Heads up, friends! Some of the links on this blog are affiliate links, meaning we might earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no cost to you. But don’t worry, we promise to only promote products that we truly believe in and think you’ll love too.
Nothing helps start the day like an early morning cup of coffee in your favorite mug. Coffee makers are crucial to our get-up-and-go in the mornings, and many of us would be lost without them. Recently, more and more eco-conscious coffee drinkers have been seeking out non-toxic coffee makers instead of ones with plastic parts that come into contact with their hot coffee.
Many coffee maker components are made with plastic, and have been for quite some time. There’s a concern that certain types of plastics may release harmful chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA) or phthalates, when exposed to heat. The acidity of coffee also increases the likelihood of chemicals leaching out of plastic components the coffee comes into contact with as it is made.
BPA and phthalates have both been shown to be hormone disruptors and have been linked to serious health concerns such as different kinds of cancers, heart disease, asthma, and allergies. Although many modern coffee makers are made from BPA-free plastics, some coffee drinkers still prefer to err on the side of caution and choose coffee makers without any plastic at all.
Look for These Materials in Your Non-toxic Coffee Maker Instead of Plastic
It’s important to approach “BPA-free” claims with caution, as these products can still contain potentially harmful alternatives like Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF). For the “better safe than sorry” crowd, it makes sense to avoid plastic in our coffee makers altogether.
There are several materials that are safer than plastic and can be used to make non-toxic coffee makers, including the following:
Borosilicate Glass
Borosilicate glass is known for its excellent heat resistance. It can withstand high temperatures without cracking or releasing harmful chemicals.
Glass is also non-reactive, meaning it doesn’t interact with the coffee or alter its taste. It ensures that no unwanted flavors or odors are imparted to the brewed coffee.
Borosilicate glass is naturally free from bisphenol A (BPA) and other potentially harmful chemicals.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a highly durable material that can withstand frequent use and resist damage. It’s less prone to wear and tear compared to plastic, which can degrade over time.
Stainless steel also has good heat retention properties, allowing it to keep the brewed coffee hot for longer periods without the need for additional warming elements.
Similar to glass, stainless steel is non-reactive and does not affect the taste or quality of the coffee. It ensures a clean and pure brewing experience.
Ceramic and Porcelain
Ceramic and porcelain generally don’t contain chemicals like BPA or phthalates that can potentially leach into the coffee.
Ceramic and porcelain both have excellent heat retention properties, helping to keep the coffee warm while it brews.
These materials do not impart any flavors or odors to the coffee, so they preserve the natural taste and aroma of the brewed beverage.
By using coffee makers made from borosilicate glass, stainlesss steel, ceramic, or porcelain, you can minimize the potential health concerns associated with plastic components, avoid taste or odor issues that plastic can cause, and make a great cup of coffee without a side of chemicals leaching into your coffee.
Note: We have yet to find an automatic coffee maker without any plastic parts. Smeg and OXO come close with their stainless steel parts, but they are not entirely plastic-free. Until this changes, we have to look at pour over, drip coffee, and french press coffee makers for our plastic-free coffee production. Luckily, many of these options make a great cup of coffee!
Best Plastic-Free Non-Toxic Pour Over Coffee Makers
There are several great options for pour over non-toxic coffee makers without any plastic components so you can make a healthier cup of coffee to start your day out right.
1. Hario V60 Ceramic ($24)
The Hario dripper is made by hand of high-quality ceramic in Japan. The ceramic material it’s made out of helps maintain the temperature stability during the brewing process. It has a large opening at the bottom and a series of ridges on the inner walls that facilitate optimal water flow and extraction.
To brew coffee using the Hario ceramic pour over coffee maker, you place a filter in the dripper and set it on top of the server. The coffee grounds are then placed in the filter, and hot water is poured over them in a controlled manner, ideally with a goose-necked kettle for a gentler, slower pour.
The water slowly drips through the grounds, extracting the coffee flavors and aromas, and collects in the server, which you need to purchase separately. Hario cautions that if your beans have too coarse a grind, if you use too little coffee, or if you insufficiently tamp the grounds before brewing, you might not get a proper brew.
2. Dowan Ceramic Pour Over ($14)
The Dowan ceramic pour over coffee maker operates much like the Hario. You place a filter and your coffee grounds into the Down, which rests atop your coffee mug or server, and then use a goose-necked kettle to pour boiling water in a circular motion onto the grounds.
This non-toxic pour over coffee maker is made with three holes to help coffee flow in a more concentrated way and to more fully extract the coffee flavor into your cup. Wait two to three minutes, and your cup of coffee will be ready to go.
The Dowan coffee maker is very easy to use and brews a great cup of coffee quickly without it coming into contact with any plastic parts.
3. Chemex Pour Over Glass Coffee Maker ($47)
This is the coffee maker I use in my house. It’s made of high-quality, non-porous Borosilicate glass which will not absorb odors or chemical residues. It features an iconic hourglass-shaped glass vessel with a wooden collar and leather tie, which looks great out on the counter-top.
The Chemex is known for its unique brewing process that produces a clean and flavorful cup of coffee. It uses a thick paper filter which results in a slower extraction and a crisp brew that’s free of sediment and coffee grounds.
