Keeping Coffee Grounds out of the Pot

I've been having problems with coffee filters collapsing and letting grounds into the coffee pot, plus gunking up the filter basket. The following solution has worked well for me and I haven't had a problem since.

1. Take one clean, white papertowel and lay it flat on a clean, dry surface.

2. Place an appropriate measure of coffee in the center of the paper towel.

3. Spread out the coffee to the approximate size of the bottom of your filter basket.

4. Fold the side of the paper towel closest to you over the coffee, so the edge of the paper is at the edge of the grounds.

5. Turn the paper towel 90 degrees clockwise and repeat. Do this until all four sides are folded in.

You should end up with a square packet of coffee, approximately the size of your filter basket, with the grounds safely tucked inside. This can be placed, fold side down (otherwise the papertowel will unfold and let the grinds escape), in your drip coffee maker as usual.

These could also be made a week or two in advance and placed in a Tupperware container in your freezer for extra speedy coffee making in the morning.

By coffee2go from Tempe, AZ