Chemex Ottomatic Coffee Maker Review: That Will Make You A Pro Barista In No Time

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on April 2nd, 2023

For decades, Chemex’s coffee maker has been the gold standard for pour-over coffee. It was even featured in the highly coveted MoMA collection. No wonder its Bauhaus-inspired look with its hourglass pitcher and leather-bound wooden grips give it such a clean aesthetic. 


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Chemex Ottomatic Coffee Maker

But today, we are talking about the Chemex accessories and the Ottomatic coffeemaker.

The unit comes with special paper filters to help brew your delicious cup. It’s also extremely easy to use: place freshly ground coffee beans in the Chemex-brand filter on top of the pitcher. Then, pour over hot water evenly. As a rule, consistent beans and water distribution accounts for a greater cup of Joe. 

While it’s easy to use, it still requires some learning curve to master. You need the correct water temperature and an accurate pouring process. For those in this modern world who do not want to go through that hassle, Chemex launched a new model called the Ottomatic, priced at $350.

With its price exceeding coffee makers like the single-cup Keurig K Supreme and the Bonavita BV1800, you’d know that it’s intended to compete with premium competitors. However, with a similar timeless design and an added simplicity in the process, the Ottomatic is worth looking into. 

The Ottomatic

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Specifications

  • Capacity: 40 oz (1183 ml)
  • Fits 3-, 5-, 6-, and 8-cup Chemex coffee makers
  • Made in Ireland by Maroc
  • Includes:
    • 6-Cup Classic Series Coffee Maker
    • Glass coffee maker cover
    • A pack of Chemex bonded filters
    • Coffee maker cleaner

The Chemex Ottomatic Coffee Maker is the hybrid between the iconic carafe and a modern automated coffee brewing system. The brew head pulsates with hot water for equal wet and bloom and ultimately for even extraction. Once the brewing is over, the unit automatically switches from brewing mode to heating the hot plate to keep your coffee warm for longer.

The Ottomatic comes with a 6-cup Chemex coffee maker, but it’s compatible with almost all the coffee makers, except for the largest ones. To brew, you must fill the tank to the line corresponding to your preferred coffee size, either 3, 5, 6, or 8. Then, put your coffee maker beneath the showerhead. Very simple, right?

Additionally, the Chemex Classic also comes with a pack of Chemex bonded filters, a glass coffee maker cover, and a Chemex coffee maker cleaner.

The brew

The Chemex Ottomatic utilizes a brewing temperature between 197.6F to 204.8F. You can also opt to brew between 16 oz to 40 oz. It takes about 45 seconds for brewing to be ready. You can have the best blooming and extraction with the stainless steel shower head and the pulsating brew head. It can brew up to 8 cups at a time, so that’s convenient.

“Greedy cup” spray head technology

The Ottomatic utilizes Chemex’s proprietary “greedy cup” showerhead. This promotes a staged brewing cycle wherein the pulsing water evenly wets the coffee bed to achieve even extraction.

Iced coffee mode

You can easily choose the unit’s iced coffee mode, allowing you to fill the carafe with ice for that delicious iced coffee.

Heating element

The heating element automatically switches on when the brew is done to keep the coffee warm. However, take note and always remember that once the heating element is turned on, it does not switch off unless you turn it off. So do not forget to do so!

The look

The Ottomatic still comes in the iconic hourglass carafe keeping the classic sophistication. The wood and leather tie it still comes with adds that timeless beauty feels to it. But, of course, the Ottomatic has a more modern feel with its polished chrome and matte black finish.

Does Chemex Ottomatic have plastic?

While this houses a plastic reservoir, it does not give off that funky plastic taste. If you do not enjoy any plastic build in your coffee maker, you can also alternatively check the Ratio Six Pour Over Coffee Maker Maker, which comes in Matte Black!

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Or Breville Precision Brewer Glass Coffee Maker, which is SCA certified and probably a bit better and costs a little less.

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You can check out other pour-over automatic coffee makers instead.

Descaling

Every coffee maker requires descaling. The Ottomatic requires it every 40 brew cycles or every 3 months, whichever comes first.

Pros

  • Useful manual
  • Quick brew
  • Easy-to-use controls
  • Easy-to-access water tank
  • Automated keep-warm setting

Cons

  • It didn’t brew at an optimal temperature when we tested
  • I wasn’t able to keep the coffee hot for a couple of hours
  • The coffee didn’t come out hot enough
  • Difficult-to-read markings on the tank
  • No carafe markings
  • The carafe is not dishwasher-safe
  • No automatic shutoff

How to use

  1. Plug the machine. It has a voltage rating of 120V.
  2. Fill the tank with cold water depending on your preferred capacity. 
  3. Switch the appliance to the “II” mode to let the water run through into the carafe without coffee (yet!).
  4. Let the unit cool down for about 5 minutes. You should repeat this twice before brewing coffee.
  5. Grind your whole beans medium coarse.
  6. Open a Chemex bonded coffee filter forming a cone shape with three layers on the side.
  7. Place the filter on the brewer with the three-layer portion covering the spout. 
  8. Now brew with one rounded tablespoon of grounded coffee for every 5 oz. Add more if you prefer a stronger cup!

Brewing with an activated hot plate

While brewing, there will be a solid red light display below the CHEMEX label on the base plate. Once the brewing process is over, the red light will change for a while. Take note that you should leave the glass carafe in place for 1-2 minutes more to allow more water to filter through. Then, take the filter out and serve!

The hot plate shuts off after 30 minutes automatically and is indicated by the white light blinking. You may reactivate this for another 30 minutes; switch to the “O” mode and then back to “I.” To confirm, the white light will be solid again.

Brewing with a deactivated hot plate

This is to brew iced coffee. Toggle the switch to the “II” mode, and a solid red light will display. Once done, it will turn into a blinking white light display. Leave the carafe again for about 1-2 minutes. Then, take the filter out and serve!

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.