Coffee @lemmy.world Detective' @slrpnk.net 8mo ago

Anyone tried CoffeeSock? A V60 Style Reusable Cloth Coffee Filter

Anyone tried this thing before? Just came across it, and wondering if this works for my classic Moccamaster machine, for standard black coffee. Looks and seems like a promising product!

URL to Item: https://www.kaffebox.no/product/coffeesock-v60-style-reusable-cloth-coffee-filter/?attribute_pa_size=03-4-6-cups

Description:

CoffeeSock offers a superior and eco-friendly alternative to traditional paper filters with their reusable Hario v60 filters. Made from organic, sustainably harvested cotton, these filters provide better flavor and a more reliable brew at a lower cost than single-use paper filters. Each set of 2 filters lasts for at least a year, and are easy to use and maintain. Simply rinse the filter after use and let it dry before the next use. The filters are also zero-waste and compostable once they are no longer useful. CoffeeSock filters are available for a variety of coffee brewing methods and are made in the USA. Upgrade your coffee experience with CoffeeSock today.

47 comments

I tried one for a bit, it was difficult to keep clean. James Hoffman has a video on these, I recommend checking it out.
- I definitely started freezing mine after watching a while back, I still usually use paper but cloth is a nice change sometimes
- oh damn, yeah i totally should have checked for that. Thanks :)
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr_I3ZVKKb4
I use something similar that I bought in Taiwan as a backup to paper filters, since I am often traveling and can't always find v60-style filters. Some thoughts:

It can be annoying to clean

When I want more than a rinse, I wash it extra by boiling it in tea; that seems to work well.

It does have a bit of a different flavor compared to paper. As a light-roast drinker who grinds with a Timemore C3, I prefer paper for taste. In the James Hoffman vid other people linked, he describes it as "extra richness and body" for light roasts, but I kinda describe it more as "clouding some of the bite and clarity". It's definitely still quite good, and I still prefer the cloth over French press.

I do find it quite convenient for my use as a backup to paper filters in my "ultra-portable" setup.

Pictured here with small *PAT Tetradrip. A proper v60 is 100% better taste than the Tetradrip; but it's a really convenient foldy-size.
- Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Is it possible to clean in the dishwasher at all you think?
  
  I don't ever use a dishwasher, so I have no idea what works in those things 😂
  
  Would probably be fine with just a quick rinse after use
  
  the result of that will be having all the gunk in your coffee filter instead of dishwasher's own
That is the worst, most appalling name for that device.
- I think coffee underwear might be worse
- Haha yeah it's not the best 😅
- The tag line is even worse.
  
  Coffee sock: ask any teen boy how easy it is to clean.
Tagging and commenting because I'll interested as well. I haven't tried this, but I'm curious about others experience with it.

Fwiw, I'm mostly an Aeropress user - mostly because I prefer the flavor, but partially because it works perfectly well with metal filters...
I have one just like this but larger and made to close entirely for coldbrew.
- Me too! I wound up switching over to a pitcher with a built in metal mesh filter though. If I ever need to make a double batch or something though, I've still got it.
  
  I considered one of those but worried it wouldn't be fine enough. Do you find you have issues with grounds in the brew?
I'm currently using a pair of them for pour-over in a Hario V60. As others have mentioned, they do taste differently than paper filters. I rinse them thoroughly after each use, then hang just inside a sunny window to dry quickly. I also alternate each day between the two that I have, so that each one has an extra day to stay dry. Doing this while boiling them once a month or so keeps them well cleaned, no odors or odd tastes. However, you do end up using a decent amount of water over time to keep them clean; it's unclear if saving a year's worth (how long two CoffeeSocks last according to the manufacturer) of paper filters is worth the extra water consumption. I'm thinking of switching to paper myself, and keeping these as a backup.
I have one, it's okay if you're super diligent at keeping it clean and washing it out right after use.

I never use it anymore because the paper filters are more convenient.
- The paper filters make wonderful compost bombs for me lol.
Holds too many old bad odors and oils. Use a metal screen filter or Viet Phin or French Press or moka pot if you want avoid paper filters
I used to use a reusable gold filter and it worked fine, but the main issue was having to rinse it out every time.

I imagine these would be similar, but harder to rinse because they're non-rigid.
- Rigid filter works great. I only use paper filters if I am bored and want to use the aeropress.
So my issue with this is the amount of water you need to use to clean it. Paper is compostable and bio-degradable.
- Have you seen paper made? There is a reason paper mills are usually on rivers.
- I would imagine it's not much if you can just toss it in with your normal laundry. Most of the time it's just a quick rinse anyway. Many people have no way to compost either.
  
