If you make drip or pour over coffee on a daily basis, then you probably use disposable coffee filters. These little pieces of paper are popular because they allow you to clean up used coffee grounds easily. But what if you run out of them?
If skipping your daily cup of coffee is not an option, then read on to learn about various ways to brew coffee with a coffee filter substitute. Some people will tell you to go for instant coffee instead, but everyone knows that you can never get the same amount of satisfaction from it.
In this article, we are going to talk about some tools or materials that you can use as a coffee filter substitute.
Paper Towels
Paper towels are the most common alternative to coffee filters. They are also readily available in almost every household. However, they tend to absorb some of the oils that are naturally in the coffee beans.
There may also be other chemicals in the paper towel that can slightly affect the flavor of the coffee. Another downside is that sometimes, fibers from the paper can go with the coffee. This largely depends on the quality of the paper, though.
Socks or Stockings
They are commonly used in Southeast Asian coffee chains, such as in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Of course, these socks aren't what you think. They are new and clean. After all, these coffee establishments are regulated by sanitary laws.
Watch this video on how to make coffee with a sock:
Fine Mesh Sieve
You probably have one of these lying around in your kitchen. You may have even used it for cooking. Before using the sieve, make sure that it is fine mesh and is smaller than the coffee grind that you will use. Otherwise, you will be left with a coffee drink that has chunky grounds in it.
Cotton Sheet
You can use any cotton sheet as a coffee filter substitute. Of course, it must be clean.
When using cloth as a filter, remember to dampen it before use. It's because the fabric will absorb some of the very fine particles that make up the coffee's intricacies. Additionally, the oils extracted from ground coffee tend to stick to textile. Dampening the cloth in advance allows for a better transfer of flavor.
Reusable Filters
Reusable filters are common in drip coffee makers. A single unit of reusable filter is included in the coffee maker. If yours has exceeded its lifespan, then you can buy a replacement online. It doesn't have to be the exact model, but it should fit inside the machine.
The reusable filter is a more environment-friendly alternative because it can be used over and over. It will also save you more time and money in the long run since you won't be buying large volumes of coffee filter anymore.
Cheesecloth
Cheesecloth is a fantastic coffee filter substitute. It is used for making cheese, but it can be used to filter just about anything as well. The fabric has a nice weave that isn't too wide for large coffee particles to escape.
Depending on the kind of weave the cheesecloth has, folding it several times will ensure that only the liquid substance goes through.
Cupcake Paper Cups
Those little pieces of paper that hold cupcakes in place can also be used as a coffee filter substitute. It is already shaped in such a way that you no longer have to make major adjustments. Simply pour the water over and start filtering the coffee grounds. Do note that you might have to layer cups on top of each other for a more effective filtering.
Allow Coffee to Settle aka “Mud Coffee”
If all else fails and you really want to enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee, then you can get down and dirty with mud coffee. It means coffee that is made without any filtering mechanism. The method starts with boiling fine grind coffee beans with water. After a certain amount of time, the coffee beans will settle to the bottom. This method may be a bit tricky, but it's better than skipping coffee.
The absence of a coffee filter cannot stop a coffee aficionado from making a great cup of coffee. Now that you know about these various coffee filter substitutes, you'll never have to feel a sense of panic if you find out that your go-to supermarket doesn't have a coffee filter available.
