So back in September, yet another Mr.Coffee bit the dust. Up front let me say that I have never liked the fact that they could not be disassembled and properly cleaned, nor are they in any way “user servicable”. While looking into alternatives, I happened upon a colador de cafe for about $2.50 so I snapped one up, brought it home, and found some instructions. It makes great coffee and it’s fast and easy. (Cheap, fast, and easy is a good combination.)
I’ve fallen into a routine: 1) Start a pot of coffee (2.5 quart saucepan) with a preferred measure of fresh, ground coffee; 2) Also fill two stainless steel Thermoses (Thermi ?) with boiling water to get them ready; 3) Cook the coffee about 6 or 7 minutes; 4) Strain the coffee through the colador into a cup and the two heated Thermoses; 5) Rinse the colador under the tap and hang in a sunny window to dry; 6) Enjoy the coffee; 7) Throw the coffee grounds in the compost bin (there is no waste). I like to soak the colador in a pot of white vinegar about once a week, just so, but I have seen no need for any other maintenance.
The coffee is consistantly good. After the initial, favorable results I went back and bought a handful of these “coffee makers” in case I can’t find them again but I have been using the same one since September. The “no waste” principle appeals to me in a big way, but I’m concerned; Should I throw this one out and start with a new one? How long can you use a flannel colador de cafe?
Ive had my coffee "sock " for about 2 months and its about time for a change. Ever since I drank coffee made like this I don’t want it any other way. Everyone here in CR seems to use this method also.
I have a little one cup coffee filter that is excellent. It is similar to the one cup Melita coffee makers, but has a metal filter and is faster. It is a two piece with a filter bottom cup that sits on the coffee mug and diffuser that sits on top to slow the water. It is easy to rinse or can be thrown in the dishwasher.
Every other reusable filter coffer system I have tried seemed to develop an off taste after a while, including the ‘colador de cafe’ (thanks had no idea it had a name). This one still makes the best coffee in Calgary after 5 years of use.
All “colador de café” means is, literally, “coffee colander/strainer”; cloth colanders are also sometimes called “chinos” in Spanish. Since neither of them use their cloth colanders for coffee, neither my mother nor my grandmother call theirs coladores de café.
The problem I have with the french press is that the screen is not fine enough and there is always sediment. A colodor leaves virtually no sediment so the last swallow is still very clear. The colador is also great for cold brew in a mason jar: add grounds to quart jar, I use 3 scoops of ground coffee, leave it over night in the fridge, pour through the colador for smooth cold brew coffee.