Most of the coffee makers available today are made out of plastic, unfortunately. While they may be relatively inexpensive, plastic isn’t the ideal material for a coffee machine to be made of. Plastic tends to impact the flavour of your coffee most of the time. This is because when it is heated, plastic tends to leach out chemicals into the coffee.
These chemicals can have a negative impact on our health, resulting in issues such as hormonal imbalances and fertility problems.
The problem is that plastic free coffee machines can be a bit hard to find. In order to make things easier for you, we’ve compiled our top five picks for 2019. Check them out:
Presto 02811 12-Cup
Presto 02811 12-Cup is a ‘no-nonsense’ stainless steel coffee maker with a minimalist design. As the name suggests, this machine can brew a maximum of 12 cups of coffee at a time. An indicator light located at the bottom of the Presto 02811 lights up when the machine is ready to start brewing and turns off once the process is done.
The brewing process couldn’t be simpler: all you need to do is pour the grounds into the filter basket and add water into the maker.
That’s it! There aren’t any buttons or settings to wade through first. The Presto 02811 doesn’t come fitted with a hot plate but its highly insulated body keeps your coffee warm for a really long time. Last but not least, its pour spout is one of the best we’ve seen, eliminating any chance of accidental spilling.
Perhaps the only drawback is that there’s no way to adjust the taste of the coffee unless you’re experimenting with grind size and roasting.
Breville BDC450
Great tasting coffee and amazing build-quality: that’s what you get with the stainless steel Breville BDC450 Precision Brewer. While it is definitely one of the most expensive options on our list, we firmly believe that it’s well worth the asking price.
Unlike the aforementioned Presto, the Breville BDC450 does come with a few important features. First of all, it can keep water at the right temperature for brewing through the use of its PID technology. In addition, if you wanted to add some nuances to the taste of your coffee, you can do so with the adjustments to the contact time and flow rate. If you’re not that into the brewing process, you can simply choose one of the presets available and have the machine produce a delicious cup of coffee.
These features are accessed and controlled using the front panel. A large display allows you to see what changes you are making.
The only drawback is that it may be unaffordable to some people.
OXO On Barista Brain
The OXO On Barista Brain is one of the most popular coffee makers right now and for several good reasons. Its coffee is so good that it has been certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) – an organization known for its high standards. Thanks to the Barista Brain’s advanced microprocessor, the coffee maker can consistently keep up with these regulations. Like the Presto, the water is heated to the perfect temperature, which allows for a pure extraction process.
The OXO On Barista Brain sports a very minimalist contemporary look. It features an LED screen on the front and below it, you’ll find a simple dial with which you can select how many cups of coffee you wish to brew. With this coffee maker, you can brew up to 9 cups at a time. You can also use the controls to set an automatic brewing time.
There are two noteworthy downsides. First, the machine can be a bit slow at brewing. Secondly, a lot of customers claim that the coffee maker isn’t that durable.
SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker
The SterlingPro French Press Coffee Maker offers a number of things that are bound to make any coffee drinker happy. If you’re like us, then you probably hate tasting grounds while you drink your coffee. Thanks to the French Press’s two screens system, all fine grounds are filtered out of your coffee before it reaches your cup.
The French Press Coffee Maker features and interior and exterior stainless steel design. This keeps the coffee inside steaming hot while the outside stays cool to the touch. No more accidentally burning your fingertips!
The French Press isn’t just great for making coffee. You can also use it to make tea, hot chocolate or any other hot beverage.
There are only two drawbacks that we could find. Firstly it tends to make a slight screeching noise while it brews, which some may find quite annoying. Secondly, its filters and plungers can be a bit hard to clean.
Chemex Classic Series
Unlike the other coffee makers listed in this article, the Chemex coffee maker is actually made of glass. It’s also shaped like an Erlenmeyer Flask, giving it a very interesting aesthetic. Furthermore, like most laboratory glassware, the Chemex is made out of borosilicate glass, which is able to withstand high temperatures extremely well. In addition, borosilicate glass does not retain any flavour particles from the coffee and neither will it add its own particles.
Something you’ll notice right away is the wood and leather collar around the neck of the apparatus. It has two functions: first, it insulates the entire filtration portion of the coffee maker and secondly, it allows you to have a firm grip while holding it.
However, it can be difficult to clean the collar. This needs to be removed completely before you can start cleaning, and if you allow it stay moist for a long time, mold can develop on it.
In Conclusion
If you want to brew coffee in the healthiest way, then it’s best to go for a coffee machine that doesn’t include plastic components. There are many alternative types of coffee makers available right now, including stainless steel, glass, and even porcelain machines. These do not leach out harmful chemicals into your coffee like plastic tends to.
If you’re not sure which plastic-free machine to go with, check our top five picks for this year. You’re bound to find something you like from our list. We have reviewed quite a few BPA-free coffee makers.