reusing coffee filters how long and is it possible
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40192)
Canada
August 29, 2009 10:09am CST
I was thinking that perhaps it would be all right to use those unbleached coffee filters. I do not think the bleach ones last more after one use, but I was wondering about the unbleached Melitta filters. They do cost a bit more and I am a bit health conscience but I cannot see me having to use two a day (we are great coffee drinkers and there are two of us.) So I was wondering whether it would be possible to reuse the coffee filter and how long? I do use the fine grind coffee.
3 people like this
10 responses
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 Sep 09
Melitta makes them. They also make the non electric coffee carafes. I know because they used to be popular before the electric ones came in, but you could not put them on the stove because they were glass. We had to search over the city to find one because my husband also grew up on the non electric glass pots, and he did not like the electric coffee makers. Married to a fussy guy.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 Sep 09
Maybe I should do that, but I would rather dry the filter in between as it might not be as strong when it is damp. It is the cone filter not the basket filter so do not know if that makes any difference.
@slickcut (8140)
• United States
30 Aug 09
I have always used a new one each time i make coffee...But one time i ran out of filters and i just washed it out, the last one i had, & used it several times, because i had not been able to get to the store, so i do know that you can reuse them,,,all i did was wash it and reuse it..I think i did that maybe 3-5 times before i finally bought some more at the store...
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 Sep 09
I did try my Melitta filter (it was cone shaped)and it broke, so I guess using them twice is out. Well at least I did try. With the basket shape you can use them three or four times, but the coned ones are stitched and when the stitching comes off, the coffee grounds fall to the pot.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 Sep 09
I did that a couple of times when I ran out. But I was rather nervous and felt a little guilty. I had boarded with a lady who was a little, well she went overboard in the cheap stuff, and I did not want to be like her. I am a good believer in moderation, sort of instinctual middle class if you know what I mean.
@blackbriar (9075)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Why don't you just skip the paper filters and buy a permanent one instead like I did? Often times I just have to rinse it and pop it back into the coffeemaker.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 Dec 09
I find the permanent ones do not work as well. You still have to clean them. Besides the cone filters can only be used just once because they are stitched down one side, whereas the basket filters are not stitched and are more durable.
@chrislotz (8136)
• Canada
27 Sep 09
I use the same coffee filters as you are talking about and I don't think they can be reused either. Unless you reuse it the same day by just adding more coffee grinds to it when you make a second pot. That is what I do with mine.
I have only a four cup coffee pot and some days I will make two pots so I just added more coffee to it and run it through again. I wouldn't do this a second day, only the same day. Right now I have to run a second pot through on the same filter because I don't have anymore and I want some more coffee. I have been up for a few hours already, not a good sleeper.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 Dec 09
I found you can only use them once. So I guess I will have to find bargains on coffee filters. I like using the non bleached kind, but we can only get the bleached kind at Superstore else I will have to go to Safeway and they are a bit too expensive there.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
7 Sep 09
I've never heard of reusing the paper ones. I don't think my hubby would go for that since he'd probably say they are cheap enough already & one pack lasts us usually a year or better. They also make reusable filters, they run a few $. I haven't heard of anyone I know using them so I have no actual opinion on them, just that they make them.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 Sep 09
The resusable filters get cooked with oil so you have to bleach them and that is what I do not like and you have to use paper filters as well, especially if you use the fine grind like I do.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
29 Aug 09
They dry pretty quickly. Take it out, empty it as much as you can (plants love coffee grounds) and let it dry then brush off the grounds that are left. I think you can use it twice, maybe 3 times that way.
1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
30 Aug 09
We have used the coffee grounds in the flowers they do like it..
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 Sep 09
I had a friend who was always washing and resuing her coffee filers, but after a while they became unusable. I guess she did it a bit more then twice, so I was wondering when to stop before the coffee grounds fall into the pot because the seam comes apart.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
30 Aug 09
My mother has a filter that she can reuse until it wears out I guess she has had it over a year and it is still doing good. It is also almost considered the "green" thing to do nowadays.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 Sep 09
I heard there are reusable coffee filters. I know we used to have the regular coffee maker that has the basket filter, but you still have to clean those permanent filters, so I used a paper one as well. I mean I am the type of person who believes that if a permanent coffee filter is white it should remain white and of course it never does.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
30 Aug 09
You should try one of the reusable filters for your coffee maker. That way you could save even more money and not have the oils from the old coffee left on the paper.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 Sep 09
I know they make the reusable filters in the basket shape, but I do not think that they make the resuable filters in the cone shape. I will have to go on the Melitta web site and see if they go. Anyway if they do, I might not get them that easily. I will see if I can. I do know that even with the resuable filter, you still needed a paper one as well.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
1 Sep 09
I tried one filter once and it worked and that was when most everyone was using the Meiltta coffee pots - the non electric kind, but I was rather nervous and I did know someone who used hers several times, but I think that she was pressing her luck. I think with the basket filters, they do not have any seams, but the cone ones do and that makes them rather risky.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
7 Sep 09
Have not tried paper towels, but I guess when the stores are closed and you run out, it would be a good idea. I do know that the cone filters can only be used once. So I guess that idea is out.
