Kalita Wave Tsubame
The Kalita Wave Tsubame: the heavy-gauge stainless steel Wave dripper made in Tsubame, Japan. Sizes, the Made in TSUBAME mark, how to brew and Tsubame vs other Waves.
Contents
What is the Kalita Wave Tsubame?
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 : 345 g
- Grind
- Medium-fine (table salt)
- Brew time
- 3:00
- approximately
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Origin
- Japan
Method
Warm the dripper
Rinse a Wave filter in the dripper with hot water. This also warms the steel. Pour the rinse water away.
Add the coffee
Add 21 g of coffee, ground medium-fine, and shake it level.
Bloom30 s
Start a timer and pour 60 g of water to wet all the grounds.
Pour to 200 g30 s
Pour in a slow spiral until the scale reads 200 g, at about 0:45–1:00.
Pulse to 345 g1:00
Add the rest in small pulses until you reach about 345 g by 2:00.
Let it drain1:00
Let it drain, finishing at around 2:45–3:00.
The Kalita Wave Tsubame is the stainless steel version of the 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, which suits the 185:
- Warm the dripper by rinsing a Wave filter in it with hot water.
- Add 21 g of coffee, ground medium-fine.
- Bloom with 60 g of water.
- Pour to 200 g by about 0:45–1:00.
- Pulse to about 345 g by 2:00.
- Let it drain, finishing at around 2:45–3:00.
For the 155, scale it down, keeping close to 1:16.
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 if you prefer the look of glass or ceramic.
- Look at the V60 if you’d like a cone dripper and more control over the flow.
Wave Tsubame vs other brewers
- Kalita Wave: the full brewing guide and the other materials.
- V60: a cone with one large hole.
- Chemex: thick filters, brewed into its own carafe.
- Melitta: the original paper-filter cone.
Explore every pour-over in the pour-over chapter.
What you’ll need
Words in this guide
Questions & answers
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. Kalita USA
- Kalita Wave Tsubame stainless steel coffee dripper 155. Kalita USA
- Kalita Wave 155 stainless steel coffee dripper. Kalita Co., Ltd.
- Kalita Wave dripper (Tsubame and Kalita). Cohee HK
- Kalita TSUBAME Wave dripper. Kurasu
- Brew guide: Kalita Wave. Stumptown Coffee Roasters
General guidance only. Not medical, food-safety or professional advice. Always follow your equipment's own instructions.