Chemex coffee pots
I may not be looking hard enough but I'm having a tough time finding Chemex coffee pots. I don't want to shop online because I like to see what I'm getting before I pay for it. Know of any place that sells Chemex in OC or SGV?
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Think "Thrift Store..." I heard about the Chemex coffee makers here from a podcast. I went to their website and looked around and saw what they were all about. A month later I was in a local American Veterans Thrift store that I was going to daily because it was near where I work. I spotted a strange looking "pitcher" and picked it up. There were no markings on it at all but it looked like it might be... Bought it for $3 bucks. Got it home and went back to the website and sure enough I had in my hands on a Chemex Handle series coffee maker! It's one of the bigger ones. As I had been doing I went back the next day at lunch time and ... not 1 BUT 2 of the regular manufactured Chemex makers where there on the shelff next to each other! TWO DOLLAS EACH! One 8 1/4 and one 9 1/2 tall! There in perfect shape too. I guess I got REAL lucky but at this place they get new stuff daily and stuff is going on the shelfs from the back room all day. Would not be surprised to find another one soon from someone that does not know what they have. AmVets thrift stores are big and they send out trucks all the time there is new stuff coming in.
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John Manzo
Jun 9, 2007 10:39 PM
Bodum makes an hourglass drip that's a lot like a chemex- it's called a Kona pot. Google it- kinda cool.
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re: myoo
John Manzo
Jun 10, 2007 08:12 PM
Haven't tried it- but it accepts a permanent filter, which I like since paper (as with Chemex) filters out all the colloids- a permanent filter makes coffee with more body I find, sort of like a french press.
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litchick
Jun 7, 2007 06:58 PM
I've seen them in various cafes around and about (I'm not in your neck of the woods), but when I finally bought my 8 cup model, I got it from Amazon and was very happy with the whole experience.
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google.
Chemex
www.chemexcoffeemaker.com the official website.
Links to local stores that sell their stuff. Right column.
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re: Cathy
My Chemex, and aeropress, AND Techivorm came from Sweet Maria's in Emeryville, CA. They are very nice people. www.sweetmarias.com
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yinyangdi
Jun 6, 2007 05:57 PM
the new Groundwork downtown (4th/main) had Chemex coffee pots when I was there recently.
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re: liu
yinyangdi
Jun 7, 2007 08:56 PM
yep, I've tried the Clover at the 4th/Main Groundwork several times; we spoke about it in March ;-)
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/381168
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corydon
Jun 5, 2007 05:28 PM
got my Chemex at an estate sale in silverlake for 2 bucks last year ,not that you care but the filters do more for the taste than cheaper drip methods I have tried. That being said, there is an aesthetic to it as well that keeps me hooked to the process, esp. with all the high quality beans coming out now from groundworks, farmers markets, etc.
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ecustard
Jun 5, 2007 04:29 AM
Sweet Maria's is a coffee roaster and retailer in Oakland that sells Chemex brewers online, available in five different permutations: 6 or 10-cup machine-made, 8 or 13-cup handblown, and an 8-cup with a glass handle instead of the wood collar and leather tie. Especially among home roasters these guys have a great reputation and appear to be scrupulously honest people (just spend some time reading their site), which should help to mitigate your web-buying anxiety. Check them out at www.sweetmarias.com
Note: I don't work for these guys or party with them--I don't even know them. I've seen them mentioned repeatedly on coffee/espresso message boards, where they enjoy a very high regard. I simply happened to be on their site just yesterday reading about Chemexes and thought the coincidence warranted my response to your query. Good luck.
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I picked up my Chemex at Groundwork on Rose in Venice, but that was years ago when they were still Gourmet Coffee Warehouse... You might call them as well - I don't recall if they still carry them...
I don't know if you're deadset on getting a Chemex, but I recently picked up a relatively new coffee brewer called the Aerobie AeroPress. It's inexpensive, unbreakable, and produces some of the best homebrewed coffee I've tasted. The filters are cheap - 350 for $3. The only drawback is you make one cup at a time. I've pretty much retired my Chemex for now but at least it's nice to look at...
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re: bulavinaka
Joe Blowe
Jun 4, 2007 07:22 PM
Ah yes, what I didn't mention in my post immediately above is that those are probably the last Chemex filters I'll ever buy:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22joe...
I've been using an AeroPress for nine months now, and I don't think I'll be moving on to anything else. Unless I catch that super-high-end-espresso-machine bug, perish the thought...
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re: Joe Blowe
I love aeropress as well. but it's a wee bit inconvenient when you have a group of people--all who want coffee. thanks to all for the great info. i suppose i will have to go the online route. also saw some with glass handle. that said, which is better? the glass handle or the original with the wood collar?
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re: myoo
a_and_w
Jun 5, 2007 05:10 PM
I can't speak to utility, as this is not my preferred method of brewing, but I think the wood looks cooler. BTW, one compromise might be to order off the internet from a place like Peet's, which has stores in the area where you can return it if you decide you don't like it.
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re: bulavinaka
liu
Jun 4, 2007 07:54 PM
I am also a huge fan of the AeroPress! It makes THE best home coffee...smoooooth, with no bitter tone or residual gritty "mud." We are using ground espresso coffee with the AeroPress, and it doesn't even seem to matter what brand we use, so long as it is fresh; the resultant AeroPress coffee is wonderful. Indeed, our Chemex has seen its days.
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re: liu
Will Owen
Jun 4, 2007 10:10 PM
Sorry, I just like the pour-it-through simplicity and the control over things like strength and brewing temperature the Chemex gives. Fifteen minutes to a quart of coffee, without having to use some snorting big plastic machine - I love it. And there ain't nothin' prettier than that sexy double-cone glass flask with the rakish leather-tied wood collar.
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Joe Blowe
Jun 4, 2007 05:00 PM
I bought some Chemex filters at Cookin' Stuff about 6 months ago -- I'm pretty sure I saw at least 3 or 4 different carafes on hand. Give 'em a call.
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I saw Chemex pots at the Coffee Conservatory in Culver City. Call to make sure, especially if it's a long trip for you. I may have been hallucinating.
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Will Owen
Jun 4, 2007 03:57 PM
myoo, I haven't seen a Chemex pot in any store in at least 20 years. There was an old couple who frequently had them at the monthly Rose Bowl market, but that was two or three years ago.
If you're familiar with these things, you know what they look like, so I'm having a little trouble understanding your reluctance to buy long-distance. The pots are still being made, and they're exactly the same as they ever were, both hand-blown and molded. I buy parts and (if necessary) pots from them by mail - there's an illustrated price sheet that comes with every box of filters, which I buy from Peet's. If you want to see one of these, email me and I can either mail one or scan it.
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