Permanent Coffee Filters: What besides mesh and plastic?
February 21, 2008 by Peggy
Earlier, we discussed permanent coffee filters and their advantages. I told you about the one I use, made of mesh and plastic.
But, there are greener options. I didn’t really know about hemp filters when I bought my permanent coffee filter.
Available at several places online, including Hemp Sisters or amazon, hemp coffee filters are natural and more earth friendly than plastic.
Since I’ve never tried them, I can’t attest to how easy they are to wash, but hemp is a very durable fabric. And the filters are affordable. They sell for around $6.
If you have tried a hemp coffee filter, please leave me your opinion in comments. What do you like or dislike?
Another option to is to use a French press. Then, you don’t need a filter at all. It’s built in. I have a French press and I enjoy the stronger, richer coffee that it makes. However, I don’t use it that often because grounds can get caught around the meshy plunger area. Yeah, I can be lazy when it comes to cleaning grounds from little meshy parts.
French presses are easy to use: You heat the water and pour it over your grounds. Then you depress the plunger that acts as a filter, pushing grounds to the bottom.
Another advantage to a French press is that it doesn’t use electricity, but you do need to heat the water. It’s also more portable and is often used by campers. The presses are available in many different sizes, from personal to 48-ounce size.
Now I’m feeling guilty. I’m going to try to use my French press buddy at least twice a week.
Do you use a French press? If so, do you think I’m too lazy for not liking to clean the mesh/springy part on the plunger?
I don’t like the hemp as much as my mesh reusable filter. I think that you still save energy by using the mesh – even though hemp is originally more sustainable.
Why? Well, you have to wash the hemp filters more and the one I used seemed to be fraying which meant you’d need more than one – in around a year (if you drink a lot of coffee). My mesh filter is going on years by now with no signs of problems. I have a feeling the mesh filters go for a decade or more.
PS I don’t like the whole french press deal – because of everyone I know with one, only one of those people uses only the press. I.e. everyone has a coffee pot PLUS a press. In these cases it seems like the press gets used less. That, to me, is not very green. To own things you don’t use. Or to have two items that do the same thing. It makes no sense from a, “try to own less stuff” POV.
My coffee maker is really a huge perculator with a plastic basket inside. I know, plastic, but consider this:
The maker is actually over 20 years old. I found it new in the box at a thrift store. No filters.
Before I had this, I had the permanent coffee filter made with plastic and metal mesh. I’d been using it for well over 10 years. Being careful with it, it lasted well beyond the 3 year claim.
The filter: A permanent filter is a great idea by any means. I have not tried the hemp but I am willing to try it. I am not sure how it might outweigh a plastic or mesh permanent filter, however.
The press: I agree with Jennifer about the press. I have seen people use a press if the power goes out or as a backup for an existing coffeepot; anyone who has one, usually doubles it up with a coffee pot. If any appliance is not in use, I say unplug it to help stay green.
Wow. Great comments.
Jennifer, you are probably right about the plastic and mesh filters being more green from a long-term use perspective. Also, if hemp is more difficult to clean, it may not get used as often.
As far as the French press, we have one because Michael (a much bigger coffee drinker than me) wanted to try it out several years ago.
Maybe a good idea if you are considering buying a French press is to find a friend with one first. See if you like it before you buy it. Since it’s small and mostly made of steel and glass, it has to be more earth-friendly than a big plastic pot. Plus, heating the water probably doesn’t require as much electricity as a pot that people tend to leave on warm.
However, the traditional pots are easier to use! Hmm. Any more French press users out there?
Julie, isn’t it great how long coffee makers last? That’s longer than some major appliances.
Sharon, I think you’d be very happy with a permanent coffee filter. The hemp could be annoying, but it’s an earth-friendly fabric, so it would not hurt to try it out.
But I always read that plastic leeches out into the coffee when exposed to boiling water…and then we drink the plastic in microscopic form…
Makes me wonder what the stuff does to us…
Thanks for any ideas on this.
Keep well,
Balagooon
Balagooon, I’m much less concerned about Gold filters leaching than I am bleached paper filters — those do affect the flavor of coffee and can’t be good for you.
If you are concerned about Gold filters, try unbleached recycled paper filters or a French press. But most coffee machines are made of plastic anyway, aren’t they? I’m not aware of any studies on leaching from reusable coffee filters like the Gold filter, but if anyone does know, please pass it on.
I boil filtered water in a stainless steel pot…bring it to the boil and then toss in freshly & finely ground organic coffee…and turn off the heat. Let it set a couple minutes then pour it through a strainer…
I know the filter papers contain dioxin…highly carcinogenic.
I suppose I will make courser grinds and use a stainless steel mesh strainer.
And I also do want to try a French press.
But I don’t like using any plastics with boiling water…I know the plactic gets into the water.
Our children just gave us a glass coffe pot with gold filter because they don’t want us to use paper filters with our 40 year old Melita ceramic/porcelain-type coffee pot with separate ceramic filter holder (was my mom’s). In truth, I’ve never commented anywhere but was interested in knowing about gold filters and found your site. Reason I’m writing is I’m surprised no one has mentioned using ceramic instead of plastic – are they not out there anymore?
Helen, I saw some ceramic filter cones that work with manual coffee makers. I didn’t see any designed for the plug-in types most people have.
If they’re out there, they are certainly difficult to find. I’ll ask Marye, the resident b5 expert on coffee and tea. She’s at kettleandcup.com
Thanks for visiting our site. I hope you decide to come back!
Note: unfiltered (boiled, french press) coffee can raise the “bad” cholesterol. Hemp filters supposedly will filter out the offending oils (as will paper). Not sure about plastic permanent filters. Gold filters are too porous and don’t filter the oil.
Use the unbleached coffee filters and put them in your compost pile….they attract worms!
Plastic filters are made with PET. PET is an inert plastic that has been in use for decades and has been given a clean bill of health from every world authority, including the EU. PET does not leech dioxins when frozen. It does not leech dioxins if left in boiling water. You’d have to heat PET to 700 degrees before you’d begin to release dioxins into your beverage… so unless you’re brewing your coffee with mercury instead of water, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
I use a surgical stainless steel fine mesh filter. I helped in the design and distribution thru catalog sales.
Currently have several cases avilable in both basket and cone design. Simply empty used grounds in your flower bed and rinse with water.I have used mine for the last14 years.
Also consider organic cotton coffee filters, they will last you many years with proper care.
http://www.hankettes.com/qs/product/8/7040/152505/0/0
I recently found a great organic coffee filter which is 100 % organic cotton and is re useable for up to one year and is 100% made in USA.
I found it in Crosby’s Supermarket in New England.
http://www.organiccoffeefilter.com
Filter holds the coffee flavor