If you’re looking for a clean, bright cup of coffee, learning how to use Chemex coffee maker is a great skill. This iconic brewer is famous for its elegant design and the crisp flavor it produces, making it a favorite for many coffee lovers.
The process is simple but requires a bit of precision. With the right technique, you can make a fantastic pot of coffee that highlights subtle flavors. This guide will walk you through every step, from choosing your beans to the final pour.
Let’s get started with what makes the Chemex special and what you’ll need to begin.
How To Use Chemex Coffee Maker
This heading is your roadmap. Following the steps under it will lead you to a perfect brew. The Chemex is a pour-over method, meaning you control the water flow and extraction directly. This manual control is what allows for such a clear and flavorful cup.
What You’ll Need: Your Brewing Toolkit
Before you start, gather your equipment. Having everything ready makes the process smooth and enjoyable.
- The Chemex Brewer: Available in several sizes (3-cup, 6-cup, 8-cup, etc.). The classic 6-cup is a versatile choice.
- Chemex Bonded Filters: These are essential. The thick, square filters are what give Chemex coffee its unique clarity and sediment-free body. Never use a standard thin pour-over filter.
- Fresh, Whole Bean Coffee: A medium grind is ideal, similar to coarse sand. Avoid pre-ground coffee if you can.
- A Quality Burr Grinder: For consistency. Blade grinders create uneven particles that can lead to over- and under-extraction.
- A Gooseneck Kettle: This gives you precise control over the water flow and is highly recommended.
- Hot Water: Ideally just off the boil, around 200°F (93°C).
- A Scale and Timer: For accuracy in your coffee-to-water ratio and brew time.
Step 1: Prepare Your Filter and Brewer
Start by boiling your water. While it heats, get your Chemex ready.
- Take one square Chemex filter. Fold it into a cone shape by taking the three-layered side and matching it to the single-layered side. This creates a semi-circle.
- Open the filter and place it into the top of your Chemex brewer, with the three-layered side facing the spout. This triple layer provides better airflow and stability during pouring.
- Rinse the filter thoroughly with hot water. This does two critical things: it removes any papery taste from the filter, and it pre-heats the Chemex glass so your brewing temperature stays stable. Pour the rinse water out completely through the spout.
Step 2: Grind and Add Your Coffee
Now, grind your coffee beans. For a standard 6-cup Chemex, a good starting ratio is 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water. A common recipe is 42 grams of coffee to 700 grams (ml) of water.
Place your prepared Chemex on the scale and tare it to zero. Add your ground coffee into the damp filter. Gently shake the brewer to level the coffee bed for an even extraction.
Step 3: The Bloom Pour
This step is crucial for releasing gases from the fresh coffee. Start your timer. Slowly pour just enough hot water (roughly twice the weight of your coffee) to saturate all the grounds evenly.
For our 42-gram example, pour about 80-100 grams of water. Swirl the Chemex gently to ensure all dry grounds are wet. Let it sit and “bloom” for 30-45 seconds. You’ll see the coffee expand and bubble as gases escape.
Step 4: The Main Pour and Brewing
After the bloom, continue pouring in a slow, steady spiral. Start from the center and move outward, then back to the center, avoiding the very edges of the filter. Keep the water level relatively low, never letting it rise more than an inch above the coffee bed.
The goal is to maintain a consistent water level for even extraction. Continue this pour until you reach your target water weight (700g in our example). The entire brew process, including bloom, should take about 3.5 to 4.5 minutes.
If it’s draining to fast, your grind might be to coarse. If it’s taking too long, your grind is likely too fine.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once the dripping has nearly stopped and you just have a slow trickle, remove the filter with the spent grounds. Give the Chemex a gentle swirl to mix the coffee, as the stronger brew settles at the bottom.
Pour your coffee into a pre-warmed mug and enjoy it immediately. Coffee from a Chemex is best fresh, as it will continue to change flavor as it cools, revealing different notes.
Choosing the Right Coffee for Your Chemex
The Chemex’s clean profile shines with certain coffees. Lighter to medium roasts often taste fantastic, as their fruity and floral notes are highlighted. Single-origin coffees from regions like Ethiopia, Kenya, or Colombia are excellent choices.
Experiment with different beans to find your favorite. Don’t be afraid to try a dark roast if that’s your preference, but you may find the bright clarity of the Chemex pairs better with lighter profiles.
