Chemex Vs V60 – What Is The Difference?

If you’re interested in brewing pour-over coffee, you may wonder which is the better choice between Chemex Vs. V60. Both are popular options for home pour-over brewing. This guide will compare the two to help you decide which is best.

This method provides greater control over the brewing process and allows for the creation of a personalized cup of coffee. However, before comparing the two, let’s first discuss the brewing process used by the Chemex and Hario V60.

What Is Pour Over Coffee?

Pour-over coffee is manually brewing coffee by hand pouring hot water over ground coffee beans in a filter. The water flows through the coffee grounds, extracting the flavors and aromas of the beans into the cup or carafe below. It’s considered a manual brewing method because it requires the user to manually pour water over the coffee grounds and control the speed and amount of water flow. This process is referred to as “slow coffee” and is often done using a gooseneck kettle for extra control; as a result, known for producing a clean and complex cup of coffee with bright acidity and clear flavors.

What Is A Chemex?

A Chemex is a manual pour-over coffee brewing device. It is an hourglass-shaped container made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass, with a wooden collar and leather tie. It has a conical shape with a wider bottom and a narrower top. Furthermore, it uses special paper filters thicker than regular paper filters, which are folded into a cone shape and placed on the top of the container.

The coffee grounds are placed into the filter, and hot water is poured over them, allowing the coffee to brew and drip through the filter into the lower chamber, which is a carafe. The Chemex is known for producing a clean and bright cup of coffee with balanced acidity and relatively high clarity of flavors and continues to be a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts and specialty coffee shops today.

History Of Chemex?

Dr. Peter Schlumbohm invented the Chemex coffee maker in 1941. Dr. Schlumbohm was a German-American chemist and inventor who was looking for a way to brew coffee that was both simple and elegant. He came up with the design for Chemex after experimenting with different brewing methods and materials. The Chemex is made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass, which allows the coffee to be brewed at a consistent temperature. In addition, its hourglass shape and wooden collar, and leather tie give it an elegant and timeless design.

Dr. Schlumbohm filed a patent for the Chemex in 1941 and began manufacturing it in 1942. The Chemex quickly gained popularity among coffee enthusiasts for its simplicity and ability to produce a clean and bright cup of coffee. It was also adopted by specialty coffee shops and has become a staple in manual brewing methods.

The design has remained largely unchanged since its invention, and it continues to be a popular choice among coffee enthusiasts and specialty coffee shops. The Chemex Corporation is still in business today, and the company still manufactures the coffee maker to the original design.

How To Use A Chemex?

The most important thing about brewing coffee is that you end up with a brew you enjoy. While specific techniques are considered better or worse, our preferred way of using a pour-over brewer is outlined below. Still, it is important to remember that this is a starting point. Experiment with different techniques and adjust them to create your perfect cup of coffee.

1. Begin By Folding The Chemex Filter: start by folding the filter into a cone shape and positioning the side with three layers towards the spout or channel to reduce the likelihood of collapse and maintain a proper seal.

2. Wet The Filter With Hot Water: pour into the Chemex to remove any paper taste and to preheat the brewer.

3. Add Your Freshly Ground Coffee Beans To The Filter: The general rule is to use one gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water, but you can adjust the ratio to your taste.

4. Start pouring a small amount of hot water: wetting the coffee grounds with a small amount of water (between 195 – 200 F); this is called “blooming,” and it helps to release the CO2 from the coffee and improves the overall taste.

5. Wait 30 seconds and then continue to pour hot water over the coffee: slowly pour the hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion, trying to saturate all the grounds evenly and keep the water level consistently above the coffee grounds.

6. Once you’ve poured the desired amount of water: give the coffee a quick stir to ensure all the grounds are saturated. And wait for the coffee to drip through the filter; this should take around 1-2 minutes.

7. After the coffee has finished dripping: remove the filter, discard, and enjoy your freshly brewed coffee!

What Is A Hario V60?

The Hario V60 is a pour-over coffee brewing device made of heat-resistant glass and a cone-shaped dripper that sits on top of a carafe or a coffee mug. It has a 60°degrees spiral ridged interior and a large hole at the bottom, allowing a more controlled and consistent water flow through the coffee grounds. The Hario V60 is typically used with a paper or metal filter, requiring a user to pour hot water over the coffee grounds manually.

This manual process allows for more control over the brewing process, resulting in a clean and bright cup of coffee with balanced acidity and relatively high clarity of flavors. Although the Hario V60 is a popular option for home and specialty coffee shops, it’s also a versatile brewing method that can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.

History Of Hario V60?

The Hario V60 coffee dripper was first introduced by the Hario company, a Japanese glassware manufacturer, in 2005. The V60 gets its name from the “V” shape of its interior ridges and the 60-degree angle of the cone. The V60 was designed to provide a more consistent and controlled water flow through the coffee grounds compared to other pour-over methods. The large hole at the bottom of the V60 allows for a faster flow rate, while the ridges on the interior help to agitate the coffee grounds and improve extraction.

The Hario V60 quickly gained popularity among specialty coffee shops and home brewers alike for its ability to produce a clean and bright cup of coffee with balanced acidity and relatively high clarity of flavors. In addition, its versatility and ability to be adjusted to suit individual preferences and brewing methods made it an attractive option for many coffee enthusiasts.

How To Make Hario V60 Coffee?

Certain techniques are considered more effective when using a pour-over brewer, like the Hario V60. We recommend using this guide as a starting point and adjusting your methods as necessary. Remember that experimenting and finding what works best for you is the most important thing.

