6 Cup Chemex Coffee Review

Tara Williams

Food Writer & Editor For KitchenSanity

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

Learn more about KitchenSanity's Editorial Guidelines.

The Chemex line of coffee makers offers an elegant and simple answer to electric coffee brewers. You simply need the Chemex vessel, the heavy Chemex paper filters, coffee grounds of your choice, and hot water.

Here is a quick review of how to use a Chemex:​

As with all Chemex brewing tools, gravity is the engine of this simple and lovely coffee brewer.

  • You will need a vessel in which to boil water.
  • Once the water is heated to boiling, simply pour the water over the coffee and allow gravity and time to brew and drip you an excellent cup of coffee.
  • Once brewed, you can transfer the coffee to a carafe to hold in the heat of your coffee.

Features and Options

Glass Vessel & Size

The Chemex Classic glass coffee maker is a bit thinner than the hand-blown version, but bother versions are made of unleaded glass. If you’ve ever wondered about the safety of hot water and plastics, a Chemex coffee carafe will banish those worries.

The worrisome news regarding plastics and heat seems to come at regular intervals. However, with your Chemex all-glass coffee pot, you are free of those concerns.​

There’s no doubt about it, this is a beautiful and very portable coffee maker. The simple design makes it easy to store it out of sight unless you need to use it, freeing up some counter space as well.​

SEE ALSO: Best Water Filters​

Collar

The 6 cup Chemex features a fitted wooden collar that ties to the the pot with a leather thong. You don’t need to remove this collar to wash out the pot, but you will want to avoid getting it wet.

This collar will get warm against the glass, but it will protect your skin from the heat of the glass.

Chemex Coffee Filter

chemex coffee filter

Circular Chemex coffee filters are made of a heavier paper than standard cone filters and is often credited with the smooth flavor of coffee brewed in a Chemex pot. It should be noted that a Chemex coffee maker should not be used without Chemex filters.​

Per the manufacturer, Chemex coffee must be brewed with Chemex filters.

While fans of this brewing method swear by the flavor of coffee brewed through these filters, no Chemex coffee review would be complete without pointing out that if you run out of filters, you’re in a pickle if this is your only coffee making tool.

You may be well-served to stash a few filters for an emergency.​

Heating Aids

Manufacturers recommend transferring freshly brewed Chemex to a carafe to maintain heat.

Unless you have a carafe and make the transfer quickly, your coffee may get colder than you like as it brews.​

If you prefer to transfer you Chemex carafe to a burner, be aware that Chemex offers wire spacing tools to keep the glass away from direct contact with the burner to reduce the risk of breakage.​

Cleanup​

Simply discard the filter and used grounds, transfer or drink the remaining coffee, and rinse the carafe. You can allow it to air dry. Some users take a bottle brush to their Chemex on a weekly basis, but cleanup is easy.

Final Thoughts

A fine cup of coffee is a grand start to the day, and fans of the Chemex tools and brewing method swear by the full-bodied and smooth flavor of coffee brewed through Chemex filters.

If early morning is not a great time for you to focus, an electric kettle that only requires you to hit the power switch can save a lot of fumbling and fiddling with hot water and special filters.

Additionally, if you intend to drink from the first pot later in the morning, you’ll need to transfer it to a carafe.​

If you have any concerns about plastics exposure or would just enjoy the flexibility of a coffee pot that requires hot water but not electricity, a Chemex coffee brewer pots may be perfect for your kitchen.

Written By Tara Williams

Tara Williams is a seasoned food writer and editor who's been with KitchenSanity since its beginning. With a knack for experimenting with food and creating delicious recipes, she's your go-to for straightforward kitchen advice and practical tips from personal experiences. As a mom of two, Tara understands the value of time. She crafts articles that enhance your cooking skills and free up time for what matters most—like family moments.

Share with your friends!