The Short Answer:
The best and fastest way to clean the cold brew coffee filter is to add it to the dishwasher. That way, you’ll be sure to remove any coffee grounds that may be stuck to the filter.
If you don’t have a dishwasher go with the most obvious which is soap, vinegar, and warm water. You will have to let the filter soak for a bit, but it will eventually come clean.
If you’re a coffee lover, then you know that nothing beats the taste of cold brew coffee. The only downside is that it can be a little messy to make.
In this blog post, I’m going to show you how to clean the cold brew coffee filter in 6 easy ways. Whether you’re a first-time cold brewer or an old pro, these tips will help keep your filter clean and your coffee tasting great. Enjoy!
1. Use Vinegar and Water
The first way to clean your cold brew coffee filter is to use vinegar and water. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl or jar, and then soak your filter in the mixture for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, remove the filter from the mixture and rinse it well with warm water. You should see all of the coffee grounds and residue coming off of the filter. If not, repeat the process and let the filter soak for an additional 30 minutes.
Vinegar has natural cleansing properties that make it ideal for cleaning coffee filters. Not to mention, it’s inexpensive and easy to find at any grocery store. The pH level of vinegar is also safe for coffee filters (around 2-3), so you don’t have to worry about damaging your filter.
2. Use Dish Soap With Water
Dish soap is the easy way out when you don’t have vinegar readily available. Simply add some dish soap to a bowl of warm water and let the filter soak for about 15 minutes. After that, rinse it off with clean water, and voila! Your filter is clean and ready to be used again.
One thing to keep in mind is that you should avoid using dish soap with citrus or other strong fragrances, as these can transfer onto your coffee and impact the taste.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
3. Use Lemon Juice
Something more natural than dish soap is lemon juice. If you want to avoid using any chemicals, then this is a great alternative for you. All you need is some lemon juice and water. Mix the two with a spoon until it becomes a mixture that’s not too thick or thin.
Then rinse your cold brew filter in this solution. You’ll notice how its way easier to clean the filter and the smell will be greatly reduced!
4. Add it to The Dishwasher Machine
The dishwasher is the easiest way to clean your coffee filter. Simply add the cold brew filter in the top self of your dishwasher and run it on the hottest water setting for 15 minutes. The dishwasher will kill off any remaining coffee in the filter, leaving it clean and fresh.
Be careful with the hot water – this is your coffee filter after all!
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a handy kitchen ingredient. It is used as a leavening agent in baking, and it can also be used to clean your refrigerator or remove the smell of burnt food from your oven. A simple solution for cleaning cold brew coffee filters with baking soda is to make a paste out of baking soda and water.
Then, use the paste to scrub the filter thoroughly until it is clean. You can then rinse with warm water and allow it to dry on the counter or in the dish rack.
Once the coffee filter is dry, rinse the filter with cold water, put it in the cold brew and make yourself a coffee when you need it!
6. Use A Knife
If you don’t have any of the other materials we’ve listed, then a knife will do in a pinch. Just be careful not to cut yourself!
Use the knife to scrape off any coffee grounds that are stuck to the filter. You can also use the knife to gently loosen the grounds from the sides of the filter, if necessary.
Once you’ve removed as much of the coffee as possible, rinse the filter under cold water until it is clean.
TIP: If you use fine ground coffee for your cold brew, cleaning the filter with a knife may actually damage the metal mesh filter. In this case, it’s best to avoid this way of cleaning and opt for one of the other methods listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you strain cold brew with a coffee filter?
What is the fastest way to filter cold brew?
Read Also: Pour Over vs Cold Brew
Last Thoughts
In this guide, you learned how to clean any cold brew coffee filter. Whether using vinegar, lemon juice, soap and water, baking soda, or compressed air, you will be able to clean your filter and reuse it again.
As you can see, there are many ways to clean your cold brew coffee maker’s filter after making a cold brew. You should try out the methods that work best for you and develop your own way of cleaning the filter so that it can be used for future brews.
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
