Monday, January 16, 2012

Coffee Filter Conumdrum

There is a drawback to stocking up on things.  Especially things that you swore you'd be using for the next thirty years, but find out that circumstances have changed and now you have:


Coffee filters everywhere!  Several years ago, we were introduced to the handy-dandiest little kitchen gadget:

Since then, we have no longer had to use a coffee pot or the coffee filters used in brewing.  So I now have a 4' stack of coffee filters sitting in the pantry.  That's what happens when your Dad has a restaurant and lets you come along to the restaurant supply store.  Now that stack is just taking up space, although a small stack may occasionally find their way into the living room for toddler entertainment.  I also use them to filter out stuff like chicken broth or a pot of tea that had a teabag tear apart while brewing.  But that's about it.  I've tried to use them for milk filters but for whatever reason they don't work as well as the "real" milk filters.

So I once again have to ask my loyal and frugal minded followers to do some brainstorming and help me think of what I can do with these things.


Toddler crafts?  New hair styling accessory?  

17 comments:

  1. I don't have any idea what you could use the filters for, but I would like to know what the handy dandiest kitchen gaget is. What purpose does it serve?? lol I haven't seen anything like it befor.

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  2. They are so cheap, I would just toss them or find a friend that still uses them.

    OK, the real question is tell us about that "coffee Press?" I have been considering one. I want details!

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  3. It just so happens that, the other day, I found the CUTEST craft for a wreath using coffee filters, and it looks REALLY nice... http://www.recapturedcharm.com/2011/12/coffee-filter-christmas-wreath.html

    Beyond crafting, you could always take them to a shelter or soup kitchen. I am sure they are always in need of supplies :)

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  4. When I worked at a restaurant we used them to clean windows because they left behind less lint then towels.

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  5. I had no idea what a "coffee press" was... I'm an instant coffee kind of guy. lol... Anyway, interesting post. Now I'm looking into one myself!

    For any other readers who want more info:
    http://coffeegeek.com/guides/presspot

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  6. I use them for straining impurities from the goat milk pail, seems to work fine.

    When my son was younger he water colored one and then used a sharpie marker to draw a sunrise on it. My grandfather had this little project on his fridge for years until he passed away. I still have that coffee filter artwork in storage.

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  7. Look for arts and crafts projects using coffee filters. They can be used to make snowflakes, flowers and other cute crafts. Use them in the kitchen for filtering apple cider or other liquids.

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  8. I have used the filters to line the bottom of pots before I put the dirt in....I use cold concentrated coffee which you keep in the refrigerator and put however much you want in the bottom of a cup and add hot water. I love good coffee and this is the method I found to make the best coffee also eliminates another object on your counter.

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  9. Teresa, gld & Tom, here's an earlier post I did on the coffee press: http://krazoacres.blogspot.com/2011/04/non-electric-gadgets-part-1.html

    Chai Chai, I'm not sure why it didn't work on the milk, maybe I'll try it again tonight when I milk.

    Anon., I guess I could use them, but I have plenty of rags and I'm not too particular on the lint :)

    Tiny, I don't know why I didn't think of donating them! Going to see if my Mom's church uses that size. If not, a crafting we will go!

    Rose, yeah, filtering is always a good use.....just have to filter LOTS of stuff to go through them.

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  10. I am an artist and they are great for marbling. Then you can make things like bookmarks, envelopes etc. out of them. They have no dye, are lint free and are cheap. Don't toss them, some teacher may want them for crafts.

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  11. You could always compost them LOL. It seems like I have heard some good uses for them but now I'm drawing a blank, we have a press, too!

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  12. No ideas here but it was fun reading everyone else's suggestions! :)

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  13. Funny you should ask:
    http://www.recapturedcharm.com/2011/12/coffee-filter-christmas-wreath.html

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  14. http://dailyshotofcoffee.com/24-uses-for-coffee-filters/

    Lots of creative and practical uses listed there. Although the prom dress idea....??? LOL

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  15. My kids use coffee filters for window snowflakes, have painted them and let them dry for other crafts (pinch one in the center for a butterfly etc. Google "coffee filter" crafts and the kids will have tons of things to do with them. You can also use them to make angel Christmas tree ornaments. I made several a few years ago.

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  16. I have used them to clean glass when I did not have any newspaper around. No streaking and no lint left on the
    window.

    I also use coffee filters as makeshift tea bags for loose tea when I cannot find my reusable ones.

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  17. I use them to cover dishes when heating food in the microwave. Also to season (oil) my cast iron skillets.

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