Chemex vs Hario V60: Which Pour-Over Coffee Maker is Right for You? - Twisted Goat Coffee Roasters

Chemex vs Hario V60: Which Pour-Over Coffee Maker is Right for You?

May 22, 2023Meagan Mason

 

Are you stuck between two great coffee brewers; Chemex and a Hario V60? Let's take a brew-tiful stroll down the path of pour-over coffee makers and help you decide which is the best for you!

From the differences in design, taste, ease of use, portability, budget, and overall brew to the science of grind size, bloom, filtration rate, and more - this article will have all the answers to your brewing coffee ever-questions, and a closer look at the Chemex vs v60.

So grab your favorite mug, and let's get brewing coffee!

The Basics:

  • Brewing the perfect cup of joe requires a wild ride on either the Chemex's wide-mouthed funnel or V60's ridges.

  • Find your perfect filter to unlock the full potential of your cup of coffee.

  • Choose between the Chemex and the Hario V60 for the cup that suits your fancy!

     

What is a Chemex

 

A Chemex coffee maker with a glass carafe and wooden collar

It's a stylish pour-over brewer made of heat-resistant glass, with a wooden collar and leather tie - the perfect accessory for your morning coffee. The Chemex filters are definitely special too - they're thicker than your average paper filters, and they're folded into a cone shape to fit perfectly on top of the container.

A Chemex brews up a bright, clean cup of joe with a balanced acidity and clear taste, so it's no wonder that coffee enthusiasts everywhere love it. When it comes to the grind size for Chemex, it's all about what flavors you're after.

If you make coffee grind go too fine, the coffee grounds may clog up the thick filter and cause over-extraction to occur, so make sure to stick to the coffee elite's grind-settings of 18-22 on Baratza Encore grinder. With the right coffee grind size, you can be sure to get the best possible brew from your Chemex.

 

What is a Hario V60

 

A Hario V60 coffee maker with a glass carafe and paper filter

 

Hario V60 is a pour-over coffee brewing device made of glass with a spiral ridged interior, so you can get your hands-on the coffee equipment and have more control over the brewing process. This design helps to ensure that the coffee grounds are evenly extracted and the air can escape through the spiral ribs, as the dripper is perfectly angled at 60-degrees.

The Hario V60 filters are thinner than a supermodel and come in a variety of materials like plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, and even copper - for the fancy folks.

To use the Hario V60, simply place the dripper on your cup of choice, pop in the filter, add your medium ground coffee, and slowly pour in the water in a circular motion using a gooseneck kettle for precision - the coffee will drip into your cup in no time! Once it's done, just take the slow brew out the V60 and chuck away the filter.

 

What is Pour-Over Coffee?

 

A person pouring hot water over a coffee filter filled with freshly ground coffee beans 

Pour-over coffee is a manual brewing method of brewed coffee that uses coffee filters to capture the fullest coffee flavor from freshly ground coffee beans. This method of making coffee has become popular in many coffee shops and specialty coffee outlets, and has been embraced by many coffee enthusiasts as a great way to make delicious coffee.

The brewing process of pour-over coffee is simple, yet requires precision and skill. To brew a cup of pour-over coffee, you'll need to select the right coffee filter, grind the coffee beans to the right size, and then use a slow, steady pour with a gooseneck kettle to evenly saturate the coffee grounds within.

This process takes more time and effort than an automatic drip coffee maker, but the results are worth it. The even extraction of the coffee grounds and coffee oils ensures that your cup of joe will have a balanced coffee flavor.

Many coffee enthusiasts believe that pour-over coffee produces the best possible coffee brew.

 

What’s the difference between Chemex and V60?

Oh those two, Chemex and Hario V60, they're the crème de la crème of pour-over coffee makers – a staple in the drip coffee makers and coffee world together, if you will. When comparing the two, you'll notice the hourglass shape, wooden collar, and leather tie of the Chemex, and the cone shape with spiral ridges of the Hario V60.

Chemex filters are thicker than Hario V60 filters, and the grind size for Chemex should be a bit finer than usual to balance out the wide opening where filters sit, while Hario V60 needs a medium-fine to fine range.

Chemex has a tea-like body and can bring out floral notes, while Hario V60 is bright, sweet, and complex, especially great for coffees with fruity notes. Hario V60 is simpler to use, while Chemex is quite forgiving if the last coffee grind required here is a bit finer or coarser. Hario V60 is more durable, but Chemex is often considered superior.

Its thick filters, glass design and unique shape are the factors that contribute to its superiority. Plus, Hario V60 is more portable and budget-friendly than Chemex coffee.

