Are you searching for a magnificent pour-over to finish off your daily ritual? What is the most suitable option for you from the vast array of choices available? Let us examine the two most well-known brands that offer elegant and cost-effective pour-over coffee makers and contrast them.
Bodum vs Chemex: A Side-By-Side Comparison
Bodum
Bodum’s pour-over item is the perfect choice for someone who is beginning with pour-over coffee making while not spending a lot on a higher-priced item.
This item appears to be a great choice due to its accessibility and ease of use; it also comes with all the required add-ons, and there are no complicated maintenance issues that come with traditional coffee machines. It has an attractive, straightforward look and user-friendly elements such as an integrated carafe.
Things We Like:
- The Bodum coffee maker is one of the more affordable coffee brewers on the market, making it an excellent option if you’ve recently started experimenting with pour-over coffee and don’t want to break the bank.
- With its classic hourglass shape and the option of a cork or silicone sleeve, the Bodum pour-over coffee maker is elegant and sophisticated enough for even the biggest coffee snob.
- The built-in decanter and permanent mesh filter keep the long-term cost of this coffee maker down and make for a convenient coffee brewing experience.
- It’s easy to use, clean, and maintain. It’s a great choice for amateur coffee lovers who may be intimidated by more high-end options.
Things We Don’t Like:
- Due to the extraction method, the coffee strength is a bit lacking, and the flavor of the coffee leaves something to be desired. Pour-over brewers like the Chemex will produce a stronger coffee cup overall.
- The decanter’s spout could be improved; it’s prone to spilling, doesn’t allow a precise pour, and drips tend to get the cork grip wet. It’s not a big deal, but it is kind of frustrating.
- Due to the mesh filter, you tend to get a lot of sediment when brewing with a Bodum.
- The plastic-bottomed permanent mesh coffee filter doesn’t play nicely with all grind sizes, so be careful. It also doesn’t produce a great extraction compared to paper filters.
Chemex
The Chemex coffee maker is relatively expensive when compared to other models, yet its various size options that range from 8 to 12 cups make it an enduring and flexible product for those who adore coffee. This product is made from strong borosilicate glass, and it has a wooden handle which is affixed with a rawhide cord.
In order to utilize the Chemex, you must buy the exclusive paper coffee filters from the company, which will capture the coffee oils from the grounded beans. But you are sure to enjoy the scrumptious cup of coffee that comes out!
Things We Like:
- The gorgeous design of the Chemex is beautiful and classic, and if you’re looking for something that will look extraordinary sitting on your kitchen counter, the Chemex will do the trick!
- It comes in a wide array of sizes, so there’s a Chemex to suit just about every household.
- The Chemex produces rich, flavorful, clear coffee that easily beats the Bodum for taste.
- The handblown glass carafe is heavy, with a high-end feel. The wooden handle is timeless and elegant, and overall the Chemex has a more premium feel.
Things We Don’t Like:
- The Chemex is more expensive than the competition and requires extra coffee gear like a gooseneck kettle and a coffee scale to get the best cup possible. In contrast, the Bodum coffee maker is a bit less fussy.
- Since the Chemex doesn’t have a permanent filter, you’ll have to replace your filters continuously.
- You have to buy Chemex’s proprietary filter papers, which can get expensive over the long run but are better than conventional filters.
Similarities
It may be striking to note how an identical visual presentation is shared between the Bodum pour-over coffee machine and the Chemex when placed side-by-side. Both of these items possess a topnotch glass composition, sport a figure-eight-like decanter shape, and are fastened by a cork grip at the middle. It may be difficult to distinguish between them if you are unfamiliar with pour-over coffee makers!
Differences
The predominant distinction between the Bodum and Chemex coffee machines is the components they contain and how they operate. A Bodum coffee maker which features the pour-over brewing method contains a mesh filter that is meant to be long-lasting. If you own a Chemex, then you have to purchase special paper filters that are specifically designed to eliminate the oils found in coffee beans.
What Is the Pour-Over Method?
A pour-over method of making coffee requires a manual coffee maker. With this technique, the hot water is deliberately distributed over the coffee grounds and then filtered for extraction. No electrical power is needed for this, except for the power you use for heating your water, and you can get a nice, hot cup of coffee in a few minutes.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Pour-Over Coffee Maker
- Buying your first pour-over coffee maker doesn’t need to be a complex decision. But, it’s worth considering what features you need and your priorities to get the best bang for your buck. Here are a few things to think about:
- How much coffee do you want to brew? If you’re brewing a pot of delicious coffee for a large household or an office setting, you’ll want a larger carafe that will hold several cups at a time. You’ll also want a larger carafe if you drink several cups of coffee daily. A more compact coffee maker will do if you aren’t a heavy coffee drinker and only serve yourself. Bodum’s offering is smaller and suited for single coffee drinkers, while Chemex offers an extensive range of sizes.
- What filters do you want to use? If you’re not keen on repeatedly buying one-time-use filters, then go with the Bodum, which features a reusable mesh strainer. If you’re looking for oil-free coffee, go with the Chemex and its paper filter.
- What’s your budget? If you’re looking for a more affordable option that won’t leave a hole in your wallet, the Bodum is an excellent choice to get you started. If money is no object, you may consider Chemex since it’s a bit more expensive but tends to produce a better result, taste-wise.
