Engineering the GoodSwitch: Crafting a Better Lever

Hey coffee geeks! If you’ve ever fussed over the perfect pour-over, you know every detail in your setup matters. At GoodSwitch, I'm obsessed with getting those details right, especially when it comes to the Hario Switch. That plastic lever in the brew path? It was a weak link—prone to warping, discoloring, and just not feeling premium. So, I set out to engineer a better one. Here’s the behind-the-scenes story of how the GoodSwitch lever went from a Reddit rant to a stainless steel reality, with a little encouragement from the coffee community.

The Problem: A Lever That Couldn’t Keep Up

Many will attest that the Hario Switch is a pour-over game-changer, blending immersion and drip for a killer cup. But that plastic lever, sitting right where near-boiling water and coffee oils do their thing, wasn’t built for the long haul. It warped under heat, stained from oils, and felt flimsy—hardly the vibe you want when chasing that perfect brew. On Reddit’s r/pourover, I saw coffee lovers ponder the same thing: “Why plastic in such a critical spot?” Along with my own personal rumination on the matter, it provided the genesis, an itiative to create a lever that matches the Switch’s brilliance.

Designing the Fix: Precision and Passion

I didn’t just want a quick fix; I wanted a lever that felt as good as your best pour-over tastes. Here’s how I reimagined the lever:

• Material Matters: I chose the best possible material, 316 stainless steel, for its durability and food-safe properties. It can withstand any heat, resist coffee oils, and stays pristine brew after brew. For our premium fans, I wanted something that would look and feel sleek, scratch-resistant, and smooth.

• Precision Prototyping: Getting the lever’s shape right was no small feat. I leveraged aerospace-grade 3D scans to map the Hario Switch’s internals, ensuring our lever fits like a glove and reduces brew retention (no more coffee stuck in weird spots!). Several of prototypes later, I settled on a design that’s both functional and satisfying to actuate.

Small Batches, Big Impact

GoodSwitch levers aren’t churned out on some massive assembly line. I craft them in small batches, focusing on quality over quantity. Each lever is inspected to ensure it’s worthy of your brew station. When I opened preorders, they sold out faster than I could've imaginedl! 

Why It Matters

The GoodSwitch lever isn’t just about replacing plastic with metal—it’s about elevating your coffee ritual. That tiny “tink” when you flip the lever, the weight of stainless steel in your hand, the confidence that it’ll last for years—it’s all part of the joy of brewing. I'm a coffee aficionado like you, and I built this for anyone who geeks out over the details. I am certainly guilty, and prone to go a bit over the top for a perfect pour-over, but that’s what makes GoodSwitch tick!

What’s Next?

I've got other projects brewing and looking forward to expanding the GoodSwitch product line. Got ideas for colors, finishes, or even new coffee gear? Drop me a line or join the conversation on Instagram (@goodswitchcoffee). Grab your lever at GoodSwitch Shop and let’s keep pushing for better brews together.

Thanks for making GoodSwitch a part of your coffee journey. Here’s to precision, passion, and the perfect cup.

Happy brewing,
GoodSwitch gang