Reality be instructed, it took me a very long time to actually begin having fun with my morning espresso routine. For years, making espresso at dwelling was much less in regards to the journey and extra in regards to the vacation spot — specifically, caffeinating as shortly as doable. A pleasant pour-over or an clever latte was one thing greatest left to the professionals, so when a craving known as, I’d head to my favourite native espresso store fairly than try making both at dwelling. However once I purchased my first Chemex Traditional Collection Coffeemaker, it modified the whole lot.

I by no means would have thought I’d be able to making nice pour-over espresso myself, however the Chemex has modified the sport, producing a easy, balanced cup of espresso that lacks the bitter chew of some drip espresso. If you happen to’re trying to improve your at-home espresso state of affairs, the Chemex can have you nicely in your strategy to making espresso shop-level pour-overs very quickly.

How I Use the Chemex Traditional Collection Coffeemaker

I take advantage of my 6-cup Chemex to brew pour-over espresso a number of instances per week. The 6-cup capability yields a bit over two giant mugs of espresso — Chemex measures 1 cup as 5 ounces — which is the proper quantity to kickstart my work day or break up with my husband on a lazy weekend morning. 

After grinding my beans, I seize a filter — I take advantage of the pre-folded rounds — open it right into a cone form, and line the facet with a number of folds up towards the spout. I’ll give it a fast rinse underneath sizzling water to do away with any paper taste, dump the water out, after which weigh the espresso and add it to the Chemex. 

Utilizing my Fellow Stagg EKG Electrical Kettle, I deliver the water to a boil and, over the course of some pours spaced out throughout a number of minutes, saturate the espresso grounds with the new water. Whereas it took a little bit of adjustment to get all of the totally different variables proper — from the scale of the grind to the timing of my pours — I ultimately dialed it in, and my Chemex routine quickly turned a meditative ritual for beginning my day.

What I Love In regards to the Chemex Traditional Collection Coffeemaker

Put merely, I like the espresso that comes out of the Chemex. Whereas a high-quality drip espresso maker is definitely able to producing a scrumptious cup of espresso — and a handy one at that — the Chemex is in a category of its personal. As somebody who was turned off by bitter, acrid espresso at an early age, I used to be amazed by the sleek, velvety espresso I used to be in a position to brew myself utilizing the Chemex. 

Initially, I used to be a bit intimidated by the method, which entails much more precision than the easy push of a button. However with observe — and the suitable instruments — it’s shortly change into second nature. As somebody who all the time appears to be operating low on counter area, I like that the Chemex is simple to retailer but additionally glossy and classy sufficient to show on a shelf if you happen to’re quick on kitchen area. I additionally admire the bigger capability, which permits me to get pleasure from a number of cups or brew a carafe to share. 

The Caveats

If you happen to’ve by no means brewed pour-over espresso earlier than, the Chemex can require a little bit of a studying curve. The model’s single-use paper filters come folded or unfolded; if you happen to go for unfolded, you’ll must fastidiously fold the filter in a particular method in order that it doesn’t collapse when saturated with sizzling water, which may take a bit observe to determine. 

One of the vital variables in pour-over espresso is the velocity at which water saturates the espresso grounds, so that you’ll additionally need to have some extra instruments readily available to grasp the method. 

A top quality kitchen scale — one which’s heat-resistant, waterproof, and enormous sufficient to carry the Chemex — and a kettle — ideally one with a gooseneck spout — are important right here. And whereas the Chemex is technically dishwasher-safe, the glass carafe is delicate — I clumsily broke the primary one I bought — so I’d suggest hand-washing to keep away from breaking it. 

Ideas and Tips

• The Traditional Collection Chemex is accessible in 4 sizes: three-cup, six-cup, eight-cup, and 10-cup (the producer measures 1 cup as 5 ounces). 
• Chemex gives a number of several types of filters, so contemplate which could be greatest for you. You’ll need to make sure that the filter matches the scale of your espresso maker, however apart from that, the variations largely come down to non-public desire — you possibly can select sq. or circle filters, with the choice for pre-folded or unfolded circles.
• On the Chemex web site, you possibly can combine and match totally different collar and rawhide colours, from blue, inexperienced, and pink to gumball orange, saffron yellow, and crimson purple.
• The Chemex coffeemaker is dishwasher-safe, however you’ll must take away the wooden collar and rawhide first. To keep away from breakage, we’d suggest hand-washing as an alternative.
• The producer recommends brewing espresso with a medium coarse grind within the Chemex.

How It Compares

The Chemex Traditional Collection Coffeemaker is our favourite pour-over espresso maker, but it surely’s not the one worthy mannequin available on the market. 

For a single-cup choice that makes stellar espresso at an reasonably priced worth, we suggest the Melitta 1-Cup Porcelain Pour-Over Cone Coffeemaker. This porcelain espresso maker includes a deceptively easy design, together with “home windows” on the base that make it easier to gauge the circulate fee and forestall overfilling and ridges inside that pull the water downward at a gentle tempo. In our exams, it brewed a floral, not overly bitter, cup of espresso. As a bonus, this espresso maker can also be simple to scrub.

If the single-use paper filters required for the Chemex really feel too wasteful, contemplate the Espresso Gator Paperless Pour Over Espresso Maker Set as an alternative. This espresso maker set features a reusable stainless-steel mesh filter that reliably produces balanced espresso with a fruity, barely floral taste in our exams. It’s simple to make use of however does require extra frequent and thorough cleansing than pour-over espresso makers that use paper filters. 

The Verdict

For espresso shop-level pour-overs, you really can’t beat the Chemex Traditional Collection Coffeemaker. The elegant glass carafe constantly produces vivid, clear espresso, and its bigger capability is nice for households with a number of espresso drinkers. 

Our Experience

Heather Riske is a author and editor with over a decade of expertise in meals and way of life content material. For almost eight years, she labored as an editor at Feast Journal, a regional culinary publication overlaying the state of Missouri, southern Illinois, and jap Kansas, the place she was honored with a “High Ladies in Media” award by Folio. She has devoted a lot of her profession to highlighting native cooks and eating places and sharing useful cooking data for publications similar to Higher Properties & Gardens, Males’s Well being, Feast Journal, and St. Louis Journal.