Both these methods of making coffee involve manual processes, allowing you to have more influence over the final beverage. We will provide a brief overview on the French press and Chemex before we contrast their respective differences and benefits.
French Press 101
A coffee making device called ‘French Press’ or ‘Cafetière’ was given a patent in the late 1920s and is popularly used among 2% of coffee drinkers in the US. It is in fact deemed as one of the most practical manual techniques of brewing coffee.
Its popularity is due to its simple operation, economical cost, and availability even in mainstream stores. The French press provides you with a higher degree of control when brewing your cup of coffee, and the process is relatively simpler compared to other brewing techniques such as Aeropress or pour-over.
What is the process for making a cup of coffee using a French press? Begin with coarse coffee grounds and fresh hot water. After you have put the initial measurement of water into the French press, wait for 30 seconds for the coffee to expand, then pour the remaining water and leave it to percolate for between 2-3 minutes. Lower the stainless steel plunger to divide the particles using the incorporated mesh filter.
No filter means your coffee is stronger and more flavorful due to all the oils and particles being in the drink.
Chemex 101
An American chemist by the name of Peter J. invented the Chemex. Dr. Schlumbohm invented the product in 1941 and it was released for sale the following year. It is an all-glass flask in an hourglass shape. It is not shocking that the design of it was based on laboratory apparatus.
The one-of-a-kind look of the Chemex is a masterpiece. A variety of museums worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, have displays of Chemex to vouch for its status. Illinois Institute of Technology has identified it as one of the 100 greatest designed items in modern history.
The way coffee is made is similar to the way pour-over systems function. Despite this, the thicker filter utilized on a Chemex leads to a longer brewing time, erases the oils, and thus offers a cleaner mug of coffee.
Rinse the paper filter in hot water to remove any paper taste from the Chemex coffee maker and warm the glass vessel. Then, let the coffee bloom after the first pour. Continue to steadily stream the water over the coffee grounds.
Comparison: Which Brewer Wins?
Now that you understand the functioning of both of these coffee makers, let’s look into the disparities between them.
Ease of Use
The French press has become highly popular in both kitchens and retailers globally due to its simplicity. This economical technique is fool-proof, easy to follow, and not as intricate compared to some of the other brewing techniques.
The Chemex brewer has an intimidating laboratory-like setup which can be intimidating for those just getting into manual brewing techniques, particularly for everyday use. Although it can still be straightforward to make, paying attention to details of the brewing process like steady pouring and consistent water temperature can have a significant impact on the flavor of the resulting cup of coffee.
Clean Up and Versatility
Using a French press eliminates the need to purchase and maintain filters, and the plunger and other components can be quickly taken apart and cleaned. The attractiveness of the French press stems from its ability to be used for many different purposes. This coffeemaker can be employed to create tea, a cold infusion, or a two-step coffee preparation.
You need to buy throw-away coffee filters when you use a Chemex, which is convenient for discarding used coffee grounds but the hourglass shape makes it harder to clean. The dimensions of these machines vary, but they are mainly intended for the fabrication of multiple cups of coffee and are not particularly practical when making a solitary serving.
Taste
The French press method of brewing coffee produces a strong and intense cup, due to it utilizing the full extraction technique and four minutes of infusion time. Since there is no paper filter, none of the oils and acids will be taken away, which means the coffee can turn out to be quite bitter. Furthermore, the stainless steel plunger used in French presses doesn’t always manage to separate all the coffee grounds, leading to a gritty texture as well as a significantly more bitter taste.
Chemex coffee has a less harsh aftertaste, less acidity, and no grit. The filter applied for Chemex is normally thicker than those utilized for standard pour-over coffee by a margin of between 20 and 30%. This implies that it gathers more oils, eliminates acids, and produces a more pleasant cup with more subtle flavors. Chemex provides you with the ability to tailor your brewing, but many people might find the resulting brew to be too mild since mostly all of the oils have been removed.
Portability
Both of these brewers are more portable than a large espresso machine, but the French press takes the cake when it comes to being lightweight and easy to transport. Both Chemex and its counterpart come in various sizes and forms. Whereas Chemex is made out of tough glass, it can be quite bulky, strangely shaped, and fragile, thereby increasing its risk of getting broken. You can easily include a French press in your coffee equipment for travel.
Time and Effort
Both ways of preparing take approximately the same amount of time. However, making a coffee with Chemex requires more effort. Begin by warming up the brewer, set up the filter, and let the coffee bloom. Then, gradually pour water over the coffee grounds in a steady stream.
The French press is the perfect pick for anyone needing their coffee in a hurry since you just need to add the water and wait for it to brew. This makes it the most convenient coffee maker to have in the morning when you want your coffee quickly.
Cost
In terms of money, the French press is a more reasonable and reasonable priced choice. Investing in a Chemex coffee maker is a more costly option than other pour-over methods. An additional expense after purchasing a Chemex is the need for paper filters.
The Best Non-electric Coffee Makers
The advantages of non-electric brewers don’t end there. Typically less costly than electric coffee makers and taking up less space, many manual coffee makers are small enough to store in cupboards rather than displayed on kitchen counters. Some possess distinctive, attention-grabbing patterns; others are compact for going on hikes and trips. This compilation presents an assortment of selections that are suitable for anyone who enjoys coffee.
