coffee

Healthiest Coffee Maker Filters Compared

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healthiest coffee filters compared

Is it any surprise coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world? Coffee has been fueling people for over 500 years (some say a lot longer). There are countless ways to drink coffee, countless numbers of coffee types, and numerous ways to brew ground coffee beans. Whether cold brew or hot brew, coffee culture is out in full force.

However, with health concerns growing around the world, more and more coffee drinkers are being mindful of where their coffee comes from and how coffee consumption affects their health. This has caused a complete re-evaluation of the coffee making process in order to make it healthier for the drinker.

Rating the Healthiest Coffee Filters

One aspect of the coffee making process that has come under the microscope has been the use of coffee filters. The sad truth is that even so-called “reusable” coffee filters should probably not be used indefinitely. There are concerns about BPA levels, wear and tear over time, and the overall sustainability of using certain coffee filters. If you are concerned about the safety of your health while supporting your love of coffee then here are the healthiest coffee maker filters on the market.

Gold Tone Reusable #4 Coffee Filter

If you are using a traditional drip-style coffee maker, then this particular filter cannot be ignored. Featuring a metal mesh for the filter body, you do not have to worry about BPA or any unnatural residues making their way into your coffee. Do you know what does make it into your coffee? Those delicious coffee oils normally get absorbed when you use most of the paper filters on the market. This means that you get a more delicious cup of coffee with this filter. As an added bonus, it’s dishwasher safe and fits most #4 size coffee makers. The stainless steel construction makes it practically perfect for your coffee needs.

Melitta #4 Coffee Filters

It would be unfair to say that all paper coffee filters compromised good, deep flavor. Many of the simple filters that are cheaply made compromise coffee flavor. However, these paper filters from Melitta do not. That is thanks to their micro-perforations. Those perforations allow for the paper to filter the coffee while allowing those delicious coffee oils to make their way to your cup. It is almost like being able to have your cake and eat it too.

Reusable K-Cup

Ever since Keurig came on the market, K-Cups are everywhere. The problem is that not all K-Cups are “official” K-Cups and are therefore not made to the same standards. The quality of the coffee is not always the best. On top of that, while K-Cups are certified as BPA-free, they can still have adverse effects if they’re overheated. Fortunately, this Reusable plastic K-Cup does not have that problem. With this K-Cup you can decide the amount of coffee you would like for your brew, making it as weak or as strong as you would like.

Tupkee 4-6 Cup 400 Pack – White

It is commonly accepted that if you are going to use paper coffee filters that you should avoid white colored filters because they have likely been bleached in order to achieve that perfect white look. Most people will tell you to stick with brown-colored paper coffee filters because they have not been bleached, and therefore cannot compromise your health or the flavor of your coffee. This 400 pack of white coffee filters from Tupkee proves that does not have to be the case. These filters achieve their white appearance without the use of bleach, which means there is one less chemical component for you to worry about. Best of all, these are standard coffee filters that you will find are available for practically every major coffee maker on the market.

Tupkee 4-6 Cup 400 Pack – Brown

There is also the brown alternative to the white 400 pack of Tupkee filters. Like the white alternative, you have the ability to brew large quantities of coffee in your standard coffee pot. After you are done using them you are able to put them in the compost heap and give back to nature. There is no real difference, you simply get the added peace of mind of knowing that they have not been processed in any way to achieve their color.

Cold Brew Strainer Bags

Preserving coffee’s robust flavor is important to coffee aficionados. When you use heat you may be getting the most commonly accepted form of coffee, but did you know that by drinking a cold-brew version of your favorite coffee you could try a whole new flavor profile? This is because using cold brew strainer bags to make your coffee filters out the acidic portion of your coffee, leaving you with a new unique taste and additional acids that may not be beneficial for your body.

Barista Warrior Pour-Over Coffee Filter

Pour-Over coffee has become incredibly popular over the last decade. There are numerous reasons why. For starters, there is a health benefit. Pour-over coffee typically contains less cholesterol than coffee that has been brewed in a coffee machine. If you want a filter for your new-found pour-over obsession, then this option from Barista Warrior has what you need.

It features a beautiful stainless steel, copper coated body that is dishwasher safe. It is compatible with most pour-over coffee makers on the market. And if you are a stickler for appearances, you can purchase a version with a black finish.

