How to Make Coffee: Chemex

kitty | April 6, 2023   SKIP TO RECIPE  

A Chemex pot making coffee

We’re big tea-drinkers 🫖 around here. While I don’t drink coffee, my husband does enjoy a cup every so often. Being pretty minimalist on kitchen appliances, we decided not to have a coffee machine. Our two methods of preparing a perfect cup of coffee sans machine are either with a French press or with a Chemex. 

As far as brewing without a designated coffee maker, it really couldn’t be simpler. The Chemex results in a smooth and somewhat sweet cup of coffee. It is a bit thinner than the French press method since the natural oils from the grounds are filtered out. 

Always start with freshly ground beans, adjusting your grinder to a medium level coarseness, so not too much grit gets through the brew. We love the smooth, mechanical feel of the Hario coffee grinder; it’s somehow therapeutic (and quite a calorie burn 💪). An electric grinder also works well enough, though the grind consistency can vary. You can use the designated Chemex paper filters, however doubling up on Trader Joes No. 4 coffee filters is a great economical and effective shortcut that works equally well, without the need for a branded paper filter. 

Boil filtered water (🔑 for taste) in the gooseneck kettle, and wait a few minutes before pouring so the kettle doesn’t spurt out violently over your grounds. Carefully pour the boiled water over the grounds in the filter and allow it to drip. Once the drip is complete, pour into mugs and enjoy!

Cleanup is easy and rapid: discard the filter with the spent grounds and give the glass a quick rinse and swish. Just make sure to be careful when handling the Chemex; it is delicate and has shattered, from a simple bump, when rinsing in the sink.

Another effective, minimalist way to brew a perfect cup of coffee without a coffee maker is with a French press.

TOOLS

INGREDIENTS

  • Coarsely ground coffee beans
  • Hot water, boiled
  • Optional: milk, cream, sugar, or other flavorings

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Boil water and let it sit for a minute or two until it's just off the boil (around 200°F).
  2. Place the Chemex paper filter in the top of the Chemex, making sure that the thicker side is facing the spout. If using the Trader Joe’s filter, use 2 filters to duplicate the Chemex brand’s thickness; put one filter inside the other with the seam on opposite ends (see images).
  3. Rinse the filter(s) with hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat the Chemex.
  4. Discard the rinse water.
  5. Add the coffee grounds to the Chemex. A good rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of coffee per 5 ounces of water.
  6. Pour hot water over the coffee grounds, making sure to saturate all the grounds.
  7. Allow the coffee to bloom for 30-45 seconds.
  8. Slowly pour the rest of the hot water over the coffee, in a circular motion, making sure to keep the water level below the top of the Chemex.
  9. Wait until all the water has filtered through the coffee and remove the filter(s).
  10. Pour the coffee into a mug and enjoy! You can add milk, cream, sugar, or any other flavorings to taste.

Supplies for making coffee with a Chemex pot
Supplies for making coffee with a Chemex pot
Two paper filters stacked inside each other to make coffee with a Chemex pot
Two paper filters stacked inside each other fitted into the Chemex pot to make coffee
Coffee grounds added to the paper filters to make coffee with the Chemex pot
Water poured over the top of coffee grounds to make coffee with the Chemex pot
A mug of coffee made with the Chemex pot
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