Chemex glass coffee maker review

No spoilers: After testing the Classic, I’m sure Chemex makes some of the the best coffee machines around. I know I shouldn’t give away the ending in the first sentence, but the Chemex Classic Coffeemaker is one of the best ways to make coffee, period.

The classic pour is available in a range of sizes: 3, 6, 8 and 10 cups. They vary in price and size (obviously), but I tested the 6-cup version for this review. The wooden collar and rawhide strap give the coffee maker a premium, luxurious feel, making its $47 price tag feel a little more justified—but it’s still only a hand-poured coffee.

Chemex is not only a coffee machine, it can also make tea. Although I mostly made coffee while testing this turnover, I also steeped black tea leaves. Spoiler alert: everything I made in the Chemex tasted great. Chemex filter papers (which you have to buy separately) should minimize the bitterness and acidity of the coffee, leaving you with aromatic oils and caffeine. Let me tell you, the Chemex really does make a perfect cup of coffee every time. I’ll explain how to make the perfect coffee in this Chemex Classic Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker review.

Chemex Glass Coffee Filter: Cheat sheet

Who is it for? Those who want a light and reliable coffee maker
What does it do well? Make a delicious coffee
What are its weaknesses? For such a simple manual coffee maker, $47 feels a little steep
Anything else to know? The Classic model comes with a rawhide strap, so it’s not vegetable and you’ll want to use Chemex brand filters for best results

Chemex Glass Coffee Filter: Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price	$47 / £50
Weight	1.3 pounds
size	8.5 x 5.1
Capacity	Various: 3 cups, 6 cups, 8 cups, 10 cups
Materials	Borosilicate glass, wood, rawhide (real leather)
Color	Clear Glass, Wood (Miscellaneous), Raw Leather (Miscellaneous)
It can be washed in the dishwasher	Yes (remove wooden collar)
Accessory	None included

Chemex Glass Coffee Maker Review: Price and Availability

a 6-cup hourglass coffee maker from Chemex and a wooden collar with a rawhide tie

(Image credit: Future)

The Chemex Glass Coffee Maker is the premier Chemex available today. We reviewed the 6-cup version, but you can also get 3, 8, and 10 cups. They range from $44 to $53, so the price doesn’t go up much for the larger models.

The 6 cup version is $47 at Amazon USand £50 at Amazon UK. Chemex also offers a range of glass-handled coffee makers ($44-$53) and hand-blown coffee makers ($115-$161). As far as pour-over coffee makers go, Chemex models tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum. A Hario V60 it’ll set you back under $10 for the base model. The Pour Bodum ($19) and hook ($29) are other cheaper options, so if you’re not sure about committing $50 to Chemex, you can always get Chemex filters and a cheaper casting.

Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker Review: Design

Most of the reason the Chemex is $47 is because of its design. The glass construction is really beautiful; a perfect hourglass to benefit from a constant brewing and a spout that makes pouring easy. It’s a little fiddly to untie the rawhide strap and remove the wooden collar when you need to wash the glass, but nothing enough to deter me from using this every day.

Unlike AeroPress Premium ($149) I just tested, the Chemex cup gets a little warm during use, meaning you should only pick up the coffee maker by the wooden collar. This isn’t a particularly negative statement – the wooden collar is there for a reason – just something to be aware of.

a 6-cup hourglass coffee maker from Chemex and a wooden collar with a rawhide tie

(Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, Chemex brand filters (which you NECESSITY use, as this is where most of the beer’s finesse comes from) do not come with the purchase of the Chemex Pour-Over. You must purchase the filters separately. From Chemex direct, the pre-folded square filters (which I used) are priced at $11 for 100, working out to $0.11 per filter. I tested the Chemex with cheap off-brand filters from Amazon and both didn’t fit the hourglass shape and also let coffee grounds through, so I wouldn’t recommend that.

If the use of real leather puts you off, Chemex has a line of glass-handled coffee makers that omit the rawhide strap.

