Chemex Classic Series 6-Cup CM-6A

Chemex Classic Series 6-Cup CM-6A

By Chemex · Coffee Makers · Kitchen & Cooking

  • Capacity: 30 oz
  • Height: 8.5 in
  • Diameter: 5.125 in
  • Item: CM-6A
  • Material: borosilicate glass with wood collar

Lowest price seen
~$49.50 (approx.)
from $49.50 at Amazon

Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.

Summary

A 30 oz manual pour-over brewer in borosilicate glass with a hand-tied wood collar, made by Chemex since 1941. Check the filter economics before you buy: the proprietary bonded filters are a recurring purchase and are not included.

Strengths

  • The thick bonded filter removes most coffee oils, producing a clean cup that enthusiasts praise.
  • Simple construction: glass, wood, and leather — no pump, heater, or electronics to fail.
  • Dishwasher-safe glass once the collar and rawhide are removed.
  • Replacement collars and rawhides are sold directly by Chemex.
  • Tom’s Guide rated the 6-cup “Recommended” in November 2024, praising the balanced coffee and easy cleanup.
  • The design has been in continuous production since 1941 and is in MoMA’s collection.

Weaknesses

  • Filters are proprietary, not included, and a permanent recurring cost.
  • Chemex does not warranty traumatic breakage — a dropped carafe is a full replacement.
  • The glass gets hot in use; the brewer must be handled by the collar only.
  • The collar and rawhide must be removed before dishwasher cleaning, which is a small chore.
  • Some enthusiasts find the cup “too clean” and prefer the body of a V60.
  • The empty brewer’s leather tie means the Classic is not vegan-compatible.

Verified specifications

ModelCM-6A, “Six Cup Classic CHEMEX”, Classic Series.
Typemanual pour-over glass coffeemaker; unpowered.
Capacity30 oz (Chemex counts a cup as 5 oz).
Height8 1/2 in.
Diameter5 1/8 in.
Glassborosilicate, described by the manufacturer as the same type used for labware.
Collarpolished wood collar with rawhide (leather) tie, hand-tied by Chemex staff.
Compatible filtersFP-1, FC-100, FS-100, FSU-100.
Filters includednone.
Dishwasherglass is dishwasher-safe after collar and rawhide removal.
Microwavenone — do not reheat in microwave.
Dimensions8.5 × 5.1 in.
Full research notes and sources

Brewing and the cup

The Chemex is a manual pour-over: medium-coarse grind, one rounded tablespoon per 5-oz cup, bloom about 30 seconds, and pour in stages. The thick bonded paper removes most coffee oils — which is why Chemex markets the brewer as removing “fats, bitterness, acidity and sediments.” That is a genuine functional difference from a $10 V60, but it is also the main taste risk: enthusiasts who prefer body find the Chemex “too clean.” Tom’s Guide’s 6-cup test landed on the other side — “Recommended,” with “deliciously balanced coffee,” easy mastery, and easy cleaning.

Filters and running costs

Filters are proprietary and never included. Tom’s Guide measured about $0.11 per filter at Chemex direct ($11 per 100 pre-folded square filters), and found that cheap unbranded filters both fitted badly and let grounds through. No other consumables are required. A replacement wood collar and rawhide set is available from Chemex if the tie or collar wears out.

Care and warranty

Remove the collar and tie, then dishwasher the glass carafe (keeping it from banging other dishes) or hand-wash with warm soapy water and a bottle brush. The glass gets hot during brewing, so handle only by the collar. Chemex’s warranty does not cover traumatic breakage. For direct purchases, report breakage within 3 days and request returns within 30 days. Warranty coverage requires proof of purchase from an authorized Chemex seller.

Is it worth it?

At $49.50 direct from Chemex (2025), this is a defensible purchase for a manual brewer — a MoMA-collection design with a documented cleaning procedure, replaceable wear parts, and a taste profile you cannot get from thin paper or metal filters. Street pricing observed near $47 at Target and $47.95 at Crate & Barrel in late 2024. A Hario V60 costs under $10, a Bodum $19 and a Cosori $29, but none uses the thick bonded filter that defines the Chemex cup. Above about $60, the same 30 oz glass hourglass offers no added functionality, and the hand-blown series or a heated brewer becomes the more defensible luxury purchase.

Which model this is

This page covers the Six Cup Classic CHEMEX, model CM-6A, with SKU CM-6A-OL and barcode 028068001012. The Amazon listing is ASIN B0000YWF5E. Do not confuse it with the 3-, 8- or 10-cup Classic models, the Glass Handle series, the hand-blown series, the Funnex, or ChemAer.

Sources

Manufacturer:

Independent reviews:

Owner reports:

Other:

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