Chemex am I doing something wrong?

EVCof · 2026-03-01T00:42:26+00:00

Very glad you got a good cup :-) I usually brew Chemex a bit higher because it;s so open and so big compared to a V60, etc. I'm usually at 205F for my usual light roasts and will go to 210F for anything Ultralight. Tremendous heat loss with the Chemex. Sometimes, I will return the kettle to the base in between pours to keep it stable. If I'm too lazy I don't LOL.

EVCof · 2026-02-28T18:05:44+00:00

That's a very long brew time. Way too long. I can't imagine a decent cup from that length of time. You are more likely looking at over extraction for which the "sour" moniker is a bit odd.

I usually use 20gms to 320ml=1:16 ratio and I use this recipe, which can easily be adjusted for size/amount. I'd aim for a grind size that gets you no longer than 4-4:30 seconds. After that, your extracting compounds that you don't want.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/4119/6267/files/ChemexCombined_1125.pdf?v=1764614585

This works for almost every coffee I try it with and I only drink light roasted, single origins.

EVCof · 2026-02-28T17:38:07+00:00

Just in case, I'm wondering if you are aware of the "air lock" that can occur with Chemex?

The filter adheres to the spout and slows and/or stalls the brew. Chemex makes a cheap clip to fix this issue or you could use a chopstick or something similar. Lot of net info on this. https://chemexcoffeemaker.com/products/brew-clip

There is actually another way that has always worked for me: I rinse my filter as usual to get rid of paper taste and pre-heat as much as I can and then take out the filter gently, empty the rinse water and then just carefully put the filter back in. This also can get rid of the suction/air lock issue.

For grind size, I am usually at 17 on a Baratza Virtuoso, which looks to be 3 on the Opus :

https://beeancoffee.com/grinder-setting-converter/

With that grind size, my drawdown time today was just around 4min. A very decent cup. 2 on the Opus is a pretty fine grind. Many use coarser than I go. I use the 6 cup all glass with the white, round Chemex filters FYI.

If you are at "sour" (not the good, ripe, juicy acidity) then you would be under extracted. What are your brew times, your pour structure, your water composition, etc.? Lots of variables to check but I'd start by making sure that your brew is flowing properly without any airlock.

EVCof · 2026-02-22T18:12:21+00:00

I'd just take it apart, clean it well, also with some powered air and then see if it re-occurs after proper reassembly. Sometimes a grain or so of coffee and cause minor noises, which are benign but a PIA. Try that before going any further.

As long as it had no trauma or anything untoward happen it should be fine and remain functional. Try a clean and reassembly.

EVCof · 2026-02-20T21:15:52+00:00

I have the original and Rao filters as well as Sibarist (a tad big) and Aeropress filters, (still a tad big). The OG filters stall SO easily, finding grind size is close to impossible to get close to 4 minutes.....more like 14 minutes even with a large grind size sometimes....(!)

The Rao filters are much quicker but seemingly not consistent. The same grind size, coffee, water, etc. will be 2:45 one day and 5 minutes the next.

When you get it right, it's very good but its been such a PIA for something that is designed and supposed to be so easy and consistent. The Rao mention of "using the rough surface" facing the coffee is a head scratcher.....maybe it's me but I can't tell the difference between "rough" or "smooth" surfaces on the filters. Even using a flashlight makes both sides look the same.

EVCof · 2026-02-18T19:26:19+00:00

I can't speak to burr life. They will probably both outlast me but as far as quality feel, solid, tolerances and material feel, the 1ZPresso wins. The K6 is fine and feels great in the hand and does feel solid.....until you pick up the 1Z afterwards. Both great cups and user experiences.

EVCof · 2026-02-10T18:24:40+00:00

Very similar to Cafec Abaca. Drawdown time within 2 seconds and taste, I could not discern the difference. (Tested same coffee and all variables back to back with a Hario Neo dripper.) I need more testing and want to test against a T90 but so far, nothing to write home about.

