Running out of coffee filters isn't really a big deal, especially here in New York, where there's a grocery store or bodega on every other block (most will have filters on any given day).

But there are some times—like Saturday mornings or early work days, for example—when leaving the apartment before gulping down something caffeinated simply doesn't seem like an option. (And this is only more true if you don't live in an area with a filter-carrying store within a few minutes' walk.)

Here is the good news: You can make coffee—even pretty good coffee—without a filter.

When running out of paper filters feels like a big deal, what should you do? First, stay calm.

Second, take stock of what you do have. (If you are also out of beans, throw up your hands and head to the nearest coffee shop.)

Third, look for a reasonable alternative. If you have a fine mesh sieve, you're in luck! Jump to the bottom of this post for what to do. But for everyone else, here are the other best coffee filter alternatives, a few of which we discovered thanks to the methods you recommended on this very helpful Hotline thread.

Happier times.

Photo by James Ransom

Best Coffee Filter Substitutes

1. A Paper Towel

How to do it: Line a pour over or drip basket with a paper towel. Place 2 tablespoons of coffee inside, and gradually pour about a cup of not-quite-boiling water over the grounds. When the water has drained through, remove the pour over from the mug and discard grounds and paper towel.

Pros: You almost certainly have paper towels at home. You don’t have to change your method at all, besides subbing the towel for a filter. And as a bonus, a paper towel's fine weave contains even very fine coffee grounds—so no bottom-of-the-mug mud.

1 large paper towel, folded in half lengthwise, and fit into my trusty Melitta.

Cons: There are very possibly traces of glue, bleach, or whatever other chemicals used to process the paper towels. They're also very thin, so breakage is possible (and we all know how messy that would be). And, because of this flimsiness, a pour over or automatic drip basket (i.e. equipment) is critical. Even without all of those drawbacks, the end result was acidic and sort of papery and chemical-tasting.

Would we recommend it?: It's not necessarily our favorite coffee filter substitute, but if you really have to, it's certainly not the worst either.

2. A clean dish towel or cloth napkin

How to do it: Select a clean (!) dish towel or cloth napkin. Think about how you would feel if the coffee stained that particular cloth and choose accordingly. Set the cloth into a pour over or automatic drip basket (or use a rubber band to secure it to the mouth of your mug, letting it droop slightly into the cup), put 2 tablespoons of ground coffee inside, and gradually pour about a cup of not-quite-boiling water over the grounds. When the water has passed through, very carefully remove the grounds-filled cloth and rinse out.

Pros: You definitely have a clean towel somewhere in your home—and it's also very sustainable. You can use it without a pour over or drip basket (just secure it to the mug with a rubber band, as shown above). Like the paper towel, it contains even very fine coffee grounds (i.e. no mud).

Left, cloth napkin rubber-banded to the top of a mug. Right, soggy, delinquent napkin leaking coffee all over the coffee table.

Cons: The “bowl” of the filter (when you're using a rubber band rather than a piece of equipment) is very shallow—and yet still dangles in the coffee. Other concerns include possibly staining the cloth. But the big kickers here were that the coffee saturated the cloth napkin I was using and dripped over the side of the mug, leaving a puddle on all sides. Also, the resulting coffee tasted like laundry detergent (and I use unscented!).

Would we recommend it?: Straight-up no. I do hear rumors of successes with cloth coffee filters, though.

3. Reusable Tea Bags

How to do it: If you also happen to be a tea drinker, then you just might have a few reusable tea bags in the kitchen. Turns out, you can also use them to steep your coffee (coffee company Kahawa 1893 makes single-serve coffee bags designed this way). To DIY it at home, add add 1 to 2 tablespoons of finely ground coffee to a reusable tea bag, seal it up, add it to a mug with just-below-boiling water, and let it steep for a few minutes. Remove the "tea" bag and—voila!—your freshly brewed coffee awaits.

Pros: This method is pretty mess-free and also tends to result in very few coffee grounds ending up in your cup (a win!). Also, since you're already using a food-safe material, you shouldn't have to worry about any chemicals ending up in your coffee (like you might with paper towels).

Cons: There's a chance you may not have reusable tea bags (especially if you don't drink loose tea very often), which would make this method a no-go.

Would we recommend it? Yep, particularly for its ease and simplicity. While it may not result in a cup of Joe that's quite as flavorful as a French press or pour-over drip coffee, it can certainly satisfy a coffee fix in a pinch.

4. A Fine Mesh Sieve

How to do it: Put 2 tablespoons of coffee in the bottom of a glass measuring cup (or similar vessel). Pour about a cup of not-quite-boiling water over the grounds, stir once, and wait about 5 minutes (or less or more, depending on how strong you like your coffee). Pour the coffee through a fine mesh sieve set over a mug. If you want to make sure as few coffee grounds make it through as possible, you could lay a piece of cheesecloth over the sieve to catch them.

