The Simple Paper Towel Substitute To Use In A Time Of Need

It is inevitable that when getting cheffy with home-cooked cuisine, splatters and spills are bound to occur. But it's nothing to worry about: Simply reach for a paper towel and the mess is no more — unless you're out of paper towels. If you forgot to restock, and run across a spill (like grease) that you'd rather not clean with a kitchen towel, you likely have a substitute close by that will get the job done nearly as well: coffee filters.

Like paper towels, coffee filters are absorbent enough to lift spills from your countertop and other surfaces. They even hold a few advantages over paper towels, such as being biodegradable and more environmentally friendly — and generally costing less than a pack of name-brand paper towels. Substituting coffee filters works in a pinch so well that some folks forgo paper towels altogether and use coffee filters to sponge up any mess.

Still, there are a couple of drawbacks. Coffee filters are more delicate and aren't typically as efficient as paper towels for scrubbing stubborn stains. They are also slightly less absorbent, meaning you may have to use multiple filters for big spills. However, one could argue that they are just as — if not more — versatile than paper towels. Sure, you can use the paper towel trick for decarbonating drinks if you hate the bubbles, and paper towels keep your salad greens fresh all week, too. But swapping in coffee filters for cleanup — as well as several other tasks — can save you some serious dough.

You probably know you should cover food in the microwave to prevent splattering. Maybe you've used a paper towel for this task, but substituting a coffee filter works just as well and might be more affordable. Foods like pizza shouldn't be reheated in the microwave, but for all the jobs Chef Mic does well, laying a coffee filter over the food saves you from having to clean as frequently.

When cooking something tasty over the stove, a place to rest your spoon between stirs is essential. A small plate works, but a coffee filter keeps your saucy spoon from dirtying your work area and your dishes, while saving a little coinage.

Coffee filters are also great for absorbing grease from foods fresh out of the frying pan. They function the same way paper towels do, and offer an affordable solution for collecting excess oil. They can also help you out once the frying is complete. Instead of throwing out slightly used oil, you can use a coffee filter to sift out any stray food particles and save the oil for next time. These days, small savings can make a difference, and substituting coffee filters for paper towels will get those pennies to start adding up.