Using Hario 01 Filter Paper with Kone in Chemex: A Working Alternative

If you’ve fallen for the clean, bright cups that a Chemex delivers—or just can’t find its signature square or round filters—you’re not alone. For fans of the classic glass or wooden-handled Chemex, the real magic often comes from those ultra-thin, oxygen-bleached paper filters. But in many parts of Asia, including mainland China, official Chemex filters are frustratingly hard to get, even when the carafe itself is in hand. So what’s the workaround?

The simplest working alternative? Use a Kone metal filter alongside Hario 01 paper filters. Yes, it works—and with some adjustments, it can still produce a clean, sediment-free cup reminiscent of classic Chemex brews.

Why Chemex Filters Are So Hard to Find

Chemex coffee makers—especially the iconic six-cup and eight-cup glass models with wooden or glass handles—have remained popular for decades. Their distinctive shape contributes to the theatre of pour-over, but it’s the filters that really define the experience. Chemex filters are thicker, cone-shaped, and designed to trap fines and oils while allowing a slower, cleaner flow. Yet across much of Asia, supply is limited. In China, both the carafes and their matching filters can be elusive, with customs delays adding weeks to orders. Many enthusiasts turn to alternatives like the Kone, a reusable metal filter designed for Chemex, but it’s not a perfect substitute on its own.

What Happens When You Use Just a Kone

The Kone is a fine mesh, stainless steel filter that sits directly in the top of a Chemex. It allows for a pour-over experience without paper waste, but it comes with trade-offs. Its wide holes let more coffee fines through compared to Chemex’s paper filters, resulting in a cup that sits somewhere between a paper-filtered pour-over and a French press—richer, fuller, and with a touch more body and sediment. For drinkers accustomed to the crisp clarity of paper-filtered Chemex coffee, this can be a noticeable shift. That’s why some users, like the author of this account, try to combine the Kone with paper filters for the best of both worlds.

How to Use Hario 01 Filter Paper with a Kone in a Chemex

The author’s Chemex is a six-cup model. While Hario 01 filters aren’t a perfect fit for the Chemex’s unique cone shape, they can be made to work. By carefully tearing a corner of the round Hario 01 filter, it’s possible to wedge it inside the Chemex atop the Kone. This layered approach aims to mimic the performance of an official Chemex filter. However, adding a paper filter on top of the metal Kone creates extra resistance, slowing the flow rate considerably.

To compensate, the grind size must be adjusted. The recommended move is to make the coffee grounds slightly coarser than your usual Chemex setting. This helps maintain an optimal brew time and prevents over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness. In the author’s first attempt, the flow was still slower than ideal—but they noted that a slightly coarser grind in the next brew should improve the balance. Despite the imperfect fit and flow adjustments, the resulting cup was clear and clean, closely resembling what you’d expect from a traditional Chemex brew.

Key steps in this method:

• Use a Kone filter placed in the top of your Chemex.
• Tear a corner of a Hario 01 round filter to fit it snugly over the Kone inside the Chemex.
• Adjust your grind size to be slightly coarser than your normal Chemex grind (likely around a medium-coarse, similar to sea salt).
• Brew as usual, monitoring flow rate: aim for a total brew time around 3:30–4:30 depending on dose and temperature.
• Expect a slightly longer drawdown due to the double filtration layer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really use Hario 01 filter paper in a Chemex?

Yes, but Hario 01 filters are round and not designed specifically for the Chemex’s cone shape. You can make them fit by tearing a corner and placing them inside the Chemex, usually on top of a Kone filter. It’s not a perfect physical match but it can function with adjustments.

What is the Kone filter and how does it affect taste?

The Kone is a reusable stainless steel mesh filter made for Chemex. It allows more coffee fines and oils to pass through than paper filters, resulting in a cup with more body and less clarity—closer to a hybrid between pour-over and French press. Taste is richer but can be less clean than with paper.

How do I adjust grind size when using Kone with Hario paper?

You’ll need to grind your coffee slightly coarser than your standard Chemex grind (often around a medium-coarse or sea salt texture) to counteract the added resistance from the double filter layers and maintain proper brew flow and extraction balance.

Does this method produce a clean cup like original Chemex filters?

It can get close. The combination of Kone and Hario 01 filter paper results in a cleaner cup than Kone alone, with less sediment and clearer flavours. It may not be identical to official Chemex filters but is a functional alternative when paper filters are unavailable.

How long does the brew take with this setup?

Expect a slower drawdown—likely longer than the typical Chemex brew time of around 3:30–4:30 minutes—due to the resistance from both the Kone and the paper. You may need to adjust grind size or pour rate to fine-tune timing.

Where can I get Hario 01 or Kone filters?

Hario 01 filters are widely available as they’re designed for Hario V60 brewers. Kone filters are sold as standalone pour-over tools compatible with Chemex and are available from speciality coffee retailers or online shops that carry pour-over accessories.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Chemex-Style Brewing

For Chemex or Kone-based pour-over, FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera offers bright citrus and floral notes with a silky mouthfeel—perfect for highlighting clean filtration. Their Yirgacheffe is another great choice, with juicy berry tones and a light body that shines through paper or fine metal filters. For something more balanced, try their Classic Blend, which blends sweetness and acidity smoothly. All three work well at standard pour-over ratios and brew temperatures, and are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.