Cooking Resources

Greg Who Cooks · 02-09-2012, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kayelle

I'm thinking about the thread "do you read every post"? I did, and some are hysterical. I could care less if my coffee filters are bleached or unbleached.

Thanks. It makes me feel good that my topic had no worth. I had just wondered if there was any reason to prefer either. I had suspected that there was no difference. I guess now I know, and I also know that composting coffee grounds is more important than which filters you use.

taxlady · 02-09-2012, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLC

I made a bin last weekend. (The chickens have been kicking stuff out of the open cage bin.) This one begins as one of those blue plastic 55 gallon drums. That material cuts easily with small saws. I cut a door out of the side and hinged it with a piano hinge pop riveted on. Then I drilled holes all over the sides and ends. Installed four small bolt on eyebolts in a line, two in the door and one either side. A wire with a bent end as a stopper keeps it closed. Easy to roll back and forth periodically. I'll make another, so I can let one get near full and finish while starting to fill another. Less than $30 for all components.

I have a full sized composter in my backyard. I live in Quebec. I have feet of snow in my backyard. I don't need another outdoor composter in my tiny yard. I either find a cheap, easy way to compost indoors in winter or it will continue to go in the garbage until the snow melts.

**Dawgluver** · 02-09-2012, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gourmet Greg

Thanks. It makes me feel good that my topic had no worth. I had just wondered if there was any reason to prefer either. I had suspected that there was no difference. I guess now I know, and I also know that composting coffee grounds is more important than which filters you use.

I think the upshot was, use either bleached or unbleached, it doesn't matter, Greg. This made for really good discussion, and we thank you for bringing it up! We have been known to veer off topic at times....

Greg Who Cooks · 02-09-2012, 10:06 PM

Yeah DL and I know what you mean. Thanks for confirming what I had suspected all along, that probably appearances are far more important than performance when it comes to coffee filters. Various replies in this topic seem to indicate that either (1) the replies agreed with me that bleached vs. natural had no taste influence at all, (2) that maybe natural filters might "save the environment" but too much vagueness to tell for sure, or that (3) throwing your coffee grounds down the drain will either save or ruin your drains, and a belated (4) composting your coffee grounds will probably have an end result of making me want to quit drinking coffee. (Is there an emoticon for sad grin?)

But at least I know the answer for my initial question. No, Greg, there is no practical difference between bleached and natural coffee filters. It's all in your mind, it's all in a product concept. There is no practical difference 'twixt the two.

It's interesting that such an innocuous question could get 6 pages of replies.

**FrankZ** · 02-09-2012, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gourmet Greg

It's interesting that such an innocuous question could get 6 pages of replies.

Tis all a matter of perspective.. barely two full pages for me...

In this day and age so many people will break their own necks to jump on the "natural" bandwagon, when sometimes it matters not. A good discussion and some thinking helps, even on such a insignificant seeming topic like coffee filters.

Greg Who Cooks · 02-09-2012, 11:04 PM

Forum default setting.

You and I are in agreement about the "jump on natural" movement. That is why I posted my question in the OP. I'm not interested in jumping on any bandwagon unless there's solid reasons. I haven't seen any yet in this topic, or at least any that seem to justify merit.

As far as I'm concerned the difference between bleached and natural is purely cosmetic, unless solid reasons to the contrary can be stated.

gadzooks · 05-20-2012, 12:45 AM

Snob, here. I have used unbleached or oxygen-bleached four cup (Mrs. Tea) filters in my eight cup Revere Drip-O-Lator for years, but both have been difficult to find in that size lately, so I dug out my old Chemex pot and bought three boxes of unbleached filters. Perfect coffee, consistently.

Addie · 05-20-2012, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GLC

I do it, except on alternate Tuesdays when the moon is full and the wind is out of the east, UNLESS a dove has pooped on my car during the night. In that case, on the way to the compost bin, I fling it at the dove.

This is the winner folks!

Addie · 05-20-2012, 01:47 AM

So does this mean that those who use unbleached filters to save the environment and the earth are like those 'organic' snobby folks? I guess I am in big trouble. I use house brand and whatever is the cheapest. And the only food I buy that is orgnaic is fresh carrots. For some strange reason, they taste more like a carrot should. Or as I remember it from my childhood. And I don't grind my coffee. I buy Folgers or the house brand if on sale. I am doomed.

**Zhizara** · 05-20-2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Addie

So does this mean that those who use unbleached filters to save the environment and the earth are like those 'organic' snobby folks? I guess I am in big trouble. I use house brand and whatever is the cheapest. And the only food I buy that is orgnaic is fresh carrots. For some strange reason, they taste more like a carrot should. Or as I remember it from my childhood. And I don't grind my coffee. I buy Folgers or the house brand if on sale. I am doomed.

You're not alone. Did you know that if you run out of filters, a paper towel works just fine.