Chemex Glass Coffee Maker Review: Performance

The filters do most of the work here: Chemex claims its filters are up to 30% thicker than other brands. This means Chemex Bonded filters brew the coffee more slowly, resulting in a more aromatic finish and prevent coffee grounds from forming during the brewing process. There was never a single coffee bean left in the Chemex after brewing – so I would give the filters full marks. I just wish they were a little cheaper. 11 cents per filter is much more expensive than the AeroPress’s 2.8 cents per filter and the Hario V60’s 9.5 cents per filter.

But with a higher price usually comes higher quality, and this is certainly the case with Chemex filters. The thick filters produce a light, fragrant and aromatic coffee that makes my mouth water.

a 6-cup hourglass coffee maker from Chemex and a wooden collar with a rawhide tie

(Image credit: Future)

To make coffee, I ground lightly roasted beans to a medium-coarse texture. Then I measured out 4 tablespoons of ground coffee, put it in the filter, and measured out 20 ounces of 200° water. After I “bloomed” the coffee (pouring a small amount of water in a circular motion to release the “gas” from the beans), I poured in the rest of the water and waited for it to drip.

And it’s just as easy! After removing the filter, I was left with 20 ounces of delicious coffee without the sludge or bitterness you’d expect from a French press or mocha.

Chemex Glass Coffee Maker Review: Storage and Maintenance

a 6-cup hourglass coffee maker from Chemex and a wooden collar with a rawhide tie

(Image credit: Future)

Since this is a glass product, it is very easy to care for. The glass container is dishwasher safe, but Chemex recommends hand washing with soap and warm water to extend its life. Cleaning is as easy as throwing away the filter and coffee grounds, then washing the coffee filter by hand. Chemex filters are compostable though, meaning you can feed your garden with every cup.

The 6-cup style we tested is only 8.5 inches tall; cup 10 is 9.3. These coffee makers are cute and compact, small enough to fit in kitchen cabinets. If you haven’t used your Chemex in a while, I recommend cleaning with some scalding water before use.

Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker Review: How Does It Compare?

a 6-cup hourglass coffee maker from Chemex and a wooden collar with a rawhide tie

(Image credit: Future)

The Chemex brewing method omits the acidity and bitterness from the coffee beans using the combination of a thicker filter and the hourglass pot. Compared to brewing, say, a French press or mocha pot, I think a Chemex is far superior. Obviously, it all depends on personal taste. I like a black coffee where I can taste the various flavors present in the coffee without being overwhelmed by bitterness or acidity. So, for me, a turn-over like the Chemex is one of the best ways to make coffee. Thick sticking filters also prevent a layer of silk on the bottom of the coffee maker, unlike French presses or moka pots.

I tested Hario V60 at the same time as the Chemex, and while the results are similar enough, the Chemex produces a lighter and more flavorful drink. Both don’t carry mud and bitterness, though, and the V60 is only $9 — so it could be your first drip pour if you don’t feel like spending $50.

a 6-cup hourglass coffee maker from Chemex and a wooden collar with a rawhide tie

(Image credit: Future)

I’m also a fan of AeroPress coffee. Both the Chemex and AeroPress brew a lighter, more flavorful coffee than a French press without the sludge or bitterness. While I think the Chemex is easier to learn how to use and clean, the AeroPress coffee flavor is on another level. There is something so fragrant and almost floral about it. A Chemex is good for making a batch in the morning and drinking throughout the day (or making coffee for the whole family), while an AeroPress is better for enjoying one cup of coffee at a time. I think every coffee lover should have a Chemex and an AeroPress to complete their collection.

Chemex Glass Coffee Maker Review: Verdict

If you’re new to pour-over or luxury coffee makers, I wholeheartedly recommend the Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker. It’s easy to use, easy to clean and easy to enjoy. You have to buy some pretty expensive filters to get the best results, but if you’re serious about getting the most out of your casting, it’s a worthwhile investment. For the coffee lovers out there – yes, Chemex is worth the hype.