The Chemex is an iconic manual pour-over coffee maker with a timeless design created in 1941. It is housed in the permanent design collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and is renowned for its sleek, hourglass-shaped glass design. The Chemex is celebrated for its ability to produce a clean, smooth, and flavorful cup of coffee. Using specially designed thick paper filters, it removes oils and fine sediment, resulting in a bright and refined coffee profile.
What You'll Need
Chemex Brewer
Chemex Filter
42g SENS Coffee (equals 6 tablespoons, ground for Chemex; serves 2–3
people)
Clear water (temperature about 206°F / 96°C)
Gooseneck kettle (to pour slowly and gently around the filter walls)
Scale
Timer
Server/Mug
Step by step
1. Fold and Rinse the Filter / Preheat the Chemex
Fold the paper filter into a cone shape and rinse it with hot water (about
206°F). This step removes any potential paper taste and preheats the Chemex for your coffee.
Discard the rinse water.
2. Measure Coffee and Grind
Grind 42g of coffee to a consistency similar to kosher salt.
Add the ground coffee into the Chemex brewer, placing it onto the paper filter.
3. Begin Brewing
Place the Chemex on the scale and reset the weight.
Start the timer and begin pouring water over the coffee grounds.
First Pour (Blooming):
- Use about 150g of water and pour slowly.
- Wait 45 seconds to allow the coffee to bloom and release gases
Second Pour:
- Slowly pour more water over the coffee grounds, bringing the total to
300g.
- Wait until the timer reads 1:20.
Third Pour:
- Slowly pour water until the scale reads 650–700g.
- The total brewing time should be around 4:00 to 4:10 minutes.
4. Last Step – Serve and Enjoy!
Lift the filter with the used coffee grounds from the Chemex and discard it.
Swirl the Chemex gently to incorporate oxygen, enhancing the coffee’s aroma and flavor.
