Pour-over
Chemex
An hourglass glass brewer with extra-thick bonded filters that strip oils and fines for a pristine, bright, crystal-clean cup.
At a glance
CategoryPour-over
DifficultyModerate
Total timeAbout 4.5 minutes
Best forA pristine, clean, bright cup — and great for serving a crowd
What you’ll need
A Chemex and its bonded paper filters, a burr grinder, a gooseneck kettle, and a scale.
The recipe
30.0gDose
500gWater
1:16.6Ratio
95°CWater temp
Medium-coarseGrind size
4:15Brew time
How to brew
The Chemex is an elegant all-glass hourglass brewer that uses specialty bonded filters up to 30% thicker than standard pour-over papers. Those dense filters absorb the heavier oils, fats and fine particles, producing an exceptionally clean, bright cup — and it brews enough for several people at once.
Step by step
- Open the folded filter and place it in the top cone with the three-layer side against the pouring spout — this stops the thick paper collapsing into the air channel.
- Rinse the filter thoroughly with hot water to remove papery flavour and warm the glass, then pour the rinse water out through the spout.
- Add 30g of medium-coarse coffee, pour 100g of water for the bloom, and wait 45 seconds.
- Pour the remaining water in steady, outward spirals to 500g, keeping the water level about 1cm below the rim.
- Let it draw down fully, then lift out and discard the filter. Aim to finish around 4:00–4:30.
Because the thick filter slows flow, a slightly coarser grind than a V60 keeps the brew from stalling while preserving that signature clarity.
Troubleshooting
- Sour or thin? Grind finer, brew hotter, or pour a little more slowly.
- Bitter or harsh? Grind coarser or cool the water slightly.
- Stalling or very slow? Grind coarser, and make sure the three-ply side sits against the spout so air can escape.
- Papery taste? Rinse the thick filter more thoroughly before brewing.