Bolio Organic Hemp Coffee Maker

Another great coffee filter for the pour-over method is this organic hemp offering from Bolio. Its organic form factor lends an interesting flavor to your favorite coffee as it filters out all of the unwanted sediment and by-products that you do not want in your coffee. However, it preserves the natural flavor that coffee oils deliver. This is paired with the added health bonus associated with pour-over coffee. Best of all, it is a completely eco-friendly coffee filter that can be used literally hundreds of times.

Tips For Using Your Coffee Filters

If you want to have the perfect cup of Joe then you cannot stop at simply picking a good filter. You have to use your filters the right way. Here are some tips that will help you get the most out of your coffee.

The Purer the Source…

Good tasting coffee doesn’t start with the coffee bean. It starts with your water. If you are using water that is straight from your home’s tap then the bad news is that you are stifling your coffee’s potential. The sad fact is that most tap water is pretty lousy. There is no telling how many particulates and contaminants could be present. Even if you manage to use a filter there is a good chance that the taste of the water has been compromised. Use clean, purified water and you are guaranteed to have a better cup of coffee.

Keep it Clean

If you want tasty, and healthy, coffee you need to make sure that the equipment you use to brew it stays clean between uses. There are some who think that the residual buildup of coffee-making particles can lead to a stronger tasting brew…but this is just laziness at work. The odds are more likely that you will just ruin a cup of coffee. Cleaning your filter will yield a better, fresher tasting cup every time.

Whole Beans are Better

If you want the best possible tasting coffee, then grinding it yourself is the way to go. Not only will the flavor be more robust, but you will also be able to control how coarse or how fine the coffee is when you brew it. This also means that you can grind your coffee to a consistency that is perfect for the filter you use.

Don’t Pack Too Tightly

One of the most common mistakes people will make when using their coffee filter is packing their coffee too tightly. The thought process is usually that they think they will end up with a stronger tasting cup of coffee. The opposite is true. When you do not pack your coffee tightly you are enabling the water that you use to effectively coat and mingle with your coffee, yielding a more flavorful cup.

6 Tips for Buying and Enjoying Sustainable Coffee

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A reusable cup and straw used for sustainable coffee

Coffee is a wonderful drink that is highly valued all across the globe, and that has been enjoyed for centuries. The history of coffee is rich and full of interesting developments. More recently, folks have become more concerned than ever about purchasing and enjoying coffee in the most sustainable ways possible.

Keep on reading for some ideas on how to buy and enjoy coffee sustainably.

Do Some Research

Coffee is considered to be sustainable if the growing, harvesting, roasting, and selling of the coffee product are invested in:

  • Conserving nature
  • Improving the livelihoods of its growers
  • Sustaining the supply of coffee
  • Strengthening the demand for coffee

Doing a deep dive into your favorite coffee brands, and investigating things like where they source their coffee, how they reciprocate the community for it, and how they package and sell their coffee is an important part of buying sustainable coffee. It is a healthy habit to know more.

Connect with Local Roasters

Local roasters are the best place to start your coffee journey. Like with fruits and vegetables, coffee is often of higher quality and more sustainable when you buy it closer to home.

Plus, you can get a much better idea of where the coffee is coming from by speaking directly to the experts at your local roastery. They can tell you about how they source the beans, and the relationships they have with their suppliers.

Check the Label

Labels can tell you a lot. Especially the labels on coffee. Labels on the side of your coffee can tell you if it’s organic, fair trade, or if the bag itself is made from recycled materials.

If you are concerned about the sustainability practices of the coffee brand you like to drink, or lack thereof, then perusing the labels, and the significance of the labels can tell you a lot.

Avoid Big Brands

As with agriculture, the bigger the brand, the more likely that the coffee comes from less sustainable practices.

Smaller brands and independent coffee roasters have smaller footprints. They take up less space, spend less money and energy, and create fewer outputs. They tend to pay their people more, source their coffee more equitably, and be more concerned for the natural environment.

Use a Plastic-Free Coffee Maker

Keurig coffee machines, and other single-serve brewers, are far from sustainable. They rely on single-use plastic pods to brew small batches of coffee. Millions of these pods end up in landfills every year.

Yes, it may be true that single-serve brewers use less water and consume less electricity. But they are notorious for producing a lot of plastic waste.

If you must rely on a single-use brewer, it’s worth looking into recyclable pods, compostable pods, and reusable pods. Cleaning your coffee maker right is also important. However, even the solutions to the original K-cup problem have their setbacks.

