Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 Review – Is It All Just Good Looks?

The Chemex brewer has long been an iconic fixture in the coffee world. Its elegant design and precise manual control have not only made it a beloved staple but also turned it into a symbol of refined coffee brewing.

So, when we learned about the Chemex Ottomatic 2.0, the new automated successor to this classic apparatus, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on it.

After loading up our shopping cart, we finally got our hands on this novel device to try it out for ourselves. In this review, we’ll explore how the Chemex Ottomatic lives up to the legacy of its manual, iconic predecessor, and whether it is worth purchasing.

The Chemex Ottomatic has preserved the traditional charm of the well-loved Chemex but includes some fantastic new features that sets it apart from its predecessors.

We’ll walk you through how these upgrades improve the brewing process, such as the addition of pre-infusion, the ability to brew iced coffee, and a more evenly dispersed water flow over the grounds.

Besides discussing the capacity, brewing options, cleaning process, and unique extras, we’ll also share our thoughts on the taste and quality of the brewed coffee.

Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 Overview

The Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 is an upgraded version of the classic Chemex coffee brewer, with some notable improvements to enhance your brewing experience. One feature that remains the same is the traditional brewing method – using a paper filter and ground coffee, with hot water poured over using a kettle such as a gooseneck.

In the box, you’ll find a thank-you note, some additional Chemex products available for purchase, and a general brewing brochure.

Unchanged Features

In the Chemex Ottomatic 2.0, several features have remained unchanged from its predecessor.

One such feature that remains the same is the 40-ounce water reservoir, capable of holding eight 5-ounce European-style cups, which is not the same size as the standard American 8-ounce cup. When brewing, you can select the one-slot brewing option, which would then keep a hot plate on underneath the carafe to keep the coffee warm for 30 minutes before the auto shut-off function kicks in.

The Chemex still uses its signature paper filter, which is designed to remove a significant amount of coffee sludge and fines, thus producing a cleaner cup of coffee. Along with the paper filters, the brewer comes with a brew clip that you are supposed to put on the side of the carafe opposite the pour spout, to keep the paper filter away from the glass.

Improvements In The New Model

In the Chemex Ottomatic, we found several significant improvements over the original model. One of the notable features added to this new model is pre-infusion. Our machine now performs a pre-infusion cycle by saturating the ground coffee before brewing. This process improves the overall flavor and taste of your coffee.

Another addition to the Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 is the iced coffee brewing feature. To enable this function, you simply fill the carafe halfway up with ice cubes and select the double slash mode for brewing. The machine will then adjust the brewing temperature accordingly, while keeping the hot plate off to avoid melting the ice.

We also liked the new shower screen that disperses water evenly over the ground coffee. You’ll notice little holes in the screen that ensure consistent saturation during the brewing process. This shower screen comes off easily for cleaning, despite not coming into direct contact with the coffee itself.

Although it may not seem like a significant change, we found that the brew clip is a helpful addition to keeping the paper filter away from the glass while brewing. This clip keeps the filter properly positioned and contributes to the improved brewing experience.

Another subtle difference we noticed was the filter papers were even finer than before. The fine filter eliminates more sludge and fines from your coffee, resulting in an even cleaner and smoother cup. The box came with only five paper filters. This was quite disappointing as the original Chemex came with a pack of 100.

Cleaning And Capacity

One feature we find quite convenient is the removable shower screen. The holes in the screen disperse water evenly over the ground coffee in the carafe. Although the screen doesn’t come in contact with the coffee, it can still be removed for cleaning. We’re not exactly sure why you’d need to clean it, but there’s probably a use for the removable feature.

The water reservoir is easily removed and the glass carafe can be easily washed. The rest of the unit was easy for us to maintain with a daily wipe down with a non-abrasive cloth.

Brewing Options

As with the original Chemex, the Ottomatic 2.0 is predominantly used as a pour over brewer for hot coffee. The water temperature is kept within the range recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), which is between 195 and 204 degrees Fahrenheit. In our testing we found it worked best with bright, light roast coffees. However, medium and dark roasts also came out great with wonderful flavor extraction.

The second option is a delightful addition as it doubles as an iced coffee maker. Perfect for the days of summer this novel addition turns the traditional Chemex into a dual brew system to rival coffee makers from the likes of Ninja and Keurig.

To get the best results, we recommend using a medium grind coffee and measuring the amount of coffee and water carefully. In our tests, a six-cup brew took just under eight minutes to complete. Keep in mind that while this machine can hold up to eight cups of water, it comes with a six-cup carafe. If you want to brew a full eight cups, you will need to purchase a separate eight-cup carafe. Make sure you use the right size carafe to avoid overflow during brewing.

Coffee Taste Test

Now that we’ve gone through the brewing process with the Chemex 2.0 automatic coffee maker, let’s focus on the most important aspect: the taste of the coffee. We brewed a batch of La Minita Costa Rican coffee, which has flavor notes of strawberry, kiwi, and golden raisin. It’s a light roast, so we decided to put a bit more coffee grounds to give it a slightly stronger flavor.

We used the Forte grinder from Baratza to achieve the perfect medium grind for our Chemex filter.

After the brewing process was completed in just under eight minutes, it was time to taste test! Pouring the coffee from the carafe proved to be a bit of a challenge due to the weight distribution, but that didn’t deter us from enjoying our freshly brewed coffee.

Is The Chemex Ottomatic 2.0 Worth It?

What can we say? We’ve always loved everything made by Chemex and the Ottomatic 2.0 brewer is no different. It looks beautiful and most importantly, it makes delicious coffee .

It’s by no means a cheap coffee maker. However, given the new features, the fact it’s now a dual function brewer and that it is well-built and makes fantastic coffee, this is a splurge we wholeheartedly recommend.

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