Although the best brewing style can be somewhat subjective, Chemex actually brews better coffee than many of the alternatives. for many people, chemex will probably make the most pleasant-tasting coffee.
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Reading: Why is chemex the best way to make coffee
what is the preparation of a chemex coffee?
chemex brewing describes the process of manually brewing coffee using a chemex brand coffee maker. The chemex coffee maker is a type of pour-over system that is made up of an hourglass-shaped container and a specially designed filter. The Chemex brand has been around since 1941 and is one of the oldest brewing methods in existence. The Chemex Coffee Maker is available on Amazon in a variety of different sizes with two different handle options.
Although this coffeemaker looks a lot like many of the competition’s options, the coarse filter is what makes this brewing method truly unique. Chemex filters are much more densely woven than traditional coffee filters. They help regulate the flow of coffee while removing much of the body and oils from the coffee. the filter slows down the flow of water that passes through it, resulting in a better developed flavor.
I’m a huge fan of the chemex coffee maker and recommend it to anyone looking to switch up their coffee routine. In fact, I recently wrote a post mentioning chemex as one of the most accessible ways to drink coffee for beginners (in terms of taste). In this article, I will answer your questions about chemex and describe who chemex is best suited for.
why is chemex better?
Chemex brewed coffee tastes better than many other coffee makers due to the unique filter, glass construction, and unique shape of the device. The glass construction does not impart additional flavors to your cup, ensuring that whatever its tasting is 100% coffee. if you like clean tasting coffee with a bright taste, you’ll really enjoy using a chemex.
Chemex coffee is widely considered the best choice for people looking for a smoother cup with less bitterness and don’t mind a lack of body. Chemex coffee leaves you with sort of the opposite impression of a French press. the resulting brew is very bright and clear rather than thick and heavy. this is my personal preference for coffee because i enjoy nuanced flavors and generally don’t like my coffee very heavy. for this reason, I don’t find myself using French presses very often.
is chemex better than drip coffee?
Chemex coffee is brighter and cleaner than drip coffee, which many people will find more appealing. That being said, chemex coffee leaves a lighter impression than drip coffee because the single filter removes much of the sensation. of heaviness (referred to as body).
drip coffee uses a standard filter and a medium to medium-fine grind. this allows the water to flow quickly through the coffee. regular coffee filters remove small sediments and most of the oil from the coffee, but to a much lesser extent than a chemex filter.
Chemex filters reduce extraction speed and require a coarser grind. the coffee will extract longer than drip coffee, resulting in a better developed flavor. the various tasting notes in the coffee are most evident in the chemex coffee.
how does chemex work?
The chemex works similarly to a pour-over, except that the filter is inserted into the brew container. The Chemex has a slim design and uses a dense filter that slows the flow of water compared to other pour-over methods. the ground coffee is placed in the filter and the water slowly passes through. the resulting concoction is contained in the bottom of the bowl, ready to serve.
Due to the restricted flow, the total preparation time is longer than with other methods. however, this longer infusion time allows more time for the flavors to develop.
how to use the chemex coffee maker?
To use the chemex coffee maker, you’ll need a kettle, a grinder, and a scale. you can get by without one of these components, but your experience will be more difficult to replicate and may take longer.
While brewing with chemex, you’ll want to pour water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, keeping the water level slightly above the level of the coffee grounds. The whole process should take at least 4-5 minutes, although it will probably be longer.
See also: Need a New Coffee Maker?- OXO 8 Cup Coffee Maker Review
If the brewing process takes too long, the grind is too fine and regulates the flow of water instead of the filter. this will result in bitterness and over-extraction, so be sure to use a coarse grind for your first try.
chemex preparation instructions
- begin by heating the desired amount of filtered water to a boil.
- While the water is heating, prepare your filter by separating the 3 folded sides from the folded side. place the three folded sides against the spout.
- grinds coffee beans a little coarser than drip coffee (see below for more details on grinding). if filling a 6-cup or larger chemex to capacity, use a coarse grind.
- Pre-moisten the filter with hot water. Swirl the water to heat the chemex and discard the remaining water.
- add the coffee grounds and pour in enough coffee to cover the grounds. wait about 30 seconds for the gas to escape (this is called a bloom).
- Pour more water in a circular motion to saturate the entire soil. keep the water level at least one inch from the top of the chemex. continue pouring slowly, keeping the water level just above the ground until the desired amount of water has been poured.
- Once the coffee flow stops, discard the filter and enjoy your coffee. make note of anything unpleasant in the cup and adjust the coffee-to-water ratio and grind settings accordingly.
- classic chemex model and glass handle (see on amazon)
- 6 to 10 cup chemex filters (see on amazon)
can i use a chemex without a scale?
You can use an unscaled chemex if you prefer, though it may not be as accurate compared to one. Many people imagine that using a scale adds steps, but in the end it will save you time. the scale allows you to accurately measure coffee and water and helps you time your pours.
In addition, you’ll need to heat additional water to pre-wet the filter and preheat the chemex. if you’re not measuring the water with a scale, you’ll need to do it another way (like under the sink with hot water) and heat the exact amount of water to brew. it basically adds a step, but otherwise it’s not a big deal.
if I’m making a chemex without a scale, I’ll usually run water in my sink (until it’s hot) while I make everything else. When I heat water to brew, I’ll use a measuring cup to determine the exact amount. this way i can run the chemex under the sink to preheat and pre-wet everything. in this situation, the scale would be faster than the measuring cup at measuring the water and you wouldn’t have to run the sink.
what ratio of coffee to water should I use for the chemex?
The chemex coffee maker uses the same ratio of coffee to water as most other methods. I recommend starting with 10 grams (or about 2 tablespoons) of coffee for every 6 ounces (or 150 grams) of water. this is a ratio of 1:18. If you’d like to adjust this or learn more about how to measure coffee, please read my guide below.
read more: the coffee/water relationship
what grind should I use for the chemex?
this is something that varies. Ideally, you want the filter to do most of the flow regulation. however, a grind that is too fine will cause the coffee to be over-extracted. the size of the grind depends on the serving size and the amount of coffee. you will want to adjust the grind until your extraction takes 4-5 minutes or so. longer times result in a bitter coffee and indicate that the grind should be coarser.
for the smallest chemex (3 cups), I’d use a standard drip grind. For a full 8 cup or larger chemex I would use a coarse French press grind. as you get closer to that larger amount, you grind coarser and coarser. It is very important that you use a burr grinder with a chemex, otherwise your experience will not be ideal. you need the variability and consistency of a grinding wheel.
read more: why you need a tooth grinder
can I prepare different amounts of servings in the same chemex?
You can brew any amount in any size chemex (up to your capacity), but the size of the container influences the size of the grind (see notes on grind size above). the larger chemex models are more difficult to prepare in individual servings and you’ll be better off buying two different sizes.
If you’re always brewing for multiple people, you might want to consider the 8- or 10-cup model. the 8 cup chemex can easily handle 6 cups or 4 cups but has trouble with single servings. On the other hand, if you want to brew for yourself most of the time and occasionally for someone else, the 6- or 3-cup models may be a better choice.
note that all models share the same filter except the 3-cup.
what size chemex is best?
Most people will probably find the 6 or 8 cup chemex to be the most useful. if you want to prepare individual servings (10-15 ounces), the 6 cup will do an impressive job. I personally have the 8 cup chemex along with the 3 cup, which uses a different type of filter. since the 8-cup is too much for one person, the 3-cup works well for my single-serving needs.
If you’re only willing to buy a single chemex model, you should choose based on the amount of coffee you brew most often. you can always use other preparation methods for different serving preferences. remember that chemex cups, like most other coffee makers, use 5 ounce cups.
can chemex be placed on the stove?
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Chemex can be placed on electric burners where the coils are not exposed. be sure to use the lowest heat setting so you don’t burn your coffee. if you prefer to use the chemex this way, you may want to consider purchasing the matching glass lid (see on amazon) to help keep the heat in.
as an alternative, you can pour your chemex coffee into an insulated carafe. this is always preferable to using any type of additional heating, as it can alter the flavor of the coffee relatively quickly.
who is chemex best for?
The chemex coffee maker works best for those who already have some basic coffee-making accessories and enjoy brewing coffee manually. the taste of chemex coffee will please those who enjoy a clean, bright coffee with a nuanced taste.
Most manual preparation methods, such as chemex, are relatively inexpensive, but require significant accessories. this includes a grinder, a kettle and a scale. once you acquire these essentials, you can collect and use many other preparation methods with minimal additional expense.
read more: 3 minimum preparation basics for manual preparation methods
can I replace my coffee maker with a chemex?
You can easily replace your coffee maker with a chemex, as long as you choose one of the larger models. you will also need a kettle and other accessories (mentioned above).
The chemex is not as quick or as simple as using a standard drip coffee maker. however, the coffee tastes substantially smoother and cleaner and is well worth the effort. once you try chemex coffee, you’ll have a hard time continuing to enjoy your coffee maker.
Chemex is also easier to clean and can be stored in a cabinet, freeing up valuable counter space. However, if you want to leave your chemex on your counter, I recommend getting the blue horse chemex caddy (see on amazon). This wooden caddy has a silicone insert and is ideal for neatly storing your chemex and filters.
where to buy the chemex coffee maker?
you can find the chemex coffee maker at stores like williams sonoma or bed bath and more, but your options may be limited to the classic 6 and 8 cup models with wood handles.
You can also buy a larger variety of chemex models online through amazon. The Chemex is available in classic wooden-handled, glass-handled and hand-blown variants. sizes range from 3 cups to 10 cups (each cup is 5 ounces).
Hand-blown chemex models use thicker glass but are comparatively more expensive. At the time of this post, I did not see the handmade models on Amazon. In my opinion, the standard chemex models are durable enough and should suffice.
other questions
If you have any other questions about using chemex, post them below and I’ll update the article.
if you’re interested in manual preparation methods but not entirely satisfied with chemex, check out my comparison post for the other methods.
read more: comparison of 7 preparation methods
Happy preparation!
See also: 10 Best Coffee Makers to Get You Through the Day (2022)
