Permanent coffee filters - is Swissgold worth the money?

[vademocrat]

I'm shopping for a permanent coffee filter & have found that the swissgold filters are about twice as much as the other "name" brands.
Also, braun & krups are available locally but I'd have to order the swissgold filters online.
Is there enough of a difference in quality to justify double the price?

Thanks!

[NMDemDist2]

1. I have had many a permafilter and always ended up going back to

paper. the gold filters lived in the cupboard unless I forgot to restock the paper :shrug:

If I were you, I'd go cheap and use it a while to see if you can justify the expense. in fact, what size do you use? I may have one in the cupboard I can send you.... (seriously!) since I don't use a brewer anymore it is just more junk and i'd be happy to find it a good home (if I still have one--i'll look today)

[vademocrat]

2. You're probably right -

I've gone back and forth over the years & have NEVER actually bought one! :rofl:
I've just gotten a new coffeemaker and am going through the angst of perfect coffee again...

It uses a #4 cone - that'd be cool if you have one. Otherwise I'll go to bed, bath & beyond reason - although that's always a dangerous trip!

Thanks!

[Stinky The Clown]

3. We had one a long time ago ..... not worth it

Always went back to paper.

The cleaning was the real issue. They have to be cleaned after every use and coffee is notorious for leaving residue on everything it contacts.

Paper was just easier and cleaner.

Now we use our espresso brewers exclusively and don't even have a coffee brewer plugged in. We have our Bunn in the basement .... just in case .....

[NMDemDist2]

4. "just in case" LOL

I just sold all my old coffee stuff on eBay, I am so screwed if the Saeco goes down......

I think I have a Melitta around here somewhere.....

and where's that grinder??? Oh yeah, in MD!!!! :rofl:

guess the blender on the Beast can grind beans if push comes to shove............. :scared:

[vademocrat]

5. Consensus from the experts - save my money!

I didn't really need to go to BB&B anyway!

[politicat]

6. The paper composts nicely.

And the grounds help balance out the nitrogen-carbon mix.

For that matter, even if it's the only thing you compost, it composts well - just drop 'em in a five gallon bucket with a lid and give it a stir a few times a week.

[vademocrat]

7. thanks for that suggestion - I've hesitated to compost

since I don't have a place in my yard to dump it.

Should I mix in some leaves or just do straight coffee filter/grounds?

[politicat]

8. Leaves and grass clippings won't hurt, but...

if you don't have a place to dump it, you might consider talking to a friend who gardens about taking the compost or the compost makings. There's no point in making compost if you can't use it.

[vademocrat]

9. I should check out the gardening forum -

I do have a leaf compost pile in my yard and can definitely use compost. I just don't like the idea of putting food residue out where small animals can get to it. A large bucket with a lid could work - put it in my garage or by my outdoor garbage can. What I'm wondering about that is do the coffee grounds (and any other organic material I start putting in there) need a "starter" like leaves?

Thanks for your help & I will check out the gardening forum -

[alfredo]

15. If you don't put meat in your compost the animals shouldn't

be a problem. I do have a ground hog visit for the banana peels. He digs through my compost, stirring it for me. Occasionally an opossum ambles by, they are creepy but not dangerous. The birds like the bugs and worms, and I like what the compost does for my gardening.

[vademocrat]

19. Thanks for the info -

I'm going to start composting non-meat items. I know when I turn over the leaf mulch, it's like an all you can eat buffet for the birds!

[Cassandra]

10. I have one for tea and I love it.

I scrub off the tannins every couple of months. It's lasted for years.

[NMDemDist2]

11. ahhhh now tea is an entirely different subject and I use a metal infuser

also. I love it!

[Justpat]

12. I have one and I hate it.

I went back to the brown paper filters.
The bottom of the Swissgold is plastic and I don't think that is healthy.
I used it a few times and threw it away.

[vademocrat]

14. Thanks for your feedback!

I just bought another box of brown paper filters - I like the idea of a permanent filter but it sounds like they're not worth the $$.

[bettyellen]

13. the paper absorbs the oils that were considered a health risk...

i remember they revised the health risk because of the fact that it was originally based on analysing perked coffee, and drip with paper had little to no oil in comparison. i can't even remeber what they said was so awful about coffee, but when they reassessed it, they did on the assumption you'd use a paper filter!

[alfredo]

16. Paper filters have some health benefits.

They filter out chemicals that elevate cholesterol.

[TomInTib]

17. Try the Bodum Santos electric coffee maker with a nylon filter...

It makes the most delicious coffee (if you use good beans) and has a permanent nylon filter. PLUS...it is really fun to watch the vacuum process. We have wasted way too many pots of coffee making visitors watch it - it's very cool.

[vademocrat]

18. Thanks - I'm not familiar with that machine -

Has it held up well? I tend to go through coffee pots at an alarming rate...