Paper vs. Metal vs. Cloth
The selection of different brewing methods and pour-over varieties has seen a significant growth in recent times. The Specialty Coffee Association has certified thirty-two machines that make drip coffee as meeting their criteria for ‘Golden Cup’ which involves set standards for temperature, brewing time, and extraction quality.
There is an abundance of choices available when it comes to manual pour-over coffee makers. In the world of coffee brewing, there is an abundance of choices available, ranging from tried-and-true brands like Melitta, Bodum, Chemex, Hario, Clever, and Beehouse, to more contemporary products such as the origami dripper and the tricolpate brewer.
When it comes to filters, one may prefer the ease of single-use paper filters, while others support the use of permanent metal and cloth filters. Why do I have an interest in this topic?
It happened to me a few years ago. At a demonstration for a coffee purchaser, I noted that all the coffees we made that day had a comparable flavor. By the way, we were making coffee using a Clever Brewer that day.
It was difficult to make a decision between them, as they all liked the same things.
Upon inspecting the packaging of the filters, I recognized they were made of brown paper. It said they were Melitta brand bamboo filters. I had an impulsive notion to run some boiling water through one of the filters, with no coffee grounds present.
I was taken aback when I took a sip of the water and it had a very noticeable flavor of soggy paperboard. We replaced the filters with white paper filters and immediately the differences between the coffees were apparent, and they tasted as they should.
Taste Test
I chose to leave coffee out of the first trial. It would be challenging and complicated to develop a neutral test owing to the subjectivity of taste. No two combinations of filter, coffee, and taster would produce the same results, so a double-blind study would be necessary to get an accurate assessment of the differences. A considerable amount of information would be required.
We had 5 judges available, so it felt reasonable to follow a method of infusion and draining with just water to use as a test.
To evaluate the outcome, we are conducting a limit examination. Anytime a taster noticed a difference in taste between the liquid that had been steeped through the filter and the control sample, we determined that the filter had an effect on the taste.
This filter could potentially alter the flavor of your coffee. In contrast, if none of our potatoes sampled the filter, it is very improbable that it would influence the flavor of your coffee.
We’re sorry to say that we cannot determine if you have good taste. In my opinion, many people underestimate how good they are at distinguishing between different tastes. We would be happy to give you additional details about the top three types of coffee filters so you can decide which one is the perfect choice for your cup of java.
Let your taste be your guide!
Flow Rate
It might be pertinent to take note of the rate at which your coffee passes through the filter.
If you have witnessed a sink beginning to clog up or totally ceasing to empty water, you are aware of the issue. The coarseness of the coffee grounds is probably the primary and most vital factor, but the filter also influences the outcome.
The second point to consider is that the duration of the brewing process affects the amount that is extracted. The best time to make coffee using a certain recipe should be followed.
If the preparation time of the coffee is too short, it is possible that the desired flavor may not be achieved. Too little coffee being brewed can cause the drink to be tasteless, sour, and have a weak flavor.
Conversely, if the coffee steeping period is too prolonged, it can taste sour, astringent, and overly strong.
In the middle of the gradation of removal, one will find joy. It is up to you to decide where to find happiness, but the way you approach and look at the situation may help you figure it out.
We tested the filters only with water. Proving to be a difficult task, examining the results of coffee testing requires precise attention to detail. Every coffee and grinding level produces varying amounts of ultra-small particles, making the analysis of the results from the filter complex and uncertain. We measured the duration of time it took for a designated amount of water to pass through an empty filter after the filter was saturated in water for four minutes.
The Filter Lineup
We got the filters from stores in our locality, including Metro, Walmart, No Frills, and Longo’s. You can buy Hario, Chemex, Aeropress, and metal or cloth filters from our roastery. The table contains the product connections and individual prices.
Retail stores sell automatic drip brewers that use filters which are much more compact than the ’12 cup’ Bunn commercial filters employed at the roastery.
Making a full pot of coffee (either 10 or 12 cups) is not feasible with the limited size of these retail basket filters as the recommended dose of coffee would cause it to overflow. For a 12-cup pot of medium roast coffee, the required amount is 112 grams, which is equivalent to 4 ounces or a quarter of a pound. Consequently, it is suggested that only half to three-quarters of a pot be made with these retail, basket-shaped filters.
It is a common practice for coffee connoisseurs and top-tier roasters to suggest that you rinse paper filters with hot water before making coffee. A wash might assist in clearing away any unpleasant tastes caused by utilizing a paper filter. Using hot water for rinsing provides the ability to preheat the filter holder, carafe, and/or mug. That could be an effective approach for people who think the pour-over coffee isn’t warm enough.
To Rinse, or Not to Rinse?
When it comes to cleaning a coffee maker, the process is a bit more involved than just rinsing. To start making coffee, you could rinse and preheat the machine by brewing a partial pot of liquid without any coffee grounds, using a filter installed in the basket. A lot of domestic coffee machines have difficulty heating the water fully, particularly at the start of the brewing process. This any help overcome that deficiency. It can be quite time-consuming to do this, and the basket filter will probably crumble if it is not filled with coffee beans.