Are you a coffee enthusiast looking for the perfect brewing method? Are you stuck between choosing Chemex or Aeropress to make your favorite cup of joe?
In this blog post, we’ll compare and contrast the two methods, so you can decide which one is right for you.
Chemex vs. Aeropress: which one is better?
These machines are great and will always make you the best coffee. They are reasonably priced and rely on simplicity to get the job done. Let’s learn more about them.
Overview of Chemex and Aeropress
The Chemex and Aeropress are both popular coffee brewing methods that offer a range of advantages. The Chemex is a pour-over style brewer that requires a thick, specially designed filter to slow down water flow over the grounds. This helps extract more flavor and aroma from the grounds, producing a cup of coffee with bolder flavor and aroma than standard drip brewing can achieve.
On the other hand, Aeropress utilizes pressure brewing to make a single cup of coffee quickly. This method produces a brew that has an espresso-like boldness while still being smooth and easy to drink. Both brewers are also compact, portable, and economical, making them great options for those looking for convenience or budget-friendly options.
Aeropress
Need a hot cup of coffee quickly? This coffee maker will prepare it in under one minute. It produces coffee similar to espresso by forcing hot water and steam through grounds and a filter to extract the flavor.
The Aeropress was invented in 2005 by Alan Adler while trying to make his coffee less bitter. That is how he came up with this pressure-based brewing tool. It consists of a filter cap, plunger, and metal or paper filters.
Brewing with the Aeropress
Aeropress directly forces coffee through a filter (paper or metal) into a cup. The filter prevents oil and sediments from getting in the cup resulting in a perfect cup of coffee.
The AeroPress consists of two plastic cylinders. The larger one is the brewing chamber, and the second is the plunger that fits into the chamber.
Once you press the plunger down slowly, it pushes the water, adding pressure for better coffee extraction. The pressure is generated entirely by hand as you compress the coffee between the plunger and the ground coffee bed or micro-filter.
The full process takes less than 3 minutes, and the resulting brew is quite clean and much stronger than what you get with a Chemex. Read more on the Aeropress technique here.
- Place the Aeropress on top of your preferred mug.
- Pour a little water onto the ground coffee filter to avoid any paper taste in your final result while you preheat your vessel.
- Add the coffee.
- Pour the remaining water into the Aeropress and gently press the coffee into your cup until most of the water is gone.
Pros
- Short steeping time
- Provides great control of the pressure
- Small and portable can be used even for espresso
Cons
- Requires filters that are specific for an Aeropress
- Produces a single cup at a time
Chemex
Chemex has been around since 1941. Dr. Peter Schumbohm invented it. Its design is simple (one piece of glass shaped like an hourglass). The glass is heat resistant and features a wooden handle in the vessel’s middle.
The handle allows you to lift your Chemex and pour the coffee. This design also ensures you get a clean cup of coffee with no sediment and additional flavors.
Thanks to the thicker-than-usual paper filter and slow extraction.
Brewing with Chemex
- Begin by placing a paper filter into the Chemex and rinse it with hot water to remove the paper flavor and make the filter stick in place, pour it back into the pitcher.
- Add your coffee.
- Then pour a small amount of hot water into the Chemex and allow one minute and thirty seconds for the water to drip into the Chemex.
- Add the remaining water and wait for your coffee to brew before removing the filter.
Pros
- Elegant design
- Great filtration capability to get rid of sediments
- A flexible process that offers room for customization
- Designed using corrosion-resistant material
Cons
- Coffee is not as strong as the other methods
- Glass can break when not handled properly
- The process can be quite complicated for beginners
Differences between Aeropress vs. Chemex
Brew time
To brew with a Chemex, you must wait around 6-7 minutes to taste your coffee. Note that this will vary depending on how finely your coffee is ground.
If using an Aeropress, your brew time is nearly cut in half. Thanks to the pressure applied, your brew can be ready in under 3 minutes.