The age-old debate between Chemex and Hario V60! It really comes down to your personal preferences – design, filters, brewing process, taste, ease of use, portability, budget, and of course, the overall brew. Why not sample a cup of each at your friends' houses or coffee shops to make your decision? There's no harm in trying both to find the best possible coffee brew.

After all, both the Chemex and the Hario V60 are great coffee brewers! 

Chemex sizes and styles

Chemex has an array of sizes and styles to choose from.

There are six sizes and three different lines of coffee brewers, all made of clear borosilicate glass so that you can enjoy the beautiful presentation of your coffee.

The six sizes range from a single cup to a whopping thirteen cups, so there's sure to be something for every coffee enthusiast. The three lines include Classic, Handblown, and Ottomatic, giving you a range of options to craft the perfect cup of coffee. The most popular sizes are the six and eight-cup models.

And, of course, let's not forget the clear glass that gives your beer an extra touch of elegance. Whether you're just brewing coffee for one or the whole family, Chemex has the perfect size for you.

So, what makes Chemex so special? The simple answer is that it's an all-in-one coffee maker designed to make a balanced cup of coffee with a smooth flavor. Its design is sleek and modern, and its filters are designed to allow for a medium-coarse grind that ensures quality coffee.

Plus, you can find Chemex coffee makers at many specialty coffee outlets, as well as some grocery stores and online retailers. With both the Chemex and the Hario V60, you can brew multiple cups of coffee in one go. Both are top coffee brewers, and it ultimately comes down to personal preference when deciding which hot water coffee brewer is right for you.

Whether you go with the Chemex or the Hario V60, you can be sure that you're getting a balanced slow coffee flavor with every sip. Each brewer requires its own type of coffee filter and grind size, so you'll need to make sure you have the right components for your chosen coffee device first.

The brewing process may take a bit of practice, but the end result is worth it. With its wide range of sizes and styles, Chemex is a great choice for any coffee enthusiast looking for a reliable and stylish coffee maker.

No matter which brewer you choose, you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee each and every morning.

 

What’s the difference between Chemex and V60?

Chemex vs v60 has a wide-mouthed funnel, while V60 has ridges like a roller coaster - so the water can take a wild ride.

Though they look similar, Chemex vs v60 and V60 have some key differences that set them apart.

With the Chemex, you'll need a coarser coffee grind, and the water must pass through the coffee grounds before it can reach your cup. This results in a smoother, more sophisticated taste. The last thing we need is an under extracted coffee in the morning.

On the other hand, the Hario V60's ridges let water filter around the edges, giving you a fuller-bodied flavor. The V60 also requires a finer grind and a more precise pouring technique to make water flow avoid over-extraction.

 

Design

Chemex is all about brewing up a clean cup, while Hario V60 is all about finding that perfect balance between effectiveness and over-extraction with its gravity-friendly angle. The Chemex rocks an undeniably gorgeous hourglass shape, with a wooden collar and leather tie to complete the sophisticated ensemble.

The inside of a Hario V60 is like a whirlpool of coffee-making goodness, with ridges that swirl around the cone. The Chemex coffee maker has a wide glass funnel that tapers down to the “neck”. This shape gracefully leads into the carafe at the bottom.

Filters

Paper filters for optimal extraction are the preferred choice for both Chemex and Hario V60. If you look at Chemex vs v60, the Chemex filters are thicker and more selective, while V60 filters are thinner and more open, allowing more flavor and oils to pass through.

When it comes to availability, Chemex filters have been the most conveniently located, while V60 filters are typically the least hassle to track down.

With the right filter, you can dial up the flavor of your beer no matter which brewer you choose. When selecting the right filter for your brewery, it's important to consider the type of paper used and the size of the holes.

For Chemex, you'll want to look for special paper filters that are designed to fit the shape and size of the funnel. For the Hario V60, you'll want to make sure the paper filter is large enough to fit the ridges with a bit of room to spare.

With the right filter, you can get the most out of your coffee maker and enjoy a great cup every time.

Brewing Process

Well, the exit hole in both of these pour-over devices is bigger than your average bear, so if you don't get your grind size and rate of pour just right, you'll be sipping on some pretty sad coffee.

The Chemex needs a bit more crunch, while the V60 requires something a bit finer - like sand.

If you want to unlock the full potential of your V60, you need to get the tempo of your water just right. If you don't take it easy, most of the water will be in such a hurry to leave that it'll go straight through the paper filter and leave you with an under-extracted cup of joe.

To get the perfect brew, you'll need to find the right balance between grind size, filter type pour water amount, rate of the pour water amount, and timing.

