PT's Chemex Brew Guide

The Chemex has long been one of our preferred brew methods at PT’s, producing an incredibly clean cup of coffee through its use of high-quality glass and filters.

The guide below provides a foundation from which to start, though we encourage experimentation as you develop your personal preferences.

Things you’ll need:

• 6-cup Chemex and filter
• Burr grinder
• Gooseneck kettle
• Digital scale that measures in grams
• Whole bean specialty coffee

Brewing parameters:

• Brew time: 5 minutes
• Coffee: 50g
• Water: 750g
• Coffee to water ratio: 1:15
• Grind: medium-coarse (similar to sea salt)
• Ideal water temperature: 195 – 200 degrees Fahrenheit

Step 1

Place filter in Chemex, making sure that the three-layered side is towards the pouring spout. Rinse with hot water to remove the paper taste from the filter and to preheat the brewer.

Step 2

Without removing the filter, pour out the rinse water.

Step 3

Weigh out 50g of whole bean coffee. Grind medium-coarse and pour into filter.

Step 4

Place everything on your scale and tare it to zero.

Step 5

Start a timer and pour 100g of water over the coffee. Make sure to saturate all the grounds thoroughly by slowly pouring in concentric circles starting from the center and moving towards the edge. Allow the coffee to bloom for 30 seconds before adding more water (this will look like small bubbles rising to the surface of the wet coffee grounds). Allowing the coffee to bloom opens up the cup and helps develop the flavor of the coffee.

Step 6

Continue to periodically pour water over the coffee in slow, concentric circles. Keep the filter halfway filled with water during the brewing process, pour until you’ve reached the ideal weight of 750g of water.

Step 7

General brew times are between 5 and 7 minutes. When all the water has been poured over the grounds and the filter has begun to drip slowly, remove and discard the filter and grounds. (We recommend composting your coffee grounds and filter—they provide a good organic balance to many gardens when used in moderation, and plants that thrive in acidic soil love coffee grounds.)

Step 8

Give the Chemex a swirl to aerate the coffee, then share with your friends!