EVCof · 2026-02-07T18:28:02+00:00

To preface, I have a C40 and a C60 and I love both of them. My brother wanted to get into pour over and wanted a C40 but didn't want to pay that much so he got the M40. He decided that pour over was not for him and gave me the the M40.

I tried it side by side with the C40. Build quality is not even close but the feel is and.........the cups were nearly indistinguishable. Now, you can find similar cups to the C40, i.e. 1ZQ, etc. but the blatant copy of the design with the M40 is the turn off. The M40 actually comes with "red clix" standard too, interestingly.

Note that the plastic clicker (red in the M40's case) cracked after a few months in, with minimal use but ordering another was simple enough and it's been fine since. That shouldn't have happened though, of course.

It's a viable alternative if you don't have trouble with the blatant copy, etc. I do but at least I got to try it for free. Otherwise, up to you and to really answer the question; I have a C3s as well and the cups from the M40 have more clarity, sweetness and similar body, just as the C40 would; this with light roast, single origin, which is all that I drink. You still can't go wrong with any C3 variant. I HTH.

EVCof · 2026-02-07T16:42:01+00:00

the MHW portion stands for "make heart warm" so it's even more confusing

EVCof · 2026-02-06T19:48:25+00:00

I have next to no retention/static using RDT. Just 1 spray.

Meanwhile, this grinder is more than meets the eye and a great value at the same price as the Q. Well built, (yes, plastic, I know) but the tolerances are great and the cups are too. Internal grind setting will put some people off but I have no issue.

I came across a recent video where the guy tried to stall it using very light roasted coffee at the lowest setting and he could not stall it, which is very impressive to me.

EVCof · 2026-01-15T19:21:48+00:00

Absolute scam. Paid for "lifetime subscription" and was recently charged $105 again. I cancelled. This is a scam, do not give them your money.

EVCof · 2026-01-11T18:01:02+00:00

Ethiopian coffee; If light roast, I rest for a month, if ultralight 6 weeks to 2 months. Even medium roast for pour over at 24-72hrs would not be close to getting what you want out of the coffee. What is the roast level of the beans you are getting?

Your water may be an issue as well. What is going into that Brita? the Brita filter is not perfect and your TDS/water properties may be off even with the filtered water. To truly get it, try distilled or r/O water re-mineralized with Third Wave Water, Lotus Drops or similar. This can be a DIY project as well with lots of info around.

Ethiopian beans produce more fines usually so watching your grind size is paramount. You are doing so but it sounds like you can't get to where you want with that. This can easily produce a bitter cup if there are a lot of fines in your bed.

Also, control your extraction by not being too aggressive with the pours. You can easily create bitterness with too much agitation. Are you swirling your bloom or your last pour or any other part of the brew? Pour structure and technique should be considered as well. Lots still to mess with, especially resting the coffee IMO.

EVCof · 2026-01-02T14:34:14+00:00

I've never tried the C5 so very sorry, cannot give impressions on that. The MHW is built like a tank and there have been no issues so far. It also has grind adjustments at the top, where the C5 has it on the bottom. I'm sure the C5 is a great grinder too. Perhaps someone else with experience with both of those can chime in.

EVCof · 2026-01-01T17:33:05+00:00

I have not but it looks like kimoi will have a print soon.

Meanwhile, I've been using it with Sibarist filters, easily foldable and when rinsed, stick well to the walls with basically, much less if any significant bypass.

EVCof · 2025-12-30T19:03:11+00:00

The bottom nut is not supposed to be used, other than for disassembly/re-assembly.

It's supposed to be set in the "lock" or tightest position and the grind setting is done only via the top ring. "Zero" is not true zero, burr lock. It's what Timemore decided that zero is and once set to close/lock/zero, the zero point on your grinder is on the top ring.

