By now, you should know that when it comes to buying the best coffee beans or trying different brewing methods, we’ve got you. There are different pour-over brewing methods to try. You should know by now that we are passionate about coffee and we strongly believe that nobody deserves a bad cup of coffee especially when they are starting their day. 

The pour-over brewing method is great because it allows you to be in full control of the grind size, the amount of water, and the temperature. It gives room for you to experiment and be unique and develop your technique.  When it comes to pouring over coffee, we have picked two options in the market for you to choose from. So sit back and enjoy these delightful brewing experiences and choose which option is best for you.  

We are here to assist you in choosing between the V60 and the Chemex, they are both great options that will help you make tasty drip coffee without any issues. First, we will explain what these brewers do, how they are designed and how it improves the taste of your coffee with your favorite beans. 

WHAT IS A CHEMEX BREWER? 

A Chemex is crafted from heat-resistant glass. The glass comes with a heatproof waist that helps with handling, it sometimes comes with an additional leather tie, in case there is a need for an extra grip. This brewer was created in 1941 in an American Chemistry lab, that's why it has a glass lab-like design. 

Chemex was invented by Dr. Peter Schlumbohm who was eager to create simple and timeless equipment for pouring over coffee. This brewer was embraced by many because of its design and simplicity. Note that there have been several claims that the Chemex filter helps to remove cafestol which is closely related to high levels of cholesterol. The Chemex brewer offers you a smooth cup of coffee, with low acidity. It allows the flavors of the beans you selected to coke out.  

WHAT IS A V60 BREWER?

The Hario V60 derives its name from the 60-degree angle of its cone and the name Hario means ‘king of glass’. Yeah, it is that durable. The Hario V60 brewer can withstand extreme amounts of heat which makes the brewing process successful. 

It is perfectly combined with its perfectly placed ribs on the outside, allowing the coffee grounds to expand and extract while the water flows. It is more compatible than Chemex. It is an ideal option for travel freaks. Check out our guide on portable brewing methods.  Note that the taste of coffee from the the Hario V60 brewer is slightly stronger than that of the Chemex brewer. 

The V60 brewer comes in different colors and materials. People see transparent glass as classic but the company also produces brewer with copper, ceramic, and even plastic models. If you are trying to reduce costs, you have a budget. 

THE POUR-OVER COFFEE PROCESS 

The pour-over method is easy to make. Place your filter on the brewer and add the selected coffee beans. When brewing coffee, most coffee lovers recommend using a gooseneck kettle as it allows you to have greater control over the brewing process compared to using the regular kettle.  

Whether you choose to brew with the Chemex or V60, you should add a little water first to allow the coffee to bloom.- it allows the coffee grounds to expand and release trapped carbon dioxide. After 30 seconds, slowly pour the remaining hot water over the coffee grounds and allow it to drip. You’ll be getting a clear, crisp cup of coffee. 

Most coffee lovers say that the pour-over coffee is the best coffee they have ever tasted. This is because the flavor of the coffee beans is maximized, leaving you with no hints of bitterness.  

Let's to the differences between the Chemex and Hario V60 

This comparison has become a classic argument for most coffee lovers. The major difference between the Chemex and the V60 is the coffee ground size. Chemex brews with a medium coarse grind. Note that it is quite forgiving if your grind comes out too coarse or too fine. While the V60 brewers the grind size you use depends on how the coffee will come out. A medium grind will make the pour faster, thereby making a weaker cup while a finer grind will make a slow pour, making a really strong cup of coffee.  

How the is Funnel Design? 

The Chemex brewer doesn't have ridges inside its cone-like the V60. This design creates a separation between the walls of the cone and the filter, that allows the brewed coffee to pour through the sides of the filter and flow directly to the bottom of the funnel. 

The Chemex brewer on the other hand does not provide this route for the coffee beans. Rather, the coffee follows the slim that's between the funnel and the filter. As you brew, you’ll find out that most of the coffee pours from the bottom of the funnel. Note that the exit whole for the V60 and Chemex is large when compared to other pour-over brewing equipment. This is why the coffee grinds size and the rate of pour matter. It affects the taste of your brew.  

TYPE OF FILTER 

Both brewers use paper filters with different thicknesses. The Chemex filter is thick so it doesn't allow any sediments to pass into your final cup. This makes your brew clearer than that of the Hario V60 (although the V60 coffee still comes out clear). 

SIZE DIFFERENCES 

The Chemex coffee maker comes in different sizes ranging from 3 to 13 cups of coffee. While the Hario V60 is specially designed to brew two cups of coffee at a time. 

WHICH ONE SHOULD YOU BUY? 

The Chemex and the V60 brewer are alike. They both brew delicious pour-over coffee and they both require you to buy filters. You don't need to try just one method. If you don't want to brew both coffees at home, you can go to a friend’s house or even a coffee shop to taste coffee made with both equipmenst. That way, you can see which one you like more. Both brewers make great cups of coffee. But pour-over lovers notice differences in the flavor profiles.

You can go for a Chemex if you want to make multiple cups of coffee at a time. If you love its special design and you want to leave it sitting in the kitchen, then you should get it. It is art, no doubt. If you dont want plastic and if you are skeptical about using the pour-over method for the first time, then go for the chemex. It's a little forgiving for the pour or grinds size, just in case you make a mistake. 

RELATED: COFFEE BREWING MISTAKES- HOW TO FIX THEM

You can go for the V60 equipment if you want to make a single cup of coffee. If you like traveling and you don't want equipment that will break then you should go for V60. Make sure you avoid glass or ceramic models. Lastly, if you are looking for a brew method with the least cleaning time, then you should go for the V60. 

Chemex has different brewers. One is named classic. It comes with a natural wood collar that is tied on a band and it's available in different colors. It also has brewers with a glass handle, the collar is replaced with glass. The last one resembles the classic but it is made in small batches by skilled designers. 

While the Hario V60 is made with different materials like plastic, heatproof glass, stainless, and copper. If you are a beginner, you can go for the plastic model of the V6o brewer. 

We hope that this guide has helped you to decide between both brewers. In a nutshell, we recommend the V60 and the Chemex brewer because they both make delicious coffees. It all comes down to your personal choice. We are intrigued about which option you’ll pick after going through this post. 

Before you start, you need to brew with freshly roasted coffee beans if you want great tasting coffee else you are going to waste so much time brewing the coffee with nothing to show for it.