CSG Senior Member Joined: 8 Feb 2002 Posts: 42 Location: Idaho Expertise: I love coffee
Posted Wed Aug 1, 2012, 2:43pm Subject: Why Chemex or any of the other cone filter holders vs. Melitta?
While I've been shopping around for a new espresso machine, my normal method of drinking coffee since the late 60's has been what is currently called "pour over". We had a Melitta pot back in the day but used store bought ground coffee like Yuban and Folgers. In college, I started brewing by the cup with a Melitta filter holder and have been doing it that way for decades.
I've never noted a papery taste to the filters (tried all types) but I haven't liked the gold filters (had the Swiss 23 carat version) as the grounds tend to be a nuisance and we're on a septic.
Now, I seen the Chemex pot as well as a few ceramic filter holders including one with a huge hole which strikes me as odd. With the Melitta brand holder you have one small hole and it *seems* as though the coffee brews more slowly than with another brand we tried with four holes.
I know some would say they don't like the plastic that the Melittas are made from but if it imparts any taste (I don't believe that it does) I sure can't tell.
Are these newer Japanese and other ceramic holders better than the old Melitta standby or is it just a trend thing? Lots of us have done Melitta single cup pours for ages but I always thought I was backwards because I didn't like the mess of a French press. Now, pour over coffee is the shiz!
Posted Thu Aug 2, 2012, 11:43am Subject: Re: Why Chemex or any of the other cone filter holders vs. Melitta?
Thanks for asking! I'm in the same situation (using a Melitta cone) and have been asking myself the same question. Will be curious to see what others have to say.
Posted Thu Aug 2, 2012, 3:41pm Subject: Re: Why Chemex or any of the other cone filter holders vs. Melitta?
The answer is, to a certain extent, "why not?" The Chemex offers a vintage style and a built-in carafe, not to mention a much larger batch size (with the larger models, of course) than many cones do. Other ceramic cones like the Beehouse, V60, etc., all have their own unique little qualities, such as the gaping maw of a drainage hole in the Hario, hole number and design, and so on. A lot of this comes down to simple aesthetics, as most of the cones brew a pretty darn similar cup. The Chemex may be the big exception to that, if you're using the very thick bonded paper filters designed for the device. In my opinion, they're all so cheap, you may as well buy a few different models to keep on hand and play with. The brewing style differences between a Kalita Wave and a Beehouse are quite intriguing, though the cups they produce are unequivocally "pour over" - each with its own subtle nuances of course.
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