To use the Chemex, you place a specially folded paper filter in the top section of the vessel, add your desired amount of ground coffee, and slowly pour hot water over the grounds in a circular motion. The water filters through the grounds, extracting their flavors and oils, and drips down into the bottom section of the Chemex.
This is a widely popular and non-toxic pour over coffee maker that brews a great cup of joe.
Best Non Toxic French Press Coffee Makers
There are quite a few options for non-toxic french press coffee makers without any plastic parts.
4. Bodum French Press ($29)
The Bodum French Press coffee maker is a popular coffee brewer known for its simplicity and its flavorful coffee. It features a cylindrical glass container with a plunger and a stainless steel mesh filter.
After allowing the coffee grounds to steep in the glass container for a few minutes, you press down the plunger with the attached filter in order to separate the brewed coffee from the grounds. This process allows for direct contact between the water and the coffee grounds, resulting in a full-bodied flavor profile.
My parents use their Bodum coffee maker in their house, and I can attest that it makes a great-tasting cup of coffee. Bodum also makes one of my favorite non-toxic electric tea kettles.
5. Frieling Stainless Steel ($50)
If it’s stainless steel you’re after for your kitchen, the Frieling French Press offers an easy and delicious coffee-making experience. It has a dual-screen zero sediment filter, so you get a smooth cup of coffee with no grounds. The Frieling’s double-walled design keeps your coffee hot for longer, due to its insulated body and lid made of durable stainless steel.
This coffee maker is popular thanks to its easy brewing process and consistently satisfying full-bodied flavor. To use, you add your ground coffee and water, brew for four minutes on the stovetop, and then press down slowly on the plunger. It’s made entirely of stainless steel, so it’s a non-toxic french press that ensures your coffee won’t come into contact with any plastic.
6. Coletti French Press ($61) – Best for Camping
If you’re a camping aficionado, you may be on the look-out for a coffee maker you can take on your next outdoor adventure. The Coletti French Press is a good option for both indoor and outdoor coffee making. It’s made with stainless steel and is built to last, including coming with a lifetime warranty.
You can make up to ten cups of coffee in this large non-toxic french press coffee maker. If you’re into cold brew and have some time on your hands, you can make that too, though it needs to sit for 14 to 16 hours after adding your ground coffee and cold water.
7. Secura French Press ($26)
Secura’s non-toxic french press coffee maker is made entirely from stainless steel. Its filter traps even tiny particles so you don’t get any in your cup of coffee. The handle is designed to be cool to the touch so you don’t burn yourself when you’re pouring it, and its filter screen is easy to disassemble for cleaning.
Secura’s French Press comes in four sizes, from 12 ounces all the way up to 50 ounces for larger parties of coffee drinkers. I especially appreciate that you can wash this coffee maker in the dishwasher!
8. Mueller ($29)
Mueller makes another great option for a fully stainless steel French Press coffee maker with no plastic parts. This Austrian-designed, 34-ounce coffee maker features a four-level filtration system for extra pure coffee without traces of grounds, and its extra thick stainless steel walls keep coffee hot for longer than glass coffee makers will.
I like that it comes with a little travel container for your favorite ground coffee so you can take it with you when you travel.
Best Non Toxic Espresso Makers
If espresso is more your thing, check out our top picks for non-toxic espresso makers.
9. Cuisinox Roma 6-cup Moka Espresso Maker (from $79)
If you’re an espresso aficionado, you can make your next brew with the 4-cup or 6-cup Roma Moka Pot Stovetop Espresso Maker, which is made entirely of stainless steel (with a silicone gasket between the stainless steel components rather than plastic).
This non-toxic espresso maker is easy to use, only takes about five minutes to brew, and is also induction stove compatible.
10. Flair Espresso Maker Pro 2 ($325)
The Flair PRO 2 is a human-powered manual non-toxic espresso maker with zero plastic parts. It’s made out of stainless steel and silicone for the handle and seals.
You add 70ml of boiled water and up to 24 grams of espresso grounds to yield a shot of rich, delicious espresso. Note that you will also need a burr grinder to use this espresso maker correctly.
Best Non-Toxic Cold Brew Coffee Maker
Last but not least, here’s our top pick for a non-toxic coffee maker to make cold brew.
11. Ovalware ($35)
If you’re into cold brewing your coffee, Ovalware makes its cold brewer from borosilicate glass. They recommend using coarse or extra coarse grounds, and it will need to brew for 12 to 24 hours.
Besides their glass vessel, the Ovalware non-toxic cold brew coffee maker also features a stainless steel filter and cap and a silicone (BPA-free) air-tight seal. You can wash this cold brew maker in the dishwasher.
Brew Your Beans Without BPA…and Don’t Forget the Filters!
It’s entirely possible to brew a cleaner cup of coffee in a coffee maker without plastic parts so your coffee doesn’t taste like plastic or prompt other health concerns. If you choose a non-toxic coffee maker that requires filters, such as one of the pour over options, you can also get some toxin-free coffee filters. You can use unbleached paper filters or reusable organic cotton filters that you can wash and dry in between uses.
I also recommend checking out our guide to the tastiest organic coffee brands if you’re looking for coffee grown without synthetic pesticides.
For more healthy cookware, be sure to check out some of our other guides to non-toxic cooking:
