Is a Chemex still a Chemex if I use a Cloth Filter?

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Is a Chemex still a Chemex if I use a Cloth Filter?

Рет қаралды 5,328

Күн бұрын

Cloth filters present a real alternative for brewing coffee if you are concerned about single use filter papers. They also have a big impact on the character of the coffee.
I've been testing this cloth filter for the Chemex over the course of a week, typically making two brews per day.
In this video I'll share my thoughts on whether this is technically still a Chemex, how I've found using a cloth filter and the results of my 'brew-off' where I compare a Chemex brewed with a paper filter to a Chemex brewed with a cloth filter.
The filter I used was made from an organic hemp and cotton blend and I purchased it from The Cloth Filter Co. www.theclothfi...

Пікірлер: 36

@ialmoqren Жыл бұрын

Wow, this is like the best video I’ve watched about chemex in general, you’re clearly very knowledgeable, and the way you share your knowledge/experience is very simple which is amazing!

@carvetiicoffee Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words. They’re always appreciated 😁 Glad you find the videos useful

@tavibacala8526 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for making this video! I recently purchased the CoffeeSock cloth filters for my Chemex, given the global shortage of paper fillets, and was looking for a comparison. This has definitely been very insightful, great job!

@carvetiicoffee 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback, it's always appreciated. A few months down the road I've drifted back to paper filters but probably because I only make the occasional Chemex. Still think the cloth is a great idea if you make regular brews.

@user-do5hd7zb4x 9 ай бұрын

Should you have any troubles with stalled flowthrough may I suggest a jelly seive and pour the dry grind into the seive. Run the butt of a teaspoon around inside the grounds and tap them into a paper towel or toilet paper. Save the fines for making Turkish coffee. When the dry grounds are sifted use one table spoon of coffee and into freshly wetted paper filter. This proceedure should yield quick flow through and delicious coffee. Of course I use 3 tablespoons because that is how it is served in Wein Austria 4 star hotels. Its very strong and black and you can add a pat of butter. The butter will deliver the caffeine slowly throughout the day. I like Italian roast it is blacker yet more delicately licorice than French roast. If i run out of gourmet coffee I also like M.J.B. or Youban. Hope this helps bye!

@janet8115 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for making this video! I was wondering if the cloth filter would be more like a press style coffee and you totally answered that question. Very helpful comparison between paper filter and cloth flavor and mixture/solution.

@user-do5hd7zb4x 9 ай бұрын

In answer to Sawheel Gills question add a magnesium gummy to the pour over water and use aMellitta #2 filterbrown. This may help with the bitterness and turn bitter coffee into a rose! If this doesnt help it may.be the coffee itself is the problem. Magnesium is removed from city water in general. Why I dont know. If you reintroduce magnesium to the coffee brewing water it seems to extract flavor more roundly and efficiently. I got this information from a Haewaiian girl and she knew what she was talking about. Good coffee and Mahallow, my hawaiian name is Kikikicopa 😅😊😅

@robertmullins9639 2 жыл бұрын

Great video!!! Now I am going to watch your other one on cloth filters! ✌️

@carvetiicoffee 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you 😁

@timmarshall4881 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve also used the cloth filter in a three cup chemex. I’ve had to adjust my grind size on the Svart grinder and I’m still having to adjust my coffee ratio to get to a point where I feel I get the brew which I want. I can see what you are saying about the differences between paper and cloth regarding the body. I will get a cloth filter for my six cup chemex. Although the smaller vessel makes sense in a way for a couple of cups it is more difficult I find than the wider angled six cup chemex. Regarding the cleaning I’ve not had much extra work with this and certainly once one gets into a routine then it’s not a problem to me. Interesting as always Gareth and I hope other coffee enthusiasts find your channel as I think they’d benefit also. Tim.

@carvetiicoffee 3 жыл бұрын

Tim I tend to agree that the 6 cup is 'better' to brew in than the 3 cup. I probably use the 6 cup a lot more often as I prefer the overall shape of the funnel. I'll also easily mop up the 500ml of coffee I brew! Thanks as always. Gareth

@emeraldchan7770 3 жыл бұрын

I just got some Chemex papers! I’ve been using a cloth this whole time.

@RentiaF Жыл бұрын

Does brewing with a cloth filter in the Chemex give a similar taste/experience to the Hario Nel drip (Woodneck)?

@vpgreg 3 жыл бұрын

I bought the no 4 filter from the same company for my Clever Dripper. Still not sure if I prefer the result over paper, but it's an interesting alternative. I've actually not found it too difficult to care for it. The only downside has been that I think it's shrunk slightly.

@carvetiicoffee 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for commenting. Interesting re the shrinking - I need to look at mine! Over longer use I have found that coffees respond differently to the cloth. When I made the video I was using a natural processed coffee and the cloth really did add value. More recently I've been drinking a fruity Guatemalan coffee and I think I'm tending more towards the paper filter for this one. Have a new natural just in so that is going to be interesting!

