Hi Alan, I have been pre-washing the paper filters with the hot water to make sure no chemical residue is part of the coffee. Do you know the level of bleach or processing chemical residues if I don't pre-wash. If you are familiar with Dioxins, they used to be a problem in paper, and they are not nice things to consume. Thanks…Rich – From Richard F.

Filter paper manufacturers stopped using the gaseous chlorine bleaching process decades ago so dioxin is no longer an issue with paper coffee filters. They also thoroughly wash the filter paper they produce so pre-washing AeroPress filters is unnecessary. Taste tests have confirmed that nobody can taste the effect of pre-washing or pre-wetting AeroPress filters.