Chemex pour over coffee makers
The Chemex was designed in 1941 by chemist Peter Schlumbohm, who borrowed the shape of laboratory glassware and turned it into a coffee maker. The hourglass body combines a funnel and a flask, and a wooden collar and leather tie make it easy to hold while pouring. It has since earned a spot in the permanent collection at MoMA.
Why a Chemex tastes different
The glass carafe is borosilicate, which does not hold onto odours or old flavours. The real difference comes from the filter. Chemex paper is bonded and thicker than a typical paper filter, so it holds back more oils and fine particles. The result is a clean, clear, bright cup with a lighter body than a plunger pot or metal filter, which lets lighter roasts shine.
Sizes and filters
The Classic comes in several sizes, and filters do not swap between them. The 3 cup model takes half moon shaped filters, while the larger 6, 8 and 10 cup models take square filters. Bear in mind that a Chemex cup is a small measure, around 150ml, so the 3 cup size makes roughly 450ml, or about a couple of mugs.
A simple brew method
Fold the filter with the thicker side against the pouring spout, rinse it with hot water to remove any paper taste, then add medium coarse ground coffee. Pour a small amount of hot water to bloom the grounds, wait for 30 seconds, then continue pouring in slow circles until you reach your target volume. A gooseneck kettle makes the pour much easier to control.
Ask the team
Need help choosing a size or matching filters to your brewer? Talk to the Jetblack team or visit a showroom and we will walk you through the options.
