abandon it. The V60 is still incredible for exploring different coffees and techniques.

But if you want something that delivers consistent results with less fuss, or you're newer to pour-over brewing, the Solo might be worth trying. We've got a few left in stock if you're curious.

The coffee world keeps evolving, and it's exciting to see new tools that make great coffee more accessible. Whether you're team V60 or ready to try the Solo, what matters most is that morning ritual and the coffee that gets you going.

We're excited to share more brewing experiments with the Solo — this one's got legs.

Stay caffeinated,
The Prodigal Co. Team

P.S. — Congrats again to Oscar and the whole Fluid Collective crew. Singapore's coffee scene just keeps getting stronger.