(Checking back with San Francisco! Welcome to Kristin, a guest poster from the town where everyone leaves their heart. She's trying out for the editor's role. Comment away.)
The Chemex coffeemaker, designed in 1941 by Bauhaus influenced chemist Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, sits in the permanent collection at the MOMA. This graceful object clearly has mid-century classic credentials.
But look again. The combination of glass and wood, as well as it’s undulating form, give it organic contemporary cachet as well. Looks great on your stove and your dining table. (Can we really say that for the Braun coffeemaker carafe?). It also makes great coffee. Check out these brewing tips.
The hand blown series is available 
Chemex is a classic! Visually elegant, and perfectly functional -- a breeze to clean!
And, they are distributed from my hometown of Pittsfield, MA - forgive me if I get ferklempt!
I love these coffeemakers. They have their own perfect vibe. I didn't realize they made all these other items, including the hand blown and the smaller models and the water kettle. I've always used the little plastic cones for single cups, but the small Chemex is so much cooler.
Nice design, and what a hilarious name!
I like the whole chemistry lab look...this past weekend I saw gigantic (5000 ml) lab beakers used as vases, and they looked fab.
The very word Chemex brings me right back to childhood... my dad loved that thing so I thought it was the coolest too. I confess I've moved on to pousse cafe and the machine, but it is a beautiful object. That wood neck ruff with the leather string and bead! Wow!
ridiculously good looking! thanks for posting, kristin.
I love the chemex. I had one with the wood collar until I broke it :( It was replaced by an "after market" modified chemex that replaced the wood collar with a glass handle. Not quite as good looking, but much easier to pour and clean!
Can you use the 'gold' filters with these? I think this is a nice looking coffee maker, but don't like throwing out paper filters (i use a gold cone filter now, and compost the coffee grounds).
Rachel,
You could compost the paper filter, too, though that would leave your gold filter lying fallow.
I'm starting from scratch now, and looking for only really great pieces of design and function. I love this and add it to my list. Thanks Kristin for the good piece.
Who else finds it ironic that their web site is nowhere near as good? Bless their hearts.
what a riot! my mom used chemex coffee pots forever. i drank coffee out of this all through high school. it always had a 'gawd mom used that quality.' but i will admit i am going back to my roots....
My wife recently got one of these included witha subscription to the coffee-of-the-month club. We are somewhat of coffee snobs and apparently have become something of coffeemaker collecters. We now have four different coffeemakers (only one electric). The Chemex is definately the most pleasing to the eye, easiest to maintain, and makes a good cup to boot. This little device ties with our french press for most used coffeemaker, and I had never heard about it till we got it free.
very cool!!
Having just moved,I was washing my 45 year old Chemex kettle,it was knocked over and the spout was broken. Well this grown man almost cried. I went right to the Internet and ordered a new one from Chemex. It is just too beautiful to lose.