Here’s How to Make Coffee Without a Filter

If you’re among the estimated 154 million Americans that drink coffee, you’re probably quite comfortable making your morning brew at home — until you run out of coffee filters. Fortunately, learning how to make coffee without a filter is simple, as long as you have a few common household items lying around.

In this post, we’ll cover the basics of how to make coffee without a filter. You’ll learn about alternative ways to brew your java that don’t require a filter, as well as other items you can use instead of a traditional coffee filter.

Use something in place of a filter

If you’re used to making coffee with a filter, then swapping in something else for your filter will be the most straightforward way to brew coffee when you’re out of filters. There are a few different items that you can use to replace your filter inside your coffee pot, including paper towels, cheesecloth, or a clean dishcloth.

Alternatively, use a fine-mesh strainer or sieve to strain your coffee grinds, just like a filter would. Just make sure that your strainer has holes that are small enough so that your coffee won’t slip through and into your drink. To try this method, simply boil your water and position your sieve over your mug. Put however much coffee you’d like in the sieve and pour the hot water on top, allowing it to drip down into your cup below.

Try the teabag method

Using a teabag filled with coffee is another way to eliminate the need for a filter. It’s really as simple as it sounds — you’re just making a coffee as you would ordinarily make a cup of tea.

Once you’ve found a spare tea bag, cut it open and discard the contents. Take care not to rip the bag too much because you’ll need to scoop your coffee into the empty bag. Tie it up tightly with the string and place it into the bottom of your mug. Pour your boiling water directly onto the tea bag and let it steep for a few minutes before discarding the bag.

Make it on the stove

If neither of those options appeals to you, then you can try a more old-school way of making coffee without a filter. Making coffee on the stove is quick, easy, and relatively mess-free. It might not be the perfect way to enjoy your morning joe, but it can get the job done.

To do so, heat your water in a saucepan on the stove. Once it’s boiling, add a few tablespoons of coffee (depending on how strong you like it). Stir everything together to combine it and remove it from the heat, allowing it to sit for a couple of minutes. Pour into your mug and enjoy.

As you can tell, learning how to make coffee without a filter isn’t overly difficult. With a few adjustments to your normal coffee-making routine, you can be sipping on a delicious cup of java — even without a filter.

For more coffee tips and ideas, check out the Tastessence blog.