The Chemex is available in five different sizes to accommodate everyone’s needs. 3 cups, 6 cups, 8 cups, 10 cups, and 13 cups are available. Its size opens up a wide range of alternatives for how you intend to use it. This coffee maker is not only visually appealing, but it is also incredibly useful and fits wonderfully in any kitchen.
- The Chemex is a unique and popular coffee brewing appliance.
- The 6-cup and 8-cup Chemex sizes are ideal for most households.
- When selecting a Chemex size, the three major elements to consider are design, kettle size, and coffee grind coarseness.
- If you can’t decide between a handblown and a classic Chemex. Choose the classic; if you want an all-glass option that is easier to transport and clean, choose the glass handle variation.
This article will provide you with all of the information you need to select the appropriate Chemex sizes for your needs.
Few types of equipment in the coffee brewing world have the distinct look and function of a Chemex.
Since its tea-making days in 1941, the German invention has evolved into one of the most popular brewing equipment among coffee lovers worldwide.
However, when searching for a new Chemex, the wide range of numbers and sizes available can be confusing – after all, how do you choose the best one for you
The 6-cup and 8-cup Chemex sizes are suitable for most households. The equipment is also available in 3-cup, Chemex 10-cup, and 13-cup sizes. The 3-cup is the smallest size and is perfect if you just brew for one person. The 10 and 13 can be too large for a typical family but are ideal for brewing for a large group.
Continue reading to find out more about the most important factors to consider when buying a Chemex.
I’ll also educate you more about Chemex size possibilities and how to make the best-informed decision for your needs and desires.
What is Chemex?
If this is your first Chemex coffee maker, it is best to familiarize yourself with it. Chemex is not your typical coffee brewer. It’s an eye-catching pour-over coffee maker with an attractive glass design and a wooden handle.
Chemex may not appear to be anything exceptional at first glance, yet it has a long history. Chemex was invented in 1941 in New York City. Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, the inventor, was a scientist who sought to design a coffee maker that was both elegant and functional. That led him to the ultimate design of Chemex, which he patented. In addition, he invented and patented the Chemex filter.
Chemex’s main flask is composed of glass and shaped like an hourglass. with a heatproof neck collar. This collar could be made of glass or wood. The glass Chemex brewing makers are dishwasher safe, however, the wooden ones are not. The glass is also shaped in such a way that the filter fits snugly.
Chemex is a pour-over coffee maker, as opposed to other coffee brewing methods such as the French press. It works by pouring hot water over ground coffee and allowing it to drip down the filter before collecting it to make a cup of coffee.
Important Factors for Selecting a Chemex Size
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for determining the best Chemex sizes for you.
Even while some models are more popular than others, there are various aspects to consider when buying to ensure you’re getting the most out of your money.
When selecting a Chemex size, there are three important elements to consider:
- Design of kettle
- Size of kettle
- Coffee ground coarseness
Each of these components is essential for the process of a certain Chemex size. As a result, before delving deeper into the various size alternatives, I’ll walk you through these three decision-making considerations.
Design of kettle
The design of Chemex influences not just its appearance but also its performance.
Each model has unique materials, features, and subtle shape variations. As a result, pricing discrepancies may exist between them.
As a result, whether you’re trying to decide whether that pricy handblown Chemex is worth the money or if a classic design is preferable, keep reading to learn more about each alternative’s qualities.
Classic Chemex
Borosilicate glass has always been used in classic Chemex. This extremely tough material is known for overcoming significant temperature variations with minimal to no influence on structural integrity.
While other varieties of glass expand and compress when exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures, the borosilicate variant contains boron trioxide, which gives it an incredibly low coefficient of thermal expansion.
You can only imagine how useful this feature is when dealing with boiling hot water on a daily basis.
Furthermore, a classic Chemex collar is made of wood, making it easy to pick up and use the container as needed:
Because of their overall form and design, these models rarely appear in the 13-cup size, so you’ll most likely only discover four viable sizing options while shopping for one.
