The original patent for the Chemex coffee maker was for the 6 cup version, although multiple sizes have been available almost since it was released. The 8 cup model is the most popular of all of the size variations, and there are 4 different sizes in the Classic Series: the 3 cup, 6 cup, 8 cup, and 10 cup.
The Chemex coffee maker has been around since 1941 and one of the reasons that it has become so popular for homes and cafés alike is because of its capacity. You can make enough coffee for you and all of the family if your Chemex is big enough, so choosing the right size for your needs is important.
This article will go into detail about the Chemex coffee maker, when it was first invented and how it works as well as the different sizes that are available so that you can decide which one is the Chemex for you.
What is a Chemex?
The Chemex is a pour over coffee maker that is much loved for its ability to easily make delicious coffee all in one device, as well as its attractive and distinctive design. Pour over coffee is the brewing method in which hot water is poured over the grounds and through a filter to extract the oils, flavour, and aroma.
What Does Chemex Coffee Taste Like?
Because of the way the coffee is brewed, and the filters that are used, Chemex coffee is clean, bright, and full of flavour. Rather than producing an intense or bitter cup of coffee, like French Press or espresso, pour over coffee, and Chemex coffee in particular, is more mellow and it highlights the nuances of flavour within the grounds.
Who Invented the Chemex?
The original Chemex was invented by an eccentric German chemist named Dr Peter Schlumbohm, and it has been in production since 1941. Dr Schlumbohm was inspired by the laboratory equipment that he was used to using for his Chemistry work to design an efficient and attractive percolation and filtration-based coffee maker, using heatproof glass.
Where Does the Chemex Design Come From?
The design for the Chemex is based on two pieces of laboratory equipment in particular: a laboratory glass funnel and an Erlenmeyer flask. Combining these two shapes means that the Chemex has a large funnel at the top which can contain the filter and a flask below to collect the coffee once it has been brewed.
How Does the Chemex Work?
To make coffee in a Chemex you place a filter in the top that you rinse and add coffee grounds to, before pouring in a small amount of hot water to let the grounds bloom. Then, you top up the funnel with hot water and allow it to pass through before topping it up again, filling the flask below.
How is the Chemex Different To Other Pour Over Coffee Makers?
Apart from its attractive design, two significant distinctions between the Chemex and other pour over coffee makers are the filters it uses and the fact that it is one unified piece of glass. When you are brewing with your Chemex, your coffee is made and held within the flask, so you can pour out what you need.
How Are Chemex Filters Different to Other Filters?
Chemex filters are 20-30% thicker than standard paper coffee filters, and they have a texture almost like fabric, which means they are much more absorbent. This is why Chemex coffee tastes so clean and is not muddy or heavy, because most of the oils from the coffee grounds are removed by the filter as the water passes through.
How Much Coffee Does a Chemex Make?
While you can make single cups within a Chemex, even the smallest version is capable of brewing 3 cups of coffee at a time, with each cup measuring less than 200 grams of liquid. Most of the Chemex sizes can make a little bit more than they are labelled for, depending on how strong you like it.
What Size is the 3 Cup Chemex?
As the smallest of all of the Chemex versions, the 3 cup is often used to make single servings of coffee, but it is also great for couples. The official capacity for this size is 1 pint, it is just over 8 inches tall and measures 3 inches wide, so it is quite a petite piece of kit.
What Size is the 6 Cup Chemex?
The 6 cup Chemex is only a little taller than the smallest option at about 8 ½ʺ in height, but it is a little wider and the shape is rounder. This model measures 5 ⅛ʺ and is designed to make around 30 ounces of coffee, so it suits a family with a few coffee drinkers.
What Size is the 8 Cup Chemex?
The 8 cup Chemex is the most popular size and it’s perfect for people who want to brew more than a few coffees at once. This version is 9ʺ tall and 5 ¼ʺ in diameter and it is capable of brewing around 40 ounces of coffee, which can serve 8 people if they don’t want theirs too strong.
What Size is the 10 Cup Chemex?
The largest Chemex available in the Classic Series is the 10 cup, which is another step up in terms of capacity. At 9 ¼ʺ tall and 5 ⅛ʺ wide, it is a little larger than the 8 cup and it can brew about 50 ounces of coffee in one go, perfect for fans of strong, black coffee.
How Much Coffee and Water Does One Cup Need?
Depending on the roast that you are using and your personal preference, around 20 grams of coffee and 300 grams of water are required to make one cup. For each additional cup that you want, you won’t need quite as much coffee and water, so 2 cups only requires around 34 grams of coffee and 510 grams of water.
How Many Coffees Does a Chemex Make?
The actual number of beverages that you can make from your Chemex will depend on how much black coffee you want in each cup. Some coffee drinkers will want a long, strong, black coffee, while others prefer to top theirs up with milk or additional water, so you need to know your drinkers to know for sure!
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.