Paper vs Metal Coffee Filters: Which Should You Choose?
What Are Coffee Filters?
When you make coffee, the basic process involves putting crushed or ground beans in hot water. It’s a simple process, but there is one problem. It is possible for some of the coffee grounds to not dissolve completely, which could cause them to be present in your mouth when sipping your morning brew. The flavor of coffee grounds is so unenjoyable that it does not make for a pleasant experience.
That’s where coffee filters come in. They help remove leftover coffee grounds from your coffee. You have a selection of filters that can be used for this. We will be considering the two most common options: Paper strainers and metal strainers.
What Are Paper Coffee Filters?
A paper coffee filter is made from crepe paper. This is sometimes known as a single-use coffee filter. If you recall studying crystallization in science, then you would be familiar with the application of single-use coffee filters. You can put the filter in the container of your coffee machine. The pot that contains the prepared coffee is typically located above this.
The filter is semi-permeable and works as a strainer. The container keeps the solid coffee grounds inside of it, letting the brewed coffee flow through into the pot beneath. You can put a portion of coffee grounds in the filter and then pour boiling water over them. As the liquid passes through the filter, it takes in the grounds’ hue, taste, and fragrance, fashioning a cup of freshly brewed coffee. You can also use this sieve to create an iced coffee.
There are essentially two kinds of paper filters: those that have been bleached and those that have not been bleached.
Bleached filters
They are created from paper that has gone through a whitening procedure. They are exposed to chlorine and oxygen to have a white appearance.
Unbleached filters
These filters are made out of natural, untreated paper. This coffee paper has not been bleached, so it is slightly tinted brown. This filter is more environment-friendly than bleached filters. The main way to tell the difference between bleached and unbleached filters is by looking at their color. If the filter looks excessively bleached, it has been exposed to chlorine.
What Are Metal Coffee Filters?
A coffee filter made of metal might be the most lasting filter available. If you are accustomed to discarding paper strainers after making your coffee, getting used to cleaning a re-usable one could be challenging. Nonetheless, investing in a metal coffee filter will be financially beneficial, and is not as difficult as you might expect. Let’s figure out how to sanitize a metal coffee filter so that it works optimally and you always have an excellent cup of coffee.
Coffee filters constructed out of metal are composed of a delicate metal lattice and are held in place by a tough plastic surround. They operate the same way as a one-time use filter. However, unlike disposable coffee filters, metal filters are reusable. Therefore, we are also known as permanent coffee filters. These filters can also be utilized for making a cold brew, just like the disposable ones.
Metal coffee filters come in various types. If you’re on a budget, you can purchase a filter constructed from nylon. Another major type of coffee filter is constructed from gold. Stainless steel permanent filters are also highly sought after.
Paper Filters vs Metal Filters: What Are The Differences?
When it comes to making coffee, paper and metal filters seem to be employed in the same way. Despite these similarities, there are still notable distinctions between both of these filter types. These include:
Cleaning up
There is great ease to be had in utilizing paper filters for tidying up. You just need to take the filter with the coffee grounds in it and crumple it before placing it in the bin. For metal filters, the coffee grounds must be thrown away and the filter should be rinsed until it is no longer dirty. It is simpler to talk about doing something than it is to execute it, and discarding the coffee residue from the filter can be difficult. The residue from the food particles will accumulate on the interior of the filter and you will need to use something like a paper towel or cloth to clean it off. Some fragments may remain stuck inside the filter, necessitating the use of water to flush them out.
Reusing the Filter
You cannot cannot reuse paper filters. You can envision the amount of paper that will be used up if you drink plenty of coffee. Thus, paper filters aren’t the most environment-friendly option. Metal filters, on the other hand, are reusable. A single filter can last for several years.
Type of Coffee making Methods
Disposable filters are mostly used for drip methods. Paper filters are used in the making of coffee via automatic drip machines, cone drippers, Aeropress, and flat bottom drips.
You can employ long-lasting filters for a number of different brewing processes. Listed here are the different brewing methods: pour-over, French press, Percolator, Moka pot, Espresso, Aeropress, and Duo Coffee Steeper. A particular type of metal sieve named phin is also employed for Vietnamese coffee.
Removing Sediment
The rationale behind using either paper or metal filters is to stop the coffee grounds from entering the carafe of the coffee machine. So which does it better? Our vote would go to paper. Paper that is very fine and thick is utilized in disposable filters. There will be no openings whatsoever in this filter. Therefore, these filters do an outstanding job of keeping almost all of the coffee beans while letting the sediment-free liquid flow through.
The amount of settling that occurs differs for permanent filters and is determined by the method of brewing. If you make coffee using a French press, then a lot of grounds may appear in your cup. In contrast, if utilizing a Duo Coffee Steeper or a Kone filter for your preparation, sedimentation will be much less prominent.
Why do metal coffee filters need to be cleaned?
