How Do You Clean A Chemex? (Solved & Explained!)

Chemex coffee makers are the perfect mix of style and ability to brew excellent coffee. Looking at the unique design of this coffee maker might have you wondering; how do you clean a Chemex?

A Chemex should be cleaned after each use to avoid an overabundance of oil and coffee ground buildup. Additionally, you’ll want to give your Chemex a solid deep clean occasionally to ensure any buildup remaining is taken care of. Without cleaning a Chemex properly, the quality and flavor of your coffee will diminish over time. 

Thankfully, cleaning a Chemex is relatively easy once you get the hang of it. 

How Do You Clean A Chemex?

Once you’ve finished your brewed Chemex coffee, you’ll want to make sure you’re using unscented dish soap to clean it. Any dish soap that has a strong scent or has a plethora of chemicals can end up altering the taste of your coffee. Unscented dish soap and warm water, as well as a thorough rinse, should keep your Chemex in great shape.

You’re likely going to want a small brush with a long, thin handle so you can scrub your Chemex well. Due to the shape, it can be really tough to get a regular sponge inside. Swirling the soapy water in the Chemex can help, but it’s not going to get your coffee residue out of the coffee maker as effectively. 

How Often Should You Clean A Chemex?

You should ideally be washing your Chemex after every single use with warm water and unscented soap. If you can’t, rinsing it with hot water will help to remove some of the residue. A quick rinse is better than nothing. If you don’t clean your Chemex after each use, it’s more likely your next carafe of coffee isn’t going to taste great.

How Do You Deep Clean A Chemex?

You’ll likely be cleaning your Chemex after each use, as recommended, doing a fairly quick clean and rinse like every other dish you use. Once in a while, you’ll want to do a deep clean to keep your coffee tasting as delicious as possible. To do so, you’ll want to start with a Chemex that has cooled down completely.

Next, you’ll want to remove the handle, and thoroughly clean the inside and outside with your unscented dish soap and water. Afterwards, you’ll want to fill up your Chemex with warm, distilled water and vinegar. Ideally, you’ll let the solution sit in the Chemex overnight. You can also fill your sink with warm distilled water and vinegar and let the entire thing soak overnight.

Once the next day comes, you’ll want to rinse your Chemex very well, then give it another quick wash with your dish soap. Be sure to scrub the Chemex thoroughly to get all the cleaning solution off. Once your Chemex is dry, you’ll be able to start making yummy coffee once again. 

Using vinegar to help remove residue, odors, and sediments from your Chemex is one of the most effective and inexpensive options for deep cleans. Many Chemex owners opt for vinegar in an effort to avoid harsh chemicals.Chemex also manufactures their own cleaning solution and a special brush that you can use to safely clean your Chemex. 

How Often Should You Deep Clean A Chemex?

The frequency of deep cleaning your Chemex is going to depend on how much you use it. Generally speaking, you should only have to undergo this process once or twice a year. If you use your Chemex daily, you may want to do it more than this. 

There are two good indicators for when your Chemex is ready for a deep clean. The first is the clarity of the glass. If you notice that the glass appears murky, it’s time to give it a thorough cleaning. The second indicator is the taste of your coffee. You’ll know it’s time for a deep clean when the flavor of your coffee starts to turn.

Can A Chemex Go In The Dishwasher?

The Chemex is dishwasher safe, so you can throw it in with the rest of your dishes from time to time as needed. However, you want to remove the wooden or cork handle before placing the coffee maker in your dishwasher so it doesn’t get ruined. 

Furthermore, a dishwasher is not going to effectively tackle the inside of a Chemex, so it’s recommended you only rely on the dishwasher occasionally. 

Why Cleaning Your Chemex Is Important

Making the effort to clean your Chemex thoroughly is important for the quality of your coffee, but also the safe consumption of your coffee. Inefficient cleaning and drying can cause residue and bacteria to build up in your carafe which is not safe for drinking. 

There are a lot of oils in coffee, regardless of the type of coffee you drink. These oils will stick to the Chemex once activated by the hot water. Over time, the oils and their residue will start to change the flavor of your freshly brewed coffee. Cleaning regularly will help, but those deep cleans will have the most impact on removing any residue that continues to build up. 

The minerals within the water you use will also build up in your Chemex. Deep cleaning is really the only way to remove these, even though your deep cleans will be infrequent. Distilled water is recommended for deep cleans so you’re not just adding more mineral deposits into your Chemex. 

Final Thoughts

The Chemex is a fantastic coffee maker with a large following of coffee lovers, but if you don’t clean it properly, you won’t enjoy the experience of this carafe as much. Cleaning a Chemex is relatively simple once you have the right tools to do so. 

Just be sure you take the time to deep clean your Chemex once in a while. The process is simple as well, though it does take more time. Proper cleaning of your Chemex is the best way you can enjoy deliciously fragrant and flavorful coffee from your Chemex for years to come.