Coffee filters are an indispensable way of separating your coffee grounds from the final beverage without affecting the taste of your cup. Filters fit into most coffee machines or work with one of the many methods of preparing coffee. But stepping out to buy a filter that suits your cup routine can be a chore.
Despite the fact that they have only been around since the 20th century, the modern coffee industry offers tons of choices depending on your preference for filters. Between the various elements used to bleach paper filters, at least three prominent shapes, various sizes, along with reusable and disposable types, the hunt for a simple product can quickly make your head spin.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about coffee filters. Without being too exhaustive, we’ll go over the essential factors you need to consider before buying a coffee filter. We’ll also list five of the best coffee filters to help you choose the best one for your needs.
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How Do I Know Which Coffee Filter is Right For Me?
Unless you’re extremely particular about your coffee, selecting the right filter is much simpler than the many categories make it appear. Though there are many esoteric variables that can determine the quality of your cup, three main factors need to be considered: shape, disposability, and, in the case of paper filters, whether they are bleached or not. These are covered below.
Reusable and Disposable Filters
This distinction is fairly intuitive. Disposable filters are generally made of paper, while reusable ones contain a metal, usually stainless steel, with a mesh. While the latter will set you back a little at the counter, they can last for fairly long. Paper filters need to be purchased repeatedly, and if you drink coffee often, this cost adds up substantially.
Reusable filters will usually suffer from eventual buildup and staining on the insides that need cleaning, and this goes without saying, they’re worse for the environment. Paper filters are simply discarded after use, and depending on your schedule, the time saved can be crucial.
Bleached vs Unbleached Filters
This distinction only applies to paper filters. While unbleached coffee filters retain the original brown color of paper, bleached ones usually utilize two different chemicals in the process: chlorine or oxygen. If some alarm bells ringing in your head on reading chlorine, your concern is still a debate that is unsettled scientifically, and in the larger coffee community. Chlorine obviously carries some negative connotations along with it, but some have contended that only minor amounts of the chemical are used for it in filters for it to have any detrimental effect.
Furthermore, no difference in the taste of coffee can be observed between oxygen and chlorine-bleached filters. Regardless of what the filter is bleached with, the additive gives it a white appearance, as opposed to the brown unbleached filters.
The latter can add a papery taste to your coffee if not rinsed before usage, but the same is true for low-quality bleached filters as well. However, brown filters are much better for the environment because they degrade faster.
Cones, Buckets, or Discs?
These are the three main shapes of filters used by coffee drinkers. Conical filters are generally the most recommended of the three for the even extraction that they offer, but some methods of preparing coffee simply don’t support this shape. The AeroPress, for example, needs disc filters and is not as popular as the other two choices. Bucket filters are similar to the ones you might have seen used for cupcakes.
Melitta Cone Coffee Filters
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The founder of Melitta is the person responsible for the advent of modern filters, and it is no surprise that her company produces some of the best coffee filters out there. These size 4 filters are suitable for even heavy coffee drinkers, and the fact that they are unbleached helps us be responsible consumers.
They are also conical, giving its users an evenly filtered cup of ‘joe. Besides this, these filters also have some unique features. They come with markings to help you pour the right amount of coffee, and also contain micro-perforations that enhance the flavor of your cup.
What We Liked
- Easy to use
- Great durability
- Very sturdy
What We Didn’t Like
- Water will tear through paper
Organic Hemp Cone Coffee
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Though questionable in a list of bests, the Bolio hemp filters are easily one of the most creative ones on the market. They offer as close a middle ground to metal and paper possible since hemp is reusable while remaining organic at the same time. These things are easy to clean, but the only downside is that they can sometimes fail to filter coffee properly, resulting in lighter textures and a bland taste. However, the Bolio filters are a cheap option when considering other reusable filters, and this one comes with bacteria resistant as well.
What We Liked
- Good value for the money
- Great durability
- Simple to use
What We Didn’t Like
- Does not drain well
Fill N’ Save Elite Series Reusable K Cup
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If you use Keurig brewers, this filter is going to take your coffee to the next level. Made of BPA free plastic, as well as a mesh of gold instead of stainless steel, this is one of the best reusable filters you can buy.
It is a steep purchase at first, costing more than twice the price of the Bolio filters on Amazon, but many Keurig brewers work with only specific filters, and these ones fit the bill perfectly. Their extra depth helps the filtration process, but it also makes cleaning the filter harder.
What We Liked
- Easy to clean
- Does not take away flavor
- Simple to use
What We Didn’t Like
- Not best value for price
CHEMEX Bonded Filter
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Chemex produces perhaps the most versatile filters out there. They make them both, bleached and unbleached, and the filters support a wide variety of machines. The Chemex filters also use thicker paper to ensure better extraction of a flavourful cup. While they are fairly expensive for paper filters, you are assured to get the value you paid for, especially since there are no other downsides to using them.
What We Liked
- Great durability
- Good for gifting
- Easy to use
What We Didn’t Like
- Paper is too thin
Pour Over Filter – Stainless Steel
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If you don’t own a Keurig, but want a permanent coffee filter anyway, we’ve got you covered. Made of stainless steel that is coated with titanium, this filter offers a two-layer filtration process that ensures only the best coffee for your busy mornings.
Like the Chemex filters, these can be used with a variety of machines, as well as with pour-over methods of preparation. Due to its shape, they can clog a little fast, but given that unclogging only requires pouring some warm water through the filter, this is a small price to pay for the advantages it offers.
What We Liked
- Simple to clean
- Easy to use
- Good durability
What We Didn’t Like
- Water pours out too easily
Thank you for reading with us today! Make sure you go check out similar articles to keep you well informed on all things coffee filters like “Paper & Metal Coffee Filters: Which One Is Better For You?”
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