# Kalita Wave Tsubame

Source: https://dailyextraction.com/methods/kalita-wave-tsubame/
Last updated: 2026-10-16

> The Kalita Wave Tsubame is the stainless steel version of the Kalita Wave, made in the metalworking city of Tsubame in Niigata, Japan. Kalita says it uses heavy-gauge steel for better heat retention. It brews like any Wave, with a flat bed, three small holes and Wave filters, and comes in 155 (1–2 cups) and 185 (2–4 cups) sizes.

## At a glance

- Ratio: 1:16 (21 g coffee : 345 g water)
- Grind: Medium-fine (table salt)
- Brew time: about 3:00
- Category: Pour-over & Drip (Percolation)
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Origin: Japan
- Also known as: Tsubame Wave, stainless Kalita Wave, Kalita WDS-185, Kalita WDS-155

## Steps

1. **Warm the dripper**: Rinse a Wave filter in the dripper with hot water. This also warms the steel. Pour the rinse water away.
2. **Add the coffee**: Add 21 g of coffee, ground medium-fine, and shake it level.
3. **Bloom**: Start a timer and pour 60 g of water to wet all the grounds.
4. **Pour to 200 g**: Pour in a slow spiral until the scale reads 200 g, at about 0:45–1:00.
5. **Pulse to 345 g**: Add the rest in small pulses until you reach about 345 g by 2:00.
6. **Let it drain**: Let it drain, finishing at around 2:45–3:00.

The **Kalita Wave Tsubame** is the **stainless steel** version of the [Kalita Wave](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/kalita-wave/), made in **Tsubame**, a city in Niigata, Japan, known for its metalwork. Kalita says it's made from **heavy-gauge steel for better heat retention**. It brews exactly like any Wave: a **flat bed**, **three small holes** and wave-shaped filters. Here's what sets it apart and how to brew with it.

## The short version

- **The stainless steel Kalita Wave**, made in Tsubame, Japan.
- **Heavy-gauge steel**, which Kalita says holds heat better.
- **Brews like any Wave**: flat bed, three holes, Wave filters.
- **Two sizes:** WDS-155 (1–2 cups) and WDS-185 (2–4 cups).
- **Engraved "Made in TSUBAME" mark**, a local quality standard.



## What makes the Tsubame different?

It's the same design as every Kalita Wave. What changes is the **material and where it's made**:

| | Wave Tsubame | Other Kalita Waves |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Material | Heavy-gauge stainless steel | Glass, ceramic and other materials |
| Made in | Tsubame, Niigata, Japan | Varies |
| Brewing | Flat bed, three holes, Wave filters | The same |
| Mark | Engraved "Made in TSUBAME" | No |

## What does "Made in TSUBAME" mean?

Tsubame is a centre of Japanese metalworking. Only products that meet the **Tsubame Chamber of Commerce's standard** get the engraved **"Made in TSUBAME"** mark, as a sign that they've passed the city's quality control.

## What sizes does it come in?

| | WDS-155 | WDS-185 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Makes | 1–2 cups | 2–4 cups |
| Brew volume (Kalita USA) | About 350–450 ml | About 500–700 ml |
| Filters | Kalita Wave 155 | Kalita Wave 185 |

Each size needs its own size of Wave filter. Kurasu also sells a **copper** version, tin-lined inside, and Kalita has made limited editions with Takamura Coffee in several colours.

## How do you brew with the Wave Tsubame?

Exactly like any Kalita Wave. This is **Stumptown Coffee's recipe**, the same one on our main [Kalita Wave guide](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/kalita-wave/), which suits the 185:

1. **Warm the dripper** by rinsing a Wave filter in it with hot water.
2. **Add 21 g of coffee**, ground medium-fine.
3. **Bloom** with 60 g of water.
4. **Pour to 200 g** by about 0:45–1:00.
5. **Pulse to about 345 g** by 2:00.
6. **Let it drain**, finishing at around 2:45–3:00.

For the 155, scale it down, keeping close to 1:16.

![Chart of coffee grind sizes from extra fine to extra coarse, with medium-fine highlighted for the Kalita Wave Tsubame](https://dailyextraction.com/diagrams/grind-size.svg#medium-fine "The Wave Tsubame uses a medium-fine grind, like any Kalita Wave.")

## How do you clean it?

Throw away the filter and grounds, then rinse or wash the dripper. Retailers list both sizes as **dishwasher safe**. Keep the three holes clear.

*General guidance only. Steel gets hot with boiling water, so handle it with care and follow the instructions that come with yours.*

## Should I buy the Tsubame?

- **Buy the Tsubame** if you want a steel Wave that's hard to break and holds heat well.
- **Buy a glass or ceramic [Kalita Wave](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/kalita-wave/)** if you prefer the look of glass or ceramic.
- **Look at the [V60](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/v60/)** if you'd like a cone dripper and more control over the flow.

## Wave Tsubame vs other brewers

- **[Kalita Wave](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/kalita-wave/):** the full brewing guide and the other materials.
- **[V60](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/v60/):** a cone with one large hole.
- **[Chemex](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/chemex/):** thick filters, brewed into its own carafe.
- **[Melitta](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/melitta/):** the original paper-filter cone.

Explore every pour-over in the [pour-over chapter](https://dailyextraction.com/methods/pour-over/).

## Words used in this guide

- [Bloom](https://dailyextraction.com/glossary/bloom/): The bloom is the first small pour of water in a brew, usually 2–3 times the weight of the coffee, followed by a 30–45 second pause.
- [Pour-over](https://dailyextraction.com/glossary/pour-over/): Pour-over is a way of making filter coffee by hand: you pour hot water over ground coffee in a filter cone and let it drip through into a cup or jug.

## FAQs

### What is the Kalita Wave Tsubame?

The stainless steel Kalita Wave made in Tsubame, a metalworking city in Niigata, Japan. It brews exactly like other Kalita Wave drippers.

### What does Made in TSUBAME mean?

It's an engraved mark that only goes on products that meet the Tsubame Chamber of Commerce's standard, as a sign of the city's quality control.

### Why choose the stainless steel Wave?

Kalita says the Tsubame uses heavy-gauge steel for better heat retention. Steel is also hard to break, unlike glass or ceramic.

### What sizes does the Kalita Wave Tsubame come in?

The WDS-155 for 1–2 cups, about 350–450 ml, and the WDS-185 for 2–4 cups, about 500–700 ml. Each uses its own size of Kalita Wave filter.

### Is the Kalita Wave Tsubame dishwasher safe?

Retailers list both sizes as dishwasher safe. Check the care instructions that come with yours.

## Sources

- [Kalita Wave Tsubame stainless steel coffee dripper 185](https://kalitausa.com/products/kalita-wave-tsubame-stainless-steel-coffee-dripper-185)
- [Kalita Wave Tsubame stainless steel coffee dripper 155](https://kalitausa.com/products/kalita-wave-tsubame-stainless-steel-coffee-dripper-155)
- [Kalita Wave 155 stainless steel coffee dripper](https://kalitaofficial.com/product/kalita-wave-155-stainless-steel-coffee-dripper/)
- [Kalita Wave dripper (Tsubame and Kalita)](https://www.coheehk.com/product-page/kalita-wave-dripper-tsubame-kalita)
- [Kalita TSUBAME Wave dripper](https://kurasu.kyoto/products/kalita-tsubame-wave)
- [Brew guide: Kalita Wave](https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/pages/brew-guide-kalita-wave)