Chemex: Brewing Guide and Secrets of a Design Icon
Pawel Horzela
The Chemex is more than just a coffee maker – it is an icon of applied art that has found its place in the permanent collection of New York's MoMA museum. Designed in 1941 by chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, it remains to this day one of the most elegant ways to prepare specialty coffee at home.
This device is celebrated with the eyes as much as with the palate. If you are looking for lightness and clarity in coffee, the Chemex is made for you.
Quick Recipe: Classic Chemex (600 ml / 20 oz)
Ideal for two people or for a long morning with your favorite mug.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Coffee | 36 g (light roast) |
| Water | 600 ml / 20 oz (92°C – 96°C / 198°F – 205°F) |
| Grind | Coarse (like coarse sea salt) |
| Brewing time | 4:00 – 5:00 minutes |
The Secret is in the Filter
The biggest secret of the Chemex is not its shape, but its patented filters. They are 20–30% thicker than standard coffee papers.
Thanks to their density, the filters retain almost all sediment, particles, and oils (lipids). The result? A brew with the clarity of white wine, in which fruity and floral notes are separated and incredibly clean. This is precisely why the Chemex is often called the "tea-like" version of coffee.
How to brew in a Chemex? Step by step
- Rinsing the filter: Place the filter in the Chemex (the triple-layered side should be facing the spout) and pour hot water through it. This is crucial – it removes the paper taste and preheats the glass. Discard the water from the vessel.
- Add coffee: Use a coarse grind. Coffee that is too fine will quickly clog the thick filter, and brewing will take forever, ruining the flavor with bitterness.
- Bloom: Pour a small amount of water (approx. 80 g / 2.8 oz) over the coffee and wait 30 seconds. Let the coffee "breathe" and release carbon dioxide.
- Main pour: Add the remaining water in steady, circular motions. Avoid pouring directly onto the sides of the filter. Aim to finish pouring the water around the 3:30 mark, so that the coffee finishes dripping through by around 4:30.
Who is the Chemex for?
This is the choice for purists and aesthetes. It works perfectly with light roasts from Ethiopia, Panama, or Kenya. If you love elegance in coffee and are looking for a ritual that will slow down your morning – the Chemex is second to none.
Prefer something more compact and forgiving? Check out the Japanese masterpiece: Kalita Wave – the master of consistency.
Remember the coarse grind! See our grind size cheat sheet.