Chemex 6-cup

Equipment notes

The Chemex was invented in 1941 by Peter Schlumbohm, a German-born chemist who took the flasks and funnels of the laboratory as his starting point and fused brewer and server into a single piece of glass. The hourglass silhouette, dressed in a wood collar and leather tie, is held in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, among other museums. Chemex's bonded filter, which the maker states is 20-30% heavier than other filters, is designed to hold back oils and fine particles, so the cup tends toward cleanness and clarity. The 6-cup is one of the lineup's classic sizes: it brews a generous batch in one go, and because the glass body doubles as the server, it travels straight from the counter to the table. The heavy filter slows the water, so a somewhat coarser grind and an unhurried drawdown are the usual approach. Carrying the finished coffee to the table in that glass vessel and pouring for others is part of what this brewer is. It is for someone who wants to brew coffee to share, whether with guests or over a family breakfast, with care.

Filters that fit

• Chemex Bonded SquareDefault
• Chemex Bonded Square (Natural)Default
• Chemex Bonded CircleOriginal
• Able KoneCompatible