The Best Answer:
The Chemex coffee maker is designed to provide a rich, full-bodied coffee with a complex and flavourful taste profile that has been described as earthy, sweet, and nutty. The Hario V60 produces a strong cup of dark java that has an intensity in its aroma.
Being able to make coffee at home with a Chemex or Hario V60 is a true art form. It takes the right kind of equipment, the right kind of coffee, and the proper steps to ensure that you can make the highest-quality cup of coffee possible.
The Chemex is a pour-over, paper-filter coffee maker. This means that the coffee is brewed in a glass cylinder, making it easy to see how much water you need to add for a specific grind. The Hario V60 is a dripper that uses a ceramic cone to brew coffee from a paper filter.
Even though both the Chemex and Hario V60 are different ways to make coffee, they share many important similarities. In this article, we will take a look at the similarities between these two coffee makers and their differences.
The Chemex
The Chemex is a unique brewer made from thick, heat-resistant glass. It is said to produce one of the best cups of coffee due to its ability to filter out harsh flavors and the inimitable clarity of its brewed coffee.
The Chemex was invented by a scientist named Peter Schlumbohm. He created an hourglass-shaped coffee maker that featured a wooden collar around the top of the glass to hold the filter paper in place.
The Chemex has been continuously produced since its inception in 1941, making it one of the most enduringly popular coffee makers!
Chemex Brewing Water Temperature
The ideal water temperature for brewing your coffee in a Chemex is between 195°F and 205°F. This is exactly what most coffee experts recommend using for pour coffee makers.
Letting your water go just slightly above boiling before pouring it through the filter will produce the best results.
Chemex Brewing Time
The whole process of brewing a pot of coffee with a Chemex takes about five minutes. The first three minutes are dedicated to pre-heating the glass cylinder so the coffee doesn’t become bitter.
TIP: While the water is heating, you can measure out your grinds and pre-heat your cup so it stays warm.
Chemex Coffee Taste
The flavor the Chemex produces is full-bodied, bold, and smooth. It also has an incredible aroma that is not bitter like some drip-coffee makers. This makes it ideal for those who like their coffee without any cream or sugar.
Keep in mind that the taste can change depending on the type of coffee used. There are many different blends out there that will produce different tastes.
EXTRA: Unlike many other pour-over coffee makers, you can actually get different Chemex designs with unique colors and patterns. They do, however, all use the same basic materials to make one cup of coffee!
Cleaning The Chemex
Cleaning the Chemex is incredibly easy. First, you should use a brush to remove any grounds that may have stuck to the sides of the glass. Simply brush with warm water and soap and then rinse with cold water.
If you have a metal filter, you can use a little bit of vinegar to get rid of any remaining coffee stains. Be sure to rinse thoroughly after using the vinegar, because it can leave an unpleasant taste if forgotten.
If you use paper filters be sure to throw them away in the recycle bin. They are biodegradable and can be composted so the choice is yours.
Chemex Price
The Chemex costs a little more than most other pour-over coffee makers. This is mostly because of the glass design and the fact that glass is more expensive than metal.
It is also possible to get a custom version of the Chemex that matches your kitchen decor. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative, there are some ceramic dripper styles that produce similar quality brews at a lower price point.
Chemex Grind Size
Brewing coffee with Chemex requires a medium-coarse grind. There are many different grind types out there, such as light-coarse, medium-fine and extra-fine.
The medium-coarse setting is perfect for making a delicious cup of coffee. Using this setting allows all of the flavors to be extracted from the ground beans. This results in great taste without having to use a lot of caffeinated grounds.
Chemex Filters
The Chemex uses filters made from ultra-thin and light paper.
Caution Beginner’s Tip: The filter is not a permanent part of the glass, so you can remove it from the top and throw it away after each use.
You can also you metal filters with the Chemex. They are easy to clean and should last for years. Most people just throw away the metal filter after some use, but if you want to keep using them you have to clean them regularly.