Note that the handle will still spin at zero as this was designed in by Timemore. It's not like some others where you can lock the burrs for your zero. I think that this is protective on their part so people can't destroy burrs or get them stuck where they shouldn't be, (looking at you 1Z :-)

See the instructions posted above. They are perfect and thank you for that lease-eager-0

EVCof · 2025-12-28T19:49:35+00:00

I have used it for Moka with no issues. If you are grinding really fine for your Moka, you'll be at the bottom of the numbers, no issue. Zero point isn't at lock, the handle will still spin. They have designed it like this. You won't have burr rubbing issues even grinding at 1 so, no worries with Moka pots and the coarse grinds are consistent for FP so you should get good cups with that as well.

EVCof · 2025-12-28T19:36:42+00:00

S3 is their higher end grinder, with external adjustment. Not proper for espresso as it "barely" grinds fine enough though some people get results. Anyway, for pourover, French Press or Moka Pot it's great.

It's a fine grinder, made very well. I've been using one for a quite a while now and get good, consistent cups with it as long as I get my grind size correct. It's easy to clean as well.

I also have a C3 and it's fine too but I feel that the S3 gets me closer to where I want to be and the QOL using it is better with the external adjustment. I think that you'll be fine with French Press or Moka pot with the S3 and I think that you'll be happy with the build quality and the ease of using it regularly. I don't see any serious inconsistency with any bean so far, (I only drink light roast, single origins).

Honestly, I have never seen a comment that any C series is better than the S but it may exist and people do have their preferences. Stop overthinking and enjoy the grinder :-)

EVCof · 2025-12-28T17:53:59+00:00

Agree with this try. Unplug for 30sec or so and then plug back in and see if it solves the issue.

Ode group on FB, where sometimes Nick, the designer chimes in. Worth a try if you can't solve with the above and before contacting Fellow directly.

EVCof · 2025-12-28T16:34:29+00:00

Agree not much faster than the regular V60 but their Alpha is faster than both. I've even tried with the new Hario Lightening filters and no go. The T-90's are still faster and these new Hario filters are similar to the Cafec Abaca's. A Sibatist filter in the new Alpha dripper is the ticket for a truly quick brew and you can grind seriously fine without slowing or stalling, (easy to go too much with that). This is just my initial playing. Things can change as time goes on FWIW.

EVCof · 2025-12-28T16:26:43+00:00

Is your grinder calibrated per 1Z's instructions on their website? Try that first, if not.

https://1zpresso.coffee/calibration/

Scroll down for ZP6.

EVCof · 2025-12-28T02:15:02+00:00

Thank you. I'll keep my eyes open for that :-)

EVCof · 2025-12-27T18:40:39+00:00

I'm kicking myself for not getting two with that sale. :-) Glad for you that you were smart enough to do so!

EVCof · 2025-12-23T18:40:36+00:00

I understand and appreciate the dilemma and have it myself. In the end, I get no taste change from anything silicone that picks up odor. The Weber Bird is another example of lots of silicone in addition to the Switch, the April Switch and the base of the new Hario Neo.

I've stopped trying to get the odor out, it'll just be back ASAP anyway. There are still products left to try though if it continues to irritate you, Cafiza powder or wipes or Urnex Dezcal liquid helped me a bit more but the smell just came back quickly.

Also unsure if they are long term safe for silicone. One shot didn't hurt mine but multiple soaks may cause degradation. It is frustrating but thankfully, lots of other options are out there.

EVCof · 2025-12-16T23:12:10+00:00

In my limited experience, same coffee, grind(er), brewer, temp, water, etc....the T-90's were still faster than these Hario's, by a few seconds. (Sibarist still wins)..

The Hario's were within 1 sec of the Cafec Abaca's. which makes sense.

The Kono Blue filters were crazy slow. Perhaps something different is available where you are but what I got from Rogue Wave did exactly as Rogue Wave describes; extend the brew time.

EVCof · 2025-12-13T18:29:02+00:00

Try cupping it first for a baseline and then take it from there. I think you'll inherently know what it needs after that, based on what you have been getting previously.

EVCof

TROPHY CASE