How to Caffeinate In The Wild - Episode 2

Chemex camp caffeination class is in session. In our last episode, Brandon Litunn of Smoking Gun Coffee, walked us through how to brew epic backcountry coffee with Aeropress. Today, we’re switching gears to a more refined camp coffee brew method: The Chemex.

The Chemex is well loved in the specialty coffee community - because of its thicker filter it can produce light body and great clarity in the cup. There are also several sizes available and allow for brewing several cups at once. Although fragile and more expensive than other brewers, in the right "glamping" scenario, the Chemex can be a beautiful centerpiece for your campsite brunch! Designed by a German engineer in 1941, the Chemex has a long history and innumerable recipes! This is just one suggested recipe - you can adjust water temp, dosing, ratio, and brew time as you see fit. We suggest sticking with a coffee to water ratio of between 15-17:1, but the rest comes down to taste!

Brandon Litun is the founder and head roaster of Smoking Gun Coffee Roasters based in the Fraser Valley, BC. Brandon has been in the coffee industry for many years, working as a barista in cafés around western Canada, consulting with some of the best roasters and coffee leaders in the Pacific Northwest, and competing in several local festivals and events.

Brandon discovered roasting coffee to be an incredibly dynamic, sensory, and therapeutic process, and recklessly threw himself at it, eventually founding SG out of his garage as a side hustle in 2015. In winter 2019, SG partnered with a local brewery and launched its first production roastery with a focus on wholesale. This was quickly impacted by the pandemic that closed many businesses in spring 2020.

In an effort to pivot, SG quickly launched a "curbside café" which was warmly received by the community and provided an opportunity to develop the service side of the business. This momentum also resulted in SG signing a lease on a new brick and mortar café/roastery in Chilliwack BC (launching summer 2021). SG's goal is to craft exceptional coffee experiences, and to make the dynamic world of specialty coffee accessible to everyone. SG works hard to offer a range of coffees - from light and bright to dark and classic, including dope decaf!