Posted Sat Aug 23, 2003, 12:40pm Subject: Chemex...anybody else use them? What is this?
I rarely notice any talk of the glass Chemex manual drip coffee makers here. I have a few that I use occasionally. I like the results you get with a Chemex, just don't enjoy the process of making it. Maybe I'm just lazy and don't enjoy standing there feeding it hot water.
As said, I do think the Chemex does a great job with the coffee. For some reason it tastes much better than other drip methods. Yes the water temperature used in the Chemex is controlled by you rather than a thermostat inside the auto drip machine. That's one reason for the better taste. But I do have a few auto drips that run at 197-200 degrees (my VillaWare and Bunn STF have adjustable brew temp) and the coffee still has a better flavor in the Chemex. Why? The filters? My imagination?
If it is the filters, why hasn't someone duplicated them for use in other drip makers?
What are your thoughts?
I think it must be my imagination.
I was also wondering if any Chemex experts here can tell me what it was I purchased on eBay. I am hoping it's a Chemex not a Melitta like the auction ad states. Here's what it said: MELITTA GLASS COFFEE BREWER/FLASK Old original style Melitta coffee urn and brewer in one piece glass, with a few filters. 9x51/2 diameter. Measure your freshly ground coffee into the filter, pour in HOT water, let it drip, remove the filter and grounds. POUR. ENJOY. Great stuff is always simple.
When I compare it to the Chemex's that I own and the ones pictured on Chemex's website it doesn't have the same shape. Is this really a Melitta?
BellaJava Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 432 Location: Jacksonville, FL Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Livia 90 Auto Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Silex, Cory, Hellem, Cona,... Drip: Chemex Roaster: Alp, FR+, HWG
Posted Sat Aug 23, 2003, 7:15pm Subject: Re: Chemex...anybody else use them?
RickB Said:
I rarely notice any talk of the glass Chemex manual drip coffee makers here. I have a few that I use occasionally. I like the results you get with a Chemex, just don't enjoy the process of making it. Maybe I'm just lazy and don't enjoy standing there feeding it hot water.
As said, I do think the Chemex does a great job with the coffee. For some reason it tastes much better than other drip methods. Yes the water temperature used in the Chemex is controlled by you rather than a thermostat inside the auto drip machine. That's one reason for the better taste. But I do have a few auto drips that run at 197-200 degrees (my VillaWare and Bunn STF have adjustable brew temp) and the coffee still has a better flavor in the Chemex. Why? The filters? My imagination?
If it is the filters, why hasn't someone duplicated them for use in other drip makers?
What are your thoughts?
I think it must be my imagination.
I was also wondering if any Chemex experts here can tell me what it was I purchased on eBay. I am hoping it's a Chemex not a Melitta like the auction ad states. Here's what it said: MELITTA GLASS COFFEE BREWER/FLASK Old original style Melitta coffee urn and brewer in one piece glass, with a few filters. 9x51/2 diameter. Measure your freshly ground coffee into the filter, pour in HOT water, let it drip, remove the filter and grounds. POUR. ENJOY. Great stuff is always simple.
When I compare it to the Chemex's that I own and the ones pictured on Chemex's website it doesn't have the same shape. Is this really a Melitta?
Chemex... not Melitta. The seller didn't know what they were selling and described it as something that they were familiar with. Not out of the ordinary, many sellers don't know what they're selling which usually means that it's posted in the wrong catagory and poorly described... which leads to some great deals if you look hard enough.
Posted Tue Aug 26, 2003, 4:38am Subject: Re: Chemex...anybody else use them?
I use my Chemex nearly every day, and love it. I have one at work, and two at home (just in case we have company). When stuck working the night shift, I brew up a pot of JJ Bean Roasters Choice around 0430, and it keeps me going until I get home.
Regarding the filters and their use in automatic brewers... I don't think they would work due to the fact that the brew time increases so much with their use. If used in an automatic, the filter basket would overflow after about 2 minutes! The Chemex filters are much thicker than "ordinary" filters, and slow down the extraction time. This leads to the great-tasting cup of coffee it produces.
Posted Tue Aug 26, 2003, 7:54pm Subject: Re: Chemex...anybody else use them?
dougwiebe Said:
I use my Chemex nearly every day, and love it. I have one at work, and two at home (just in case we have company). When stuck working the night shift, I brew up a pot of JJ Bean Roasters Choice around 0430, and it keeps me going until I get home.
Regarding the filters and their use in automatic brewers... I don't think they would work due to the fact that the brew time increases so much with their use. If used in an automatic, the filter basket would overflow after about 2 minutes! The Chemex filters are much thicker than "ordinary" filters, and slow down the extraction time. This leads to the great-tasting cup of coffee it produces.
