The Chemex was designed in 1941 by Peter Schlumbohm, a German-born chemist who wanted an hourglass-shaped laboratory carafe that could brew coffee on its own. Made of borosilicate glass with a wooden collar and a leather tie, the brewer has been part of the permanent collection at the MoMA since 1943 and is the tool most commonly associated with the phrase "clean cup" in specialty coffee.
What makes the Chemex unmistakable is its filter. Chemex bonded papers are roughly 20 to 30 percent thicker than a typical pour-over filter, and they catch almost all of the insoluble oils and fine particles that would otherwise make their way into the carafe. The cup that comes out is transparent, tea-like, with articulate aromatics and a body noticeably lighter than a V60. It is the brewer to reach for when you want a coffee that lets the roast's top notes carry the conversation.
The 6 Cup is the most popular size for home brewing. A typical recipe uses 40 g of coffee to 600 g of water (1:15 ratio), a medium-coarse grind, water at 94–96 °C, and a total brew time of 4:00 to 5:30. Rinsing the filter thoroughly before brewing is non-negotiable: it removes the papery taste and warms the carafe so your cup lands at the right temperature.
