Known as a pristine coffeemaker, Chemex employs all of the chemically correct methods for brewing. Its hourglass shaped flask is made entirely of glass, a chemically inert material that does not absorb odors or chemical residues. The Chemex has no moving parts and will work forever, unless it is dropped or in some other way demolished. Chemex filters are made of the highest quality filter paper. Please note: All of the coffeemakers are measured using 5 oz. as 1 cup.Includes a polished wood collar with leather tie. 40 Ounces. Height: 9″ Diameter: 5″ (more…)
June 21st, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Using a Chemex requires water to be heated in a tea kettle prior to brewing, and it requires a finer ground than what auto-drip machines ask for. After the water is brought to a boil, it’s important to wait for it to cool just slightly (about 30 seconds) and then you need to wet the grounds in the filter, wait for them to drain, and then fill the pot with water. Want more than a single cup of coffee? You wait for your first pour to brew, and then fill the filter again.
Some advantages over other forms of coffee brewing:
1. Taste: I don’t know how it does it, but the filter does keep your coffee from being bitter.
2. Cleanability: Users can keep all necessary components clean (anyone who’s brewed water and vinegar through their coffee maker to kill off a bitter taste that wasn’t there when you bought it understands this plight). Oftentimes, the most aggressive criticism of the Chemex is its ponderousness to clean because it’s not possible to get your hand into the reservoir. Some people prefer to add hot water and soap and give it a good rinse, which is fine if you clean the moment you empty the pot, but if you’re like me and you let the remaining sip or two sit until a nice coffee stain is on the glass, then you need some good ‘ol fashion friction to get it clean. The best thing I’ve found: a baby bottle cleaner. It’s narrow enough to get into the reservoir and the angle can be adjusted to scrap the walls, too. Brilliant!
3. Electricity Free: As long as you can boil water, you can have coffee.
4. Mud/Sludge: French press and stove-top espresso-style brewing always leaves a thick slime at the bottom of an otherwise rich cup of coffee. Don’t get me wrong: I think that’s good (I use a French Press when I’m in the mood), but the cone on a Chemex doesn’t allow that at all.
5. Style/Size: the Chemex coffee pot is a relic (designed in the 40s) and the wood cuff with rawhide tie screams simplicity and elegance and it’s a wonderful, minimalist sight on any kitchen counter (and unlike electric coffee makers, easy to move if you need the space).
Some drawbacks any purchaser should consider:
1. Time: it does take 5 - 10 minutes of labor to get the morning cup of coffee.
2. Cones: you can’t run over to Wal-Mart when you use the last filter; you need to find a specialty store or go online, which means you need to plan ahead.
3. Cold Coffee: no electric hot plate (thank god) means coffee not poured and consumed immediately gets cold quickly. You can buy a wire guard and a glass lid so your Chemex can be warmed on the stovetop. I think that’s more labor added to an already laborious endeavor. Just have a warmed thermos ready and use that to store any unused coffee.
4. Learning Curve: It does take some time to get the grind right, the amount right and the water level right to find a cup which caters to your tongue.
5. Cleanability: I know this is in the advantages column, as well, but it’s worth mentioning that a lot of people hate cleaning these things. To submerge it does mean pulling off the wood cuff (which is a small pain) else it will get nasty over time.
June 21st, 2009 at 8:07 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
No more stainless steel or plastic in the coffee
All the recent health concerns about what is in plastic drinking bottles made this a right choice. Plastic and even stainless steel are eliminated from the coffee making process…
June 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 am
Simple. Elegant. and produces (almost) the best cup of coffee (second only to a Hario Syphon). The labor is negligible if you consider the benefits.
Since the filter is cone shaped, it eliminates sludge and provides a consistent filtration. I have used a Chemex since 1989 - yes, I have cracked a few, but some vendors have the hand-blown version which is a sturdier glass.
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:54 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple is Best
I have used many types of coffee makers over the years, and I keep coming back to Chemex type coffee makers.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:22 am
The Chemex coffee maker adds personality to a kitchen and to the morning coffee ritual. It is an example of minimalist functional design. The glass is chemically neutral and clean. The wood enables hands to pour when the glass is hot. The string enables the wood to come loose for the dishwasher. Every detail has a function for which it is ideally suited.
I like to use two standard cone filters instead of Chemex filters. I put one inside the other and wet them. The result is strong enough to support the coffee and water, provides a fine filter for clean coffee, and slows the passage of water for longer extraction time. This works wonderfully, with only the occasional messy disaster.
The resulting coffee is as dark or light as you choose to make, but weirdly clean and sediment free.
The process itself is calming, and clean-up is a cinch.
Update after 1 year–
Some downsides - a) the glass is thin - mine has lasted over a year with occasional use. My friend’s split in half due to a sudden temperature change in the sink. b) the wood and leather are organic and suffer the fate of organic things.
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:52 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
America’s great contribution to world cuisine
This coffee maker is quite simply the most beautiful, functional and well thought out invention in my kitchen.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 am
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fragile beauty
I grew up in a series of funky houses whose kitchens were thieir worst feature. The only visable touch of civility in the kitchens were some quality cookware and the Chemex on the…
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really good coffee for the patient
Bad points first. First, you can’t wash the Chemex with the wood handle in the dishwasher. Fortunately, Chemex has come out with a glass handled one that you can.
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
4.0 out of 5 stars
Minimalist Coffee at its best….
I find the Chemex 8 Cup Coffee maker to be very simplistic and brews a great cup of flavorful coffee for all of you purist out there.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
The BEST!
I have owned a french press for years and always enjoyed it, but I never got that smooth, robust flavor most enjoyed at a cafe.
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:30 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best!
The best, easiest, and most simple way to make coffee.
Very clean, clear and complex coffee! Wish I had known about
this thing years ago and not wasted money on…
June 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best coffee!
Love it! Bought several for friends. Definitely buy the beans and a grinder, a huge difference between this and drip.
June 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it
Great product… makes wonderful coffee (my brother-in-law recommended it… and I’m glad he did)