Chemex Classic Coffee Maker – 8 cups

Chemex Classic 8-cup – pour-over for larger brews

The Chemex Classic 8-cup is the large version of the iconic Chemex pour-over coffee maker.

The brewer is made of borosilicate glass and features the characteristic wood collar with a leather tie. Coffee is brewed directly through a Chemex paper filter into the glass carafe, which also serves as a serving vessel.

With a capacity of approximately 1.18 liters, the 8-cup model is particularly well-suited when you want to be able to brew coffee for several people or make a larger pot at once.

Why choose the Chemex 8-cup

• Capacity of approx. 1.18 liters
• Well-suited for larger coffee brews
• Made of borosilicate glass
• Classic wood collar with leather tie
• Coffee maker and serving carafe in one
• Manual pour-over provides great control over the brewing process
• Used with Chemex Bonded filters for 6 cups and larger
• Can also be used for smaller portions
• Iconic and timeless Chemex design

See also our other Chemex coffee makers and accessories.

How much coffee can the Chemex 8-cup hold?

The Chemex 8-cup has a maximum capacity of approximately 1.18 liters.

The term 8 cups is based on Chemex's own cup size and therefore does not necessarily correspond to eight standard coffee mugs.

The larger capacity makes this model ideal if you:

• brew coffee for several people
• often serve coffee to guests
• wish to have the option of making a larger pot at a time
• want more capacity than the Chemex 6-cup

You do not need to fill the brewer completely, however. You can easily brew smaller portions and adjust the coffee and water amounts as needed.

Which filters fit the Chemex 8-cup?

The Chemex 8-cup uses the larger Chemex filters, which are designed for brewers from 6 cups and up.

You can use, among others:

• Chemex FS-100 – white, square filters
• Chemex FSU-100 – natural/unbleached, square filters
• Chemex FC-100 – white, round, and pre-folded filters
• Chemex FP-1 – white, round filters that are folded before use

With us, you will find both white Chemex filters for 6–10 cups and unbleached/natural Chemex filters for 6–10 cups.

What kind of coffee does a Chemex produce?

Chemex is known for a clean and clear cup of filter coffee.

The paper filter holds back fine coffee particles and provides a different mouthfeel than, for example, French press coffee.

This makes Chemex particularly interesting if you want to clearly experience the differences between various coffee beans and origins.

You can, for example, experiment with:

• fruity and floral coffees
• sweet and balanced coffees
• lighter roasts
• medium-roasted coffee beans
• different countries of origin

See our selection of freshly roasted coffee beans.

Which grind size should be used?

A good starting point for Chemex is a medium-coarse grind.

The grind size affects how quickly the water passes through the coffee and the filter.

Is the water running through very slowly?
Try grinding the coffee a little coarser.

Is the water running through very quickly?
Try a slightly finer grind size.

The taste is always the most important benchmark.

With a good coffee grinder, it becomes easier to adjust the grind and repeat a brew that works.

A simple starter recipe

A good starting point is approximately:

60 grams of coffee per 1 liter of water.

If you, for example, want to brew 1 liter of coffee, you can start with:

60 grams of coffee to 1,000 ml of water.

If you want to utilize almost the entire capacity of approximately 1.18 liters, the same ratio corresponds to approximately:

70 grams of coffee to 1,180 ml of water.

Use the recipe as a starting point and adjust to your own taste.

How to brew coffee with a Chemex 8-cup

1. Place the Chemex filter
Fold or open the filter so that it forms a cone.

The thickest side with multiple layers should face the pouring spout.

2. Rinse the filter
Rinse the paper filter with hot water.

This also helps to warm up the glass carafe.

Pour out the rinse water.

3. Add freshly ground coffee
Use medium-coarse ground coffee and distribute it evenly in the filter.

4. Bloom the coffee
Pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee so that the entire coffee bed becomes wet.

Wait about 30 seconds.

5. Continue brewing
Pour the rest of the water slowly and in a controlled manner over the coffee.

For larger brews, you can pour the water in several stages.

6. Let the coffee drain through
When the brewing is finished, remove the filter.

The coffee can then be served directly from the Chemex carafe.

If you want to work more with dosage, grind size, and pouring technique, you can read our guide to better coffee on a Chemex.

Chemex 6 or 8 cups?

The choice is primarily about how much coffee you typically brew.

The Chemex 6-cup is a good fit for you if you:

• typically brew medium-sized portions
• want a more compact Chemex
• rarely have a need for more than approx. 900 ml

The Chemex 8-cup is a good fit for you if you:

• often brew for several people
• want the option of around 1.18 liters
• would like extra capacity
• serve coffee to guests or family

Both models use the same type of larger Chemex filters.

Can you brew smaller portions in a Chemex 8-cup?

Yes.

You do not need to fill the Chemex 8-cup completely every time.

You can easily brew, for example, 500, 700, or 1,000 ml and simply adjust the coffee amount using the same ratio.

The large model therefore primarily provides more maximum capacity, not a requirement to brew a full pot.

Which coffee beans are suitable for Chemex?

Chemex can be used with all roast levels.

Light-roasted coffee can be interesting if you want clear fruitiness, floral notes, and acidity.

Medium-roasted coffee often provides a good balance between sweetness, body, and the individual character of the coffee.

Darker roasts can also be used if you prefer a stronger flavor profile.

There is therefore no one specific type of coffee that is the only right one for Chemex.

Cleaning the Chemex 8-cup

After brewing, remove the filter and coffee grounds.

The glass carafe can be rinsed with hot water and cleaned with mild dish soap as needed.

The glass itself can also be washed in the dishwasher once the wood collar and leather tie have been removed.

Ensure that the Chemex carafe is placed securely in the dishwasher and cannot bump into other items.

The wood collar and leather tie should be cleaned separately.

Specifications

Manufacturer: CHEMEX
Series: Classic Series
Model: CM-8A
Size: 8 cups
Capacity: 40 oz / approx. 1.18 liters
Height: Approx. 22.9 cm
Diameter: Approx. 13.3 cm
Material: Borosilicate glass
Collar: Wood
Tie: Leather
Brewing method: Pour-over / filter coffee
Recommended grind size: Medium-coarse
Filter: Chemex filter for 6 cups and larger
Compatible filter types: FS-100, FSU-100, FC-100, and FP-1
Dishwasher: The glass can be washed in the dishwasher when the wood collar and leather tie are removed

Frequently asked questions about the Chemex 8-cup

How many ml does the Chemex 8-cup hold?

The capacity is approximately 1,180 ml.

Is 8 cups the same as eight standard coffee mugs?

No. Chemex uses its own cup size as a size indicator. The total capacity is approximately 1.18 liters.

Which filter fits the Chemex 8-cup?

The Chemex 8-cup uses the larger filters for 6 cups and up, for example, FS-100 and FSU-100.

Can I use the same filters as for the Chemex 6-cup?

Yes. The Chemex 6-cup and 8-cup models use the same filter size.

Which grind size should I use?

A medium-coarse grind is a good starting point.

Can I brew less than 1.18 liters?

Yes. You can brew smaller portions and adjust the coffee and water amounts as needed.

Can the Chemex 8-cup go in the dishwasher?

Yes. The glass carafe itself can be washed in the dishwasher once the wood collar and leather tie are removed.

What is the difference between the Chemex 6-cup and 8-cup?

The most important difference is the capacity. The 6-cup model holds approx. 887 ml, while the 8-cup model holds approx. 1.18 liters.