Compost Your Grounds

Coffee grounds make excellent compost. Even most coffee filters can be composted. By adding your used grounds to the compost pile, or fertilizing your plants directly, you can sustain the usefulness of coffee.

Coffee grounds in the soil are good for:

  • Adding aeration
  • Increasing organic matter content
  • Retaining more water
  • Enhancing drainage

From your cup to the compost, it is possible to purchase and enjoy coffee in sustainable ways. By following some tips from above, and investing in reputable coffee brands, you can be a part of the solution that helps keep quality coffee around forever.

How to Clean a Coffee Maker

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how to clean a coffee maker

Every coffee lover knows how frustrating it can be to clean out all the build-up that accumulates in your coffee maker over days or weeks of regular use. Even with careful scrubbing, warm water, and dish soap, those stubborn stains and residue just won’t get out. The worst part? They can make your coffee taste bitter and remove a lot of the aroma and flavor from the roast.

Since you’ll be drinking the stuff it makes, you should never use strong cleaners to get rid of coffee build-up. Yes, they’re totally effective at getting the gunk out of your coffee maker, but you’re risking poisoning your next cup of joe! Not to mention the effect those harsh chemicals have on the environment when you throw them out. That’s why we’re here to show you how to clean a coffee maker the eco-friendly way.

Here’s the full list of everything you’ll need to clean a coffee maker:

  • Vinegar
  • A clean rag or tissues
  • Clean coffee filters
  • Water (preferably running water from a sink)

That’s it! No need to resort to expensive cleaning solutions; everything you need can be bought at your local drugstore for less than $10. This is one of the ways you’re wasting your money on unnecessary purchases.

Now that you’ve got everything ready, it’s time to get to cleaning!

Fill your pitcher to the brim with a mixture of half vinegar and half water. Now, let it sit for a few minutes while the solution works its magic. The acetic acid in white vinegar will slowly kill bacteria and munch away at the calcium buildup in your coffee maker.

Now, stick a clean filter on your maker and pour about half of your water-vinegar solution into the reservoir. Power on your coffee maker and let it brew for a few minutes.

Next, turn off the coffee maker and let it just sit. Again, leaving it to rest will allow the acid in the vinegar to get to work tearing down mineral buildup. The heat from the brew will accelerate the process.

It’s time to pour all of your vinegar-water out of your pitcher and reservoir and down the drain.

You don’t want your coffee to taste like vinegar, so we’ve got to get all of that stuff out of there! Fill your coffee maker with regular water and let it brew. Do it twice to make sure all the vinegar’s gone.

Now, grab a rag or tissue and dry it out.

See? That wasn’t so hard! Do this at least once a week to keep your coffee maker clean and brewing consistently delicious coffee.

Related Reading: 6 Ways to Make Your Coffee Habit More Sustainable

How often should you replace your coffee maker?

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A coffee maker with cups of coffee

Not all coffee makers are created equal. There are stories of machines that last a lifetime while other coffee makers can’t go six months without breaking down. But why do the lifespans of different coffee makers vary so much and when should you replace your coffee maker?

Many things can affect the lifespan of a coffee maker, but mostly it’s about built quality and regular maintenance. Most solid machines will keep brewing quality joe for around five years, but you can extend its lifespan by a few more just by regularly cleaning the machine.

Water hardness plays a big role in determining how long your machine lasts. You might have to descale and perform maintenance on your machine more often if the water in your home is particularly hard. Even if your water is relatively soft, it’s always a good idea to create and stick to a descaling schedule, because calcium will build up in the tubes over time.

The complexity of your coffee maker is also important. More moving parts mean more things that can potentially break. Coffee makers that have no tubes, pumps, or heating elements will pretty much last forever. In many cases, you can have your machine brewing like new by replacing your coffee maker broken parts.

Now it’s time for you to take a good, long look at your coffee maker. How long have you had it? Have you noticed a drop in the quality of the coffee it brews? If you’re unsure if it might be time to upgrade to a newer model, here are some questions you can ask yourself that will help you know what to look for.

Does It Even Brew?

This might sound too obvious, but is your coffee maker even working? In many cases, a broken pump or failed heat element can be fixed or replaced. Of course, this depends on the brand of your coffee maker and whether spare parts are readily available.

If your coffee isn’t brewing at all, or your machine won’t turn on, it’s often not worth going through the trouble of repairing it — chances are good it will break again.

