Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot (What is The Best?)

The delicate details of the brewing process are what makes the task so complicated. In most cases, you and I both have no idea what’s happening. Or what we’re doing or are supposed to do! And this is why I’m discussing the comparison of Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot.

Each brewing technique is obviously different from the other. And every method has its own advantages and drawbacks. That’s obvious too! But what you probably want to understand is which one of these is the most suitable for YOU. Am I right?

If that’s what you’re wondering, then it’s time for the ultimate showdown. Between the Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot. So how about I set two different methods side by side at a time?

Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot – Comparison #1

Chemex vs. French Press

So let’s get down to the real deal – Chemex vs. French Press.

Both techniques employ brewers that are super affordable. I’m talking about the Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker. It’s the best French Press. And also about the Chemex Classic Series Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker. Both models are winners in terms of budget-friendly price.

But let’s find out how one sizes up against the other. When it comes to other equally important factors! Such as time for preparation, portability, brew quality, convenience, etc.

Bean to Brew Preparation Time

Preparing your most favorite brew does sound like a dream come true. But, to be honest, who’s got the time these days! By and large, you don’t have enough hours or even minutes on your hands. To prepare a drink you love more than anything else.

With that in mind, how do you feel about Chemex taking around 5-6 minutes to complete the job? While French Press does the same thing in less than 3-4 minutes! In the case of the former, you also have to set up the filter, rinse, and bloom the coffee. As for the latter, no need for filter setups or preheating cup and brewer.

French Press Coffee Maker

Brewing Ease

The Chemex method first requires you to grind the beans. To achieve that perfect medium-grind coarse! Also, here’s another thing to take into account. Chemex coffeemaker uses only Chemex filters. So you can’t work with just an ordinary filter.

The thing about Chemex filters is that they fit the brewer mouth properly. Plus, these are thicker than others. To make the filtration process more precise! The result of which is a cleaner brew that’s free of undesirable gunk and sediments.

After the blooming phase lies the trickiest task. You begin the next pour by employing the wiggling motion. Then shift to the gentle spiral movement to make room for an even, well-balanced soak.

When the soak is even, grounds can achieve a consistent brew time and temperature. And both factors have a direct impact on the number of good ground elements getting into the brew.

How to: The Chemex

Now it’s time to discuss how to use a French Press. The grinding technique demands the same attention. But without tinkering with the setting up of the filter! Thanks to the addition of the integrated mesh plunger.

Post-bloom pouring doesn’t mean indulging in any deliberate or patterned movement either. The French Press contact time is around 4 minutes. To enjoy an ideal brew! The straight pour, in this case, is more advisable.

Steadily and slowly press that plunger down as soon as you reach the end of the brewing action. This is very helpful for ensuring that the grounds remain near the bottom. Separated from the brew!

It’s quite evident that both methods require some extra effort. So how about I break this tie by declaring which technique’s cleanup stage is simpler!

With the Chemex, you don’t take more than a minute for cleanup. But when French Press is involved, the same task takes at least 3 minutes. That’s because this particular method leaves coffee grounds to clear up.

Portability

Truth be told, French Press and Chemex are not modern brewers. So they don’t feature complicated buttons and plug. That means both are perfect in terms of portability.

The Chemex is 8.5 inches tall. And 2 pounds lightweight. This coffeemaker is built using borosilicate glass, the non-porous kind. Plus, it has no plastic or metal casing. The design doesn’t come with a handle either.

As for the French Press, it’s relatively smaller. The coffeemaker is 8 inches tall with the same 2-pound weight. The major difference is that French Press is designed using a blend of stainless steel and borosilicate glass.

Brew Quality

Photo credit: ties.com

It’s only logical to assume that the filtering process of Chemex sets the brew quality apart. Since the filter is a specialized one, it eliminates unwanted particles. So the final cup is clear, bright, and clean.

But this also means that the filter gets rid of coffee oils as well. These oils are what provide the drink with a distinct flavor. So the natural richness of the brew is lost in the process.

Moving on to French Press, it skips the paper filter action. The method is hugely dependent on the mesh plunger. So it focuses more on the brewing. Natural oils do not disappear along the way. The outcome of which is a full-bodied, aromatic, and rich drink.

However, the drawback here is that French Press leaves many sediments. So more gunk is also what you get.

Chemex vs. French Press: What Is Better?

Are you a coffee fanatic?

If YES, then you enjoy a cup of smooth, clean, and fine-tasting filter coffee. That means Chemex.

