Reusing Paper Coffee Filters

We drink a lot of coffee in our house and each time after making coffee, we threw out the paper filter along with the grinds. Since I didn't like wasting so many paper filters, I tried the resuable (Mr. Coffee) plastic coffee filters with the mesh, but I found the fine grounds found their way through and made a mucky sediment in the bottom of the coffee pot.

I decided to come up with a way to use the disposable and the reusable at the same time, and also save on throwing out the paper filters every time.

Here's what I do: First, I put the paper filter into my basket where the filter goes, then put the reusable plastic filter inside it it, and then I put my normal amount of coffee in it and turn on my coffee maker.

Once the grounds are cool/cold, I lift the basket out, and holding onto the sides so the basket, paper, and plastic filters don't separate, I turn them upside down and tap the grounds out into a small plastic container to recycle in my compost bin. (or tap the grounds out into your garbage can)

Once most of the grounds are out, (again holding onto the sides) I run it upright under hot water sloshing it around, pouring it out and rinsing it again until the water runs clear. Then I put the basket/filters back into the coffee pot and it's ready to use again. This way, I can use the same paper filter about 4-5 times over the period of 2 days before disposing.

By Ann from Goulais River, Ontario