Pros: Another option that doesn't require throwing anything away! It's also very scalable—you could make a whole pot of coffee this way. You control over how strong the coffee is and can adjust how long the grounds steep based on your preferences. And—surprise!—it actually tastes pretty good! This is also arguably the easiest way to brew coffee.

Coffee grounds a-steeping, sieve at the ready.

Cons: The sieve doesn’t catch the finest coffee grounds—and you might not have a fine mesh sieve lying around.

Would we recommend it?: Yes! This produced a cup of coffee that was actually quite good (and strong). I wouldn't say it's a reason to forgo coffee filters altogether, but it's not a bad backup option, and certainly better than no coffee at all.

What coffee filter substitutes have you turned to in a pinch? Tell us (pretty please!) in the comments below.

The Paper Alternative For When You're Out Of Coffee Filters

We've all been there. Waking up in our pre-coffee haze only to find, much to our chagrin, that we don't have any coffee filters left. After kicking ourselves for not remembering to buy some while we were out yesterday, we have a spark of inspiration. There on our counter is a roll of paper towels. But can you really use a paper towel as a swap out for a coffee filter? Yes, you actually can.

Paper towels or napkins make excellent substitutes for coffee filters. They are porous, so the coffee will drip through without interruption. Paper towels are also finely woven enough to hold even the smallest of coffee grounds. The biggest perk, however, is their convenience. You likely already have some available to use.

Conversely, one of the potential drawbacks of this method is the fact that paper towels can contain traces of glue, bleach, and other chemicals from their manufacturing process. Unbleached, brown paper towels are the best variety for brewing, but you're not exactly buying paper towels with the intent to brew coffee. So, if you're in a pinch, what you have on hand is fine. Plus, there is no evidence to suggest that the minimal exposure to potential chemicals for one coffee brew has any real lasting effects on your health.

In a pinch, knowing what to use as rolling paper alternatives when you’ve run out is extremely useful. 

You’ve probably been there yourself: you used your last rolling paper this morning. A trip to the corner store feels like so much effort, but you’re craving a quick spliff. You search your space desperately for anything that could possibly be used as a smoking device. 

Luckily, some ordinary household items can be used to roll up. Read on to discover some alternatives to rolling papers that may surprise you. 

Rolling paper alternatives

When searching for that perfect rolling paper substitute, stay creative but cautious. While many household items can be used in place of a rolling paper, some alternatives are safer than others. 

Tissue Paper

Plain tissue paper is the closest alternative to rolling papers. With a thin (but not too thin) consistency, tissue paper best mirrors the flexibility of cigarette papers. It catches easily but is sturdy enough for a decently long-lasting burn. 

Though tissue paper is easier to roll with, normal paper can be used in desperation--but only if it’s ink free. 

While stoner’s lore claims that Bible pages are the perfect rolling consistency, inhaling the ink on pages of any book can be hazardous. With that being said, if you must enhance your smoke session with the wisdom of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, make sure you’re using a page with little to no ink. The same goes for newspapers and receipts. 

Reusable pipes and cones

Buy a weed pipe from Vessel

If you frequently find yourself looking for rolling paper in a pinch, you might want to consider a reusable pipe or cone for cannabis. It's a one-time purchase that you can throw in your purse or pocket and use on the go. A few options to consider is a reusable dry herb vape, a dry herb cone (which is similar to a joint), or a reusable weed pipe. 

Buy a cone from Vessel

Pages from a book

Aside from tissue paper, you could always repurpose that old book on your shelf that you’ve never (or will ever, probably) read before. Usually, books come with blank papers at the beginning and end called “flyleaves.” These flyleaves are great for rolling since they don’t have any ink, making them safe for the lungs. 

But before tearing out pages willy-nilly, make sure you choose paper that feels organic and isn’t glossy. Glossy paper is chemically treated, which may release chemical fumes that aren’t good for your lungs.

Paper gum wrapper

If you’re out of rolling papers but have a pack of gum lying around, you’re in luck. Gum wrappers can also be used as an alternative to rolling papers.

If you’re smoking heavily, try using saliva to stick together multiple gum wrappers. This will make for a wider surface--and a fatter roll.  

Additionally, when using this method, be sure that the gum wrapper you choose has no aluminum coating. Though bowls made from aluminum foil are a longtime favorite among desperate smokers, smoking out of aluminumcan be extremely dangerous. 

Heating aluminum is likely to cause burns, and burnt aluminum also produces toxic fumes that should never be inhaled. Plus, rolling up with aluminum foil makes for an icky tasting blunt. As such, it is essential that you stick with paper gum wrappers when using this alternative. 

