Starting Point for Perfecting Your Chemex Coffee

The Chemex is a classic pour-over coffee maker, renowned for its elegant design (invented in 1941 and featured in the Museum of Modern Art) and its ability to brew clean, flavorful coffee with pronounced clarity and balanced notes. Its thick, proprietary paper filters remove more oils and fine particles than standard pour-over methods, resulting in a cup that is both bright and refined.

Step-by-Step Chemex Brewing Guide

What You Need

• Chemex brewer (size of your choice)

• Chemex paper filter

• Freshly ground coffee (medium-coarse, like kosher or sea salt)

• Hot water (195–205°F / 90–96°C)

• Scale and timer

• Gooseneck kettle (recommended for control)

• Stir stick or spoon

Basic Recipe (for 6–8 cup Chemex)

• Coffee: 36–42g (about 6 tablespoons)

• Water: 600–700g (about 20–24 oz)

Brewing Steps

1. Prep and Rinse

   • Place the Chemex filter with the triple layer against the spout.

   • Rinse thoroughly with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat the vessel. Discard rinse water.

2. Weigh and Grind

   • Weigh out your coffee and grind to a medium-coarse consistency (similar to kosher salt).

3. Add Coffee

   • Place ground coffee into the filter and gently shake to level the bed.

4. Bloom

   • Start your timer. Pour about 2–3 times the coffee weight in water (e.g., 70–80g for 36–42g coffee) to saturate all grounds.

   • Let bloom for 30–45 seconds to allow gases to escape and ensure even extraction.

5. Main Pour

   • Pour water slowly in concentric circles, avoiding the filter’s edge. Add water in stages, pausing if needed to prevent overflow.

   • Aim to finish pouring by 2:45–3:00 minutes, reaching your total water weight (600–700g).

6. Drawdown

   • Allow the coffee to finish dripping through the filter. Total brew time should be around 3:30–4:00 minutes.

7. Serve

   • Remove and discard the filter. Swirl the Chemex gently to mix, then pour and enjoy.

Key Tips

• Grind Size: Too fine a grind will slow drawdown and can make coffee bitter; too coarse will speed up brewing and may under-extract, resulting in sourness.

• Water Quality: Use filtered water for best flavor.

• Consistency: Use a scale and timer for repeatable results.

• Pour Control: A gooseneck kettle helps control flow and saturation.

Typical Flavor Profile

Chemex brewing produces a cup that is exceptionally clean, with pronounced clarity, delicate floral or fruity notes, and a lighter body compared to French press or standard drip methods. The thick filter is key to this signature taste.

The Chemex is ideal for those seeking a visually striking brewer that delivers a refined, nuanced cup and allows for precise control over the brewing process.