Chemex
Pour Over · Hourglass Brewer
Clean. Elegant. Uncompromising.
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The Chemex was designed in 1941 by chemist Peter Schlumbohm and is permanently in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Its thick bonded paper filters produce one of the cleanest, brightest cups in coffee. The result is a transparent, delicate brew that shows off origin character with unusual clarity. It brews larger volumes than other pour overs, making it ideal for sharing.
What You Need
- Chemex (6-cup or 8-cup recommended)
- Chemex bonded square filters
- Gooseneck pour kettle
- Burr grinder
- Digital scale
- Timer
Step by Step
Fold and Rinse the Filter
Fold the square filter in half, then into a cone with three layers on one side. Place in the Chemex with the thick side against the spout — this prevents the filter sealing the spout and blocking airflow. Rinse thoroughly with hot water. Discard rinse water through the spout.
Grind Medium Coarse
The Chemex brews slower due to its thicker filter. Grind slightly coarser than a standard pour over — like kosher salt. Too fine and the brew will stall and over-extract into bitterness.
Add Coffee and Tare
For a 6-cup Chemex, use 42g coffee and 700g water. Add ground coffee to the filter and tare the scale to zero.
Bloom
Start the timer. Pour 3× the coffee weight (126g) over the grounds in a slow spiral. Wait a full 45 seconds. Fresh coffee will dome and bubble noticeably.
First Pour to 300g
Pour slowly in a continuous clockwise spiral from center outward. Reach 300g total water by 1:45. Keep the water level well below the filter rim.
Continue in Stages
Add water in 100–150g stages, maintaining a consistent level. Never let it drop completely before adding more — this prevents channeling. Reach total weight by 3:30.
Let It Drain and Serve
Stop pouring and let the Chemex drain. Total draw-down: 4:00–5:00. If longer, grind coarser. Remove the filter and serve directly from the Chemex — it doubles as a beautiful carafe.
Pro Tips
- The three-fold side MUST face the spout — without it, the filter seals the spout and blocks airflow.
- Chemex brews coarser than a V60. Using your V60 grind will stall the brew.
- Scale up to 60g coffee / 960g water for the 8-cup version — great for a crowd.
- Chemex-specific bonded filters are not interchangeable with standard cone filters.
The right coffee makes every method taste better.