Chemex Durability
We should not forget that the Chemex is made out of glass. It is important that you handle it with care because it can break or crack if you drop it.
To protect your Chemex from breaking, you should keep it in a protected place when not in use.
Read Also: Moka Pot vs Chemex: Which One to Choose?
Pros
- Fast brewing process
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Can break
- Can be expensive
The Hario V60
The Hario V60 is one of the most popular drip coffee makers available today. It looks a little different from your traditional drip machine with its cone-shaped pot, but it still produces a quality cup of coffee.
The main advantage to using the Hario V60 is that it produces a smooth, even brew that doesn’t leave the coffee tasting bitter when over-brewed.
Hario V60 Brewing Water Temperature
The best temperature to put your water at is between 195F and 205F. This is the same temperature that a traditional Chemex would be used at.
The most important thing to remember is that you want your water to be just below boiling because this will prevent the coffee from becoming bitter.
Hario V60 Brewing Time
The brewing time for a Hario V60 is a little bit less than what you will get with the Chemex. The entire process takes about three minutes.
The brewing time differs depending on how strong you want your coffee to taste. If you like it strong, then you should use a coarser grind and let the coffee brew for a little longer.
This will produce the strongest cup of coffee out of your dripper because a coarser grind results in more caffeinated grounds being used.
V60 Taste
The taste is usually going to be very similar between the two brewers. They will both produce a bold, full-bodied taste that is not too bitter.
You also may find that coffee made using the Hario V60 has a little bit more of a fruity flavor than what you would get from the Chemex. This does vary depending on the type of bean used.
Cleaning The Hario V60
Cleaning the Hario V60 is just as easy as cleaning the Chemex. You can use warm water with a brush to get all of the grounds from the sides of your cone, and then use cold water to rinse everything away.
If you don’t have a brush, you can still get the coffee grounds off your cone with warm water and some paper towels. After cleaning it, you can use either vinegar or lemon juice to get rid of any remaining stains.
Hario V60 Price
A common Hario V60 costs between $15 and $20. This is not too much more than other pour-over coffee makers.
There are some models that are more expensive, but they also produce a higher quality cup of coffee. They can cost between $25 – $50, but if you are really serious about your coffee they are worth the investment.
Hario V60 Grind Size
The Hario V60 uses a fine-medium grind. This is perfect for using with the pour-over method because a finer grind produces a stronger cup of coffee.
As long as you use the right amount of coffee and water, you should not have any trouble getting a good cup of coffee from your Hario v60.
Hario V60 Filters
As with the Chemex, the Hario V60 uses both paper and metal filters. The paper filters are biodegradable and reusable. The metal filters are fairly easy to clean, but they can sometimes rust if they aren’t cleaned properly.
TIP: If you want to save some money go with the metal filter option. It will cost you a little more upfront, but you can reuse it for years to come.
Hario V60 Durability
The Hario V60 is made of ceramic. It is important that you handle it with care to prevent it from breaking, but it is a fairly durable piece of equipment.
To protect your V60 from breaking, you should put it in a protective holder when not in use.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Cheap
- Fairly Durable
Cons
- Taste can be more bitter than chemex
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
FAQ
Does the same kone filter fit both the Chemex and the V60?
Yes, both the V60 and the Chemex use standard cone filters.
Does it make a difference drinking out of a Chemex or a V60?
Yes, there are some differences that you may notice in your cup of coffee. The main difference is strength. A stronger true strength at around 205°F will produce more intense flavors when using a V60.
If you are looking for stronger coffee, a V60 brewed with this strength will work best for you.
Last Thoughts
If you are looking for a brew that is less expensive than the Chemex, the Hario V60 is a great option. The taste is close to what you would get with a Chemex, but it doesn’t take as long to get your coffee made.
If you want to save some money and still have a great-tasting cup of coffee then the V60 may be the best option for you. Otherwise, you can go with the Chemex!
More Comparisons
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- French Press vs V60: Which Is Better?
- AeroPress vs V60: Which Is A Better Coffee Maker?
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!