  I don't think I want laundry flavours in my coffee. I'd follow Hoffman's method - rinse well then leave it in the fridge in a glass of water; wash in espresso machine cleaner whenever it gets too oily; freeze it in a ziplock if not using it daily
  
  True, but I drink coffee daily and only do laundry every week or even two weeks some times. So although that may work for some, it would not work for me.
I've used a larger version for cold brew in the past and it worked well. It was a bit annoying to clean out but cold brew batches arent every morning so it was fine.

My preference is now an aeropress with a fabric filter. I use this above a metal filter with the Prismo attachment (metal to stop the fabric clogging the valve). The fabric circle is small enough to be easy to clean, freeze and thaw. I usually only rinse it (much easier with a small flat disk) before chucking it in the freezer but I use Cafitza to clean it every few months to remove any built up oils (just gotta give it a few soaks in boiling water afterwards to ensure its not holding on to the cleaning agent!).
I don't have experience with the coffeesock, but I have use the Hario Woodneck filters daily. My method is this: boil water, run hot water through filter, add grinds, then do normal pourover method (may want to adjust grind since it may drain faster). After brewing, dump grinds in compost, rinse filter, put filter in small jar. Pour leftover boiling water from kettle into jar. Store in the fridge until tomorrow. Periodically (preferably monthly), you should clean the filter by soaking it in a combination of water and a little Cafiza. You have to really rinse well after the soak, because you really don't want to taste that in your coffee. I have never used a Moccamaster, but I don't see why this filter wouldn't work for that since it takes V60 filters.

This process is basically what Hoffman recommends. I personally prefer my coffee through this filter since I like the oils of the coffee, but don't really want the fines passing through the filter. That said, it does get very tedious sometimes; I have a metal filter that I use when I'm too lazy to go through this whole process. They aren't really much of a cost-saving or waste-reducing measure. It takes quite a few pourovers before you save money (though I dunno, maybe you buy really fancy filters) and paper coffee filters are compostable. The most cost-effective solution really is a metal filter. However I think the fabric filters produce the best coffee IMO, but I'd imagine people who prefer lighter roasts might actually prefer the paper filters.
- ^ fwiw, I have one of these, prefer lighter roasts, and prefer the taste of paper filters. So checks out I guess. I do like the fabric filter, though.
I've had this but larger for making batches of cold brew. Loved it, but like someone else mentioned, cleaning it and rinsing it out was slightly annoying.
Some things are better left single use. Hot water pour over to clean the filter then add the grind.
I have one for my siphon—filters the grinds perfectly well, but as others have touched upon, it's a bit of a chore to keep clean. In addition to cleaning after each use, I boil the crap out of it every now and then for extra measure with a touch of vinegar and it seems to keep it clean.

I still use paper filters for my v60 and I've never used the coffee sock on it. Maybe I'll give it a try.
- Depending on how often you feel the need to boil the crap out of it, it might end up having a greater environmental impact than just using paper filters.
  
  I'm curious about this too. I also bought the coffee sock to try and reduce waste. I took the advice of the fellow at the shop to keep it in water between use and boil it once per week. My water consumption was way up and I still couldn't keep it clean. The first few cups were fantastic but eventually the flavour of old oils comes through and I haven't found a way to get rid of it.
  
  Now I just use paper that gets tossed into the compost. Maybe this is more environmentally friendly?
  
  That's a valid point. For me, I use my siphon sparingly nowadays (maybe once a month), so it ends up being every time I use it. So, in the grand scheme of things, not much I think. When I was using the siphon more often (maybe 3 or 4 times a week) I would boil it at the end of the week—much higher impact for sure.
  
  If I were going to plan this out a little more for my current routine/usage, I could boil it inside my kettle when I do my monthly descaling, but that might degrade the cloth much faster.
Try Vietnames Phin
If it works anything like the ones some of us use in Puerto Rico it should work well! Cloth coffee filters have been a thing for a while and they're good at making a strong brew while not requiring a disposable filter. This one tends to lead to muddier coffee but the one you have seems really good and probably filters better. https://www.puertoricocoffeeshop.com/cgi-bin/sc/ss_mb.cgi?storeid=*12d6fca48aa205759c40f5&ss_parm=Abc48d00a6c374ae8bbf4c58167029831
I conceptually like them but I honestly find maintaining them too much work... If you can remember the frequent boilings they need, they make excellent coffee
Socks are much harder to maintain. The British coffee dud( Hoffman?) Made some video on that.
Growing up in Costa Rica, we primarily used a fabric sock to make coffee

47 comments