Don't be lazy - keep using your Chemex!
Doug
Posted August 26, 2003 link[x Doug... I'm thinking of getting a manual pour Melita or Chemex..considering the long brew time of the Chemex, if I brewed say 8 cups (40 oz), would the finished brew still be hot enough so I wouldn't have to nuke it?...and do you "pre-soak" your filters with hot water, prior to dumping in the fresh grounds, so as to eliminate some paper taste?. cheers...Robert
BellaJava Senior Member Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 432 Location: Jacksonville, FL Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Livia 90 Auto Grinder: Mazzer Mini Vac Pot: Silex, Cory, Hellem, Cona,... Drip: Chemex Roaster: Alp, FR+, HWG
Posted Tue Aug 26, 2003, 9:49pm Subject: Re: Chemex...anybody else use them?
IBAWriter Said:
[x Doug... I'm thinking of getting a manual pour Melita or Chemex..considering the long brew time of the Chemex, if I brewed say 8 cups (40 oz), would the finished brew still be hot enough so I wouldn't have to nuke it?...and do you "pre-soak" your filters with hot water, prior to dumping in the fresh grounds, so as to eliminate some paper taste?. cheers...RobertPosted August 26, 2003 link
Hope I'm not butting in... Chemex used to make a "water bath" specifically to help keep the temp of the brew up. It was nothing more than a copper or aluminium bowl that you would pour hot water in and place the Chemex into to maintain temp.
If you warm up the Chemex before brewing you won't have a large decrease in temp at the end of the brew time. I use the 3(really one good sized mug), 6, 8 and 13 cup models though I use the 3 cup most. What I like about the Chemex over the press pot is the portability (no moving parts), easier to clean (toss filter and rinse) and durability (glass is much thicker than most press pots). When I'm on a trip or will be working away from my normal office I always take my small Chemex.
Posted Wed Aug 27, 2003, 3:09am Subject: Re: Chemex...anybody else use them?
IBAWriter Said:
[x Doug... I'm thinking of getting a manual pour Melita or Chemex..considering the long brew time of the Chemex, if I brewed say 8 cups (40 oz), would the finished brew still be hot enough so I wouldn't have to nuke it?...and do you "pre-soak" your filters with hot water, prior to dumping in the fresh grounds, so as to eliminate some paper taste?. cheers...RobertPosted August 26, 2003 link
Hi Robert,
My little Chemex setup consists of an 8 cup Chemex (9 1/2")and a Thermos Nissan carafe. As soon as I've finished brewing the coffee, I dump the filter, empty the HOT water from the Thermos, and then pour in the coffee. I can then enjoy my cup of coffee and know that the remainder will stay hot. If I did leave the coffee in the brewer, it would begin to cool pretty quickly. Not a problem when I'm at work, as I consume the coffee pretty quickly. At home, I like to take my time and enjoy a couple of mugs over an hour or two.
Regarding soaking the filters... I haven't done it. I use the brown unbleached filters at Tom's recommendation from Sweet Maria's, and haven't noticed any untoward flavours. I will give it a try with my next couple of pots, just to see if there is a difference.
If you wanted to save a few pennies, you could always order some Chemex filters (I recommend the above-mentioned retailer) and use them with a Melitta cone. Should work just dandy, but wouldn't complete the whole "Chemex" experience. Keep your eye on EBay, but don't get caught paying too much. Check out my Chemex Consumer review for more info.
Posted Wed Aug 27, 2003, 6:20am Subject: Re: Chemex...anybody else use them?
I'm curious. Are there any imitation Chemex's out there? It just seems to me that someone else would have tried to make $$ off of Chemex's product by copying it. Have you ever seen any imitations, Bella for Doug or anyone else?
Posted Wed Aug 27, 2003, 6:28pm Subject: Re: Chemex...anybody else use them?
I use a "stone" warmer to keep the brew hot. One of those stone things that you place in the microwave for a minute and it gets hot and holds the heat for a long time.
A friend uses an electric Norelco "Dial a Brew" coffee machine and a Chemex to brew his coffee. His Chemex 8 cup size just fits the Norelco. The Dial a Brew has a long brew time and with the right grind this works well with the Chemex, I have tasted the results.
The Chemex that I mentioned above arrived in great shape, no scratches in the glass, wood and leather were like new. There are no Chemex markings, only a small white 4-7 (see picture). No other markings.
The other thing different about this one is the swirl in the glass just above the center. I own two other Chemex pots and they don't have the swirl. (see picture in next post)
I am not a Chemex historian, online information is limited also so I have no idea what this thing is. Is it a Chemex? It doesn't say Chemex on it like my other ones do.
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