Cone Vs Basket Filter
Coffee is the single most popular beverage in the world, and it’s not hard to see why — after all, who doesn’t love getting a fresh, steaming cup of java in the morning?
But the process of making coffee can sometimes be a little complicated. This is the case for people who use cone filters, and people who use basket filters.
In this article, We are going to give you an overview of both these types of coffee filter shapes so that you can decide for yourself which one's better suited for your coffee-making needs. Let's get started!
We will first introduce both cone and basket filters before providing an overview of their similarities and differences.
The most common type of coffee filter you’ll find on store shelves are: Cone-shaped Filter and Basket Filter.
What is a Cone Filter?
The Cone is a fairly simple design that doesn't do much else besides filter coffee. A cone filter is also known as a disposable filter.
It is shaped like a cone, and as the name suggests, there is a hole in the middle that you pour hot water through so that it brews coffee.
The water drips through the ground coffee and the filter and then into a carafe or mug.
What is a Basket Filter?
Basket filters are a lot more complex. The Basket employs more than just a single layer of mesh to filter coffee.
At the bottom of the basket is a single layer of mesh, which holds onto the ground coffee as you pour hot water over it.
The best part about these filters is that the grounds remain in the basket, unlike other cone-shaped filters that have grounds that fall into your mug or cup.
What Are the Similarities Between a Cone and Basket?
Both of these coffee filters are extremely common, made by almost every manufacturer, so it doesn’t matter which brand or type of coffee maker you have.
Similarities between a Cone and Basket Filter are as follows:
- They both remove the aftertaste and sediments from your coffee.
- They can be washed and reused up to three times if used for a single cup of coffee.
- Easy to use, no need to buy paper filters or clean up after every use.
- They both are cheaper than other options like the metal mesh filter or permanent filters.
- Both are reusable, saving you money in the long run compared to buying single-use coffee filters or paper filters over and over again.
Some Differences
- Basket filters are cheaper than Cone filters.
- The coffee grounds stay in the Cone filter basket, unlike a Basket Filter.
- Cone filters come in different sizes and shapes for a variety of coffee makers and cups, while Basket Filters usually do not have this type of variation.
- Cone filters are more commonly used for making French Press coffee, while basket filters are usually used for drip coffee makers.
- Cone filters are usually designed to fit on most standard coffee makers and Basket Filters usually are not.
- Cone filters have a collapsible design while basket filters are usually not collapsible and tend to be heavier.
Cone Filter: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- They are easy to use and don’t require you to do much maintenance.
- They are reusable and don’t need to be purchased over and over again.
- The main benefit of using a cone filter is the richer, more full coffee flavor.
- They are also very easy to clean, as just one simple rinse or wipe will take care of the entire filter.
- These are designed to be used for on-the-go use.
Cons:
- There is a potential for grounds to get into your brew.
- It is not as good at filtering out sediments, oils, and fats as a basket filter is.
- They are not very durable and likely won’t last too long if you use them regularly.
- The cone shape makes it hard to use when brewing at home since the coffee drips down onto the counter or floor unless you tip the cone itself, which can be dangerous if you aren’t careful.
- They are not designed to work with a brewer that doesn’t have a basket.’ (i.e: Solofill).
Basket Filter: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Basket filters are very durable, as the mesh is usually made from stainless steel or nylon, so they will last much longer and are not likely to break if you use them on a regular basis.
- They can capture sediments that would otherwise go through a cone filter.
- They have a finer mesh than cone filters, so they are going to do a better job of filtering out oils, fats, and sediments, which could be harmful to your coffee if left in there.
- They are usually helpful to brew large quantities of coffee, anywhere between 8 to 12 cups at a time.
- The grounds are going to stay in the filter basket instead of falling into your mug or cup.
Cons:
- If you want to brew for one or two people, then using Basket Filters may be inconvenient, so you’ll end up resorting to the cone filters.
- They require more maintenance than cone filters, as they need to be cleaned after every use or they can start to taste bad.
- You can’t just throw them in the trash when they get dirty because they contain metal and plastic parts that aren’t supposed to go in the garbage.
- They are more expensive than cone filters.
- They don’t have any room for variations.
Does the shape of a coffee filter matter?
In general, a cone filter will have a much larger surface area than a basket filter. This provides for more surface area for your coffee grounds to be exposed to water and the pressure.
The cone filters are much more commonly used than basket filters and it is the reason why most of the coffee makers on the market today feature them. They are also simple to use, just like their name suggests.
Which is better brown or white coffee filters?
White filters are much more commonly used than their brown counterparts because of the fact that they are less commonly pierced by coffee grinds, which in turn can make your coffee taste better.
You will also have a lot more control over your brew when using white filters than you will with their brown counterparts and you won’t need to use any paper to filter it.
How do you grind coffee for a cone filter?
When it comes to grinding your coffee for a cone filter, you should grind it coarsely. This will give you the best results out of your brew.
The grounds should be more like powder than they are fine, which will make them more easily absorbable by the filter.
That means that you should grind your coffee less than what you usually would when using a basket filter because they are much more fine and fragile.
Are cone filters any good?
It is true that cone filters are not going to filter out everything, but you may also be doing damage to your coffee if you use something too fine and fragile such as a basket.
Cone filters are the best choice for people who want something that is simple, doesn’t require much maintenance, and can produce a good cup of coffee.
What are basket strainers used for?
When you want to strain out sediment and oils from your coffee, you will need to use something other than your usual paper.
This is where a basket strainers come in.
Basket strainers are used to strain out the somewhat undesirable stuff that was sent through your filter.
Basket Strainers are also great because they will give you the ability to hold more even grounds than a cone filter and can produce an even finer cup of coffee.
Should you wet coffee filters?
Wetting your coffee filters may seem like a counterproductive thing to do, especially if you’re using paper filters and you aren’t supposed to be drinking the coffee.
If you have an idea of what’s in your filter and you’re worried about possible toxins in the paper, then it may be something worth considering.
Wetting your filter can help prevent your coffee from tasting bitter because it will have been filled with more water, which helps soften the grounds.
Are paper coffee filters healthier?
Some people think that paper filters are healthier for you than metal or plastic filters because there are no chemicals involved.
In some ways, this is true. Paper filter does absorb some of the oils that would normally be pushed through ground coffee and adds a little extra body to your brew along with it. In fact, there are some people who claim that they can even have a little extra caffeine with their cup of coffee because of it.
How many types of strainers are there?
There are three main types of coffee filters that you can choose from when buying a coffee maker: basket strainer, wire mesh and paper filter.
Cone vs Basket: Which one is better?
There are a lot of arguments for both the cone filter and the basket filter, so it really depends on what you're looking for.
If you’re looking for something that’s easy to use and don’t want anything fancy, then you should go with a cone filter. If you’re going to be brewing coffee regularly or in large amounts, then go with a basket filter because they are more durable and will last longer.
Ultimately, the best filter is the one that fits your budget and your taste. If you’re concerned about your health or want to make sure that every last bit of sediments gets filtered out, then it may be worth it to spend more money on a basket filter.
But if you're just looking for something that's going to make your coffee taste better, then go with a cone filter.
If you like a thicker and stronger cup of coffee, the cone filter would work best. If you prefer less bitterness in your brew, the basket-type filter is best for you.
The main difference between a Cone and Basket is the style of filtering. They both have their benefits and drawbacks, making both filters good for some situations, but not so great for others.
One thing is certain: they are both very common and popular options for most coffee makers today.