How to Brew with a Chemex

Clean, bright, and worth the ritual.

The Chemex isn’t just a coffee brewer—it’s a design icon, part pour-over, part sculpture. But behind the elegance is a serious brewing tool, beloved for its ability to deliver a crystal-clear cup that highlights delicate flavors, especially in lighter roasted coffees. That clarity comes down to the unique, extra-thick Chemex filter, which slows the brew just enough to give your coffee a refined, tea-like character. (It’ll brew your dark roast beautifully too—no judgment here.)

It takes a little practice to get the rhythm right, but once you do, the Chemex becomes second nature. And our recipe is flexible—just stick with a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio.

What You’ll Need

Chemex brewer (6–8 cup)

Chemex paper filter (square or circular)

Gooseneck kettle

A scale (optional but helpful)

24 oz / 700 g water at 198–205°F

1.5 oz / 43 g medium-coarse ground coffee

(Need it ground? We’ve got you.)

Step-by-Step

1. Fold + Place the Filter

Unfold the filter with the triple fold facing the spout. This keeps it from collapsing when wet.

2. Rinse the Filter

Pour hot water through the filter to seal it against the glass and wash away any papery flavor. Dump the rinse water without removing the filter.

3. Add Your Coffee

Grind your coffee medium-coarse—slightly chunkier than sea salt. Chemex filters are thick, so this helps the water flow. Add the grounds and tare your scale.

4. Bloom

Pour about twice the coffee’s weight in water (around 84 g). Make sure all grounds are saturated. Wait 30 seconds. This step allows the coffee to degas and preps it for an even extraction.

5. Pour in Stages

Continue pouring slowly in circles, keeping the water level just below the rim. Once the level drops an inch, pour again. Aim to finish all your water around the 2-minute mark.

Flash-Chilled Tip:

For iced coffee, use 350 g of ice in the bottom of the Chemex and brew with just 350 g of hot water. Pour slow and let the coffee chill as it drips.

6. Let It Drip

The brew should finish between 3:30 and 4:30 minutes. If it’s too slow, your grind may be too fine. Too fast? Try pouring slower or grinding finer.

7. Serve + Enjoy

Pour straight from the Chemex—its design is perfect for the table. Toss the filter, rinse the brewer, and you’re ready for the next cup.

Chemex Brewing FAQs

What grind size works best?

Medium-coarse—think kosher salt. It balances flow rate and extraction.

How much coffee should I use?

Start with 1 gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. That’s roughly 1 tablespoon per 5 oz.

What’s the ideal water temp?

Anywhere from 198°F to 205°F works great. Just off the boil is perfect.

How long should it take?

Brew time should be about 4 minutes, give or take 30 seconds.

Can I use other filters?

Stick with Chemex filters—they’re key to what makes this brewer special.