Gold Coffee Filters. Time to make the switch?
Gold tone coffee filters are becoming increasingly popular with coffee enthusiasts these days. These gold tone filters provided by names such as Braun, Black and Decker, Krups, and Swiss Gold commonly have new users describing a definite ‘brighter’, ‘livelier’, or ‘more complex’ flavor in their brews. So, is it time to make the switch from disposable paper coffee filters to the permanent gold coffee filter? Read on and decide for yourself.
What is a gold tone filter?
A gold tone filter is a permanent coffee filter made of stainless steel that is enhanced with gold plating. This layer of gold ensures that no metallic taste is imparted to your coffee. Additionally, since gold tone filters can be used over and over, they eliminate the need for paper filter replacements, lasting users several years. If you want to spend the extra money, Swiss Gold even makes coffee filters of pure 23 karat gold, which will last you even longer.
What’s all the buzz about?
- Richer, more flavorful coffee. Paper filters are designed to absorb a lot of the oil surrounding the ground and roasted coffee beans. A little oil absorption is good since it will get rid of some of the bitterness. On the other hand, a lot of the oils that give coffee its taste are also absorbed by the filter, resulting in coffee that has lost too much of its complex flavor. This problem is eliminated with the gold tone filters, since more oils remain in the finished coffee, giving it a richer and more intense flavor.
- You’ll never run out of filters again. Paper coffee filters are designed to be disposable, so eventually users will need to purchase a new box or two, whereas gold filters can be reused for several years. $10-$30 is a relatively small investment for a gold-toned or 23-karat gold coffee filter designed to last for years. At the least, it can eliminate the hassle of running out of paper filters at an inopportune moment.
- Easier clean-up and maintenance. Most people also find the clean up easier than with paper filters: just pour out the used grounds and rinse. Some gold coffee filters can even be put in a standard dishwasher for more thorough cleaning. The hot coffee grounds and oils make removal and disposal with paper coffee filters very messy. And if not aligned precisely, the water and grounds may spill out of the top into the holding well and carafe. On the other hand, a gold filter holds all of the grounds securely during the brewing process, for a neat and hassle free coffee-making experience.
So, what’s stopping the frenzy?
- Although the gold filter mesh will hold back unwanted coffee grounds like a paper filter, some finer grounds may filter through – leading to overextracted coffee with some sludge at the bottom of the pot. This mainly affects people who use blade coffee grinders. It’s not much of a problem if you use a good burr coffee grinder (or if you buy pre-ground coffee).
- The taste of gold filtered coffee can be too robust or rich for those used to paper filters.
- Paper filters are more convenient for some people.
- A $10-$30 initial investment just does not appeal to some. Compared to $2-$5 for a pack of 100 paper filters, the gold tone filter is expensive.
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