How to Make Coffee without a Coffee Filter: The Top 5 Alternatives

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Run out of coffee filters? Weigh the pros and cons of five substitutes

Co-authored by Jaden Zhao and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: September 1, 2024 Fact Checked

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The 5 Best Coffee Filter Substitutes

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How to Make a Coffee Filter

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Alternative Coffee Brewing Methods

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Expert Brewing Techniques & Hacks

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Video

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Tips

So, you go to make your morning cup of Joe and find that you’re out of coffee filters. No! You can’t function without your coffee! Well, worry not because you’ve come to the right place. There are 4 alternative ways to brew a delicious cup of coffee without using a regular coffee filter. Tea bags, mesh sieves, paper towels, and cloth towels are great substitutes. Read on to learn which alternative coffee filter method will work best for you and your coffee needs.

What to Use as a Coffee Filter Alternative

Reusable tea bags: Fill a tea bag with coffee grounds and steep like tea.
Fine mesh sieve: Soak coffee grounds in water and then filter through a sieve.
Paper towels: Line a pour-over or drip basket with paper towels, like a regular coffee filter.
Cloth napkin or towel: Drape the cloth over a pour-over or basket, then use as normal.
Clean cotton sock: Fold over a pour-over or basket and use the inside as a filter.

Section 1 of 4:

The 5 Best Coffee Filter Substitutes

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Reusable Tea Bags The best coffee filter alternative? Reusable tea bags! Put 1–2 US tbsp (15–30 mL) of coffee grounds into the tea bag and seal it with string or by folding it tightly. Place the tea bag in your mug and pour over hot water. Let the coffee steep for several minutes, then remove it and enjoy.
- Pros: This method is mess-free and incredibly easy to do at home or on the road. Plus, the tea bag material is made for small grounds and is likely chemical-free already.
- Cons: Reusable tea bags aren’t in every household, so this method may not be as accessible for you.
- Alternatively, you can cut open a pre-filled tea bag, dump out the tea, and refill it with coffee grounds.^{[1]
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Fine Mesh Sieve Try using a kitchen gadget to whip up that morning cup of coffee! Start by placing your grounds at the bottom of a measuring cup. Next, pour your desired amount of hot water on top of the grounds. Wait at least 5 minutes (or longer for a stronger taste) before pouring the coffee through a fine mesh sieve into a mug.^{[2]
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- Pros: You can control how strong your coffee is with this method. Plus, it requires zero waste.
- Cons: Not everyone has a mesh sieve, so this method may not be super accessible for you. On top of that, fine grounds may pass through the sieve, which can make your coffee gritty.
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Paper Towels In a pinch, some clean paper towels can help you achieve a decent cup of Joe! Simply line your pour-over or drip basket with paper towels. Place your desired amount of coffee grounds inside, and gradually pour hot water over the grounds. Remove the paper towels and grounds once the water has dripped all the way through.^{[3]
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- Pros: Paper towels are convenient and relatively inexpensive—practically everyone has them at home! This filter alternative also doesn’t change the coffee-making process or leak coffee grounds.
- Cons: There can be possible traces of chemicals in paper towels that could filter into your coffee and change the taste. On top of this, cheaper paper towels can break more easily, leading to a messier clean-up.
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Cloth Napkin, Dish Towel, or Cheesecloth For a reusable, more eco-friendly alternative, try using a clean cloth napkin, dish towel, or cheesecloth. Place the napkin or towel over a pour-over or drip basket. Secure the cloth in place with a rubber band. Put your desired amount of grounds in the cloth, then slowly pour over hot water. Remove the cloth with the grounds inside once the water has completely dripped through.^{[4]
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- Pros: You likely have a clean cloth somewhere in your house, so this method is very convenient. Plus, the thick cloth material doesn’t allow finer grounds to slip into your cup.
- Cons: Coffee can stain cloth material, and if not secured properly, coffee could leak outside of the pour-over or drip basket. In addition, what you use to clean the cloth may alter the coffee’s taste.
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Sock In dire circumstances, a clean, unused cotton sock could work as a makeshift coffee filter. Fold the edge of the sock over the pour-over or drip basket so the sock is open, acting as a pouch. Scoop your desired amount of grounds into the sock and pour in the hot water. Remove the sock and the grounds once all the water has passed through.
- Pros: Socks are super easy to come by—you likely have a clean pair in your closet!
- Cons: This method can alter the taste of your coffee (especially if you’re using a sock that’s been washed with detergent before) and potentially filter lint into your coffee. Because of this, it’s not the most hygienic.

Section 2 of 4:

Can you make your own coffee filter?

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Yes, you can make your own coffee filters at home with some muslin cloth. If you like using regular coffee filters but always forget to stock up, don’t worry! Try making a reusable coffee filter for an eco-friendly, zero-waste alternative. Once you’ve made your DIY coffee filter, you can just toss out the compostable grounds after each use, then clean the coffee filter and use it again! Follow these steps to make a reusable coffee filter:^{[5]
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- For a basket filter (this creates 1 filter):
  - Cut a 11 in (28 cm) circle out of muslin cloth.
  - Sew a zig-zag stitch around the outside edge of the circle.
- For a cone-style filter (this creates 2 filters):
  - Cut a 11 in (28 cm) circle out of muslin cloth.
  - Fold the circle in half and cut along the fold to make 2 half circles.
  - Fold the half circles in half to create a cone shape.
  - Sew a zig-zag stitch along the straight edge of the cone.
  - Open the cone and sew a zig-zag stitch around the outside edge.

Section 3 of 4:

Alternative Coffee Brewing Methods

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Don’t have a coffee filter or coffee filter alternative on hand? No problem! There are other ways you can brew a fresh cup of coffee without using a coffee filter. While these methods require a bit of an investment, they can cut down on the hassle of filters and create less waste. Take a look at the methods below:
- French press: All this brewing method needs is hot water, coffee grounds, and a French press. Add the grounds into the French press, pour in hot water, let the coffee steep, and then press down to separate the grounds from the coffee.^{[6]
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- AeroPress: This method requires an AeroPress coffee maker, hot water, and fine coffee grounds. Simply place the grounds in the coffee maker’s chamber with hot water. Stir, attach the plunger, and press down slowly.^{[7]
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- Percolator: For this method, you need coarsely ground coffee, water, and a percolator pot. Add water to the bottom of the percolator and coffee grounds to the top. Place the percolator over a heat source and wait for the coffee to naturally filter and brew.^{[8]
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Section 4 of 4:

Expert Brewing Techniques & Hacks

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If you’re a coffee aficionado, you may struggle to get that perfect cup of Joe at home. Well, worry no more because we spoke to barista Rich Lee to bring you the best hacks and tricks! Take a look at these techniques and tips for getting the perfect cup of coffee at home with or without a filter:
- Store coffee grounds at room temperature rather than in the refrigerator, as “the fridge is harmful to coffee because of the moisture.”
- The more water that filters through your grounds, the more bitter it’ll be.
- The higher your water’s temperature, the stronger tasting your coffee will be.
- Look for bleached paper filters, as they add less of a paper flavor to your coffee.

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Tips

If you often forget to stock up on regular filters, consider purchasing a reusable coffee filter! These can be used multiple times and only require some cleaning to maintain.

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Try having instant coffee on hand in case you run out of filters. This way, you can have your morning caffeine boost, and make sure to order more filters.

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