French Press, on the other hand, offers a unique brew instead.

This brings me to the end of the first comparison between Chemex vs. French Press.

Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot – Comparison #2

French Press vs. Espresso

The best French Press is the Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker. As for Espresso, you might fall in love with the Mr. Coffee Café Barista Espresso and Cappuccino Maker.

Both the techniques offer very powerful coffee flavors. With a fuller-bodied texture! As compared to regular drip devices! But there are many notable differences you should know.

Mr. Coffee Café Barista - First Use

French Press vs. Espresso: What Is Better?

So are you still confused about the debate between French Press vs. Espresso? Allow me to settle it for you.

Both French Press and Espresso are versatile in commercial settings. Even for home use, the coffeemakers offer remarkable flexibility. So it all boils down to how much you’re willing to spend. Cause the latter is nearly 5 times costlier than the former.

Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot – Comparison #3

Moka Pot vs. French Press

So what’s the best Moka Pot on the current market? It’s The Original Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop Coffee Maker. And how does it compare to the Bodum Chambord French Press Coffee Maker?

Bean to Brew Preparation Time

It has become necessary to take preparation time into consideration. After all, it does matter how long the coffeemaker takes to prepare your fresh cup of morning brew.

When working with Moka Pot, be ready to expend some time and effort into heating water. As soon as the water starts to boil, expect instant extraction. But, at this point, you shouldn’t leave your Pot unattended. As this might lead to bitter-tasting coffee!

Also, do you prepare the groundswell in advance? If yes, then the process takes only around 10 minutes.

In the case of French Press, you obviously cannot prep for anything before time. Each coffee batch calls for fresh grinding. You boil the water separately. Apart from that, steeping and then plunging doesn’t take more than 5 minutes.

In all, the French Press takes a longer time than Moka Pot.

Grind Flexibility/Convenience

Moka Pot consists of a specialized brew basket, which contains the ground coffee. The best thing about Moka coffeemakers is that they grab your pre-grounded coffee. Thanks to the Pot’s conventional grind setting.

But do you prefer grinding your beans instead? If so, then you get the opportunity to adjust your grind. Keep in mind one thing though. Water fails to push through these grounds if the grind is too fine. And this results in weak extraction, which can be your worst nightmare. I just gave you one of the most important Moka Pot tips.

Bialetti Moka Pot

Now it’s time to discuss the French Press technique. The method hugely depends on steeping, right? In the light of this matter, coffee should be coarsely ground. To increase the extraction surface area! And that’s the reason why you should opt for a high-quality grinder. Only such a machine has the power to give you top quality brew.

Brewing Ease

Moka Pots do come with a major drawback though. And that is under-extraction. When this happens, know that it’s a problem of tamping or grind size. But you can resolve both issues. By using different combinations of grind size and tamping technique.

French Press is a whole other story though. It guarantees a delicious, strong brew. Without having to improve and tweak your method!

Brew Quality

Moka Pots, much like Espresso, prepare coffee using pressure. Although this pressure, in the case of the former, is much lower than the latter. Even so, the brew is much more concentrated than French Press.

As for French Press, it depends on the roasted flavors and oils of the beans. And this is what delivers the most delicious brew. Leaving the door open to flavor variation!

However, steeping is more susceptible to leaving an oily, heavy feel and taste in the mouth. All this without offering any extra flavor! But you might enjoy this. So it’s based on your personal preferences really.

In all, French Press extracts a very refined flavor. In fact, it also gives a completely bodied feel to lighter roasts too.

Moka Pot vs. French Press: What Is Better?

Moka Pot provides you with the opportunity to prepare both strong and weak brews. But this comes only after you go through the long trial and error period. However, once you get past this, you can produce an almost perfect espresso-quality extraction right at home.

So my advice to you would be to pick Moka Pot over French press. Especially if you don’t mind experimenting! While also enjoying ultimate control over the end product.

So the showdown between Moka Pot vs. French Press is indisputable.

Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot – What’s The Best Choice?

I have discussed the following comparisons in here:

• Chemex vs. French Press
• French Press vs. Espresso
• Moka Pot vs. French Press

So what is the most suitable brewing option for YOU?

This, I hope, settles the debate of Chemex vs. French Press vs. Espresso vs. Moka Pot. So which one are you more likely to pick?

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Sources:

• French Press vs. Espresso – Comparing Two Classic Coffee Brewing Methods
• A French Press is What Type of Coffee Brewer: A Better Understanding
• Moka Pot vs. French Press (Which Makes the Best Brew!)