How to Make Chemex Pour Over Coffee
A Chemex Coffee maker is the brewing method of choice for enthusiasts looking to get the most out of their specialty coffee! And, if that isn’t enough, you will look awesome using it. The Chemex is a pop-culture icon - featured in the MOMA as one of the world’s best-designed products! With simplicity of style and a minimalist approach, it helps you brew a better cup that begs to be consumed with no cream or sugar added. Your taste buds will thank you for the rich, robust flavor of black coffee.
So let’s get started. Here’s what you’ll need:
Scale (recommended)
Timer
Burr Grinder (recommended)
Goose neck Kettle
Chemex Coffee Maker
Chemex Paper Filters
High Yield Pro Tips:
Use freshly roasted whole bean coffee—we’re obviously biased toward the Bold and Gritty brand. Seriously though, once you start brewing coffee with high-quality beans you’ll never go back to store-bought, pre-ground coffee.
Use a good burr grinder. Those beans have to be ground somehow, and preferably right before they are brewed. Using pre-ground coffee or grinding the beans a day in advance causes coffee to lose many of its robust flavors. The price for a manual burr grinder starts at about $20 from most retailers. Electric grinders are also an option, especially if you’re a connoisseur. Whether you choose to use a manual or electric grinder, we encourage supporting small businesses and making your purchase from a local coffee house if possible.
Coffee to Water Ratio: We prefer a coffee to water ratio of 1:15 for the pour-over brewing method, which makes a solid medium-strength cup of coffee. See the quick reference table below for standard Chemex sizes. This will get you started and on your way to developing your own ratios based upon your preference for flavor. Note: 1 mL of water equals 1 g of water.
|
Chemex Size |
3 Cup |
6 Cup |
8 Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Coffee |
23 g |
46 g |
56 g |
|
Total Water |
350 mL |
700 mL |
850 mL |
THE PROCESS (Using a 3-Cup Coffee Maker)
Step 1. Preparation
Heat a kettle of water to 195–205 degrees. While your water is warming, open the paper filter and place it in the coffee-maker. Note: one side of the filter will have three layers, this side should be placed next to the spout. Next, preheat your Chemex coffee maker by saturating the filter with hot tap water and letting it drip into the collection chamber. The tap water can then be discarded. Then measure 23g of your favorite Bold and Gritty coffee and grind it to the coarseness of Kosher sea salt.
Step 1: Heat your kettle to 195-205 degrees F.
Step 2: Blooming coffee (30 seconds)
Once your water reaches 195-205 degrees, place your Chemex on the scale, add your ground coffee, and then tare the scale (i.e. zero the scale). Start your timer and pour about half of your hot water (175 g) evenly over the grounds until they are all covered. The water will expand the coffee, release trapped gases, and provide a wonderful aroma. This process is called the bloom and a thick crust will form. Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds.
Step 2: Cover your grounds with water and let the coffee bloom!
Step 3: The Pour (3 minutes)
After 30 seconds have passed, pour the remaining water over the ground coffee in a slow circular fashion until you reach 350 g of water. If the water reaches the top of your Chemex, wait and allow the water level to lower before finishing your pour. Let the coffee finish draining. In total, the brew time should be around 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
Step 3. Finish your pour in a controlled circular fashion and let your coffee finish brewing.
Step 4: The #Firstsip
Now it’s time to enjoy your coffee! There should be enough for you to easily fill your 20 oz Bold and Gritty RTIC Tumbler. Let us know what you think! Post your #firstsip on Instagram and tag us @bold_gritty. We’d love to highlight you on our stories!
Additional Tip:
If your total brew time is longer than 4 minutes, consider a coarser grind.
Make sure to use freshly roasted Beans from Bold & Gritty for your next pour-over!
