Hand-Blown Glass Chemex brewers in the 8 cup size and the 13 Cup Size. These are what you would have purchased if you bought a Chemex in the '70s.

The are a few key advantages to using a Chemex compared to an auto-drip brewer. The first point is that the coffee-water mixture is the right temperature (between 195-205°F) from the beginning of the infusion. Few auto-drip makers are capable of this and even a good auto-drip maker will brew at lower temperatures. Secondly, you gain control over infusion time based upon the fineness of your grind and pouring technique. Lastly (and I think, of great significance) is that you can keep this system very clean. Auto-drip makers become foul with rancid coffee residue, and invariably even with drip machines that are diligently cleaned, I can immediately taste this bitter, “off” flavor.

A disadvantage of paper filters is they can impart a noticeable flavor to the brew, especially the thick Chemex filters, so pre-wetting the filter is key to excellent brewing. Also, Chemex brewing is best when brewing larger amounts of coffee: paper taste and heat loss are more noticeable when trying to brew a small batch of say 12 oz.

You will need to buy filters separately. Other brands of filters don't work well with Chemex because the drip opening is large. Even a Filtropa #6 will break at the seam in a Chemex.  Chemex filter paper is extra thick, which makes pre-rinsing to reduce paper taste very important.

Want to impress your friends? Tell them that your Chemex is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. We have a new page with full instructions for Chemex brewing.