Posted Mon Jan 14, 2013, 1:07pm Subject: Grind setting for Chemex
I have gravitated toward my Chemex as the go to brewing method over the past year. An interesting shift, in that I held a rather indifferent opinion of the results. A posting here generated a good deal of criticism along with some constructive suggestions. I have continued to tinker with the variables.
I have a Capresso infinity burr grinder..reliable but certainly not for the cognoscenti. The grinder has extra fine, fine, medium, and coarse blocks, with 3-4 settings for each. i typically grind at the fine end of medium for my electric drip and at the mid range of coarse for French press.
I am still uncertain about the grind setting. Have read that it should be a bit coarser than that used for my electric drip machine, but not too near what I might use for French Press. Assuming I'm correct on the starting point.....any comments, perspective?
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 9:26am Subject: Re: Grind setting for Chemex
That's a good starting point. In my opinion, the important thing is controlling the contact time, and in order to get a full liter, or whatever your preferred brew size is, through the filter in the optimal 3:30 or so, the grind would need to be quite coarse; grinders like yours and mine (Baratza Maestro Plus) don't grind very evenly at the far end of the spectrum, and this results in some dust getting very overextracted. My solution is to grind about as you say, where the grind is reasonably consistent, and pour as much water through as I can in the desired amount of time; then just discard the filter and pour the rest of the water directly in. I don't hear much about this method, so this may not be a universally endorsed bit of advice, but it works for me!
yakster Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 1,006 Location: San Jose, CA Expertise: I live coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Factory / La Peppina... Grinder: Vario / Kyocera Vac Pot: Yama 8 + Pyrex Lox-in Rod Drip: Brazen / Kalita / Chemex /... Roaster: Behmor
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013, 11:46am Subject: Re: Grind setting for Chemex
Bypass brewing is very common with batch brewers where you configure the % of water to bypass the filter so that you have the correct contact time with the coffee and still get the proper volume for your batch. You're just doing it manually, works great and prevents overextracting the coffee with too long a contact time.
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 7:45am Subject: Re: Grind setting for Chemex
I've never hear of this, but after the initial notion it very quickly starts to make sense. I haven't been timing the pour through timing for Chemex, but will now do 3:30 and then go through the ending process.
This is what continues to hold and energize my interest in coffee...beyond the initial threshold of seeking greater taste with the quest for the best beans, there's always more inquiry into how to make it better...not elitist, pretentious or even fussy........just wonderfully self-satisfying. ..or extended to those with who one shares the results.
Posted Wed Jan 16, 2013, 1:24pm Subject: Re: Grind setting for Chemex
yakster Said:
Bypass brewing is very common with batch brewers where you configure the % of water to bypass the filter so that you have the correct contact time with the coffee and still get the proper volume for your batch. You're just doing it manually, works great and prevents overextracting the coffee with too long a contact time.
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