No spoilers: after testing the Classic, I’m positive that Chemex makes some of the best coffee makers around. I know you’re not supposed to give away the ending in the first sentence, but the Chemex Classic Coffeemaker is one of the best ways to brew coffee, period.
The classic pour-over is available in a range of sizes: 3-, 6-, 8-, and 10-cup. They vary in price and size (obviously), but I tested the 6 cup version for this review. The wooden collar and rawhide strap give the coffee maker a premium, luxurious feel, making its $47 price tag feel a little more justified — but it’s still just a manual pour-over.
The Chemex isn’t just a coffee maker — it can also brew tea. While I mostly made coffee while testing this pour-over, I also steeped black tea leaves. Spoiler alert: everything I made in the Chemex tasted gorgeous. The Chemex filter papers (that you must buy separately) are supposed to minimize bitterness and acidity in coffee, leaving you with aromatic oils and caffeine. Let me tell you, the Chemex truly does make a perfect cup of coffee every time. I’ll explain how to make the perfect coffee in this Chemex Classic Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker: Cheat sheet
- Who is it for? Those who want an easy, reliable coffee maker
- What does it do well? Brews a delectable coffee
- What are its weaknesses? For such a simple manual coffee maker, $47 feels a little steep
- Anything else to know? The Classic model comes with a rawhide strap, so it isn’t veggie, and you’ll want to use Chemex-branded filters for best results
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker: Specs
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review: Price & availability
The Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker is the flagship Chemex available today. I reviewed the 6 cup version, but you can also get 3-, 8-, and 10-cup. These range from $44-$53, so the price doesn’t spike much for the bigger models.
The 6-cup version is $47 at Amazon U.S., and £50 at Amazon U.K.. Chemex also offers a range of glass-handled coffee makers ($44-$53) and hand-blown coffee makers ($115-$161). With regards to pour-over coffee makers, Chemex models tend to be at the higher end of the price spectrum. A Hario V60 will set you back under $10 for the basic model. The Bodum Pour-Over ($19), and Cosori ($29) are some other cheaper options, so if you’re not sure about committing $50 to the Chemex, you could always get Chemex filters and a cheaper pour-over.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review: Design
Most of the reason the Chemex is $47 is because of its design. The glass construction is truly beautiful; a perfect hourglass to benefit steady brewing and a groove spout that makes pouring easy. It’s a little finicky to untie the rawhide strap and remove the wooden collar when you need to wash the glass, but nothing enough to put me off using this every day.
Unlike the AeroPress Premium ($149) I just tested, the Chemex’s glass does get a little hot during use, which means you should only pick up the coffee maker by the wooden collar. This isn’t a particularly negative statement — the wooden collar is there for a reason — just something to be aware of.
Unfortunately, the Chemex-branded filters (which you must use, as that’s where most of the brewing finesse comes from) do not come with your purchase of the Chemex Pour-Over. You need to buy the filters separately. From Chemex direct, the pre-folded square filters (which I used) are priced at $11 for 100, working out at $0.11 per filter. I tested the Chemex with unbranded cheap filters from Amazon and they both didn’t fit the hourglass shape and also allowed coffee grounds to pass through, so I wouldn’t recommend that.
If the use of real leather puts you off, Chemex has a line of glass handled coffee makers that omit the rawhide strap.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review: Performance
The filters do most of the legwork here: Chemex claims its filters are up to 30% thicker than other brands. This means Chemex’s Bonded filters brew the coffee slower, resulting in a more aromatic finish, and prevent coffee residue forming during the brewing process. There was never a single grain of coffee left in the Chemex after brewing — so I’d give the filters full marks. I just wish they were a little cheaper. 11 cents per filter is a lot pricier than AeroPress’ 2.8 cents per filter and Hario V60’s 9.5 cents per filter.
But with a higher price usually comes higher quality, and that’s definitely the case with Chemex’s filters. The thick filters produce a light, fragrant, and aromatic coffee that makes my mouth water.
To make coffee, I ground light-roasted beans to a medium-coarse texture. Then I measured 4 tablespoons of ground coffee, put it in the filter, and measured out 20 ounces of 200° water. After ‘blooming’ the coffee (pouring a small amount of water in a circle motion to release the ‘gas’ from the beans), I poured the rest of the water and waited for it to drip through.
And it’s as easy as that! After removing the filter I was left with 20 ounces of delicious coffee, without the silt or bitterness you’d expect with french press or moka pot.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review: Storage & maintenance
As this is a glass product, it’s really easy to take care of. The glass container is dishwasher safe, but Chemex recommends you hand wash with soap and warm water to prolong its lifetime. Cleaning is as easy as disposing of your filter and coffee grounds then hand-washing the coffee maker. Chemex filters are compostable, though, meaning you can nourish your garden with every cup.
The 6-cup style I tested is only 8.5 inches tall; the 10 cup is 9.3. These coffee makers are nice and compact, small enough to fit inside kitchen cupboards. If you’ve not used your Chemex in a while, I’d recommend cleaning with some scalding water before use.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review: How does it compare?
The Chemex brewing method omits acidity and bitterness from the coffee beans using the combination of a thicker filter and the hourglass pitcher. In comparison to the brew of, say, a french press or moka pot, I think a Chemex is far superior. Obviously it’s all down to personal taste. I like a black coffee where I can taste the various aromas present in the coffee, not overpowered by bitterness or acidity. So for me, a pour-over like Chemex is one of the best ways to brew coffee. The thick bonded filters also prevent a silty layer on the bottom of the coffee maker, unlike french press or moka pots.
I’ve been testing the Hario V60 at the same time as the Chemex, and while the results are similar enough, the Chemex produces a lighter, more flavorful brew. Both lack silt and bitterness, though, and the V60 is only $9 — so it could be your first pour-over drip-through if you don’t feel like spending $50.
I’m also a fan of AeroPress-brewed coffee. Both the Chemex and the AeroPress brew a lighter, more flavorful coffee than a french press, with no silt or bitterness. While I think the Chemex is easier to learn how to use and clean, the AeroPress’ coffee flavor is on another level. There’s something so fragrant and almost floral about it. A Chemex is good for brewing a batch in the morning and drinking throughout the day (or making coffees for the whole family), whereas an AeroPress is better for enjoying one cup of coffee at a time. I think every coffee lover should have a Chemex and an AeroPress to complete their collection.
Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review: Verdict
If you’re just getting started with either pour-over or luxury coffee makers, I recommend the Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker wholeheartedly. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and easy to enjoy. You do have to buy pretty expensive filters to get the best out of it, but if you’re serious about making the most of your pour-over, it’s a worthwhile investment. For the coffee lovers out there — yes, the Chemex is worth the hype.
