Chemex brewing guide.
Thick filter, slow drawdown, exceptionally clean cup. Here's the recipe that works, scaled across every Chemex size — plus the filter-handling habit most guides skip.
30 g coffee + 500 g water at 96°C. Bloom 60 g for 45 s. Continuous pour to 500 g by 2:30. Total time 4:00–5:30. Medium grind. 3-layer filter side against the spout.
What makes Chemex different
The Chemex filter is 20–30% thicker than a V60 filter. That single difference defines everything else about the brewer — slower flow, longer drawdown, more retained oils, much cleaner cup. The result is a coffee with extraordinary clarity, lower body, and what experienced cuppers describe as a tea-like quality.
Chemex rewards a different aesthetic preference than V60. If you want a transparent, delicate cup that showcases origin character, Chemex is built for that. If you want body and saturation, V60 or AeroPress are the better tools.
The filter — handle it correctly
Chemex filters arrive folded into quarters. When you open them, one side has three layers and the other has one. The triple-layer side must face the spout of the Chemex. This does two things:
- Prevents the filter from collapsing against the glass during pouring.
- Creates an air channel along the spout side that helps drawdown.
Rinse generously before brewing — Chemex paper is thick and carries noticeable paper taste if unrinsed. The rinse also preheats the carafe.
Scaling across sizes
| Chemex size | Dose | Water | Brew time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cup | 30 g | 500 g | 4:00–5:00 |
| 6-cup | 50 g | 800 g | 5:00–6:00 |
| 8-cup | 60 g | 1000 g | 5:30–6:30 |
| 10-cup | 80 g | 1300 g | 6:00–7:00 |
Grind size — slightly coarser than you'd think
The thick filter is sensitive to fines, which clog drawdown and over-extract. Grind a notch coarser than you would for a V60 with the same coffee. If your brew time creeps past 6 minutes for a 3-cup Chemex, the grind is too fine.
Common pitfalls
- Filter installed backwards. 1-layer side at spout causes collapse and uneven flow. The result is a stalled brew and bitter cup.
- Skipping the rinse. Chemex paper taste is the most noticeable of any common brewer.
- Grinding too fine. The thick filter clogs easily. Coarser than V60 with the same coffee.
- Pouring too aggressively. The slow drawdown means water level rises fast. Steady, controlled pours.
- Drinking too soon. The bed continues to drip for 1–2 minutes after pouring ends. Wait for full drawdown.
Related
Pour over tracker → · V60 guide → · French press guide → · Brew ratio →
Save your Chemex recipe per coffee.
Multi-step recipes with bloom and pour weights, scaled across Chemex sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Chemex ratio?
1:16. For a 3-cup, 30 g coffee to 500 g water. For 6-cup, 50 g to 800 g. The thick filter retains slightly more brew water than V60.
What grind size for Chemex?
Medium — coarser than V60, finer than French press. The thick filter is sensitive to fines.
How long should Chemex take?
4:00–5:30 for a 3-cup. Drawdown alone takes 2 minutes after pouring stops because the filter is thick.
Why does Chemex coffee taste different from V60?
The filter is 20–30% thicker, retains more oils and fines, produces a noticeably cleaner, tea-like cup. Lower body, higher clarity.
Which side of the Chemex filter goes against the spout?
The 3-layer side. Prevents collapse against the glass and creates an air channel for drawdown.