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Revisiting a Classic: The Chemex Coffee Maker and Beyond
Peter Schlumbohm

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Since a good host always has coffee available at the end of a lovely dinner party, let's revisit one of the few coffee makers heralded by coffee connoisseurs and design enthusiasts alike. Patented in 1941 by the German born Dr. Peter Schlumbohm, its simplistic yet modern design landed it in MOMA's design collection just three years later.

 
 

While the Chemex Coffee Maker resembles an Erlenmeyer flask corseted with wood and belted with leather, the device functions rather simply. A heavy paper filter is placed into the Pyrex glass container, coffee grounds are added and then just boiling water is poured through. The result is said to be a concentrated, clean cup of coffee with no sludge or bitterness.

While none of Peter Schlumbohm's other inventions ever garnered the acclaim of the Chemex, they remain as shining examples of his functional design aesthetic.


Water Kettle, 1949.
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Cocktail Shaker, 1943.
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Fahrenheitor Ice-buoy Buffet, 1946.
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Teamaker, 1954.
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The Chemex Coffee Maker and Handblown Water Kettle are available for purchase from the Chemex Corp. While his other pieces are not in production anymore, they are part of MoMA's Architecture and Design Collection.


(Image credits: 1 - Chemex Corp, all others from MoMA)


RELATED POST:
Coffee Methods: The Chemex Carafe

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entertaining, MoMA, coffee, design, parties

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Comments (14)

Thanks for bringing this up. I use to have one and have been thinking of getting one again.

posted by sassydo on November 11th 2009 at 8:54pm
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I'm really surprised - the prices aren't out of this world!

posted by learnbydesign on November 11th 2009 at 9:06pm
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Thank you for this post!!!!!!!!!!!

I bought this exact coffee maker at the thrift store for $1.98 about 2 weeks ago!

For years I thought about buying something similar after seeing one in Domino. My husband doesn't drink coffee and I only drink it seasonly, pumpkin & gingerbread, so I didn't want a traditional coffee maker taking up counter or cabinet space. When I found this piece in the thrift store I grabbed it just because I loved the look and wanted to display it on open shelving, then upon close inspection realized it might be for coffee.

Yeah!

posted by rebeldress on November 11th 2009 at 9:13pm
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Oh, how I love my Chemex. Have had it for years and years. We make cold brewed coffee with the Toddy filter now but still use the Chemex to serve coffee when we have guests. I also use it to make sun tea in the summer. It's a beautiful thing that has performed well over time.

posted by klt108 on November 11th 2009 at 9:25pm
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I too have been using the Chemex Coffee Maker for 18 years. If you like really good coffee this is the way to go. Also, you use less coffee because you need to grind the beans on the fine side so you need less than you would with typical coffee makers and the truest flavor comes out.


Many people do not know but this was designed during the Bauhaus art movement.

posted by LoriSF on November 11th 2009 at 9:55pm
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Took a quick peek at the Chemex site, and the Water Kettle is for sale there. I do like the look of this as a beverage container for the table.

posted by Mlle Kate on November 11th 2009 at 10:33pm
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learnbydesign - i'm with ya! i expected it to be some beautiful yet ridiculous $500 thing, and...i was pleasantly surprised! looks like a great gift for my in-laws! :)

posted by nikki moore - photography and vintage treasures on November 11th 2009 at 11:08pm
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Thanks Mile Kate! I just updated the post.

posted by Jess Watson on November 11th 2009 at 11:53pm
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Is it possible to make tea in these? I can't abide the taste or smell of coffee, but if tea is an option, then I'm all for it.

Thanks if anyone knows.

posted by jodeha2002 on November 12th 2009 at 1:00am
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I have a Chemex and have had one for years. It is quite simply one of the loveliest vessels. I use it for tea, though, and other beverages because the coffee the thing makes is completely void of personality. A little too "clean" for my taste, but again, I bought it for the design anyway.

posted by designporn on November 12th 2009 at 9:56am
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lovely - I would get one for looks but I do love my Keurig coffee maker, snap and tasty.

posted by Haunted_Studio on November 12th 2009 at 12:19pm
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is there a difference between this and a french press?

posted by denise123 on November 12th 2009 at 12:33pm
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@jodeha2002: Yes, you can make tea in the Chemex. You can buy a glass lid that fits in the top (useful for keeping the coffee warm, too), and then use tea bags or a tea ball--or loose tea and pour it through a strainer.

@denise123: As LoriSF pointed out, you use a finer grind with the Chemex, so you'll use less coffee than a french press, which requires a fairly coarse grind. I can't tell much difference in the taste of the coffee between the two, though.

posted by klt108 on November 12th 2009 at 1:40pm
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There are quite a few of these available on Ebay, plus other Chemex decanters & filters. Might be worth checking out before buying new on the Chemix website.

posted by Ms. Pea on November 12th 2009 at 3:05pm
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