Understanding Grind Size
Grind size is the most common variable to adjust. If your coffee tastes sour and weak, it’s under-extracted—try a finer grind. If it tastes bitter and harsh, it’s over-extracted—try a coarser grind. Aim for a consistency like coarse sea salt or breadcrumbs.
Water Quality and Temperature
Since coffee is over 98% water, the quality matters. Use filtered water if your tap water has a strong taste. Temperature is also key; water that’s too hot can scorch the coffee, while water that’s too cool won’t extract properly. 200°F is a reliable target.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Chemex
Proper care keeps your brewer looking beautiful and functioning well. After use, simply discard the filter and grounds, then rinse with warm water. For stains or coffee oils, use a soft bottle brush with mild soap.
To remove stubborn stains, a mix of baking soda and water or a denture tablet soaked in warm water works wonders. Never put your Chemex in the dishwasher, as the spout’s wooden collar and leather tie can be damaged. Hand wash only.
Troubleshooting Common Chemex Problems
Even with care, you might encounter a few issues. Here’s how to fix them.
Brew Time is Too Fast or Too Slow
This is almost always a grind size issue. Adjust your grinder incrementally. Also, check your pouring technique—aggressive, fast pours can cut brew time, while very slow pours can extend it.
Coffee Tastes Muddy or Has Sediment
This usually means your filter has failed. Ensure you’re using the correct, thick Chemex-brand filters. Also, check that the filter is seated properly against the glass, with no gaps where grounds can slip past.
The Filter Gets Clogged and Drains Slowly
A very fine grind is the usual culprit. Also, some very dark roasted or oily beans can clog the paper fibers. Try a slightly coarser grind or a different, less oily coffee bean.
Advanced Tips for Chemex Perfection
Once you’ve mastered the basics, these tips can help you refine your technique further.
- Pouring Rhythm: Try a “pulse pouring” method. Instead of one continuous pour, add water in 50-100 gram increments, allowing the water level to drop slightly between pours. This can increase clarity.
- Agitation: A gentle swirl after the bloom and again at the end of the brew can help level the bed and ensure even extraction.
- Pre-heating: Don’t skip rinsing the filter! A cold Chemex will steal heat from your brew water, leading to uneven extraction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is special about a Chemex coffee maker?
The Chemex uses a uniquely thick paper filter that removes most oils and sediment, resulting in an exceptionally clean, bright, and crisp cup of coffee. Its all-in-one carafe design is also iconic and functional.
Can you use regular filters in a Chemex?
No, you should not. Standard pour-over filters are too thin and will likely collapse into the spout, causing a mess and poor extraction. Always use the specific square, bonded Chemex filters for best results and safety.
What is the best grind size for Chemex?
A medium-coarse grind is the best starting point. It should look coarser than table salt but finer than what you’d use for a French press. Adjust finer if the coffee tastes weak, or coarser if it tastes bitter.
How much coffee do I put in a 6-cup Chemex?
A “cup” in Chemex terms is about 5 ounces. For a full 6-cup brew (30 oz), a standard ratio is between 42 to 50 grams of coffee to about 700 grams of water. Use a scale for the most consistent results.
Why is my Chemex coffee always sour?
A sour taste typically indicates under-extraction. Try using a finer grind size, ensuring your water is hot enough (200°F), or increasing your brew time by pouring more slowly. Also, make sure you’re using enough coffee relative to water.
How do I clean the stains off my Chemex?
For light stains, a bottle brush and soap works. For tougher stains, try a paste of baking soda and water, or fill the brewer with warm water and drop in a denture cleaning tablet. Let it soak, then rinse thoroughly.
Can I make less than a full pot in my Chemex?
Absolutely. You can make any amount, as long as you adjust your coffee ratio accordingly. Just ensure the coffee bed is deep enough—if making a very small amount, you might need to use a slightly finer grind to slow the flow.
Mastering how to use Chemex coffee maker is a rewarding journey. It combines simplicity with the opportunity for deep precision. Each cup you make is a direct result of your choices, from the bean to the pour. With practice, you’ll develop a routine that consistently yields a beautiful, clean, and flavorful coffee that you can be proud to serve or enjoy quietly on your own. Remember, the best cup is the one you enjoy the most, so use these guidelines as a starting point and don’t hesitate to adjust things to match your personal taste.