Chemex Origami

[Mick]

I decided to dig out my ancient Chemex CM-1 two cup pour over today. I don't think I have laid eyes on this little pour over for at least 2 decades. It is in the basement in a cabinet with my other Chemex brewers and my Cona Vacuum pot. Washed all of the dust off of it and after spending a hectic 2 hours searching high and low I came across the FP-2 "half moon" filters for it.

It has been so long since I've used this little pour over that I forgot how "strange" the filter system is for it.

Folding the filters is like creating Chemex Origami.

I ground up 24 grams of Hawaiian Kona beans in my weight based Baratza Maestro set at #22 (a moderate drip grind setting) and brewed up a cup for the wife and myself. All I can say is..... Yoza what a cup of coffee this little jewel is capable of making.

A few pics for your enjoyment

The little guy next to the BIG (unfolded) filter

The filter folded... I never would have thought that that BIG filter would fold down this small. Lots of folds to get it into a filter... Glad the folding instructions were on the box of filters otherwise I would have been LOST....

Filter inserted:

Starting the brew... Used my Russell Hobbs kettle and kept it hot all through the pour. The end results were spectacular... I'm going to use this little Chemex jewel a LOT more often now....

 

[jaguar]

Turtle, what a great reunion. I have three Chemex glass coffee makers, including the CM-1. They are classic, elegant, and brew the best pour over filtered coffee on the planet.

 

[Mick]

Turtle, what a great reunion. I have three Chemex glass coffee makers, including the CM-1. They are classic, elegant, and brew the best pour over filtered coffee on the planet.

Going back to my earliest memories of coffee my parents made their coffee in a Cory vacuum pot and I thought this was the way coffee was made unless you went to a diner where they had Bunn coffee machines.

I saw my first Chemex when I was in college back in the early 70's. Was at a friends house and he had one. After tasting the coffee made from it I was hooked. I looked and looked and finally came across a 5 cup Chemex at goodwill for 50¢ Since then I pick up all that I see at thrift stores and I must have at least 4 or 5 of each size now stashed away in the "coffee cabinet" in the basement. I should drag them all out for a "family portrait.

 

[StillShaving]

Nice closet find! Always nice to see these in action.

I thought the filters were usually square or (pre-made ?) conical. I did not realize they had that extra "knob" at the drip end. Is that an old style filter or something new.

 

[Mick]

Nice closet find! Always nice to see these in action.

I thought the filters were usually square or (pre-made ?) conical. I did not realize they had that extra "knob" at the drip end. Is that an old style filter or something new.

That filter only fits the small CM-1 type 2-3 cup Chemex. All of the larger models use either a square or round filter (either one).

 

[martym]

Very nice sir!
coffee, 24/7
delish

 

[Redzone]

Nice Turtle, they are a pretty cleaver device and do a great job. Sometimes newer is not always better. I always tasted the paper on these until I learnt to pre-flush just the right amount of hot water through first.
I have the larger version too and I tend to use a stainless mesh filter but the cup is a little muddier with the fines that escape through but that can be a good thing if you like your coffee like that.
Enjoy !

 

[Vlad]

Thats so cool. I love'stuff that's quality two decades'later. almost got a chemex a few weeks ago.

 

[Mick]

Thats so cool. I love'stuff that's quality two decades'later. almost got a chemex a few weeks ago.

What prompted me to go looking for the little 2 cup Chemex was that I almost bought a Hario 01 sized (2 cup) pour over and filters. I got thinking.... I have a 2 cup Chemex somewhere so what am I doing looking at something else.. SO... This is what precipitated the quest into the deepest, darkest, regions of the basement.

The Chemex was easy to locate as I have all of my "spare/extra" coffee equipment in a cabinet but the filters were not in there with the makers. A couple boxes of the square and round filters for the larger Chemex makers but the FP-2 filters were somewhere else. Once I found them I realized why. The box is enormous as the filters are amazingly large for making just 2 cups of coffee.

You can tell how long this maker has been put away from the filter box. I think they went away from that box design in the the 1980's.

I have no idea where I am going to store the filters. They are just too dang BIG.... Maybe I WILL get a Hario V60 after all

 

[Vlad]

What prompted me to go looking for the little 2 cup Chemex was that I almost bought a Hario 01 sized (2 cup) pour over and filters. I got thinking.... I have a 2 cup Chemex somewhere so what am I doing looking at something else.. SO... This is what precipitated the quest into the deepest, darkest, regions of the basement.

