Paper vs. metal coffee filters. Which is best?

by Barb
(NY)

QUESTION:

Which is the best type of coffee filter to use? Is it the disposable paper filter or the permanent metal filter? I want to use the one that gets those rich 'bubbles' on the top of my coffee mug! (don't I?)

ANSWER:

Whether you use a paper filter or a metal filter won't make much difference to your coffee, or your bubbles.

That said, there are some aesthetic and environmental advantages to using a metal filter. And maybe some health issues as well.

Using paper filters is messy. And you have to keep buying them and throwing them away. And you may wonder exactly what chemical residues are lurking in that paper as a by-product of the paper-making process.

But if you use a gold-tone metal filter basket (not as expensive as it sounds), then you never have to buy or replace all those paper filters.

And the gold plate ensures there is zero chemical interaction between the filter and the hot water and coffee grinds. (Gold is inert.)

After each brew, simply tip out the used coffee grinds into your garbage or composting bin, and then rinse the filter under the tap.

As you can probably tell, our choice is always to go for a metal, "gold tone" filter.