Before you start shopping for a new machine, check to see if your current warranty covers repairs or replacements. If you can get a new coffee maker, and you like your current model, then replacing your coffee maker is the way to go.

Is There Build-up in the Tubes That Can’t Be Removed With Descaling?

Water with a high concentration of calcium is called hard water. While it isn’t a health risk, the calcium can collect in the tubes and corners of your coffee maker. Over time, the buildup can affect the performance of your machine, which is why it’s so important to regularly descale (remove buildup).

Over years of neglect and constant use, the calcified minerals can accumulate and harden to the point that descaling won’t be enough to fix the problem. Cleaning it might not be feasible or worth your time. This would mean it’s time for you to replace your coffee maker.

What is the healthiest coffee maker?

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healthiest coffee maker

Recently, more and more coffee drinkers have become conscious of the health benefits and side effects that a cup of joe can have on you. And while the filters you use and the blend you choose can affect the strength and healthfulness of your final brew, many are shocked to learn that their plastic coffee maker could be responsible for leaking chemicals into their drink. This has led to increased interest in finding the healthiest coffee maker for one’s coffee.

Many plastics are produced using an old technique that dates back to the early 60s, which relies on the use of an industrial chemical called Bisphenol A, or BPA for short. Multiple studies have shown links between BPA consumption and infertility or even cancer.

Fortunately, many of the companies that manufacture plastic coffee makers have begun removing BPA plastics from their products. These products usually carry the BPA-free label, which indicates they are assembled using non-BPA plastics. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not just switching out BPA with another harmful chemical. And if your current plastic coffee machine doesn’t have the BPA-free label, there’s just no way of knowing how much contaminated liquid you drink in with every cup!

The only way to keep these dangerous chemicals out of your coffee is by using a coffee maker that contains no plastic parts. The good news is that there are tons of options if you’re looking for a non-plastic coffee maker that’s free from BPA. Here are a few of the healthiest coffee makers for true coffee lovers, made from non-plastic materials and free of BPA.

The Chemex

Coffee maker Chemex
Source: SIX CUP CLASSIC CHEMEX®,  CHEMEX® Coffeemaker

There are several reasons why the Chemex has maintained a spot as one of the most popular manual pour-overs since its introduction in 1941. First, it features a timeless, award-winning hourglass design. In fact, a version of the Chemex is on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Second, the Chemex is made of glass, with a sophisticated wooden handle wrapped neatly around its body. If you prefer, there’s a newer redesign with a glass handle. Finally (and most importantly), in the hands of a skilled barista, it produces some of the cleanest coffee you’ll ever taste.

The Chemex takes a degree of skill and familiarity with your roasts to get the best brews. The Chemex produces a great cup of coffee with a range of coffees styles. It’s best for light-to-light-medium roasts.

You can purchase the company’s proprietary bonded paper filters, available in natural and bleached variations. However, there’s a wide selection of filter alternatives produced by third parties that are compatible with the Chemex. So, if you prefer a thicker coffee with more oils, you can always purchase a compatible metal filter online.

Hario V60

Coffe Maker Hario V60
Source: Hario V60 Glass Coffee Dripper Olive Wood – Hario UK

The Chemex is a beautiful product, but comes at a premium price tag. That makes it unaffordable for many people. The Hario V60 brews excellent coffee at a fraction of the cost of a Chemex.

There are several variants of the V60, giving you a great selection of looks and colors to pick from. The cheapest option is the clear plastic design, made from solid, BPA-free plastic. For just a bit more, you can get the classic white ceramic, stainless steel, or glass models — designed so plastics don’t contact the hot coffee.

Generally, coffee is best brewed at a stable 195 to 205 Fahrenheit. The heat retention capabilities of ceramic make it one of the best materials to keep your coffee at that ideal temperature range.

As with all pour-overs, the V60 isn’t the right product if you’re looking for something that you can turn on and leave to percolate. Making a great brew with the V60 will require attention and care. The effort is well worth it if you’re a fan of clean, flavorful coffee (who isn’t?).

Tons of research shows that drinking coffee regularly in the long term is beneficial for your health. But those benefits could be canceled out by the dangers of brewing coffee in a plastic coffee maker. If the Chemex or Hario V60 isn’t for you, don’t fret. There’s a huge variety of non-plastic coffee makers on the market. Research and you’ll find the perfect one.