Do Chemex Break Easily? (Solved & Explained!)

Chemex coffee makers are not a cheap investment, so you may wonder if they are easy to break.

It was coffee makers are glass which means that they are very fragile. However, it is tempered glass which means it’s more durable than you are average glassware. While it is breakable in some contexts, it shouldn’t be easy to break just from regular use or cleaning. Nevertheless, keeping your Chemex out of reach will be best if you have children or pets in your home. 

Let’s discover just how fragile Chemex is, what kind of glass they use, and what are some tips on the best way to take care of your Chemex so that it does not get damaged.

How Fragile is Chemex?

Chemex is large glassware where there is a chance that it will break. The chances of them fully shattering are minimal because they can withstand a certain amount of use. However, there is a chance that you will chip the ridge at where we are pouring from and where you will put in any funnels and filters you use.

Still, simply because they are unlikely to be broken in regular use doesn’t mean they can’t break if they aren’t in a secure location. They should be kept out of the hands of young children and away from anywhere pets might interact with them. It’s also better to store them where someone can’t easily knock them over.

Is Chemex Tempered Glass?

All Chemex are tempered glass, which makes them more adorable than your average glassware. This means you can easily use and clean it without worrying about breaking it unless you drop it or some other force acts on it. 

Generally speaking, tempered glass can withstand approximately 24,000 PSI before breaking. Tempered glass is considered a safety class which is why car windows and tables use tempered glass. While that doesn’t mean it is unbreakable, it does mean that it takes a lot actually to break.

How to Properly Store a Chemex

After investing in your Chemex, it’s vital that you and sure you’re taking care of it and storing it in the proper way. Most of the advice you’ll hear is about how to store the filters, but you also need to be aware of the Chemex itself.

Before you can do anything with your Chemex, you need to make sure to clean it properly. The best way to do this is to remove the wooden handle and hand wash it in warm water with soap. Chemex also has a cleaning brush that won’t scratch the glass and will help keep it clean.

However, you can place it in the dishwasher as long as it’s secure. The last thing you need is for your Chemex to move around and crack.

Next, you will need to have a safe place to keep it. The best place is somewhere out of reach of children and any pets that might come in contact with it. While it might be a nice piece of decor if you leave it out, you’re probably better off storing it away in a cupboard where you can’t knock it over.

If you’re worried that you’ll chip the rim, you might want to consider wrapping it in a scarf or some other piece of fabric that can help cushion any contact with other dishes or jostling it might experience. However, short of it falling on the floor, it’s unlikely to break.

Is Chemex Dishwasher Safe?

Chemex is dishwasher safe, but you should remove the collar beforehand and make sure that you have a way of securing it while it’s in the dishwasher. You don’t want to just put the Chemex into the dishwasher without something to keep it from knocking against something else, which could cause cracking or chipping.

However, in most cases, both the company and other avid Chemex users recommend hand-washing it since it’s a lot less likely that you’re going to chip the glass in some way and it drawers that you will wreck the handle.

Is It Safe to Put a Chemex in the Fridge?

If you decide to chill your coffee and your Chemex, you may be worried that the cold might cause it to break or crack. However, it’s completely fine to cover at the top of your stomach and put it in the refrigerator to either reheat it later or keep it as iced coffee.

Although, it is good practice to allow the coffee to cool to room temperature before putting it in the refrigerator. That way, the glass of the Chemex has already cooled down, and it won’t be shocked by the cold of your refrigerator.

Is Chemex Microwave Safe?

If you do decide to put your leftover Brew in the refrigerator to reheat for later, you should know that you can’t reheat your coffee in the microwave itself. Chemex isn’t microwave safe, so if you want to use the microwave to reheat your coffee, you’ll have to transfer it into a different cup that is microwave safe.

The best way to reheat coffee in your Chemex is to either put it directly on a glass stove top or a gas flame at low heat. Better yet, remove the coffee from the Chemex and reheat it in a pot or microwave-safe dish. 

Conclusion

While Chemex is glass, they are tempered glass, which will take a lot of force to break them. It doesn’t mean that they’re unbreakable, but it does mean that short of actually dropping from a significant height or Chemex isn’t going to break on you. However, be careful when putting it through the dishwasher or handling it.

Chemex is like most glassware in that if you take care of it in the proper way, it isn’t going to break on you easily. However, mishandling it while washing it or throwing it into the dishwasher can result in chipping. It’s best to tuck it away in a cabinet where it will not get knocked over, or children or pets get a hold of it.