You may think that choosing the right filters for your favourite brew of coffee is a piece of cake. But it can be a complicated process where a lot of different factors need to be considered. For starters, there’s the size that you need to decide on, choosing between bleached and unbleached, and a lot of others.
If you are at a loss, you don’t have to worry as you’re on the right page. Here, you can get more information about the processing, shapes, sizes, materials, and buying suggestions so that you can easily decide which ones are suitable for your needs.
Deciding Between Bleached and Unbleached
Anyone passionate about coffee may hear the long-time debates on whether to buy the bleached or unbleached filters. However, some may not have any idea about the main differences of these filter coffee makers and may buy the first machine they set their eyes on. So, what are the differences?
Bleached Varieties
The bleached filters have undergone a long process, so these papers look whiter. It’s important to know that the natural form of paper is not white at all. You may want to compare them to those paper bags that you get in the groceries. The two elements in the bleaching process include the following:
- Oxygen
- Chlorine
Chlorine is one of the components of your detergent that you use to keep your swimming pool clean. This is commonly used to whiten clothes, but they are not as high-quality as those that are using oxygen in the process. If you’re looking for premium ones, you may want to search for companies that use oxygen for the procedure.
However, using bleach is not good for Mother Earth. The first reason for this is that there’s an additional step to the overall manufacturing process. Secondly, they are considered as one of the pollutants in landfills or oceans. This is the case regardless of the amount of chlorine used. Oxygen is more environmentally-friendly than chlorine, so you may want to consider using them.
Unbleached Varieties
Those unbleached varieties don’t have the white brighter look of their counterparts. But they are environmentally-friendly and more natural. Brown paper is bleached to look brighter, and the unfiltered ones don’t go through the same process. When they are broken down, the materials are not as destructive as chlorine.
Metal vs. Paper
You may want to know more about metal vs. paper. What makes the best coffee can depend on your preferences and tastes. The one that will cost you more will be the metal, and this comes as no surprise.
It’s known to many that paper costs less per pack, but they are unsustainable. It would be best if you kept buying the refills, and the costs can add up in the long run. On the other hand, you may want to invest in the initial higher costs of the metal so that you won’t have to keep buying it afterwards.
About the Machines
You may want to get automatic filters of pour-over coffee makers instead of the paper varieties. You can brew your favorite beans, and all you have to do is add cream and milk if you want. It’s possible to recreate the ones that you’re getting from your favorite cafes, and yes, these drinks are also available on-demand.
There are various types of machines available, but some specific ones will boil water and pour your favorite espresso. You can know more about the health benefits of drinking espresso when you click here. These are affordable and sustainable options for you. Another thing is that they are user-friendly, require little maintenance, don’t make a lot of mess, and are relatively affordable. The cleaning may only involve limescale removal, and you can make more than five cups of espresso if you wish.
What to Look For
Getting a good coffee machine should make your life easier every morning. You may want to choose one that is functional, with a reasonable priced, and useful in many kitchens. Fortunately, some will give you full flavors of the beans, and it’s good for drinkers who want to get some notable tastes in their pot. Some feature hot plates that will keep your cup hot for at least 25 minutes while keeping the flavors intact.
There are others with sleek designs, and they are not too bulky for your granite countertops. When it just takes several minutes for your favorite brew, you will find them efficient and speedy. Some have timers in them so you can set them up and have a full pot waiting for you after waking up.
Hotplates and Self-Cleaning Features
Some machines will give you about 14 cups in a single brew, and they have hotplates to keep their temperatures, so that you can expect your drink to stay hot for a while. However, it’s not recommended to leave your cup for at least 40 minutes, even if some brands can warm it up for that long. The flavors may change, and you may not like the results.
Others have auto cleaning functions, and it will give you alerts whenever it’s time to remove the limescale inside. Keeping your coffeemaker in tiptop condition will help it last longer. You can run cycles of descaler that will give you plenty of reminders that you need to do a thorough cleaning of your machines.
Seek technologies where the machines will efficiently hold the flavors and aroma of your brew. You need to keep the intense flavors of the beans so that you can enjoy them later. The advanced brewing techniques available in the market today promise to give you an ideal temperature in half the time it takes on the traditional machines.
You can check nifty machines with detachable jugs that will cover your needs. There are also various colors, brands, sizes, and other features that are all worth it since you’re saving a lot of money by making your own espresso instead of going to a coffee shop. Browse for options in many online shops or stores near you and see how they work.