Chemex Classic Series Coffeemaker
The Chemex Classic not only has a stunning aesthetic, evident by its presence in the design collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, but it can also easily produce more coffee than single-serve pour-over brewers. Put the paper filter in the Chemex, add your coffee grounds, and then slowly pour in the hot water. The whole process takes just a few minutes.
Allie Caran, Program Manager of BaristaValet, recommends that those who use a gravity-fed style coffee machine like the Chemex should utilize medium-sized ground coffee in order to extract the greatest flavor. Attempt to have the water temperature between 195 and 205 degrees when using most brewing instruments. Handle the delicate glass of the Chemex with caution, and relish the full-bodied coffee it brews each morning. Moreover, admire the charming aesthetic it adds to your kitchen.
Taysha Murtaugh, the editorial director for The Spruce Eats, has gotten a lot of use out of her Chemex over the years and she encourages anyone who has the time to make a great cup of coffee to try out the Chemex for themselves. It is fashionable, runs without electricity, and simpler to clean than a French press.
“Pour-over makers take some time to master and require continuous monitoring while brewing, so they’re not ideal for those who are short on time,” she says. “However, when I can spare a few moments, it’s a nice experience that makes me feel more connected to my morning cup.”
Be sure to finish your coffee quickly before it gets cold. Due to the lack of insulation, it will not maintain its heat for a prolonged period of time.
Secura French Press Coffee Maker
A disadvantage of non-electric coffee machines is that they usually make a smaller batch, however, the French press from Secura is the outlier. It has several options up to 50 ounces.
This isn’t some bulk item devoid of craftsmanship, though. This product is crafted with three layers of stainless steel which is sturdier than regular glass French presses. Its handle and knob are cool to the touch, offering comfort while you grab and pour your freshly-brewed coffee. The double-wall insulation will keep your coffee warm for a longer period of time, making it particularly useful if you are brewing a large amount of coffee. All parts are dishwasher-safe.
The majority of reviews for the Secura French press are exceptionally positive, with almost all assessing it the highest possible rating. Compliments are flying with regards to the product’s sturdy construction, striking visual display on the counter, and the wonderful coffee it makes every time.
Toddy Cold Brew System
There are numerous non-electric brewers available for people who prefer cold brew and iced coffee, with the Toddy Cold Brew System being one of the most highly acclaimed options. It won’t break the bank, is simple to operate, and most significantly produces scrumptious outcomes. After testing, the reviewer commented that the flavor was bold, yet pleasant, and noted one could modify the coffee grounds to water ratio for a more intense or mellow flavor.
The Toddy coffee brewer requires the grounds to be put directly into the H20 and be soaked for a period of between 12 and 24 hours. One batch will yield approximately 38 ounces of delicious cold brew concentrate, which equates to about 14 servings.
Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker
This is a French press of a traditional design, first engineered in the 1950s. This coffeemaker features a glass carafe, a polished stainless steel framework with a chrome finish, and a matte-black handle crafted from polypropylene for a secure grip. The carafe can hold a maximum of 34 fluid ounces, leaving some room for the coffee grounds. A four-ounce coffee cup is referred to as an 8 “cup” serving, so if you are getting coffee from a larger mug you can get two to three servings from one brew.
The three-part filter has been created so that fragrant oils and flavors can pass through while the finer particles and sediment are held back. All parts are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning. The press is made in Portugal.
AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
Fans of coffee, people who love the outdoors, and people who just need one cup each day will recognize the benefit and deliciousness that comes from using the AeroPress, which is a hand-pressured coffee machine. It can create either a regular-sized and regular-strength coffee, as well as a more intense espresso-like beverage, which can be watered down or combined with milk. There is a wide variety of brewing techniques accessible on the web (for instance, you can check out the method that won the World AeroPress Championships that produces an incredible cup of coffee). However, the AeroPress and its specialized paper filters can quickly make a single cup that is ideal for one person. These items are cost effective, but don’t provide good insulation or make for easy cleaning. Still, they are small enough to be tucked away in a drawer, on a countertop or even in luggage.
Flair Signature Espresso Maker
The Flair Classic Espresso Maker is an aesthetically pleasing coffee product that you are sure to marvel at. It’s sleek, unique, and available in multiple colorways. The most rewarding element: it produces a delightful shot of espresso.
To make coffee using the filter, put some ground up espresso in it, add hot water on top of the apparatus, and press down on the lever until the coffee is ready to be served in your cup. It may need some experimenting, but customers have reported that the coffee is robust and topped off with a velvety crema. It is suggested that the proportion should be around 18 grams of coffee to every 60 milliliters of water.
A downside to the product is that it requires a considerable amount of effort to make the espresso as well as to take it apart once you are done, but the final result is superior to other non-electric alternatives. When looking into purchasing a Flair Espresso Maker, it’s important to take the cost into consideration; for the same amount of money, you can get a dependable electric espresso device. It could be said that this alternative could be preferred by avid coffee aficionados instead of those seeking effortless espresso.