How to Brew with a Chemex:

What Is a Chemex?: A Chemex Is An iconic brewer with a timeless design invented in 1941, the Chemex is easy to use and easy on the eyes. The Chemex is housed in the MOMA permanent design collection —it also lives on most of our kitchen counters. It brews a clean cup and maintains body and balanced floral notes.

What you'll need

  • Chemex Brewer: Choose the size that matches your brewing needs (e.g., 6-cup, 8-cup).
  • Chemex Bonded Filters: These are specific to the Chemex and are thick to ensure proper filtration.
  • Coffee Grinder: Burr grinders are recommended for consistent grind size.
  • Fresh Coffee Beans: Use high-quality beans and grind them just before brewing.

  • Kettle: For heating water to the desired temperature.
  • Scale: For accurate measurement of coffee and water.
  • Timer: To time your brew accurately.
  • Stirring Device: Optional, but can help with blooming.

Steps To Brew With A Chemex

Step 1: Prepare Your Coffee and Water

  • Prepare the Chemex: Unfold the Chemex filter and place it in the brewer with the thick, multi-folded side lined up with the spout. Rinse the filter with hot water to preheat and remove any paper taste. Discard the rinse water.
  • Grind Your Coffee: Grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency, similar to sea salt. Aim for about a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., for 30g of coffee, use 480g of water).
  • Heat Water: Bring your water to a boil and then let it sit for about 30 seconds to achieve a temperature of around 200°F (93°C). This temperature is ideal for brewing.
  • Add Coffee: Place the ground coffee into the Chemex filter. Gently shake the brewer to settle the coffee grounds into an even layer.

Step 3: Bloom and Brew

  • Bloom the Coffee: Start your timer and pour just enough water (about twice the weight of the coffee grounds) over the grounds to saturate them evenly. Let it bloom for 30-45 seconds. This step allows the coffee to degas, enhancing flavor extraction during brewing.
  • Continue Brewing: After the bloom, slowly pour the remaining water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward. Avoid pouring directly onto the filter to prevent channeling. Pour until you reach your desired total brew weight.
  • Let It Drip: Once you’ve added all the water, allow the Chemex to finish dripping. This should take about 3-4 minutes, depending on your grind size and the amount of coffee brewed.

Step 3: Serve and Enjoy

  • Remove the filter and discard it along with the coffee grounds.
  • Pour your brewed coffee into mugs and enjoy the clean, flavorful cup!

Tips for Brewing with a Chemex:

  • Consistent Grind: Use a quality grinder to ensure even extraction.
  • Water Temperature: Maintain water temperature around 200°F (93°C) for optimal extraction.
  • Pouring Technique: Pour slowly and steadily to maintain an even saturation of the coffee grounds.
  • Experiment: Adjust grind size, coffee-to-water ratio, and brewing time to suit your taste preferences.