The Chemex coffee maker proves that things are not supposed to be expensive to deliver high-quality results. You just need a ton of passion and a bunch of innovation in your heart to create something like a Chemex coffee maker. Now even though a Chemex is a design marvel or very easy to use, it does not mean that it is completely maintenance-free. You still need to purchase some filters that could be a little expensive in the long run. But what if you can get high-quality filters that are reusable? It could save you a lot of green bucks.
When you start with your hunt for reusable Chemex filters you will stumble upon two major types of filters, one is paper and the second is metal. Don’t worry, as we will talk about both types thoroughly with some worth considering options. Now, the paper filter is the most common filter for Chemex. It is functional as it stops any sediments from entering the coffee.
As we know, the paper filter is absorbent, which means it can absorb a variety of delicious coffee oils that helps to create a fresh and unique flavor. Sometimes your coffee can end up tasting like paper if you use a low-quality paper filter.
But the downside with metal filters is that they can let pass a certain size of coffee grounds right into your brew. This will create a thin layer of sediments at the bottom of your beverage. Also, buying a high-quality filter is necessary because a low-quality or non-reactive filter can pass foreign flavors into the brew.
Before we see some popular options in reusable filters, let us see the benefits that come reusable Chemex filter
Reusable Chemex Filter Pros and Cons
Pros
- As we discussed, reusable filters like metallic are able to deliver the “true” flavor of your coffee as it lets pass the good oils from the grounds.
- They are a good friend of our environment. As we know that metallic or stainless steel filters can be recycled, and fabric filters are biodegradable. Also, they last longer, some even more than a year.
- These filters are even compatible with other pour-over coffee makers like Hario v60 and Bonavita. A single reusable filter can be used on multiple devices.
Cons
- The metallic or stainless steel filters are prone to get clogged as they let pass small-sized coffee grounds.
- A foldable metal filter can be sometimes tricky to clean and maintain. Not good for people who don’t want to invest their time into these small things.
- Unhealthy oils are also passed during the brewing process. Though these oils are not too harmful but still, it is something worth considering.
Best Metal Filters for Chemex
Titanium Coated Gold Pour Over Coffee Filter
If you want to brew like a barista with the best quality coffee then this filter is the best option you got. The filter has a coating of high-grade titanium stainless steel. It fits perfectly into various sizes of Chemex makers.
A good friend of our environment as well as of our wallet. To clean the filter after use, all you have to do is run it through some water (warm water is recommended for long-lasting life).
The company is so confident with their product that they give a six months warranty, you can return it for a refund in case you are not satisfied.
Remember, some people have experienced clogging issues.
Able KONE Coffee Filter
This is a filter manufactured by Able Brewing. This is also a great sustainable substitute for paper. It also fits with various Chemex filters and is also compatible with coffee makers like Hario v60.
The cone is flat from the bottom for best safety with a plastic structure on the top that helps the cone to stay in place. This filter lets the minimum amount of sediment pass through as compared to other metal filters.
The few problems this filter comes with is that it is quite expensive and is not pretty looking. It might take away the classy look your Chemex has.
OVALWARE Paperless Stainless Steel Pour Over Coffee Filter
This metallic filter is aesthetically pleasing to our eyes and goes beautifully with the look of Chemex glass and wooden structure. The BPA-FREE silicone grip is what makes the Ovalware filter beautiful. It is compatible with most Carafes that are out there.
The filter is constructed using a laser-cut filter on the outside with a premium quality mesh on the inside. The clever construction of this filter helps to stop any sediments from getting into your cup.
To clean the filter, just run it through cold water and deep clean it once in two weeks by putting it into distilled vinegar and warm water.
This filter can also face clogging issues sometimes.
Apace Living Coffee Filter
Last but not least, this Chemex filter also has a double mesh to help get a clean coffee experience. This filter is quite similar to some of the filters we mentioned above. The unique pattern given on the filter is what makes it different from others. They offer two patterns for you to choose from.
One thing great about this product is that the company provides a special brush that can clean the filter to avoid any clogging issues in the future.
The downside to this filter is that it will drain too fast if you use a coarser grind.
The filter in general is quite affordable if we think about the complimentary brush and double mesh feature.
Conclusion
So that was it. I hope you can now make a solid decision after reading this. All of the reusable Chemex filter are great, despite having some common issues. But considering they are cost-efficient and eco-friendly, I think it is a pretty good investment that you can make. Just consider things like clogging issues, price, design, etc before making any rushed decisions.