@samnolan7670 2 жыл бұрын

This was such a good video to watch, inspired me to get that very cloth filter! Any tips for stopping the cloth filter adhering to the spout of the chemex? Classic issue for the brewer in general, but seems to be particularly bad for cloth filters

@carvetiicoffee 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback. I didn't really have a major problem with that issue, though tend to fold the filter over the top of the Chemex during brewing. Also when using paper filters I make sure the double layer faces the spout to minimise this.

@user-do5hd7zb4x 9 ай бұрын

No Its hybrid! Just my opinion. Its all good.

@JR-lg7fd 2 жыл бұрын

If you used a chemex brand filter in a different brewer, would you personally call it "chemex coffee"?

@carvetiicoffee 2 жыл бұрын

Good question as technically speaking the essence of the Chemex is the filter paper. That said I would probably refer to it as a Chemex as when I buy a Chemex from Chemex themselves there are no filter papers in the box. So in that sense the Chemex is actually the glass vessel and is called a 3 Cup or a 6 Cup Chemex! I think I used the word Chemex too much!

@rbmanb 3 жыл бұрын

I know right? I've tried a cloth today on my v60 with Costa Rican honey processed light roasted coffee, the stronger body with the cloth is nice, but I miss the acidity I get with the paper. I'll give it a try again with a darker roast, might do better.

@carvetiicoffee 3 жыл бұрын

I've come to the conclusion that some coffees work well in the cloth while others do not. I also think cloth is better for some coffees. I doubt it is linked to roast degree and perhaps more to origin, processing and the overall character of the coffee. On one of our coffees, a extended fermentation Colombian the cloth just enhanced the whole thing - acidity remained high but sweetness and body we elevated which resulted in a juicier cup. Cloth definitely beat paper. On the other hand, a washed Guatemala I used was much nicer in paper.

@rbmanb 3 жыл бұрын

@@carvetiicoffee I guess central American coffee such as my Costa Rican, and honey processed , should also benefit from the cloth filter. I guess it all comes down to personal flavour. Also taking into account, my inexperienced level of handling a brew, and the fact that the cloth is overly used and unmaintained. The rancid oils on that filter might have overpowered the overall good taste.

@carvetiicoffee 3 жыл бұрын

I think you’re right: there are many variables to consider which can influence the brew and personal taste in coffee plays a huge part. My coffee preference in the morning for example will often be something bright and fruity but if I drink in the afternoon I like something maybe a little more rounded. Cloth filters might also reveal a coffee in a true light? Given that paper filters oils, it can be argued that some of the character is lost on the way. That’s why coffees are cupped you judge their quality - no filters to complicate the results.

@rbmanb 3 жыл бұрын

@@carvetiicoffee interesting. You know, there's another factor to consider. When using filter paper, and taking some of the "body" out, you may just get the same acidity levels, but at the same time the acidic part is more dominant, or more eccentric, as taste become more clear. So in your mouth, it might feel more acidic, even though it's not.

@carvetiicoffee 3 жыл бұрын

I tend to agree with you. My juicy cloth filter brews likely had a similar acidity but this would have been balanced by the sweetness and body, thus making the overall character appear less acidic. Thanks for taking the time to comment and to keep me thinking👍

@Iinfiniteknowing Ай бұрын

I use a hemp filter

@SahilGulati8 3 жыл бұрын

What causes the cup from the paper filter to taste more acidic?

@carvetiicoffee 3 жыл бұрын

Great question! Acidic compounds are dissolved early into the cup when you start brewing - they are lighter in weight and therefore easier to dissolve. The sweeter, heavier compounds which also add body and length come later and are harder to dissolve. The cloth filter brew will have all the same acidity but those extra solids such as the coffee oils will offset this and therefore the brew will taste more rounded and less acidic. In the paper filter brew, particularly as I only achieved a relatively low extraction, those acidic compounds would be more apparent. With a finer grind and extraction around the 20% mark, this coffee would also have tasted less acidic - the acidity doesn't go down, it is just balanced by other tastes.

@SahilGulati8 3 жыл бұрын

@@carvetiicoffee Oh. Understood. Thank you!

@PatrickPretorius 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry to come so late to the party - maybe I missed it but did you change the grind size for the cloth? We use a baratza encore and go around the 20 mark for chemex paper. Switching to cloth and curious if we should adjust e.g. go a little finer with the grinds. Any advice greatly appreciated

@carvetiicoffee 2 жыл бұрын

Yes I would generally go a touch finer on my grind setting when using cloth. Difficult to say how much as it also depends on how high you maintain the water level in the funnel. I’d suggest making cautious adjustments first and seeing how you get on.

@myshenanigans548 2 жыл бұрын

I find that my cloth filter drains way too quickly resulting in a weak brew

@carvetiicoffee 2 жыл бұрын

I do find I need to change my grind setting with a cloth filter to compensate for this.

@geoffc376 Жыл бұрын

You're doing it wrong. With a cloth filter, you need a SLOW pour. Coffee will absorb up to 2x it's weight in water. When poured slowly, allowing the coffee to absorb fully on the first pour, it won't / shouldn't drip into the carafe until your 2nd pour, hence a very strong oily, delicious fruity cup. Pour mostly into the center of the grounds in a gentle circular motion, NOT near the cloth. Cheers!

@carvetiicoffee Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the advice 👍