A Chemex Guide: How to easily brew the perfect coffee without any barista skills
The Chemex coffee maker produces some of the best-tasting coffee in the world, and it’s easy to use at home or in the office. This guide will show you how to brew your own Chemex coffee perfectly every time, whether you prefer light roast coffee or dark roast beans like me! Brew the perfect cup of coffee with my step-by-step guide to using a Chemex here!
How to clean your brewer
Before brewing your first cup of Chemex, it’s important to clean all parts thoroughly. To do so, simply follow these instructions: Place a funnel into a filter and set both on top of a pitcher or other container. Add some water to your carafe and heat in a microwave until hot but not boiling (roughly 1 minute for 500ml). Pour through your funnel-and-filter setup into the pitcher until you’ve used as much as you can. Discard leftover water. Take out any filters that are wet; if they’re too wet to handle safely, place them back in your funnel and let them dry overnight before using again. Wipeout everything with a sponge or paper towel to get rid of lint that might still be lingering around.
That’s it — you are all set.
How to grind your coffee
The first step is obtaining some freshly roasted beans. Whole beans will be optimal, but you can also use pre-ground coffee as long as it’s relatively fresh. Grind your beans on a medium or coarse setting and store them in an airtight container until you’re ready to brew. Keep in mind that whole beans will last longer than the ground. If possible, buy enough beans for about two weeks’ worth of brewing; it takes about 24 hours for most oils and aromas to deplete from roasted coffee. (If you don’t have that much time between roasting and brewing, however, go ahead and grind.)
How to measure your grounds
Measure just over 2 tablespoons of your favorite ground coffee for each cup of Chemex brew. Don’t be afraid to err on the side of slightly less — it’s easier to add more ground coffee than it is to deplete your supply! Also, when measuring out grounds, try not to pack them down in your scoop. This will increase how much sediment ends up in your cup. Yuck! Try to keep things as level as possible so you can achieve a smooth, even layer of coffee grounds in your filter. I recommend using a scale if possible, but with that being said, I also realize that some people aren’t willing to spend $30-plus on an item they might only use once every few months. If you don’t have access to a scale, try setting aside some specific grinding time and making note of how many scoops fit into one mug or carafe — one or two scoops should do it.
How long should I pour?
The length of time you pour your hot water over your grounds is called brew time. The Chemex brewing guide suggests a four-minute brew time, but that’s only if you want a full-bodied and bitter cup of coffee. If you prefer something lighter and more acidic, try three minutes; for a smooth, well-balanced cup of joe, four and a half minutes is recommended. Experiment with different times to find what works best for you!
What if my filter paper is too thick?
If your filter paper is too thick, it will be difficult to push it through, and thus you won’t get an evenly extracted shot. A good rule of thumb is that if your Chemex filter fits into a holder that normally uses a #4 paper filter (such as Hario or Melitta), it’s probably thick enough. If not, we recommend getting some #2 paper filters and experimenting with them until you find one that works well for you. Remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to making coffee — just don’t let it come out too strong or too weak! This varies depending on how much you’re using in each cup. But when in doubt, err on the side of under-extraction rather than over-extraction; The flavor should never taste bitter or overly sour.
For more tips on how to improve your coffee experience, or just for a quick coffee chat — follow along ;)
