What is a Chemex?
The Chemex is an elegant glass pour-over coffee maker invented in 1941. Its thick paper filters produce exceptionally clean coffee with bright, tea-like clarity. The Chemex is also beautiful enough to serve at the table, making it both a brewing device and a carafe.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Chemex Brewer – 3-cup, 6-cup, or 8-cup size ($45-55)
- Chemex Filters – Bonded paper filters, bleached or natural ($10 for 100)
- Gooseneck Kettle – For controlled pouring ($40-120)
- Coffee Scale – With timer function ($25-50)
- Burr Grinder – Fresh ground coffee essential
- Fresh Coffee Beans – Light to medium roast showcases Chemex best
The Chemex Recipe
Coffee: 42g (about 6 tablespoons)
Water: 700g (about 24 oz)
Ratio: 1:16.7
Grind: Medium-coarse (like sea salt)
Total time: 4-5 minutes
Step-by-Step Chemex Brewing
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Unfold Chemex filter so 3 layers face the spout. Place in brewer. Rinse with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat glass. Discard rinse water.
Step 2: Add Coffee
Add 42g medium-coarse ground coffee. Shake gently to level the bed. Place on scale, tare to zero.
Step 3: The Bloom (0:00-0:45)
Start timer. Pour 80-90g water in spiral motion, saturating all grounds. Let bloom for 45 seconds.
Step 4: Main Pours (0:45-3:00)
Pour in stages:
– 0:45 – Pour to 300g
– 1:30 – Pour to 500g
– 2:15 – Pour to 700g final weight
Pour in slow, steady spirals from center outward. Keep water level below rim.
Step 5: Drawdown (3:00-5:00)
Let water drain completely. Total time should be 4-5 minutes. If faster, grind finer. If slower, grind coarser.
Step 6: Serve
Remove filter, swirl Chemex gently to mix, and serve immediately.
Chemex vs Other Pour-Overs
- Chemex vs V60: Chemex has thicker filters (cleaner cup), V60 allows more oils through (fuller body)
- Chemex vs Kalita: Chemex is more technique-dependent, Kalita is more forgiving
- Chemex advantage: Makes multiple cups, doubles as serving carafe, stunning design
Pro Tips
- Buy Chemex-brand filters (thicker than generic)
- Grind slightly coarser than V60
- Use light/medium roasts for best clarity
- Preheat thoroughly for temperature stability
- Clean with Chemex cleaning tablets monthly