Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and other toxic substances in plastics leach in hot beverages (i.e., coffee) more quickly than in cold water and other drinks. Coffee lovers must be cautious when making their favorite drinks to avoid introducing these harmful chemicals to the body. A plastic free coffee machine is the most effective way to ensure no toxic plastic substances mix into your drink. Unfortunately, 100% plastic free coffee makers are a rarity. 

One issue with plastic chemicals leaching into the coffee is the unpleasant taste it leaves, ruining an otherwise sensorial experience. Unfortunately, novice baristas fail to recognize the distinct smell and taste of plastic in the hot beverage, thinking it comes from the coffee itself. In such cases, it makes sense to make coffee ourselves. But the question remains, what are the best plastic-free coffee makers, and how can you pick the right one? Well, this list of great finds is for you.

Identifying BPA-free Coffee Machines

You have several ways to determine whether or not a coffee machine is BPA-free. First, check the product specifications, labeling, and user manual. Most manufacturers spell out potentially hazardous materials in their “safety precautions” section. Analyze the document to see whether the coffee maker contains BPA or other toxic chemicals. Alternatively, you can contact the manufacturer and ask for information.

Second, check the coffee maker for any BPA-free certifications. For example, SCIENCE IAF provides BPA-free certification to any requesting organization after conducting rigorous product testing and evaluation.

Third, if you suspect a coffee maker has a plastic component, you might want to check the identification code number stamped on the plastic surface. Check if it contains the number “7.” This code signifies that the product contains BPA. On the other hand, numerical codes “1” to “6* correspond to polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, vinyl (including PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. 

Benefits of Using a Non-Toxic Coffee Maker

The most significant benefit of using a non-toxic coffee maker is better overall health. Although people’s opinions about the effects of BPA on health vary, most coffee drinkers would not want to tempt fate. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, BPA is safe at ultra-low levels. However, excessive BPA intake could increase your predisposition for cardiovascular disease, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, and increased blood pressure. Pregnant women who inadvertently introduce BPA into their systems might undermine their still-unborn children’s brains and prostate glands. Children exposed to BPA might also exhibit behavioral problems.

The second most significant benefit of using a non-toxic coffee machine is an improved coffee-drinking experience. Plastics have a unique smell and taste because of the plasticizers (i.e., BPA) they contain. New Scientist describes the taste of plastic as similar to ”estrogen.” A cup of coffee should be as enjoyable and pleasurable as possible, flooding the nose with its bittersweet aroma and washing the palate with its full-bodied richness.

Why Plastic-free Coffee Makers are More Important than You Think

Plastic objects have been a part of humankind’s march to progress since the early 1860s when Alexander Parkes first introduced the synthetic product to the world at the 1862 London International Exhibition. There’s plastic almost everywhere you look. So, why should you be conscious of plastic coffee makers?

The issue is not the plastic object but the synthetic materials’ chemical composition. Plastics contain plasticizers and other substances that slowly leach into the surroundings with the right stimulus. To be more specific, these plastic toxins break away from their chemical formulation in high-temperature and acidic environments.

Baristas prepare coffee at the ideal temperature of 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, the average coffee drink has a pH of 4.85 to 5.10, making it moderately acidic. Coffee bean roasting levels also impact the beverage’s acidity. People who drink coffee from lightly roasted coffee beans have a higher chance of introducing BPA into their beverages.

Unsurprisingly, BPA leaks 55 times faster in hot coffee than in cold or room-temperature water. 

Clarifying the Idea of a Plastic Free Coffee Machine 

A plastic-free coffee machine must have non-plastic materials in components in contact with the water, coffee, and other consumables. For example, the water reservoir’s inside surface must be stainless steel, glass, or any nontoxic, non-plastic substrate. It will be wise to pick a coffee maker with a glass or stainless steel spout to avoid leaching BPA into your drink. The filter element must also be plastic-free.

It doesn’t matter if the coffee maker’s exterior is plastic because this material will not be in contact with the beverage or any of its elements. Let’s now look at the best plastic-free coffee makers. 

