Chemex coffee is a popular pour-over brewing method that uses a slightly coarser coffee grind and a thicker filter paper for a cleaner cup profile and a delicate coffee.

• Brew style
• Coffee maker
• Recipe
• Ingredients
• Equipment
• Method
• FAQs
• Brew time
• Grind size
• Coffee to water ratio
• Benefits
• Making iced filter

What is Chemex coffee?

A Chemex is a pour-over brew method where water passes through the ground coffee and the thick Chemex filter, resulting in an extremely clean cup of coffee with great clarity and complexity.

The Chemex has a distinctive hourglass shape, invented and designed in 1941 by German chemist Peter Schlumbohm. Sclumbohm's laboratory glass funnel and Erlenmeyer flask (titration flask) inspired his coffee maker, to which he cleverly added an air channel to avoid displaced air escaping too quickly.

Depending on which model of Chemex you own, you can brew up to 3 - 4 cups of coffee at a time, perfect for enjoying with company.

How to use a Chemex

(serves 2- scale up/down as needed)

You’ll need:

• 33g coffee (filter roast profile would be best, medium-coarse grind)

• 500g filtered water
  

• Kettle

• Scales

• Chemex 

• Chemex Paper Filter

• Timer

• Mug

Method

1. Boil the kettle, leave for 30secs-1min before using.
2. Place filter paper in the chemex and rinse with hot water. Discard the water.
3. Place the Chemex on your scales, add ground coffee and shake to level out the bed.
4. Zero the scales and start the timer.
5. Slowly pour 70g of hot water over the coffee in a spiral motion 
6. (Avoid pouring directly onto the paper)
7. After 30 secs, pour the remaining 430g water in.
8. Gently pour the water in concentric circles over the coffee grounds. This gentle circular motion should begin in the centre of the Chemex, working your way outwards with a steady, controlled pour. 
9. Wait for the water to finish draining through. This should take 3-4mins.
10. Remove the filter and your coffee is ready to be served!

Chemex coffee FAQs

Can you use fine ground coffee in Chemex?

The best coffee grind for Chemex is medium to medium-coarse, so each coffee particle should be around 0.5mm in size.

As mentioned, you can use a finer grind if your Chemex brews too quickly, but to avoid your coffee becoming bitter from over-extraction, avoid grinding your coffee too fine.

What is the best coffee to water ratio for Chemex?

We recommend a ratio of 1:15. 

So, for 500 grams of water, you’ll need roughly 33g coffee.

What is unique about Chemex coffee?

While the Chemex coffee maker boasts an aesthetically pleasing design, it also has a uniquely designed filter that reduces the amount of sediment in the final cup resulting in a super smooth and crisp sipping experience.

Want to know more about different ways to brew your beans?

Join one of our fun weekend classes at the OddKin roastery! Suitable for all levels of experience. Bring a pal and mess around with some fab coffee for a morning or afternoon.

Click below to read more and see our available classes:

https://www.oddkincoffee.com/pages/coffee-classes