History of paper filters In 1782-79,
Johann Georg Krünitz described a then-new method to extract coffee utilizing
blotting paper in a (tinned) metal filter cone shape like. introduced their (English: quick filter), Patented in 1935, that is why other manufacturers use terms like coffee filter, paper filter, etc. In 1936,), "102" (for 3–6, or 4–8 cups or 10–15), "104" (for 15–25 or 30–60 cups), "112" (for 2 cups, with pot mount) and "123"). The system also included special types like tea filters "401" (1–6 cups, compatible with "101") and "402" (for 3–9 cups, compatible with "102") and the miniature filter "801" (for 1–2 or 1–3 small cups for children, or 1 normal cup A disadvantage of the system was that one had to pour water continuously or several times while the proper amount of necessary water could only be guessed. Therefore, in 1963 Melitta developed a new fan- or boat-shaped filter system with corresponding "1×" nomenclature: In this system the filters are sized big enough so that the whole amount of water (except for the water needed for
blooming) can be poured in one go. Consequently, the filter sizes "1×2", "1×4", "1×6" and "1×10" result in 2, 4, 6, and 10 cups of coffee when filling the filter once. Since these filters only differ in height and have otherwise the exact same geometry, bottom width (about 49 mm) and angle (about 54°), the filter bags are interchangeable between filter holders of different sizes. Both systems are still in use today in principle, but the sizes "101", "103", "104", "105", "106", "112", "123", "401", "402", ("502",) "801" and "1×10" are no longer manufactured. Common in the US are fan- or boat-shaped filters "#0" (similar to "100"), "#1" (similar to "101"), Hario began designing brewers in 1980; the V60 design was released in 2004. The brewer received the
Japanese Good Design Award in 2007 and is used by many of the winners in the
World Brewers Cup. In partnership with 2013
World Barista Champion Pete Licata it was further developed into the Hario W60, a brewer with a flat-bottomed mesh filter, to "address the concern baristas have with 'flat bed' brewing". The Hario Switch combines
steeping with drip filtering. Hario has cone-shaped paper filter bag sizes "01" (for 1 cup), "02" (for 1–4 cups) and "03" (for 1–6 cups). circle filter rings (for
percolators) "3 in." (89 mm), "164mm", "190mm", "203mm", "235mm", "240mm", "244mm", "256mm", "260mm", "290mm", "330mm", "400mm" and "440mm",
prepleated flat-bottom basket filters "(A)250/90" (250 mm/90 mm, also known as "90/250") and "(A)250/110" (250 mm/110 mm), roll filters "2004" as well as wrap filters (for percolators, 232 × 241 mm). While some of them are still available today, most of them have fallen out of use for long. A squarish pyramid filter Filtra "602" was available as well. Other basket filter sizes include "101/317", "152/350", "152/457", "203/533" and "280/635". Other round filter disks include 160 mm, 220 mm, 195 mm, 230 mm. The
Aeropress and Ceado Hoop use round paper filter disks with a diameter of c. 63 mm. The German Tricolate coffee dripper uses round paper filter disks with a diameter of 88 mm. The Kanas-based NextLevel drippers use proprietary round disk paper filters as well (95 mm for the LVL-10 and 77 mm for the Pulsar). The Hario cold brew dripper Slow Brew "Shizuku" (WDC-6) and Water Dripper Clear (WDW-6) take 58 mm round filter disks.
Chemex filter system The six conical filter holder sizes for the
Chemex coffee maker (originally introduced in 1941) and the
Funnex utilize two different sizes of paper filters. A half-moon shaped filter paper (bleached: FP-2, unbleached: FP-2N) is used for the 3-cup holders (CM-1, CM-1C, CM-1GH) and the Funnex (CM-FNX), which must be folded before use. The larger holders for 5 (CM-2), 6 (CM-6A, CM-6GH), 8 (CM-3, CM-8A, CM-8GH), 10 (CM-10A, CM-10GH) and 13 cups (CM-4) can alternatively use prefolded square sheets (bleached: FS-100, unbleached: FSU-100), prefolded circle filters (bleached: FC-100) or unfolded circle filters (bleached: FP-1). The paper is 20–30% thicker than regular paper filters.
Other filter parameters and properties Other important coffee filter paper parameters are strength, compatibility, efficiency and capacity. If a coffee filter is not
strong enough, it will tear or rupture, allowing coffee grains through to the coffee pot.
Compatibility describes a filter medium's resistance to degradation by heat and chemical attack; a filter that is not compatible with the liquid passing through it is likely to break down, losing strength (
structural failure).
Efficiency is the retention of particles in a target (size) category. The efficiency is dictated by the particles or substances to be removed. A large-mesh filter may be efficient at retaining large particles but inefficient at retaining small particles.
Capacity is the ability to "hold" previously removed particles while allowing further flow. A very efficient filter may show poor capacity, causing increased resistance to flow or other problems as it plugging up prematurely and increasing resistance or flow problems. A balance between particle capture and flow requirements must be met while ensuring integrity. == Reusable cloth filters ==