Reusable coffee filters are available for purchase to suit various coffee-making machines, such as the Hario V60 and Chemex. They are incredibly useful because you don’t have to buy paper filters frequently and will save money. It is more beneficial for the environment to minimize single-use products (unless you are disposing of Chemex coffee filters in a compost heap). Having a permanent filter attached to a Keurig machine is especially helpful, since these machines produce a substantial amount of non-biodegradable garbage from the disposable pods they use.
Preparing coffee with a metallic filter can provide you with a stronger, more intense taste compared to if you had used a paper filter. This flavor is comparable to the one that you would obtain from a French press that has an integratedmulti-function filter.
However, taking care of a reusable coffee filter requires a bit more work. You must routinely scrub your metal filter to prevent coffee grounds and oils from clogging it, as it will eventually impede or even prohibit the ability to make your coffee.
If you’re residing in a place where the water has a high concentration of minerals, it is recommended to give your metal coffee filter a good scrub. You will require the acid in vinegar to accomplish this task.
A buildup of old coffee grounds or oils in your reusable coffee filter can lead to a weakened flavor of your coffee. It can also help the development of mold or other microorganisms. You definitely don’t want to add that to your coffee.
How do you clean a metal coffee filter?
There are various ways to clean a metal coffee filter. They are listed in order of increasing complexity, starting with the simplest ones.
The most suitable method for you could depend on how grimy your reusable coffee filter is. Take into consideration that the sooner you do your regular cleaning on the coffee filter, the fewer times you need to do an intensive clean or, even worse – render it completely stuck.
Be cognizant of the fact that it is critical to clean your metal filter, but make sure you do it safely. Using natural ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, and the citric acid from lemons is ideal to assist with cleaning. Mild dish soap will do the job, but stay away from any harsh substances that may damage the filter.
Rinse it with water
Making a small investment of effort on a consistent basis can prevent time and finances from being wasted in the future. One can quickly and easily clean off any remaining coffee grounds from a metal coffee filter by rinsing it with water upon removing it from the coffee maker. Allow the coffee to dry in the open air before attempting to brew it again.
Establish a practice of washing the filter for your coffee daily with water, and then do a more thorough clean of it approximately every seven days. Using just water may not get rid of all the coffee oils in the filter, but it is still preferable to taking no action.
Use dish soap
For regular maintenance of a reusable steel coffee filter, warm, sudsy water is normally enough, although it may need to be more than just a rinse under certain circumstances. One can clean the filter in the same manner as they would clean their plates. To remove debris from the filter, start by soaking it in a hot water and dish soap solution, and then softly scrub it with a piece of cloth or a sponge.
If you find yourself washing dishes every day already, it would be beneficial to include cleaning your coffee filter in your daily dishwashing practice. This could be the best technique for maintaining your reusable coffee filter clean.
Clean coffee filter with baking soda
Using sodium bicarbonate (or baking soda) is an effective approach for scrubbing a coffee filter. It is important to be aware of the material your reusable coffee filter is crafted from before attempting to clean it in this way. Using baking soda is unharmed with stainless steel however it can degrade an aluminum filter.
If you have identified that your filter is not made of aluminum, it’s best to begin by soaking it in some hot soapy water for a few minutes. Following that, use a little bit of dry baking soda to gently scrub the filter. Utilize a toothbrush or other gentle brush to remove discolorations and obstructions that are blocking up your filter. Mix baking soda with warm water to create a paste, then use a cloth to delicately scrub the filter.
If you choose to use baking soda to clean the coffee filter, it is important to rinse it well after. You do not want to have any baking soda mix into your coffee when you prepare it.
After you have washed the filter, allow it to become totally dry by air.
Use the dishwasher
You need to confirm that your metal coffee filter is dishwasher safe before putting it in the dishwasher. Aluminum should not be put in the dishwasher as it will become damaged, therefore, if your reusable filter is constructed of aluminum, you should only clean it with your hands.
Stainless steel metal filters generally are dishwasher safe. Gold filters can be cleaned in a dishwasher positioned on the upper shelf. Coffee filters made of paper may be more affected by the acidity of coffee than those made of stainless steel, so it is recommended to rinse them off with water after each use, and then put them in the top rack of your dishwasher for a proper cleaning once a week. Maintaining your filter in this manner will stop the spread of mold and other microscopic organisms on the filter.
Soak in a vinegar mixture
White vinegar can be used if a metal filter requires a thorough cleaning. It’s possible that you have come to this realization if there is a build-up of coffee oils clogging the filter holes and thereby preventing the brewing of the coffee.
It is important to employ vinegar when cleaning your filter if there is a chance that mold has settled on it because vinegar has elements to defeat fungi. Although white vinegar ought to be used, balsamic vinegar and apple cider vinegar should be avoided as they have the potential to leave your filter sticky instead of sparkling clean.