How to Brew a Pour Over with a Chemex

June 26, 2024 Brooke Holley

A pour over coffee is the perfect way to unlock the full potential of coffee beans. The slow, deliberate pour of water over freshly roasted and ground coffee allows for a level of precision and control that other methods can't match, resulting in a cup that's clean, flavorful, and aromatic. Whether you're new to pour over coffee or looking to refine your technique, this guide will walk you through each step to achieve the perfect brew at home.

How to Brew a Pour Over with a Chemex

What You'll Need to Brew a Pour-Over Coffee:

A Pour Over Brewer: Select a high-quality brewer for the best results. We recommend the Chemex ten-cup pour over.

Coffee Beans: Freshly roasted, preferably whole beans. For this pour-over, we're using 30 grams of medium course grind.

Grinder: A burr grinder for consistent grind size. We recommend the Opus Conical bur grinder and a medium course grind for a pour-over.

Kettle: Ideally, with a thermometer. We recommend the Stagg EKG electric kettle.

Scale: For precise measurements.

Timer: To ensure accurate brewing time.

Step 2: Heat the Water 400 to 500 grams to a boil. The optimal brewing temperature for a pour over coffee is between 190°F to 200°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, let the water sit for about 30 seconds after boiling to reach this range. The right temperature extracts the perfect balance of flavors.

Step 3: Measure and Grind the Coffee Grind 30 grams of coffee to a consistency similar to sea salt. The grind size is crucial: too fine and your coffee will be over-extracted and bitter; too coarse and it will be under-extracted and weak.

Step 4: Prepare the Filter and Brewer Place the filter in the brewer and rinse it with hot water. This preheating step helps remove any papery taste from the filter and maintains the temperature of your coffee brewer.

Step 5: Add in the Grounds Pour all of the coffee grounds into the brewer.

Step 6: Bloom the Coffee in a slow, circular motion, we all of the beans and pour roughly 40-50g of water. Let the water sit for 30-45 seconds. This allows the coffee to degas, enabling a better extraction of flavors.

Step 7: Pour the Water Start pouring 100g of water in a slow, circular motion over your grounds. Aim to pour so that the water level never rises too high above the coffee grounds. This should take about 2-3 minutes.

Step 9: Continue this Process You will continue to pour in a slow circular motion until you've poured 450-500 g of water in total.

Step 10: Allow the Coffee to Drip Once you’ve poured all the water, let the coffee finish dripping through the filter. The total brew time should be about 3-4 minutes. If it takes too long, consider using a coarser grind; if it drips through too quickly, use a finer grind.

Step 9: Swirl & Enjoy Discard the used coffee grounds and filter. Swirl the brewer and pour your freshly brewed coffee into your favorite mug!

Making pour over coffee may seem like a meticulous task, but the reward is a rich and satisfying cup that highlights the unique characteristics of your chosen coffee beans. Each step in the process allows you to tailor the brewing to your taste preferences, giving you a hands-on approach to your morning ritual. Experiment with different beans, grinds, and pouring techniques to find your perfect cup. Embrace the process and enjoy each sip, knowing you've crafted something truly special.