The Coffee Kits

Chemex vs Pour Over: Which One Gives You More Control Over Your Coffee?

If you are a coffee lover, you understand the importance of brewing a perfect cup of coffee. The taste, aroma, and strength of coffee depend on the brewing method you choose. Two popular brewing methods are Chemex and Pour Over. Both methods are manual and require some skills to master. However, they differ in several aspects.

What is Chemex?

Chemex is a manual pour-over brewing method that uses a specific glass carafe and filters. It was invented in 1941 by Peter Schlumbohm, a German chemist. Chemex brewing method involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter and letting it drip into a carafe. The Chemex filters are thicker than regular filters and remove more oils and impurities from the coffee, resulting in a cleaner cup of coffee.

What is Pour Over?

Pour Over is a manual brewing method that involves pouring hot water over coffee grounds in a filter. The water drips into a carafe or cup, producing a rich, flavorful cup of coffee. Pour Over is a straightforward method that requires a filter, a carafe or cup, and hot water.

Control Over Coffee

When it comes to controlling the coffee's taste, strength, and aroma, both Chemex and Pour Over offer some level of control. However, Chemex gives you more control over your coffee than Pour Over.

Control Over Water Temperature

Water temperature is a crucial factor in coffee brewing. The ideal water temperature for coffee brewing is between 195℉ to 205℉. With Chemex, you can control the water temperature more efficiently as the glass carafe keeps the water warm for longer. On the other hand, Pour Over does not offer any insulation, and the water can cool down quickly, making it difficult to maintain the ideal water temperature.

Control Over Brew Time

The brew time of coffee affects its taste and strength. With Chemex, you can control the brew time more efficiently as the carafe's size determines the amount of coffee you can brew at a time. Therefore, you can adjust the coffee's strength and taste by adjusting the amount of coffee grounds and water. With Pour Over, you have less control over the brew time as the amount of coffee you can brew at a time is limited by the size of the filter and the cup or carafe.

Control Over Coffee Grounds

The amount and size of coffee grounds affect the coffee's strength and taste. With Chemex, you can control the coffee grounds' size and amount better as the filters are thicker and can accommodate more coffee grounds. On the other hand, Pour Over filters are thinner, and the amount of coffee grounds is limited by the size of the filter.

The Verdict

Both Chemex and Pour Over are excellent brewing methods that produce a rich, flavorful cup of coffee. However, if you are looking for more control over your coffee, Chemex is the better option. With Chemex, you can control the water temperature, brew time, and coffee grounds better, resulting in a more consistent and customizable cup of coffee.