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Chemex Coffee Maker Review
About Chemex coffee makers features and design.
Published March 10, 2022
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Daniel Hedlund
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
With its stunning glass design, the Chemex is a coffee maker that is sure to stand out on your kitchen counter. However, the aesthetics are not the only reason to consider buying one of these coffee makers. If you are considering investing in a new coffee maker for yourself, this could be an ideal option. Keep reading to find out more about this classic coffee maker and whether or not it is a good fit for your needs.
The Chemex is a highly-quality coffee maker that works well along with looking great. While you need to make sure that you buy the correct paper filters for it, it produces a clean, clear cup of delicious coffee. Like any brewer, there are some downsides to be aware of including being slightly tricky to clean due to the hourglass shape and the fact that it’s not the cheapest option on the market. Before you decide if it’s the right one for you, it’s also important to consider your coffee preferences as, like any coffee maker, it is not for everybody.
Pros and Cons
Before getting into the specifics of the Chemex and whether or not it’s a good idea for you to get one, it’s best to get a quick overview of what’s on offer with some pros and cons.
Pros:
- Produces a clear, oil-free coffee with a full flavor
- Dishwasher safe
- Can brew up to ten cups of coffee at one time
- Stylish and great-looking design
- No mess from coffee grounds
- Replacement parts easy to get
Cons:
- Expensive compared to some other options
- Coffee isn’t very full-bodied
- Can be tricky to clean
- You need to buy paper filters for it
About Chemex
The Chemex company coffee maker was invented back in 1941 in New York City, and the design and functionality of this popular brewer have pretty much stayed the same since. It was invented by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, who wanted to come up with a coffee maker idea that was functional while aesthetically pleasing at the same time. He patented several ideas including the Chemex filter, a double-bonded, paper filter that is sturdier and thicker than most paper filters.
Appearance
How the Chemex looks is often one of the first things that draw people to it. It has a legendary design that can even be found on display at modern art museums, including MOMA in New York. If you are interested in a coffee maker that is going to look amazing in your kitchen, the hourglass-shaped, one-piece pour-over carafe might be the perfect choice for you. Tempered and non-porous borosilicate glass is used in the construction of the carafe. It has a wooden collar that is polished and comes in two pieces, attached with rawhide cord. It not only looks amazing, but it is also temperature safe as a convenient handle.
Durability
If you are looking for a durable coffee maker option, the Chemex is an ideal choice with a sturdy, simple design. There are no electrical parts, unlike espresso machines and drip coffee makers that will sometimes break down as a result of an electrical malfunction, this will not happen when you use a Chemex. The wooden collar is perhaps the least durable part of the coffee maker that is more susceptible to damage if water or coffee is dripped on it over time. The good news is that you do not have to replace the entire coffee maker if this happens. If the wooden part is looking a little worse for wear, you can easily order a replacement for less than ten dollars.
Brewing Coffee
To brew your cup of coffee using the Chemex coffee maker, you will first need to purchase some specially-designed paper filters for use with this brewer. You can buy Chemex filters from Amazon or the manufacturer. Place a filter in the top section of the coffee maker, add your ground coffee, and pour hot water over using a circular pouring motion. The coffee will then brew into the lower carafe section. Once you have finished brewing, just lift the filter out of the top and throw it away, before pouring your coffee into your favorite mug or coffee glass.
To brew the best pot of coffee using the Chemex coffee maker, it is recommended that you use a 1:15 coffee to water ratio, which is around three tablespoons of coffee per cup of water. If you don’t want to buy paper filters, you can also get Chemex coffee filters that are reusable and permanent. However, these are not sold by the manufacturer and therefore might not always work perfectly.
Brew Quality
You will definitely love using a Chemex carafe like the Chemex 10 cup classic series glass coffee maker if you want to brew coffee that really brings out the unique flavor of the coffee beans. However, if you are used to brewing methods that do not use paper filters like the French press, you may find that a Chemex coffee maker like the Chemex 8 cup pour over or the Chemex 6 cup pour over coffee maker will take some getting used to. This is because whether you are using an automatic Chemex coffee maker or a Chemex classic series pour over glass coffeemaker 8 cup, the paper filter will remove some of the natural oils from the coffee, resulting in a brew that is less rich. On the other hand, however, studies have found that coffee filtered with paper can be better for your health and may even lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Cleaning
If you are interested in getting yourself a coffee maker when the Chemex Black Friday sale comes around or are checking out this Chemex brewer review to determine whether a Chemex coffee pot is going to be the best choice for you, one of the main things to consider is cleaning and maintenance.
Regular maintenance is essential for any coffee maker to prevent build-up and keep your coffee tasting great. The classic Chemex is a smooth glass brewer without any electrical parts, which makes it fairly simple to clean. However, the hourglass shape is not easy to scrub, so you might want to invest in a bottle brush to make it more convenient. While the brewer is dishwasher safe, hand washing will help to extend its lifespan, so you may want to only use the dishwasher occasionally. Be sure to remove the wooden collar and leather tie before cleaning. Gently scrub the Chemex with soap and water to keep it in good condition.
Different Chemex Brewer Options
Along with the classic 8-cup Chemex brewer, you can also choose from a range of other Chemex options with something to suit everybody including a Chemex automatic electric coffee maker. Check out this Chemex brewer review of the different types on offer to find the best one for your coffee needs and requirements.
Chemex 3-Cup Glass Handle Series
If you are looking for a coffee maker that is convenient for making coffee for just two to three people, this one might be a better option for you. However, it has a glass handle rather than the wooden handle, which means that it does not look exactly the same as the classic series. It holds up to three cups of coffee.
Chemex 1-3 Cup Handblown Glass Coffee Maker
The hand-blown glass makes this one of the most stunning and durable Chemex coffee makers available. However, it is also one of the costlier models on the market and does not hold as much coffee in comparison to others.
Chemex Classic Series Pour Over Glass Coffee Maker
If you prefer to make smaller batches of coffee, this stunning classic pour-over coffee maker might be an ideal choice for you. It is very similar to the classic 8-cup model, however, it only has the capacity to hold 3.5 cups of coffee, making it a more suitable option for single people or couples.
Chemex 8-Cup Glass Handle Series
If you are a serious coffee drinker, you will love the large capacity of this coffee maker. However, it does not have the wooden handle that many Chemex users love and the design can be quite cumbersome, making it less practical.
Chemex Ottomatic
This automatic Chemex offers the same clear, nuanced brews that you would normally get from a Chemex, but this time at the touch of a button. It can accommodate a three, six, or eight cup classic or glass handle Chemex model. It comes with a hot plate that switches off automatically after ninety minutes. It comes with a range of features including Automatic Bloom, pre-infusing at the beginning of the brew process, and water temperature – calibrated to the ideal brew temperature for pour over coffee. The wide spray head is perfect for evenly soaking the coffee in the Chemex coffee filters and pulse brew ensures that the coffee is extracted evenly. It also comes with an ice brew setting that allows you to brew either with or without the hot plate.
Stunning and functional at the same time, a classic or automatic Chemex could be a great investment for any coffee lover.
About the author
Daniel Hedlund
Working with the Era of We initiative and loves knowledge sharing and a really good cup of coffee.
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