The Best Plastic Free Coffee Makers in 2023

• Mueller French Press Coffee Maker
• Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
• COSORI Pour Over Coffee Maker
• Hamilton Beach 49981A Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker
• Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 PerfecTemp Programmable Coffeemaker

Mueller French Press Coffee Maker

You’ll never go wrong with the Mueller French Press, freeing yourself from the odd and unpleasant taste of plastics in your coffee. 

You won’t see any material other than premium-quality, double-layered, 18/10 304 stainless steel forming the wall. Even the plunger and mesh filter feature high-quality stainless steel, making this product one of the best plastic-free coffee machine products.

It’s easy to see why this coffee maker is the choice of thousands of avid coffee drinkers. It doesn’t have fancy controls and cutting-edge technologies, but you can rely on this simple machine to deliver the best-tasting coffee you can have every day.

Its built-in stainless strainer and 34-ounce capacity extend this French Press’s duties beyond making coffee. You can use it to create fruit infusions, herbal drinks, almond or cashew milk, tea, and other beverages with natural ingredients that do not dissolve in water. 

Stainless steel is also easier to clean than plastic and other materials. The handle’s stainless steel construction and positioning further away from the French press’s body make for safe and convenient carrying and pouring of hot coffee.

However, I must caution you not to use finely ground coffee because the undissolved granules might end up in your cup.

This French press coffee maker has an uber-simple design and operation, yet it never reneges on its promise of delivering full-bodied coffee without the uncanny taste of plastic.

Pros

• Delivers great-tasting and aromatic coffee for four
• Safe and comfortable to hold
• Convenient to clean 
• Versatile use

Cons

• Not for super-fine coffee grounds

Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker

Like the Mueller French Press, the Presto 02811 is a plastic-free coffee maker. Although it has a different coffee-making process, this product delivers exceptional-tasting coffee the way old folks love their drinks.

This percolator looks like an ordinary hot water thermos with a slender body. However, it has two chambers for boiling the water and brewing the coffee, allowing it to collect at the bottom compartment. 

The best part is both chambers in contact with water and coffee feature premium-quality stainless steel. The perk tube and filter basket also have stainless steel, guaranteeing no unpleasant plastic taste will go into your cup of Joe.

You will also appreciate the indicator light at the percolator coffee maker’s lower section. At least, you’ll know when your coffee is ready to serve to two coffee addicts or a dozen modest drinkers.

Cleaning is always a breeze because all components are removable and dishwasher-safe. Moreover, simply wiping the surface with a clean microfiber cloth can restore the percolator’s showroom shine.

The downside of percolators is it usually takes time to make coffee. Hence, this coffee machine isn’t for you if you’re always in a hurry.

Although percolators need time to make coffee, this product’s plastic-free construction makes the wait more worthwhile.

Pros

• Makes excellent coffee for twelve
• Effortless cleaning
• Indicator light to know when coffee is ready
• High-quality stainless steel construction

Cons

• Extended coffee-making time

COSORI Pour Over Coffee Maker

Glass is one of the best materials to handle food because it doesn’t leach chemicals. And one of the best glass pour-over-style coffee makers is the COSORI.

Unlike the Mueller and Presto that feature stainless steel, this coffee maker’s star attraction is its high-quality borosilicate glass. It looks like a super-sized laboratory beaker without the graduated measurements on the sides.

It doesn’t have a handle, but worry no more because COSORI included a choice of wood or cork sleeve around the glass’s “waist.” The stainless steel mesh filter has more than 8,000 micro-holes, sufficient to prevent even the smallest-diameter coffee granules from reaching the bottom.

Coffee lovers will not have issues keeping their coffee warm on the stovetop because this product’s glass can withstand 302 degrees Fahrenheit. Like Presto and Mueller, cleaning this coffee maker isn’t an issue either.

Sadly, making pour-over-style coffee takes time. Hence, you might consider other options if you’re always hurrying to get your coffee.

