Chemex vs. Hario – Finally, the classic Chemex goes up against the famous Hario V60 dripper. Which brewer is better?
What is a Chemex Pour-Over?
The Chemex coffee maker is a pour-over style coffee maker. Dr. Peter Schlimbohm invented first Chemex in 1941. A 8 cup Chemex pour-over is the only coffee brewer on permanent display at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Renown designer Ralph Caplan said the Chemex was “a synthesis of logic and madness”.


What is a Hario V60 Dripper?
The Hario Company started in 1921 in Toyko, Japan. In the beginning, they only made laboratory glassware. In the 1940s they expanded their business to include coffee brewing equipment. Alongside their coffee equipment, they also make heatproof glass and plastic products. Interesting, this now includes vehicle headlight glass and microwave cookware. Hario is a well-known and trusted brand among coffee connoisseurs.
How to Use a Pour Over
There is no right or wrong way to brew your coffee as long as you end up with a brew you like. This is true even with a Chemex vs. Hario! That stated, there are better and worse ways to use any brewer. Here’s how we like to brew with our pour-over. As with any brewer, the way that tastes good is the right one for you!. We recommend using this guide as a starting point. Feel free to adjust your methods to make the best brew for you.
- Set your filter in the brewer, and rinse it by pouring hot water through it. Discard the water.
- Measure out your coffee. We like to use 1 tbsp. per 4 oz. serving, but this is only the suggested amount. Test with a bit more or less coffee to see what tastes best to you. This amount will likely change for you depending on the coffee chosen, the blend, and degree of roast.
- Add medium-coarse ground coffee to the filter, which is back on the pour-over. For more info on coffee grind size, check out our Definitive Guide to Coffee Grinders.
- Pour fresh boiled water in a circular motion over the grounds.
- Let the grounds bloom for 10-30 seconds, allowing all the gasses to escape.
- Pour remaining water in a circular motion over the ground coffee.
- Once the coffee has dripped out, discard the filter and grounds.
- Enjoy!
Chemex Pour-Over vs. Hario V60 Dripper
Filters
Cone Design
Sizes of Brewer
The Hario V60 dripper comes in only one size. It is special designed to make 1 or 2 servings of perfect coffee. You get more variety in size with the Chemex, which comes in 3, 6, 8, and 10 cup formats. Additionally, some have wooden collars and others have glass handles.
Other Pour Over Options
You might also want to try the Clever Dripper. The Clever Dripper is not quite a pour over, but has all the appeal of one. But don’t take our word for it, check out our full article and review on the Clever Dripper.
Which Pour-Over Should You Buy?
Base the decision on which brewer to buy to match your coffee preferences and needs. Brewing coffee should be fun and easy. You don’t have to work hard to get a good cup of coffee. If you put good coffee into your brewer, good coffee will come out of your brewer. The most important thing to remember is that your coffee will taste best made the way you like it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Who invented the Chemex?
Dr. Peter Schlimbohm invented the Chemex in 1941. The original patent has remained the same since. He made the perfect brewer and stuck to it.
Who sells Chemex filters?
You can buy Chemex filters online in Canada from Cupper’s Coffee & Tea.
Are Chemex filters compostable?
Chemex filters are 100% compostable, and are a great addition to your compost with the used ground coffee.
Are Chemex filters bleached?
Cupper’s Coffee & Tea carried both bleached and unbleached Chemex filters.
Are Chemex dishwasher safe?
Yes, but with a caveat. If you have the wooden collared Chemex, remove the collar before washing it in the dishwasher.
Are Chemex coffee makers good?
We stand by our Chemex brewers. In fact, it’s the specific brewer our master roaster uses when he’s testing new coffees and roasts!
Is Chemex a pour-over?
Chemex Brewers of all sizes are all pour-over coffee brewers.
Is Chemex the best pour over?
Chemex is a very popular pour-over. Besides working well, they also have a lot of visual appeal.
Can Chemex go on a gas stove?
Usually with pour over brewers, you heat up your water in a kettle separate from the brewer. It is not recommended to heat your Chemex on a stove-top. Instead, if you have coffee sitting, we recommend using a thermal carafe to keep it fresh and hot. (Burners also scorch coffee if it’s sitting too long… think stale old coffee.)
Can Chemex go in the microwave?
A Chemex is not microwave safe. Please don’t use them in a microwave.
Can Chemex make espresso?
Where can I buy Hario V60 filters?
We sell Hario V60 filters at Cupper’s Coffee & Tea. We have bleached paper, unbleached paper, and reusable cloth filters for a Hario V60.
Is the plastic in a Hario V60 safe?
The plastic used in the Hario V60 pour-over is designed to stand up to high heat. It is BPA free and completely safe to use. A benefit of using a plastic pour over is it takes less heat to pre-warm the filter than glass or ceramic filters.
Is a Hario V60 dishwasher safe?
The Hario V60 brewers are dishwasher safe.
What grind do I use for a Hario V60?
We recommend using a medium-fine grind for pour-overs. For more information on grind type check out our Definitive Guide to Coffee Grinders.
Are Hario V60 filters compostable?
Hario paper filters are 100% compostable. For a reusable option try our Pinyon reusable cloth filters.
Is pour over coffee better?
Taste is the most subjective sense of all. If you enjoy pour over-coffee more than other methods, then it is the best option for you.
Is pour over coffee stronger?
If you want to brew a very strong cup of coffee we recommend adding more ground coffee to your pour-over filter. Check out our article on Brewing The Best Cup Of Coffee for more info on coffee proportions.
Does pour-over coffee have more caffeine?
An average cup of coffee will have about 95 mg of caffeine. For a coffee with more caffeine, you can try an espresso or try brewing your coffee stronger.
How long should a pour-over take?
Pour-overs often take around 4-5 minutes to pour and brew. Note there is no right or wrong amount of time for a pour-over to take as long as you enjoy the coffee you’ve brewed!