A process for making a filter suitable for filtering molten metal comprising (i) forming a slurry comprising (a) particles of a refractory material, (b) a binder and (c) a liquid carrier, (ii) coating a disposable former with a slurry, (iii) drying the coated former, (iv) optionally applying one or more additional coats of a refractory material and/or a binder, optionally with liquid carrier, and drying the one or more additional coats, and (v) firing the coated former to produce the filter, wherein the binder is a carbon rich source selected from one or more of the following classes of materials: pitches, tars and organic polymers that degrade to form carbon on pyrolysis.