Still, its glass, wood, and stainless steel elements make this coffee maker as plastic-free as possible. You’ll only get rich and full-bodied coffee from your cup, not the plasticky essence of BPA and other toxic plastics.

Pros

• Makes great coffee for four to eight
• High-quality, super-fine 304 stainless steel mesh filter
• Heat-resistant glass
• Safe cork or wooden sleeve
• Hassle-free cleaning

Cons

• Prolonged coffee making

Hamilton Beach 49981A Scoop Single Serve Coffee Maker

The Hamilton Beach 49981A is perfect for dormers, singles, and families with only one or two coffee drinkers. 

Although this is not a 100% plastic free coffee machine, it still makes our cut because it has no plastic equivalents in its water compartment, brewing chamber, and spout. The only plastic elements here have an ornamental function and don’t impact the coffee’s taste.

Featuring a premium-quality stainless steel body and borosilicate glass carafe, this drip coffee maker can replace Nespressos and Keurigs. The best part is you’ll never need commercially available K-cup pods and capsules to use this coffee maker. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re a modest coffee drinker or have caffeine running through your veins. This coffee maker delivers a 14-ounce beverage in less than 2.5 minutes, while an 8-ounce drink is ready within 90 seconds.

Making coffee with this machine is not only safe but also hassle-free. It has programmed options, ready to whip a delicious, full-bodied coffee to perk your mornings or get you sizzled on the go.

My only concern is its bulkier footprint, making it less space-efficient than similar machines from Nespresso and Keurig.

Regardless, its ease of operation, quick coffee brewing, and food-safe materials make this single-serve coffee maker a good investment for budding coffee drinkers.

Pros

• Stainless steel and glass construction 
• Makes single-serve coffee fast without K-cup pods or Nespresso capsules
• Hassle-free operation
• Offers two cup sizes in minutes

Cons

• Bulkier than other single-serve coffee makers

Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 PerfecTemp Programmable Coffeemaker

If you like the Hamilton Beach 49981A but wish you could do more with your coffee, the Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 PerfecTemp is for you.

Like many coffee makers on this list, you’ll never worry about BPA and other plastic toxins leaching into your caffeinated beverage. The 14-cup carafe features the highest-quality glass with stainless steel elements to ensure safer and better-tasting coffee drinks.

You’ll never worry about coffee turning cold because this coffee machine has an exclusive temperature-retaining technology that maintains coffee drinks at the ideal temperature. Coffee lovers can determine coffee brew strength and program the device to start brewing before they get up in the morning. It has a four-hour auto-off timer, too. Folks will never fret about forgetting to turn off this appliance.

This coffee machine also has a brew-pause feature, ideal for coffee lovers who cannot wait for the brewing process to complete. You can program the coffee machine to brew coffee only for one, a family of four, or a 14-member office team. The gold-tone filter is also reusable and doesn’t contain BPA.

Surprisingly, this BPA-free coffee maker only requires a nine-by-eight-inch counter space, leaving sufficient real estate for your other kitchen essentials.

However, it might take a while before you can master all the programs and settings.

Regardless, this plastic-free coffee maker looks impressive as it performs impeccably.

Pros

• BPA-free glass carafe and other components
• Multiple settings for better coffee customization
• Programmable coffee maker for hassle-free operation
• Small footprint

Cons

• Learning curve

Final Thoughts

The best plastic free coffee makers guarantees a whole new coffee-drinking experience sans the odd taste and flavor of BPA and other plasticizers in the beverage. It also has profound health implications, allowing you to optimize caffeine’s many health benefits. And if you’re lost looking for the perfect machine to make great-tasting coffee without harmful toxins, you can always choose from the above-listed products.

Our top choice on the list is Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 PerfecTemp Programmable Coffeemaker. This programmable coffee maker will be your best choice if you want to use a coffee maker for a long time because this bean-to-coffee cup machine always pours great coffee every time you use it and its durability is popular among coffee lovers.