Coffee Maker Farewell

Bow your heads and whisper farewell to my favorite coffee maker, a classic Chemex® 6-cup model with wooden collar that I bought 37 years ago. Today I was about to clean it when I discovered a horrendous crack near the bottom that I could swear began to spread as I held it. I've bought and used many different coffee makers over the years, but I always went back to the Chemex® when I wanted a cup of rich but clean-tasting brew. I admit it was the beautiful design that first attracted me to the pot and the 6-cup seemed to me to have the perfect proportions. It soon became more than just another unique, cool-looking kitchen tool. I came to appreciate the simple pour-over coffee-making technique, which at that time included folding the filters yourself. The Chemex® looked more like a lab beaker that a kitchen utensil, so the coffee-making process became more of a scientific experiment than a morning chore. I will probably just buy another 6-cup beauty to replace my old carafe, but it just won't be the same.