The Chemex was easy to locate as I have all of my "spare/extra" coffee equipment in a cabinet but the filters were not in there with the makers. A couple boxes of the square and round filters for the larger Chemex makers but the FP-2 filters were somewhere else. Once I found them I realized why. The box is enormous as the filters are amazingly large for making just 2 cups of coffee.

You can tell how long this maker has been put away from the filter box. I think they went away from that box design in the the 1980's.

I have no idea where I am going to store the filters. They are just too dang BIG.... Maybe I WILL get a Hario V60 after all View attachment 360291

BST the Chemex! It will help us both rationalize a purchase we do not need.

 

[StillShaving]

I like their logo and that filter box design. Captures the essential elements: brown coffee, blue water, and white filter. All while echoing the shape of the brewer.

 

[Mick]

I like their logo and that filter box design. Captures the essential elements: brown coffee, blue water, and white filter. All while echoing the shape of the brewer.

No bar code on that box AND the price is $2.99... Wish I could find them at that price again

Best price I can find is through Amazon.com for $7.99 with free shipping on a $25 or over order. Another box is in my cart, now to find more "stuff" to buy

 

[Drybonz]

They are classic, elegant, and brew the best pour over filtered coffee on the planet.

What's the advantage of the chemex over another form of pour-over?

 

[Redzone]

What's the advantage of the chemex over another form of pour-over?

+1

 

[Mick]

What's the advantage of the chemex over another form of pour-over?

+1

For me....

I've had Chemex makers for over 40 years (since I started college) and I don't own any other form of pour over. So for me, Chemex is my #1 (and only) choice. I either use the Chemex or I don't use a pour over maker. Over the decades I have acquired every size that Chemex made (multiples of many of the sizes). I use them because I have them.

I do have a big Melita (12 cup) up at my other house and it is the only coffee maker up there (well I have a home model Bunn but I don't use it because winterizing it is a $!+¢#). When we are at the other house the Melita is the one that makes the Joe every day. I make 12 cups and put it in an air pot right away where it stays hot for most of the day (doesn't last that long but at least it is hot). I'm big on air pots but starting to move more to brewing a single cup at a time because I think the flavor is a little better when it does not sit for a while.

If I did not own anything, I would probably start with a small 1-2 cup Melita as they are only a few $$$.

As to the difference or advantage of one product over another.... It's just esthetics. If you like the look of the V60 that is the one for you. If you like the look of the Chemex that is the one for you.

Some people talk about the filters, which is better, etc. There is bleached paper and unbleached paper. There are stainless screens. Gold plated screens. Socks. You name it, someone has tried it and offers it for sale. I'm not sure that there is any difference, at least any that can be listed quantitatively. What taste better to someone may taste worse to someone else.

Taste, like smell, is a very personal thing. Just look at all of the differing opinions on Arko and the VEG as an example.

 

[jzuzphreek]

Chemex is my daily brew method, unless I feel like brewing Aeropress. Two very different tastes with the same coffee result. I LOVE my Chemex, and will ALWAYS have one.

Of course, I'm really wanting to get an Able disk or Kaffeologie disk for my Aeropress... but that's a different story.

 

[Redzone]

I prefer swiss gold single cup. Mainly for ease of use, making just one cup and also I don't taste anyform of taint.
My wife prefers inverted Aeropress with 2 minute steep time. I gave my disk away so only used pre rinsed papers now.
Coffee is a personal thing and what you like is what you like. I have friends that enjoy stuff I would clean my drive with but they enjoy it
so who's to say any different.
Having said that though I do find noobs (that you try and enlighten) tend to get more fussy about what cafes they visit after trying SO's, varying roast levels and brewing methods. As I have said before it can be alot like wet shaving, just because you have been doing it for a long time doesn't mean you can't learn something.

 

[Mick]

My typical "coffee day" starts with the Pasquini and a couple of shared heavy (18 gram - 2.5 oz pull) double shot Americanos with SWMBO.

Sometimes during the day I will talk her into splitting another double Americano.

evenings is usually 2 small 2 cup Chemex brews of a medium roast single origin (one 2 cup pot at a time) after dinner. Our most recent single origin fave is some Costa Rica La Amistad

I will switch up between the press and Chemex but mostly use the Chemex as it is easier to clean up and I am basically lazy

 

[Samurai-5]

I used to use paper towel instead of filters for a single cup pour over.....worked great because i anchored the ends of the paper towel under my mug. Now I see those single cup pour overs you can buy at World Market or Sbux. I think with all the choices available I'd get a Chemex

I just wish I had time in the morning for a nice pour over nowadays.

 

[Aristeros]

This was educational for me. Thanks!

Wish I had the time for some of your coffee rituals--maybe when the kids are self-cleaning and or feeding!