HARIO Siphon Coffee Maker: Everything About the Japanese Brand’s Glass Top

If you’ve tried siphon coffee, you know the theatre — vapour swirling, liquid rising, coffee filtering down like a science experiment. But behind the spectacle is a carefully designed piece: the upper chamber, or '' in Chinese. For many home brewers, this is the HARIO-made glass component that holds the brewed coffee and filters it down through the filter. But what makes this glass part work, and why does HARIO dominate this niche?

HARIO is a Japanese glassware brand known for precision and clarity. Their siphon coffee tops are made from high-quality borosilicate glass, heat-resistant and transparent. This specific component—the top vessel—is essential for siphon brewing, and HARIO produces several models to match their various siphon systems, ensuring a proper fit, clean extraction, and visual clarity during the brew.

Who Is HARIO and Why Are They Associated with Siphon Coffee?

HARIO is a Japanese company founded in 1921, originally making laboratory glassware. Over time, they transitioned into kitchen and specialty coffee equipment, becoming especially well known for their heatproof glass products. Among coffee enthusiasts, HARIO is practically synonymous with siphon brewing—not just because they make full siphon brewers, but because their glass tops are standard across many systems. These tops are designed for compatibility, durability, and clean coffee separation.

What Is the HARIO Siphon Coffee Top and How Does It Work?

The HARIO siphon coffee top—referred to locally as '' or ''—is the upper glass vessel in a siphon brewing system. It sits above the lower chamber and is where your brewed coffee collects before being filtered down through a cloth or metal filter. This part is made entirely of heat-resistant borosilicate glass to withstand rapid temperature changes. It connects securely to the bottom chamber via a rubber gasket and filter assembly. As water heats in the lower vessel, vapor pressure pushes it up into the top chamber where it mixes with ground coffee. After brewing, removing the heat source causes the brewed coffee to siphon back down into the lower vessel, leaving grounds behind.

Key Features of HARIO Siphon Tops

• Material: Borosilicate glass — durable, transparent, and thermal shock resistant.
• Compatibility: Designed to fit various HARIO siphon brewer models including the 3-cup, 5-cup, and syphon stove models.
• Design: Cylindrical shape with a flared opening; includes a built-in filter support for cloth or metal filters.
• Function: Holds brewed coffee, allows for separation from grounds, and enables visual monitoring of the extraction.
• Heat Resistance: Safe for use over open flame or electric heaters common in siphon setups.

Why Use a Glass Siphon Top?

Glass is essential in siphon brewing—not just for function, but for the experience. The transparent nature of HARIO’s borosilicate top lets you watch the coffee bloom, mix with water, and then draw back down through the filter. This visibility isn't just aesthetic; it also helps you monitor whether brewing is proceeding normally. The glass is also non-reactive, ensuring no unwanted flavors interfere with your coffee’s taste. And because it's reusable and easy to clean, it maintains clarity and performance over hundreds of brews.

How to Use the HARIO Siphon Top

Using the siphon top is part of the full siphon brewing process. Here's how it fits in:

1. Assemble the lower and upper chambers with the filter and rubber gasket in place.
2. Fill the lower chamber with hot water (typically around 90–96°C).
3. Place ground coffee (usually medium-fine, around 20g for a 3-cup system) in the upper chamber.
4. Heat the lower chamber to create vapor pressure, pushing water up into the upper chamber where it brews with the coffee.
5. After around 30–90 seconds of brewing (depending on recipe), remove heat and let the coffee siphon back down.
6. Once fully drained, remove the top and serve.

The top should always be seated firmly to prevent vapor or coffee leakage. Always handle it carefully when hot, using a cloth or silicone holder.

Do You Need to Buy the HARIO Top Separately?

In many cases, the siphon top comes included with a full HARIO siphon brewer. However, if you’ve lost or damaged your original top—or if you’re mixing and matching components from different siphon systems—you can purchase the HARIO siphon top separately. Be sure to match the size and model (3-cup, 5-cup, etc.) to ensure a proper seal and brewing function.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HARIO siphon top called in Chinese?

In Chinese, the HARIO siphon top is referred to as or , meaning 'upper pot' or 'upper seat'. It's the glass vessel in the upper part of a siphon brewer where coffee collects before filtering down.

Is the HARIO siphon top made of glass?

Yes, the HARIO siphon top is made of high-quality borosilicate glass. This material is chosen for its thermal resistance, transparency, and durability under heat fluctuations common in siphon brewing.

Can I use a HARIO siphon top with non-HARIO siphon brewers?

It depends on the model and size. HARIO siphon tops are designed to fit specific HARIO siphon systems, such as their 3-cup or 5-cup brewers. Some third-party or older models may have compatible dimensions, but for best results and a proper seal, it's recommended to use HARIO tops with HARIO brewers.

What temperature should water be for siphon brewing with a HARIO top?

For optimal extraction, water should be heated to around 90–96°C before it enters the lower chamber. This ensures proper brewing temperature once the water transfers to the upper chamber during the siphon process.

Do I need to buy a new HARIO top if mine breaks?

Yes. The siphon top is a crucial component for both function and safety. If yours is cracked, broken, or no longer seals properly, you’ll need to replace it. You can purchase a replacement HARIO siphon top separately to match your existing brewer model.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Siphon Brewing

For siphon coffee using a HARIO brewer, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera — a bright, floral Ethiopian single origin with notes of blueberry and jasmine, ideal for highlighting the clarity of siphon extraction. Or choose the Yirgacheffe, which offers citrusy acidity and stone fruit sweetness that shines in full-immersion brews. Both beans respond well to the gentle yet thorough brew style of siphon coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.