If you are a coffee lover, you have probably heard of pour-over coffee and the two most popular brewing methods – Chemex and Hario V60. Both are excellent devices that can make a great cup of coffee. However, choosing between them can be daunting, especially if you are new to pour-over brewing. This article aims to help you understand the differences between Chemex vs Hario V60, so you can decide which is right for you.
Understanding Chemex
The Chemex is a unique coffee brewing device invented in 1941 by a German chemist, Peter Schlumbohm. It is a pour-over coffee maker that uses a thick paper filter and a glass carafe to produce a clean and balanced cup of coffee. The Chemex has gained popularity among coffee enthusiasts for its simplicity, elegance, and ability to highlight the nuanced flavors of specialty coffee.
The design of the Chemex is simple yet ingenious. The carafe is made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass and has an hourglass shape that tapers toward the bottom. A narrow neck with a lip at the top of the carafe holds the paper filter in place. The filter is made of heavy-duty paper thicker than most pour-over filters, which helps trap more sediment and oils from the coffee.
To brew coffee with a Chemex, you’ll need freshly roasted coffee, a burr grinder, a digital kitchen scale, a kettle, a Chemex filter, and a Chemex. Here’s how to do it:
- Heat water: Bring a kettle to a boil and let it cool for a minute or two until the temperature reaches between 195-205°F (90-96°C), the ideal range for coffee extraction.
- Grind Coffee: Grind your coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency (similar to kosher salt) using a burr grinder. Aim for about a 1:16 coffee-to-water ratio, so for every 1 gram of coffee, you’ll need 16 grams of water.
- Rinse Filter: Place the paper filter into the Chemex and pour some hot water over it to rinse out any papery taste and preheat the carafe. Discard the water.
- Add Coffee: Add the ground coffee to the filter and gently tap or shake the Chemex to level the coffee bed.
- Bloom: Pour about 50-60 grams (two times the amount of coffee in grams) of hot water over the coffee, making sure to wet all the grounds evenly. Wait for 30 seconds to allow the coffee to bloom and release any trapped gases.
- Brew: Slowly pour the remaining hot water over the coffee in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outward. Aim to finish pouring within 3-4 minutes. The coffee will drip through the filter and into the carafe.
- Serve: Once the brewing is complete, remove and discard the filter. Pour the coffee into your mug, and enjoy!
One of the advantages of using a Chemex is that it produces a clean cup with no sediment or oils, which can be a concern with other brewing methods like French press or espresso. The paper filter traps those particles, producing a bright, crisp coffee with a smooth body and nuanced flavors. The Chemex is an elegant piece of equipment that makes a beautiful centerpiece on any coffee lover’s countertop.
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Understanding Hario V60
Hario V60 is a popular pour-over coffee brewing device that has gained widespread popularity among coffee enthusiasts due to its ability to produce a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. First, the basic principles of pour-over coffee brewing are essential to understand how the machine works.
Pour-over coffee brewing involves pouring hot water over ground coffee beans to extract the flavor compounds and oils from the beans. The water is typically poured in a controlled and measured manner to ensure that all coffee grounds are evenly saturated. This process creates a smooth and well-balanced cup of coffee.
The Hario V60 is designed to facilitate this pour-over brewing process by providing a cone-shaped brewing chamber with spiral ridges on the inner wall. These ridges create a space between the filter and the cone’s walls, allowing air to escape during brewing. This helps to prevent the filter from clogging and ensures that the coffee grounds are evenly extracted.
To use the Hario V60, you must grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency. Next, rinse a paper filter into the V60 with hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat the brewer. After discarding the rinse water, add the ground coffee to the filter and level it out.
Then, slowly pour hot water over the coffee in a circular motion, starting from the center and working your way outwards. Use a gooseneck kettle to control the water flow and ensure that all the coffee grounds are evenly saturated. The amount of water used should be proportional to the amount of coffee used, typically around a 1:16 or 1:17 ratio of coffee to water.
As the water passes through the coffee, it will extract the flavor compounds and oils and drip into the carafe or mug below the Hario V60. Brewing a cup of coffee with the Hario V60 typically takes around 3-4 minutes.
What is Pour-Over Coffee?
Pour-over coffee is a method of brewing coffee where hot water is poured over coffee grounds in a filter, allowing the water to extract the coffee’s flavors and aromas as it passes through the settings. Pour-over coffee requires skill and patience, but it is worth the effort. The result is a clean, flavorful cup of coffee that highlights the unique qualities of the beans.
How to Make Pour-Over Coffee
Pour-over coffee is a manual brewing method that allows you to make a cup of coffee with a clean, bright flavor and a rich aroma. It requires a few simple tools and some patience, but the end result is worth the effort.
Here are the steps to make pour-over coffee:
- Gather your equipment:
- Pour-over dripper (such as Hario V60 or Chemex)
- Paper filter
- Coffee beans
- Burr grinder
- Kettle
- Scale
- Timer
- Mug
- Heat water in the kettle to 200-205°F (93-96°C). This temperature range will extract the optimal flavors from the coffee beans.
- Grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency. You’ll need about 1 tablespoon (7 grams) of coffee for every 6 ounces (180 ml) of water.
- Place a paper filter into the pour-over dripper and wet it with hot water. This will remove any papery taste from the filter and also preheat the dripper.
- Discard the water used to wet the filter and add the ground coffee into the filter.
- Place the pour-over dripper over your mug.
- Start the timer and slowly pour enough hot water (about twice the amount of coffee grounds) over the coffee to saturate it evenly. Wait 30 seconds to allow the coffee to “bloom” (bubble up and release gas).
- Slowly pour the rest of the hot water over the coffee in circular motions, making sure to pour all the way to the edges of the filter. Keep pouring until the desired amount of coffee is brewed (usually around 3-4 minutes).
- Remove the pour-over dripper and discard the filter.
- Enjoy your fresh cup of pour-over coffee!
Tips:
- Use freshly roasted whole-bean coffee for the best flavor.
- Use a burr grinder to ensure consistent grind size.
- Pour slowly and steadily to prevent over-extraction or under-extraction.
- Experiment with different coffee-to-water ratios and brew times to find your preferred taste.
Chemex vs Hario V60: What’s the Difference?
Both Chemex and Hario V60 are excellent pour-over brewers, but they differ in several key aspects, including grind size, funnel design, filters, and a variety of sizes.
Grind Size
The grind size is crucial in pour-over brewing, as it affects the extraction rate and the flavor of the coffee. You need a coarser grind with Chemex, similar to sea salt, to prevent the coffee from clogging the thick paper filter. On the other hand, Hario V60 requires a finer grind, similar to granulated sugar, to ensure a consistent flow rate and maximize the flavors.
Funnel Design
The funnel design of Chemex and Hario V60 is also different. Chemex has a wide neck and a thick paper filter, which allows for a slower and more controlled brewing process, resulting in a full-bodied coffee. Hario V60 has a narrow neck and spiral ridges, which promotes a faster flow rate and a clean, crisp cup.
Filters
The filters used in Chemex and Hario V60 are also different. The Chemex uses thick paper filters that remove any sediment from the coffee and provide a clean cup. However, the thick paper can absorb some of the oils and flavors from the coffee, resulting in a less complex cup. The Hario V60 uses thin paper filters that allow more oils and flavors to pass through, resulting in a coffee with a more nuanced flavor.
Variety of Sizes
Chemex and Hario V60 also differ in the variety of sizes available. Chemex is available in several sizes, ranging from 3 cups to 10 cups, and can also be purchased with a handle for easier pouring. Hario V60 is also available in several sizes but smaller than the Chemex sizes, ranging from 1-4 cups.
Which One to Choose: Chemex or Hario V60?
Choosing between Chemex and Hario V60 depends on your personal preferences. Here are some things to consider:
- If you prefer a full-bodied coffee with bright acidity and a clean finish, go for Chemex.
- If you prefer a light-bodied coffee with a delicate aroma and a nuanced flavor, go for Hario V60.
- If you want a slower and more controlled brewing process, go for Chemex.
- If you want a faster and cleaner brewing process, go for Hario V60.
- If you want a larger brewing capacity, go for Chemex.
- If you want a smaller, more portable device, go for Hario V60.
Both Chemex and Hario V60 are excellent pour-over brewers that can produce a delicious cup of coffee. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and brewing style.
Chemex Sizes and Styles
Chemex is available in several sizes, ranging from 3 cups to 10 cups. Each size has a unique shape and design, but they all share the same hourglass shape and thick paper filters. The classic Chemex has a wooden collar and leather tie, which gives it a vintage look. However, you can also find Chemex with a glass handle or a stainless steel band for a modern twist.
Here are the different Chemex sizes and their corresponding capacities:
- 3-cup: Makes up to 15 ounces of coffee
- 6-cup: Makes up to 30 ounces of coffee
- 8-cup: Makes up to 40 ounces of coffee
- 10-cup: Makes up to 50 ounces of coffee
Hario V60 Sizes and Styles
Hario V60 is available in several sizes, from 1 cup to 4 cups. Each size has a different color and design but shares the same cone-shaped dripper and spiral ridges. You can also find Hario V60 made from other materials, such as ceramic, glass, plastic, and metal.
Here are the different Hario V60 sizes and their corresponding capacities:
- 01: Makes up to 12 ounces of coffee
- 02: Makes up to 16 ounces of coffee
- 03: Makes up to 24 ounces of coffee
- 04: Makes up to 32 ounces of coffee
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chemex vs Hario V60 are excellent pour-over brewers that can produce a delicious cup of coffee. They differ in key aspects, including grind size, funnel design, filters, and various sizes. Choosing between them depends on your personal preferences and brewing style. If you prefer a full-bodied coffee with bright acidity and a clean finish, go for Chemex. If you prefer a light-bodied coffee with a delicate aroma and a nuanced flavor, go for Hario V60. Whatever your choice, remember to use freshly roasted beans, a good burr grinder, and high-quality water to achieve the best results.
