The Chemex uses the same basic principles as any pour over, but its thick bonded filters change the game — they produce a remarkably clean cup by absorbing more oils and filtering out more fines. James Hoffmann’s Chemex technique builds on his famous V60 method with small adjustments for the Chemex’s unique characteristics.
| Method | Chemex |
| Coffee | 30g |
| Water | 500ml |
| Ratio | 1:16.67 (60g per litre) |
| Grind | Medium-fine (slightly coarser than V60) |
| Water Temp | As hot as possible |
| Total Time | ~4:00–4:30 |
Step by Step
- Fold and place the filter — The thick side (three layers) should face the spout. Rinse thoroughly with hot water, then discard the rinse water.
- Add 30g of coffee and create a small well in the center.
- Bloom (0:00–0:45) — Pour 60–90g of water over the grounds. Give it a gentle stir at 0:10 to make sure all grounds are wet. Wait until 0:45.
- First pour (0:45–1:15) — Pour in steady circles, aiming to reach 300g total by 1:15.
- Second pour (1:15–1:45) — Continue pouring to reach 500g total by 1:45.
- Stir and swirl (1:45–2:00) — Stir once clockwise, once counter-clockwise. Give the Chemex a gentle swirl to flatten the coffee bed.
- Drawdown — Let it drain completely. Aim for a total brew time around 4:00–4:30.
Watch the Full Guide
How It Differs from the V60
The technique is nearly identical to Hoffmann’s V60 method, but the Chemex filter changes two things:
- Slower drawdown. The thicker filter restricts flow, so the total brew time is longer (4:00–4:30 vs. 3:30 for the V60). You may need to grind slightly coarser to compensate.
- Cleaner cup profile. The Chemex filter absorbs more oils, producing a lighter body with more clarity. If you love tasting distinct tasting notes in your coffee, the Chemex excels here.
Tips
- Rinse the filter thoroughly. Chemex filters are thick and have a noticeable papery taste if not rinsed well. Use plenty of hot water.
- If your brew stalls, the grind is too fine. Chemex filters clog more easily than V60 filters — err on the side of slightly coarser.
- The stir at 0:10 matters. The Chemex’s wide base can leave dry pockets of coffee during the bloom. A quick stir ensures even saturation.
- Same ratio as the V60. If you already brew Hoffmann’s V60, the only things changing are the grind size and expected brew time.
Scale It with Coffee Calculator
Brewing a full 6-cup Chemex or just a small batch? Coffee Calculator handles the ratio math instantly — select Chemex, enter your dose, and get your water weight.
Recipe by James Hoffmann. Watch more on his YouTube channel.