Brewing coffee with the Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffeemaker, especially the 8-cup model, usually takes about 4 to 5 minutes of actual brewing time.
But if you factor in heating the water, setting everything up, and then cleaning up afterward, you're probably looking at around 8 to 10 minutes from start to finish.
Here's how it goes:
Preparation: First, you'll want to heat your water to around 200°F (93°C). While that's happening, you can set up your Chemex with one of its thicker filters, which help give the coffee that nice, clean taste by keeping more oils and sediments out.
Brewing: Once your water's ready, wet the filter to remove any paper taste, then add your ground coffee. The actual brewing takes around 4 to 5 minutes. You start by soaking the grounds with a bit of hot water and letting them 'bloom' for about 30 seconds.
Then, continue pouring the rest of the water slowly in a circular motion.
Cleanup: After you're done, there's cleanup to think about. It can be a bit tricky because the Chemex's design with its narrow neck requires a specific brush. If you're using the model with a wooden collar, which can be removed, cleaning might be a tad easier.
Just be gentle with it since it’s made of glass, which is both lovely and delicate.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Chemex doesn't keep the coffee hot for long since there's no insulation. If that's a concern, you might consider transferring the coffee to a thermos or keeping it on a hot plate.
In the end, even though the process might take a little longer compared to some auto-drip machines, a lot of coffee fans think it's worth it for the unique flavors it can pull from light and medium roasts.
According to our research, despite a couple of downsides like fragility and a bit of a cleaning hassle, the Chemex is a favorite for those who appreciate taste and the craft of brewing.