Taste

Ah the age-old debate! When it comes to taste, Chemex and Hario V60 are worlds apart. The Chemex design produces a more consistent brew, but can leave you with a bitter taste if you go too fine on the grind.

On the other hand, the Hario V60's ridges let hot water filter around the edges, giving you a cup of joe that's packed with flavor. For those of us still honing our craft, it can sometimes produce a less-than-stellar cup that's not exactly a treat for the taste buds.

But for those who have mastered the art of the V60, you'll be rewarded with coffee that's bursting with flavor and showcases the unique characteristics of the beans used.

Ease of Use

Neither the Chemex nor the Hario V60 coffee brewer will leave you in a sweat - they both have the same level of ease. For those who are new to the pour-over coffee game, Chemex is the better pick - much more forgiving.

This is mainly due to its thicker filter and larger hole in the bottom, making it easier to regulate the water flow and dodge over-extraction.

When you've got a lot of coffee-loving friends, the Chemex is also the way to go - it comes in larger sizes, so you can brew plenty of coffee to go around. Set up, clean up, and portability also make coffee-slinging a cinch, and the Hario V60 is a breeze to clean up.

Portability

For those who enjoy their coffee on the go, portability is key. The Chemex and Hario V60 have different approaches to portability, with the Chemex being the more delicate flower.

The Hario V60 pour over is small enough to fit in your backpack, and its sturdy plastic or metal material (compared to more delicate borosilicate glass) makes it the perfect companion for your adventures. There are also *handy* options available for Chemex filters to make it easier to take it on the go.

Overall, the Hario V60 pour over is the clear winner when it comes to portability - it's smaller, lighter, and more travel-friendly than the Chemex. But it really comes down to personal preference - if you're looking for something to take with you on your travels, the Hario V60 is the way to go.

But if you're looking for a pour-over coffee maker that can make a larger batch of coffee, the Chemex is the more logical choice to add to your standard morning coffee routine.

Budget

Anywhere from 47 to a whopping 85 dollars depending on the size and material you fancy. Chemex filters cost you a pretty penny, while Hario V60 filters come in at a bargain. But it's not all about the cost - Chemex offers a luxurious brewing experience, while Hario V60 is more suited for those looking for an adventurous and unique cup.

Ultimately, the choice between Chemex and Hario V60 comes down to personal preference and budget. The Chemex may be the pricier option, but it's worth it for the delicious cup of coffee and the pleasure it brings. On the other hand, the Hario V60 is more affordable and gives you the chance to explore specialty coffee in your own kitchen.

 

Chemex Vs. Hario V60: Choose Your coffee Brewer

It's a tough call, but if you're looking for a pour-over coffee maker, it's got to be either of these two coffee brewers, the Chemex or Hario V60. While they may look like twins, Chemex and Hario V60 have some key differences. From filters to the brewing process, taste, ease of use, portability, budget, and brew, they each have their own unique traits.

The author fancies the Chemex more than the Hario V60, as it offers a more delicious coffee, and delightful cup of coffee, plus it's bigger and simpler to brew a bigger batch.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preference and technique between the pour overs. If you're looking for a smooth and clean cup, then the Chemex is for you. But if you want a more vibrant and complex cup, then the Hario V60 is the right choice.

So don't be afraid to explore both of these two delicious coffee creators and find the one that suits your fancy.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is better V60 or Chemex?

It's hard to choose between the classic V60 and Chemex coffee filters - each offers a unique experience. The Chemex uses thicker filters, producing the clearest coffee imaginable, while the V60's more forgiving grind size offers greater flexibility for those who like to experiment.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

Is Chemex easier than V60?

It's a tie- you'll need to get in the know on the techniques of either Chemex or V60 if you truly wish to become a coffee pour over master!

Both Chemex and V60 offer unique coffee brewing devices and methods that require different techniques. Chemex uses a thicker filter paper, while V60 uses a thinner filter paper. Both methods require different grind sizes and different pouring techniques. With practice, you can become a master of the art.

Why is V60 finer than Chemex?

The Hario V60's filter is notably finer than the filter used in the Chemex, meaning that its coffee extraction produces slightly more nuanced and stronger flavor.

That being said, both coffee maker models the Chemex and the V60 let you achieve a great cup of coffee if you follow the right instructions!

Does coffee taste better with a Chemex?

Yes! The unique filter, all glass construction, and special shape of the Chemex help ensure that what you taste in your cup is pure, delicious coffee.

Enjoy your next cup of joe with a Chemex for a flavor experience like no other!

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