I've been wondering if there is a best way to pour into a Chemex.
I have adopted two practices and would like some CG reflections on them.
Is it best to pour all the water in at once (provided it fits)? Let me explain.
If you pour all the water in at once, much of the grounds rise up and cling to the filter. A significant amount of the total gounds will steep for a minute or less. It seems these filter-climbing grounds will be under-extracted related to the grounds below.
I have been pouring about two ounces at a time. With each pour I wash down the clinging grounds into the bottom. Furthermore, I've been maintaining the temperature of my reserve water so it stays at about 204 F with each subsequent pour. The total steep time remains between three and four minutes.
bodum_fanatic Senior Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 190 Location: Missouri Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Won't become one of those... Grinder: Braun KMM30, Krups Fast... Vac Pot: Never had much luck there. Drip: Melitta Deluxe 132 made in... Roaster: West Bend Poppery II
There are very few do's and don'ts with the Chemex. I pour in just enough water to cover the grounds so that they bloom. If the coffee has been roasted only a few days before, the bloom will be significant, so I poke holes in the crust with a chopstick. Then, I pour in more water, just until it's about an inch from the top, and give it a quick stir with a bamboo chopstick to ensure all grounds are wet. I keep the grounds covered with water, and never fill it more than an inch from the top. As for water temp, don't sweat it if it drops to a little below 200 degrees.
Thanks for the thoughts. I home roast, so it is very fresh. Sounds similar to what I've been doing. I moisten the grounds for the bloom, then gradually add the rest. By the way, I had about the 5th best cup I've had in my life yesterday from my Chemex. It was El Salvador Matalapa (green from Sweet Maria's). I roasted about 60% medium and 40% light. Mind-blowing.
I’ve always done much like you described, and I do not pour large amounts of water in at once.
I wait about a minute after pouring just enough water to wet all the grounds, just till they settle and there’s no more movement, to allow them to bloom. I try not to get the top more than half-full or so to avoid filter-clinging grounds, and wash them down like you described if they build up. The Chemex always seems to provide great results.
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