1. Place The Hario V60 Dripper On Top Of Your Carafe: or coffee mug and insert the filter into the dripper.

2. Add The Ground Coffee In The Filter: The general rule of thumb is to use 1 gram of coffee per 18 grams of water

3. Begin The Pour By Wetting The Coffee Grounds: with a small amount of water; this will help release CO2 and “bloom” the coffee.

4. Slowly pour the hot water over the coffee grounds in a circular motion: try to saturate all the grounds evenly and keep pouring until you reach the desired amount of coffee.

5. Once the coffee has finished dripping through: remove the filter and serve.

What Is The Difference Between Chemex Vs V60?

Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to brewing coffee, especially when comparing the Chemex and Hario V60.

• Shape: Chemex is an hourglass-shaped container with a wooden collar and leather tie, while the Hario V60 is cone-shaped with ridges and grooves on the inside spiral rib design.

• Filter Thickness: The Chemex uses special paper filters, up to 30% thicker than the filters used in the Hario V60. The V60 paper filters are thinner, and their structure allows more coffee oils to flow through, resulting in a cup with a more full-bodied flavor. On the other hand, the thicker Chemex filters remove more oils and cholesterol during the filtration process, which helps elevate the compound cafestol found in coffee.

• Extraction Time: Typically, Chemex takes longer to brew coffee than the Hario V60. The Chemex’s thicker filter paper and larger volume of coffee can produce a slower drip.

• Coffee Profile: The Chemex is known for producing a clean and bright cup of coffee with balanced acidity and relatively high clarity of flavors. The Hario V60 also has a well-balanced cup of coffee, but it is considered to produce a more full-bodied cup because of the thinner paper filter.

• Brew Size: The Hario V60 is more versatile than the Chemex, as it can be adjusted to suit individual preferences and brewing methods. However, regarding standard cup size, the Hario V60 can brew larger amounts of coffee, particularly with the 03 version.

• Grind Size – The Hario V60 requires a finer coffee grind, allowing a faster flow rate and a more full-bodied coffee. On the other hand, Chemex uses a medium-coarse grind, which helps to balance flavor extraction and flow rate.

Which One Should You Buy: Chemex or Hario V60?

You may wonder which option is best for you: a Chemex or a V60. Both produce quality coffee and have a reputation for exceptional coffee, but each has unique features and benefits.

It can be tough to choose between these two popular brewers. But don’t worry; we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of each option.

Choose Chemex for:

• Brewing multiple cups at once – can handle a larger batch of coffee.

• Unique designs that will elevate the look of any kitchen

• Thick filters deliver a cleaner taste and a flavorful cup of coffee

• Great For Beginners – best for those who want a little extra forgiveness on pour and grind

• No plastic parts – you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee without concerns about plastic.

Choose Hario V60 for:

• Single-cup brewing – great for solo coffee drinkers or want a smaller batch of coffee

• Durability and portability – frequent travelers or want a durable and long-lasting coffee maker

• Customizable coffee – for those who want to take complete control of their coffee brewing process.

• Easy to clean – offers straightforward cleaning, the easiest possible cleanup

What Are The Differences In Cup Sizes?

The Chemex is available in several sizes to accommodate different brewing needs: 3-cup, 5-cup, 6-cup, 8-cup, 10-cup, and 13-cup. In addition, these brewers are made of clear glass, giving them a sleek and modern appearance.

• 3-cup model

• 6-cup model

• 8-cup model

• 10-cup model

Of these, the 6-cup and 8-cup versions are the most common. The larger the size, the wider the Chemex becomes, allowing it to hold more coffee. So whether you’re making coffee for one or a group, the Chemex has a size that fits!

The Hario V60 comes in three sizes:

• Hario V60 01 – single cup brewing

• Hario V60 02 – up to 4 cups

• Hario V60 03 – up to 6 cups

The difference between the three V60 models is the amount of coffee they can hold. The V60 01 is ideal for single-cup brewing, while the V60 02 is popular and can brew up to 4 cups. The V60 03 can hold up to 6 cups and is best for families who want larger batches.

In addition to choosing the size, you can select the material you want your V60 to be made of. Options include plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, and copper. We recommend the glass V60 at home, and it’s been a great choice.

FAQ

Why Is Chemex Coffee Better?

Chemex coffee is often considered superior to other brewing methods due to its thick filters, glass design, and unique shape. Using a glass carafe ensures that the coffee’s natural flavor is not altered or masked by any materials. In addition, the filter removes any sediment or oils that can contribute to a bitter taste, resulting in a clean and pure coffee taste.

Additionally, the unique shape of the Chemex enhances the brewing process to produce a consistent, balanced flavor in each cup.

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What Is The Chemex Coffee Ratio?

We recommended using a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio for Chemex brewing. For every 1 gram of coffee, you should add between 15 grams of water. This ratio is a good starting point and is equivalent to approximately 3 tablespoons of coffee per 1 cup of water. Of course, the exact amount of coffee and water will depend on the size of your Chemex and your desired strength.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, the choice between a Chemex and Hario V60 comes down to personal preference. The Chemex offers a consistent and sophisticated pour-over experience, with the bonus of being available in different sizes to suit various brewing needs.

On the other hand, the Hario V60 offers greater versatility and control, allowing adjustments to grind size and pouring method for a customized brew. In addition, its compact size and various materials and price options make it an excellent choice for those who need to brew 1-2 cups for travel or work.