While the 6, 8, and 10-cup forms are more similar, the 3-cup cone has a completely distinct aspect, which is something to consider if you’re looking for a specific look, feel, or even taste (the angle of the cone can affect the taste of your coffee).
Handblown Chemex
This design’s nature is quite self-explanatory. These models are handcrafted and blown in small amounts.
As a result, their shape and size will vary somewhat from one Chemex to the next.
However, because they are handcrafted, they usually have a superior feel and overall look to their classic version, which many coffee enthusiasts appreciate.
As you may expect, this comes at an additional cost. A hand-blown Chemex can cost hundreds of dollars, which is more than twice the price of the standard kind.
As a result, if you’re looking to buy your first Chemex, I’d recommend going with the tried-and-true original to get a better sense of how you feel about the device and the quality of coffee it makes.
However, if you’re a genuine coffee lover willing to spend a premium for a hand-blown Chemex, there’s no reason you shouldn’t splurge on a hand-blown one.
Glass handle Chemex
Remember how I said a basic Chemex had a rustic wooden handle? If you want an all-glass alternative that is easy to transport and clean, I have just the thing for you.
A glass-grip Chemex has a gorgeous curving handle and an elegant yet useful design.
While you won’t find the same polished wood collar and leather tie, the glass handle variant will look stunning on your kitchen counter.
Glass-handled Chemexes are typically thicker and heavier than their original and handblown counterparts because the material in this case needs to be more insulating to keep your fingertips from being burned.
These devices, however, are easier to transport because they expose your hands to significantly fewer possible burns.
Furthermore, they are often easier to clean and maintain because they do not need to be disassembled before cleaning.
As a result, if you’re intending on brewing for a large group, glass handle Chemexes may be a preferable option.
However, if you live in a small place, this sort of Chemex may be too large for what you intend to use it for.
Size of kettle
We could talk about what Chemex size is the most functional and aesthetically beautiful addition to your kitchen all day. However, if your ideal option is incompatible with your kettle, it may be completely worthless. This is why.
If you want to brew for a bigger group and have chosen a 10-cup Chemex, but only have a 1-liter (33.8 oz) kettle to heat your water in, the amount of liquid you can add to your brewing device will be insufficient.
As a result, you’ll have to drain the kettle and rewarm the water, making the operation far more difficult than required.
Therefore, before devoting all of your time to deciding which Chemex size would best suit your demands, style, or kitchen, consider practicality and evaluate which one would match your existing kettle size.
Coffee Ground Coarseness
If you have a really tight morning routine, you already know that timing is important.
In general, you want the water to pass through your coffee grounds in less than four minutes.
However, depending on the coarseness of your coffee, you may need to bargain with your water volume to get your coffee ready on time.
This aspect may require some tweaking and experimentation to get just perfect. Keep in mind that coarser grounds will require more water to release their flavor and aroma within the specified 4-minute time frame.
4 Different Chemex Sizes
Even though I briefly addressed all Chemex size comparisons in recent sections, I felt they needed their own section if you were going to make your purchase decision on them.
In the next paragraphs, I’ll rule out the 13-cup choice because it’s usually impractical for the ordinary household and difficult to find.
These are some of the most common Chemex sizes, as well as what you should know about them:
- Chemex 3 cup: The 3-cup Chemex is the smallest size. It normally prepares one or two servings of coffee (16 ounces or 473 ml), making it suitable for folks who live alone and don’t want a huge Chemex taking up most of their counter space.
- 6-cup Chemex: With a capacity of 30 ounces (887 ml), this type is ideal for families of 2-3 persons.
- 8-cup Chemex: The 8-cup Chemex size is the most practical and popular among coffee-drinking households. Its 40-ounce (1.2-liter) volume translates to 6-8 cups.
- 10-cup Chemex: Although a less common option, this size is ideal for larger families. The 10-cup variant has a 50-ounce (nearly 1.5-liter) capacity and can make 10+ cups of coffee.
