What is the Chemex?
The Chemex is a pour-over brewer made from non-porous borosilicate glass in a single hourglass shape. Classic Chemex models have a polished wood collar and leather tie around the neck, while the Glass Handle Series has an integrated glass handle. Inventor Peter Schlumbohm designed it in 1941 and it's still made today. It's part of the collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Chemex uses its own bonded filter papers, which are thicker than standard filters. The thicker paper holds back more oils and fine particles, so the cup comes out clean and clear. It suits coffees where you want delicate fruit, floral or tea-like flavours to come through.
Basic recipe
- 30g coffee, medium filter grind
- 500g water at 94°C
- Total brew time: around 4:00
Brewing instructions
- Bring the kettle to 94°C. Fold the Chemex filter so the three-layer side faces the spout and place it in the brewer. Pour a little hot water through to rinse the filter and warm the glass, then discard the rinse water.
- Place the Chemex on your scale and tare. Add 30g of medium filter grind coffee and gently level the bed.
- Start your timer. Pour 50g of water evenly over the grounds, until all the coffee is wet. Leave it to bloom for 30 seconds.
- At 0:30, slowly pour to 250g in steady circles, avoiding the centre of the brewer. At 1:00, pour to 500g in the same way. Aim to have all the water added by around 1:30.
- Once all the water is in, leave the coffee to draw down undisturbed. Aim for a finished brew time of around 4:00, but a little longer is fine. Chemex filters are thick, so brewing speed varies from brew to brew. If it takes longer than 4:00 to 4:30, taste the coffee before changing anything. Once it has finished drawing down, remove the filter and discard it.
Frequently asked questions
What size Chemex should I buy?
Chemex brewers are sized by cup, with one "cup" being about 150ml. The 6-cup (CM-6A or CM-6GH) makes enough for two good-sized mugs and is the size this recipe is written for. The 3-cup suits a single serving, and the 8- and 10-cup models suit brewing for a group.
What grind size does a Chemex need?
Medium filter grind, a little coarser than you'd use for a V60. The thick filter slows the flow, so grinding too fine can over-extract the coffee or stall the brew. If it tastes bitter, dry or astringent, grind a little coarser. If it tastes sharp, sour or thin, grind a little finer. Our grind size guide has more detail.
Do I need to use Chemex filter papers?
We recommend Chemex's own bonded filters for this recipe. Their thicker paper is part of what gives the clean cup. Third-party filters that fit the Chemex are available, but they vary in thickness and change the flow rate and flavour. We stock Chemex FC-100 pre-folded circle filters and FSU-100 natural square filters.
What coffee works best in a Chemex?
Light to medium roasts suit the Chemex well. The thick filter holds back oils and fine particles, which gives a clean, clear cup and lets delicate fruit and floral notes come through. Medium-dark roasts work too if you like a cleaner version of a fuller cup. Browse our full coffee range for options to try.
How does a Chemex differ from a V60 or Kalita Wave?
All three are pour-over brewers, but the Chemex uses a thicker filter. That slows the flow and removes more oils and fine particles, so the cup is cleaner and lighter-bodied, with less oil and sediment. The Chemex also suits larger batches, which makes it a natural choice for brewing for more than one person.
Can I keep brewed Chemex coffee warm?
The glass carafe doesn't retain heat for long. If you're not drinking it straight away, decant it into a preheated insulated carafe. Don't put the Chemex directly on a heat source, because the glass can crack.
How do I know if I need to change my grind size?
Go by taste. If the coffee tastes bitter, dry or astringent, grind a little coarser. If it tastes sharp, sour or thin, grind a little finer. Brew time is a useful clue, but Chemex filters give variable flow rates, so a slow or fast brew doesn't always mean something's wrong. Adjust the grind for taste rather than chasing a particular time.
