Probably the best cup of coffee I have ever had, and I mean EVER!
Negative Product Points
None, it is simple, gorgeous, and if one is willing to pour hot water directly over the grounds instead of waiting for an electric brewer you will reap the reward.
Detailed Commentary
This is hard to admit, having spent a veritable fortune over the years in search of the perfect coffee brewer. You name it, I have bought it. Capresso, Braun, Keurig, Melitta, and so on. Nothing has even come close to the amazing cup of coffee obtained with the Chemex brewer. For less than forty dollars I have obtained coffee nirvana. I wish I had know about this BEFORE I spent so much elsewhere. It looks wonderful on the counter too, clean lines, almost like laboratory glassware, but with the unique wooden collar and leather tie that gives it a modern look combining form and function.
Buying Experience
I bought this at Whole Foods Supermarket, and the gentleman that helped me explained how to use it, how to remove the collar, and told me that it would be excellent coffee. He was pleasant, did not pressure me in anyway to purchase it, and gets high marks for knowing his product.
Three Month Followup
Nothing to break (short of dropping it), nothing to take on funky smells or coffee acids, easily used and easily washed......just can't beat it! I can't believe I wasted so much money on various electric autodrip makers, when the Chemex makes the best cuppa around.
One Year Followup
A year later and it doesn't have a crack or flaw, and still makes a great cup of coffee. One of the nice seasonal aspects of the Chemex glass carafe is that I can put the entire thing in the refrigerator (with glass cover) and have that days supply of ice coffee at the ready. This is as far as one can go from a high tech coffee maker, but for those who enjoy the Zen-like aspect of being able to brew coffee with complete participation in everything from the brew temperature to the saturation of the grounds, this will more than satisfy with great flavor.