Skilled level required
New to the brewing game? The Aeropress will not disappoint you. It is easy to use and clean and requires no special training to start using it. On the other hand, Chemex is designed for more skilled coffee lovers, which is reflected in the brewing process.
The Aeropress is the easiest coffee machine to master.
Ease of use
In terms of ease of use, the Aeropress and Chemex are easy to use and require minimal setup time. The main difference between the two is in brewing time; At the same time, some users might find that they can get more consistent results from an Aeropress faster, while others might prefer the slower brew time of a Chemex, which allows for more control over flavor extraction.
Design and aesthetics
You won’t go wrong with a Chemex if you want something stylish and unique. Made out of a glass vessel and fastened with a cord and wooden handle, you will truly love seeing it in your house.
Aeropress is not that stylish but free of BPA, eco-friendly, and does a good job, so if you are looking for something to complement your décor, buy a Chemex.
Capacity
The Chemex is a great choice for making multiple cups of coffee. It comes in 4 sizes: 3, 6, 8, and 10 cups, and it can brew multiple cups of coffee in one go. On the other hand, the Aeropress is made for one cup at a time, making it better suited for single-serve brewing. If you need to make more than one cup of coffee quickly, the Chemex is likely your best option.
Durable
While both coffee makers are designed to last longer, the Chemex is more delicate as it is made of glass. So if you are prone to dropping things, buying an Aeropress made of heavy plastic makes sense.
Which makes better coffee?
Love espresso-based drinks? If yes, you will love every moment you brew with Aeropress. It makes coffee that is similar to espresso. That is a richer, stronger, and bolder brew.
But if your taste buds appreciate coffee that is not intense, grab a Chemex.
Price comparison
While both Chemex and Aeropress are fairly priced, Aeropress is less expensive than Chemex if you consider the amount of money you will spend in the long run on Chemex filters. These filters are a bit costly. You can still buy a Chemex if you love its coffee.
Infusion vs. immersion
A Chemex uses the infusion technique to make coffee. In this technique, hot water is poured continuously through a bed of coffee grounds sitting on top of a filter.
You need to be observant to maintain even saturation of the ground and prevent channeling. Otherwise, you will get an uneven cup of coffee.
Now comparing the two techniques, immersion (used by Aeropress) and infusion, we prefer infusion because of its effectiveness in extracting coffee compounds. The continuous pour of pure water makes sure you extract at maximum capacity.
- Portability
Both makers are portable compared to the standard electric coffee machines. You can bring them on your next camping trip.
Flavor differences between Chemex and Aeropress
The brewing method is the main difference between the flavors produced by Chemex and Aeropress. While Chemex uses a pour-over subtler method, Aeropress utilizes pressure brewing to produce an espresso-like boldness and flavor.
The Chemex is also known for its thick paper filter, which keeps coffee grounds from passing through and makes for an excellent cup of coffee. The Aeropress, on the other hand, uses a finer filter which allows more oils and acids from the beans to pass through, resulting in a bolder flavor.
When it comes to cost, it depends on what type of setup you have. The Aeropress requires less equipment than the Chemex, so it tends to be cheaper overall. However, if you have a large group of people who need coffee quickly, you’ll likely benefit more from using a Chemex, as it can brew several cups at once.
In terms of taste preference, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both methods produce delicious cups of coffee that are full of flavor. The main difference lies in how strong or mild you like your coffee; the Chemex produces subtle yet flavorful coffee, while the Aeropress delivers bolder espresso-like notes.
Final verdict: Which one to choose?
When choosing between Aeropress and Chemex, the ultimate decision will come from personal preference. For those looking for a cleaner brew that allows them to taste the true nature of their coffee beans, the AeroPress is an excellent option.
However, if you’re looking for a slower but more relaxing brewing method, Chemex is likely your best choice. Ultimately, there’s no “wrong” answer when choosing between these two pour-over methods – both are excellent options for making delicious cups of coffee!
Additionally, if you don’t want to settle for just one method of brewing, both methods can be used together for a truly unique and delightful cup of coffee every time.
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.