Corn husks

Using a corn husk as a rolling paper is not only a natural, tobacco-free alternative. It also makes for a pretty pleasurable smoking experience.

Corn husks burn slowly and have a reputation for producing smooth hits. For optimum rolling potential, dampen your corn husk and let it sit for a few minutes. The slightly wet husk will stick together easily for a simple roll-up. 

Flower petals 

Take a note from King Palm’s handbook, and wrap your dry herb in something from nature. While you may not have access to a palm leaf, rose petals are a natural and safe way to roll up your cannabis--and they’re far more easily accessible. Smoking with rose petals might promote stronger relaxation, though the rolling process is a little advanced.  

To roll yourself a roseblunt, start with dried rose petals. Line up a row of these rose petals on your rolling tray, and pack your rose blunt as you normally would. Just like you would roll an average blunt, tuck the bottom edges of the rose petal underneath the top edge, using saliva to seal as you roll. Unlike with a normal blunt wrap, however, you must also seal your dried roses to one another. The key to rolling a rose petal blunt is patience. 

Pro tip: To prime your petals for rolling, toast them in the oven on 250 degrees for a few minutes until dry. 

Empty cigarette

When in a rolling paper drought, bum a cigarette from one of your friends. Gently massage the cigarette to loosen the tobacco inside. Dump out the loose tobacco, leaving an empty, already rolled cone. 

You can then pack in your ground dry herb of choice and smoke as you would a normal cigarette. 

Buy a one hitter from Vessel

Coffee filter

As an absolute last resort, a coffee filter can be used as an alternative to a rolling paper. Though it may mimic the standard rolling paper in consistency, coffee filters are often thinner and, therefore, much more flammable. As such, they burn extremely fast when used to roll dry herb. They’re also more liable to catch fire in unwanted places: when you smoke using a coffee filter, you risk losing your joint to a quick-burning flame.

Glass pipes and bongs

Buy glass one hitters from Vessel

When you find yourself paperless and literally have nothing else on the list, maybe it’s time to whip out your glass pipes and bongs. With these, you can enjoy your herbal blends without the need for any paper. Not only do they provide a smooth and often cooler smoking experience, but they also allow for a different kind of session altogether. A tip for beginners: always keep your glass clean for the best taste and experience.

Alternatives To Avoid

As you probably know by now, you can get really creative with what you can use as rolling papers. However, not everything that rolls is gold! Here are a few alternatives that you might come across but should steer clear of:

• Receipts:

  Although they feel like paper, most modern receipts are coated with BPA or other chemicals that may produce toxic fumes when burned.

• Plastic bags:

  This may be obvious already, but you’d be surprised. Some might think it's a makeshift solution, but burning plastic releases toxic fumes that can be harmful when inhaled. Not to mention, it's an environmental disaster.

• Magazine pages: Colorful and glossy might look cool, but magazine pages are treated with various chemicals and inks. When burned, these can produce carcinogens and other hazardous compounds.

To sum it up

If you’ve run out of rolling papers, don’t panic. Many household items can be used as an alternative to rolling papers. Whether it's a rose petal, a corn husk, or just an empty cigarette, you can still roll a decent joint if you get creative, use your imagination, and, above all else, stay safe. When in doubt, do your research, and don’t smoke anything that might contain dangerous chemical additives. 

FAQs

What kind of paper is best to roll with?

A lot of cannabis enthusiasts swear by unbleached hemp paper. They're natural, devoid of chlorine and other chemicals, and offer a smooth burn. Hemp papers are also thin and have the right amount of stickiness, ensuring your roll is tight and even.

What are the healthiest joint papers?

For health-conscious tokers, organic hemp papers or rice papers stand out. Both options are thin, free from artificial chemicals and bleaches, and burn evenly. Organic hemp papers, in particular, come from sustainably sourced hemp, making them a top choice for both your health and the environment.

Can you use a coffee filter as a rolling paper substitute?

While coffee filters may appear similar to rolling papers, they’re a subpar alternative at best. They burn extremely quickly, and, as a result, you risk an engulfed joint with every hit. 

What paper can I use to roll marijuana cigarettes?

Standard tissue paper is the closest substitute to your average rolling paper. With a similar consistency to rolling papers, plain tissue paper mirrors many of the same qualities, making for a comparable smoking experience. Additionally, if you have corn husks available, these natural encasings are another smooth and slow-burning alternative to regular blunt wraps. 

Can you use aluminum foil as rolling paper?

While aluminum foil may seem like an easy option to roll up with, it produces fumes that are dangerous to inhale. Instead of aluminum foil, look around for a piece of tissue paper, a gum wrapper, or a corn husk to roll up with. 

Can you smoke parchment paper?

Parchment paper should not be smoked. While rolling up with this kitchen essential may seem tempting, this paper is treated with various chemicals that are unsafe to inhale.