Pour-over Guide

Chemex Brewing Guide

Chemex produces clean, silky cups through its thicker filter. Keep the flow consistent and aim for sweetness with clarity.

Ratio 1:16-1:17 Water 92-95°C Grind Medium-Coarse Total 4:30-5:30

Step 1

Prepare the filter and preheat the brewer

Fold the filter and preheat the Chemex Chemex filter setup and preheating step

Fold the filter correctly and align the thicker side with the spout channel. Rinse it well to remove paper taste and preheat the brewer.

  • For 30g of coffee, 500g of water is a reliable reference.
  • Always discard the rinse water.
  • Grind the coffee medium-coarse.

Step 2

Bloom and begin the main pour

Fully saturate the bed on the first pour First pour and gas release during bloom

At 0:00, wet the full bed with 60-70g of water and allow a 40-45 second bloom. Then begin the first main pour with a calm circular flow.

  • Avoid leaving any dry pockets on the surface.
  • By 0:45 to 2:10, aim to reach around 320g total water.
  • Keep the flow even instead of locking onto one point.

Step 3

Reach target weight with segmented pours

Finish at 500g total with 2 or 3 additional pours without raising the slurry too high. Since Chemex filters run slower, keeping your rhythm is more important.

  • Finish adding the total water between 2:10 and 3:10.
  • If the bed starts channeling, bring the pour slightly closer to the center.
  • If the brew finishes too quickly, grind a bit finer.

Step 4

Adjust by total time and taste

Check that the bed stays level during the final drawdown Last drops and clarity check before serving

Total brew time should land around 4:30-5:30. If the cup tastes too bitter, go coarser. If it tastes thin or sharp, grind a bit finer or add slightly more water.

  • If the time runs long, go coarser.
  • If it finishes fast and tastes sour, go finer.
  • Log each adjustment in Brew Mate and repeat.