What Chemex Size is Preferable for Me?
Typically, a 6- or 8-cup Chemex should be purchased. The 6-cup holds 2-3 cups of coffee, while the 8-cup holds 6–8. If you’re only brewing for one, get the 3-cup version. If you want to brew ten or more cups of coffee at once, use the 10-cup option.
When making your decision, consider how much coffee you and your family will consume.
You should also consider how much space you have on your kitchen counter, as larger Chemex sizes can take up important counter space. Look at the table below to find the best possibilities once more:
FAQs
What is the standard Chemex size?
That would be the Chemex 8 cup. Because of its size and shape, this Chemex is the most commonly used. It is tall, but not too so. Its width also allows it to be filled to the brim of the cone without spilling over.
An 8 cup Chemex yields 40oz-48oz of brewed coffee. If you only have one or two people who drink coffee on occasion, this size may be ideal because it can be easily stored on a kitchen cabinet or pantry shelf when not in use.
Does Chemex size matter?
Except for the 3-cup, all of the Chemex brewers have the same angled cone, so size, in my opinion, determines how much the carafe can hold. More glass probably means more cooling, so you don’t want to go overboard. I’ve had several 8-cup cups and now have a 8-cup, which takes up a lot of space.
What sizes do Chemex come in?
The Chemex is available in five different sizes to accommodate everyone’s needs. 3 cups, 6 cups, 8 cups, 10 cups, and 13 cups are available. Its size opens up a wide range of alternatives for how you intend to use it. This coffee maker is not only visually appealing, but it is also incredibly useful and fits wonderfully in any kitchen.
Can you make 3 cups in a 6 cup Chemex?
Yes, it is possible; however, you must use less coffee and water. However, just because your Chemex is a little bigger doesn’t mean you can’t make a lesser batch. I’ve written down my method for brewing a 6-cup Chemex for 1, 2, and 3 cups below. Go ahead and give it a shot!
You Would Need
- Chemex: A 6 cup Chemex
- Coffee Grounds: 100g
- Water: 750mL/cc
- Time: Approx. 2 mins. 10 secs.
Process
I recommend using around 27 grams of coffee and 525 ml of water to make 3 cups with this 6 cup brewer. This should yield 1 cup in around 1 minute 20 seconds, 2 cups in about 1 minute 45 seconds, and 3 cups in about 2 minutes and 10 seconds.
However, experiment with the ratio and brewing time to achieve the flavor outcome you desire or that best suits your coffee!
How tall is a 6 cup Chemex?
From base to spout, a 6 cup Chemex stands 9 1/2 inches tall. When filled to the brim, it can produce around 1.25 US quarts of liquids. It is 3-1/4 inches in diameter
How much does a 6 cup Chemex hold?
The Chemex 6 Cup Coffee Maker is the ideal combination of style and chemistry, thanks to its iconic design and clean, sediment-free coffee. The 6-cup model has a capacity of 30 ounces and is ideal for brewing for 1-3 people.
How big is a 10 cup Chemex?
The Chemex Coffeemaker is a glass carafe that holds up to 50 ounces of brewed coffee beverages. The height of this Chemex is 9 1/4′′. The unique glass design incorporates an insulating sleeve around the outside of the carafe, providing a balance between flavor and aroma while keeping the coffee warm overnight.
Coffee Recipes You Should Try
- Piccolo Coffee: How to Make Piccolo Latte (Easy Recipe)
- What is an Iced Macchiato and How to make it (Recipe)
- Iced Spanish Latte: Make An Outstanding Latte In A Few Steps
Conclusion
The size of your Chemex will be determined by the amount of coffee you want to brew, the design you want, the size of your kettle, and the coarseness of your coffee grounds.
The 6-cup and 8-cup Chemex models are the most popular, as they can generate 2-8 cups of coffee, which is a good amount for the average household.
Check out the recipes below if you want to try some excellent coffee recipes that you can make with your Chemex!
