How to brew coffee with a Chemex

The Chemex is a pour-over method of brewing coffee, similar to the V60, but with its own distinctive style and characteristics. The Chemex uses a thicker filter, resulting in a particularly clean and smooth cup of coffee.

It’s ideal for people who appreciate a refined, delicate flavour, and its elegant design has made it a favourite among coffee enthusiasts as it looks totally awesome on your shelf!

  • Equipment You'll Need to Brew With a Chemex

    • Chemex with paper filter
    • Freshly roasted coffee beans (medium-coarse grind)
    • Kettle (preferably gooseneck)
    • Scale and timer (optional)

  • Brewing Steps for a Chemex

    1. Place and Rinse the Filter
      Fold the Chemex filter and place it in the brewer. Rinse with hot water to remove the papery taste and preheat the Chemex. Discard the rinse water.
    2. Measure and Grind the Coffee
      Use about 1:15 to 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio. For a 500ml Chemex, that’s around 30–35 grams of coffee. Grind the beans to a medium-coarse texture, similar to coarse sea salt.
    3. Begin the Bloom
      Pour a small amount of water (about twice the weight of the coffee) to saturate the grounds and let them bloom for 30–45 seconds. This releases trapped gases and sets the stage for even extraction.
    4. Pour in Phases
      After the bloom, pour the water in phases, focusing on an even and slow pour. For a half-litre Chemex, aim for around 3 minutes of total brew time. Pouring in phases keeps the coffee bed even and helps prevent over-extraction.
    5. Serve
      Once the water has filtered through, discard the filter and give the Chemex a gentle swirl. Pour and enjoy the clean, smooth coffee Chemex is famous for.

Brewing Tips for a Chemex

Chemex brews are typically lighter-bodied and bright.

  • Adjust grind size to control extraction: finer grounds increase strength, while coarser grounds yield a softer flavour.
  • Opt for a lighter bean that has plenty of floral or citrus flavour and doesn't rely on a dense body for its flavour.

PROS & CONS

Some advantages & disadvantages of using a Chemex

Very clean taste

Thick filters remove oils, resulting in a clear, crisp cup of coffee.

Stylish design

The beautiful glass carafe looks fantastic, and can be used for serving.

Brews larger quantities

A Chemex is perfect for making coffee for multiple people.

Specialised filters

Chemex filters can be expensive and aren’t always the easiest to find.

More delicate flavour

Some may find coffee from a Chemex lacks body compared to other methods.

Requires careful pouring

You'll definitely need a little bit of practice to get an even extraction.

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