Have you heard of pour-over coffee but aren’t sure what it is or whether you can make it yourself at home?
Or maybe you’re looking for a more organic brewed coffee experience that doesn’t involve plugging in a coffee maker.
Perhaps you’d love to up your coffee game and are simply trying to navigate away from an automatic drip coffee maker.
There are so many reasons coffee enthusiasts worldwide switch to the pour-over method, but the #1 is that you can get the perfect brew!
In this blog post, you’ll learn all about the exciting world of pour-over coffee! We will also compare the Chemex with the Hario V60 for making pour-over coffee at home.
Let’s get started!
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What is pour-over coffee?
Pour-over coffee is a brewing method in which hot water is poured over ground coffee beans. The water then seeps through the coffee grounds and is collected in a carafe or mug.
Pour-over coffee brewing results in a flavorful cup with more vibrancy than other brewing methods, such as the French press.
This type of coffee is served in coffee shops around the world. And coffee lovers swear it’s the best cup of coffee they’ve ever had!
There are many pour-over coffee makers on the market, but two of the most popular are the Chemex and V60.
What is the Chemex?
The Chemex is a pour-over coffee maker invented in 1941 by a chemist named Dr. Peter Schlumbohm.
As an inventor, his goal was to create products that people would find beautiful and functional. And as a chemist, he understood the science behind how to brew a good cup of coffee.
Dr. Schlumbohm, therefore, developed the Chemex coffee maker to optimize the coffee flavor that comes from natural coffee oils.
And he did this by creating borosilicate glass in the shape of an hourglass to provide further control over the brewing process.
The beauty of the hourglass shape is enhanced by a wooden handle around the center of the device.
This unique invention has an understated elegance prompting its inclusion in several museums.
In 1943, the Museum of Modern Art proudly displayed the Chemex brewer as the best-designed product of that year.
And its simple functionality and proven performance make it a staple in homes and coffee shops worldwide.
What is the Hario V60?
The Hario V60 is another famous pour-over coffee maker. And both the Chemex and the V60 share their roots in the laboratory glassware field.
The Japanese company that produces the V60 has been around since the 1920s. And the company’s name translates to “the king of glass.”
Hario’s mission is to create safe and environmentally-friendly products that enrich the lives of those who use them. And they carry out this mission by designing high-quality, functional, and beautiful products.
The Hario V60 is a cone-shaped coffee maker made of various ceramic, plastic, glass, or metal products. It has a large hole in the center that allows hot water to flow evenly over the coffee grounds.
The V60 also has ridges on the inside of the cone. These spiral ribs help to create a spiral flow of water, which results in a more evenly brewed cup of coffee.
The Hario V60 is popular for pour-over coffee because it is simple and produces a great cup of coffee.
Chemex vs. Hario V60: Which is better?
All things considered, the Chemex and Hario V60 are incredibly similar, so the decision on which pour-over brewer is better comes down to personal preference.
But there are a few things to know when choosing between the Chemex and V60 models.
Materials
The Chemex is made of heat-resistant glass, while the V60 comes in plastic, glass, ceramic, or metal. If you plan on taking your pour-over brewer camping or traveling, the V60 plastic dripper might be your best option.
If you’re a camping enthusiast, check out our post on the best camping coffee grinders.
Aesthetic Appeal
The Hario V60 has a simple, modern design. Although it’s not ugly, it’s probably not a piece you want to display on your counter.
If you’re looking for aesthetic appeal, the Chemex has an understated elegance prompting its feature in several magazines. It’s a beautiful piece that blends well with a wide range of kitchen decor.
Everyday Practicality
Both the Chemex and Hario V models are advertised as dishwasher safe.
But the wooden handle and the leather tie on the Chemex should be removed before putting it in the dishwasher. And washing the Chemex by hand is somewhat challenging due to the shape.
In summary, stick with the Hario if you want a streamlined cleaning experience.
And if you have kids around, you may want to stick with the plastic models offered by Hario as well because they bounce rather than shatter.
Capacity
The Chemex comes in various sizes ranging from 3 to 13 cups.
And the Hario also comes in 3 different sizes, aptly referred to as 1, 2, and 3. Size 1 can brew up to 2 cups of coffee, size 2 can brew up to 4 cups, and size 3 can brew up to 6 cups.
Chemex is your best option if you need to brew for a crowd.
Filters
Both models require filter paper.
The size and consistency of the filters are slightly different, so they are not interchangeable. Hario filters are slightly cheaper than Chemex so if the recurring price to operate is the most important thing, stick with Hario.
,Extra Equipment
Aside from the filters, you will also need a gooseneck kettle to properly brew pour-over coffee. This kettle is the best way to evenly distribute water over the grounds to produce the best coffee.
You may also want to invest in a burr coffee grinder to optimize this aspect of the brewing experience. The Chemex requires a medium grind, while the Hario requires a finer grind.
The Chemex doesn’t require a separate holding container. There are Hario sets that contain a separate serving vessel, but you may be able to substitute your own container to catch the dripped coffee. You can otherwise purchase the extra pot separately.
, , ,Some coffee aficionados even purchase a scale so their coffee and water components reach expert-level exactness. But you can brew a cup of good coffee without the scale.
Effort
Making a cup of pour-over coffee is a more labor-intensive way to brew. From grinding the beans to waiting for the bloom, one cup of coffee can take 10-15 minutes to make.
If you’re a set-it-and-forget-it person, pour-over coffee is probably not for you.
But if you love tinkering with your equipment and working on mastering your barista skills, you need to try this brew!
How do you make pour-over coffee?
Great coffee starts with fresh coffee beans. There are slight differences in each type of pour-over brewer. You can get away with a coarse grind if you have a Chemex. The Hario requires a slightly finer grind.
By using a gooseneck kettle, you can control how the water saturates the ground coffee. Once the water is hot, wet the filter. Add the ground coffee to the filter.
Using a circular motion, add the hot water to the ground coffee. Add enough to saturate the coffee, and then let it sit for 30 seconds. This is called allowing the coffee to bloom.
After 30 seconds, add more water and allow the water to saturate the grounds and drip through the device. Keep gradually adding water until you’ve brewed your desired amount of coffee.
Brewing the perfect cup of pour-over takes practice. But all that effort is worth the work when you have a perfectly brewed cup of joe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pour-over coffee taste better than other types of coffee?
Many coffee lovers feel that pour-over coffee tastes better than any other type of coffee. Try it for yourself to see what you think!
Where can you buy filters for pour-over coffee brewers?
Filters for Chemex and Hario pour-over brewers are available online at Amazon. Your local grocery store may also carry them.
Does pour-over coffee require electricity to make?
Not exactly. As long as you have a way to heat water, there is no electricity required to make this type of coffee.
Can you make flavored coffee in a pour-over brewer?
Yes! You can make any of your favorite brewed coffee varieties with this device.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to replace your current coffee maker or are simply feeling adventurous, you can’t go wrong with either the Chemex or the Hario.
Both devices produce great-tasting coffee! Pour-over coffee is a great way to make a delicious cup of coffee.
And whether you’re a beginner or an experienced barista, Chemex and Hario offer an easy way to make a great cup of coffee. With a bit of practice, you’ll be brewing the perfect cup of pour-over coffee in no time!
If you loved this post, make sure you check out our other binge-worthy content:
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References
https://www.chemexcoffeemaker.com/gallery/album/history
