While the Chemex coffee maker is based around the traditional pour over technique, which utilises filtration in the process, its unique design and brewing method set it apart from regular filter coffee. Not only is the way that the coffee is delivered different with a Chemex, but the flavour and aroma in the final cup are distinct as well.
The Chemex is a very popular device among coffee enthusiasts around the world, both for its attractive form and how easy it is to use when making delicious coffee. The main differences between the Chemex and other filter coffee makers are its design, the size of the grounds that it uses, and the type of filters required.
This article will go into detail about the design of the Chemex coffee maker, where it comes from, how it works, and what exactly makes it stand out from the crowd when it comes to making a clean, vibrant cup of coffee.
Where Does the Chemex Come From?
The Chemex coffee maker was invented by an eccentric German chemist named Dr Peter J. Schlumbohm in 1941. Dr Schlumbohm moved to the United States after first visiting in 1931, and in his life, he owned patents for more than 300 different inventions, with the Chemex and his water kettles being the most famous.
What Inspired the Chemex Design?
As a chemist, Dr Schlumbohm was first inspired to create the Chemex by the non-porous laboratory equipment that he was used to using for filtration and extraction. In particular, the core elements of the Chemex are based around a laboratory glass funnel and an Erlenmeyer flask, which made up the basic structure of his iconic coffee maker.
What Does the Chemex Look Like?
The Chemex is such a beloved coffee maker because it is a beautiful home design feature as well as a practical tool. It has an hourglass shape with a bespoke wooden neck that is tied together with leather, and it has won recognition around the world for its artistic value as well as its scientific ingenuity.
How Does the Chemex Design Work?
Unlike other filter coffee makers, the Chemex is designed to house the entire brewing process in one single piece of glass. The funnel component has been modified with an air channel, allowing for easy pouring and the displacement of air, and is attached to the top of the flask, which acts like a decanter to collect the brewed coffee.
What Brewing Method Does the Chemex Use?
The Chemex is very similar to a drip coffee maker, and it uses the pour over method, where hot water is poured over the top of the grounds, absorbing soluble coffee before dripping out underneath. You place a filter inside the Chemex to allow the coffee to fully extract as it passes through, leaving the grounds behind.
What Types of Filter Coffee Are There?
All coffee uses some form of filtration to separate the grounds from the liquid, but when people use the term “filter coffee” they are usually referring to a process where the filter dictates the extraction. Pour over coffee makers, which is the method that the Chemex uses, and drip coffee makers are common ways to get filter coffee.
How is the Chemex Design Different from a Drip Coffee Maker?
Unlike an automatic drip coffee maker, the Chemex requires you to pour the water yourself, and the resulting cup is made immediately inside the flask, without using any pressure in the process. This gives you more control over how your coffee is brewed and often results in a richer and more consistent flavour than drip coffee is known for.
How is the Chemex Design Different from Other Pour Over Coffee Makers?
The main difference between the Chemex and other pour over coffee makers, like the Hario V60 or the Kalita Wave, is that the whole process happens in one place. You make your coffee inside the device, rather than dripping it straight into a mug, and you can make 3-4 cups at a time.
Is the Chemex Brewing Process Different to Other Filter Coffee Makers?
Another significant difference between the Chemex and other filter coffee makers is in the type of filters that it uses. The Chemex is designed to make clean-tasting coffee, even more so than other pour over devices, that highlights the nuances of whatever beans you are using – and it uses specially designed filters in order to do this.
How Are Chemex Filters Different?
The Chemex uses filters that are significantly thicker than standard paper filters. They are around 20-30% heavier, with an almost fabric-like texture, and are designed to absorb as much of the oils and impurities from the coffee as possible, leaving a cup that is clean, bright and not too intense.
What Coffee Grounds Does a Chemex Use?
Most filter coffee uses medium-fine coffee grounds, but the Chemex is designed for a grind size that is more coarse, closer to the consistency of rough sand. Because of the thickness of the filter, coarser grounds will get a more complete extraction, with better flavour as a result.
Is the Chemex Easy to Use?
In some ways, brewing with the Chemex is easier and requires less hassle than with other pour over coffee makers because of its unified design. Once the brewing is done, you simply remove the filter and your coffee is there, ready to be poured as you please – and it looks great sitting on the side!
How Do You Make Good Chemex Coffee?
First, rinse your filter so that it is sealed to the glass, then add 35 grams of coarsely ground coffee into the bottom. Wet the grounds slightly with freshly boiled water and let them bloom for 30 seconds, then top it up in a slow circular motion and let it drain through before topping it up once more.
How Long Does it Take to Make Chemex Coffee?
Pour over methods are not the quickest way of getting your fix in the morning, but it is still a speedy process. Overall it takes around 4 or 5 minutes to get a cup ready with the Chemex, although there will also be a little bit of clean-up afterwards.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.