Plastic Free Coffee Maker Finds: The Best of the Best
If you’re a coffee-lover, especially if you drink coffee frequently, then you should invest in the best possible coffee products. Your cup of Joe should be a source of energy and focus, not a source of concern. That’s why we collected plastic free coffee maker options for you.
Many coffee makers utilize plastic, which sometimes contains chemicals that can seep out, especially when used to hold hot beverages (like coffee!). You may want to seek out coffee makers that use stainless steel, glass, or other durable, healthy materials in any part of the machine that touches the hot beverage.
Why Choose a Plastic Free Coffee Maker? Is it Worth it?
BPA is a chemical used to harden plastics. It’s present in many products that use a more durable plastic, like baby bottles, some medical supplies, and some coffee makers. While there is some back-and-forth in the medical community about the safety of BPA, many animal studies have shown that it can affect neurological abilities and fertility.
BPA tends to leak out of plastic more when the plastic is damaged or scratched or if it is exposed to hot liquids.
So, because coffee makers are exposed to hot, boiling liquid, then seeking out a healthier alternative is definitely worth it.
Top 5 Plastic Free Coffee Makers: What We Were Looking For
For the following products, we looked for a few key features:
- No plastic used at all, and if there is plastic used, it’s in parts of the machine that aren’t exposed to the drink at all, or for very long.
- A variety of coffee-making methods. No matter how you like to make your coffee, you can do it without plastic and BPA.
- Cup size. We didn’t include any machines that use pods to make coffee because they create a large amount of plastic waste. But we did include all different types of sizes , from single-use to a full pot.
- We also searched for brands that we know and trust.
Our Picks
All featured products are chosen at the discretion of the author and DGHQ editors. However, Do Good HQ may make a small affiliate commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1. V60 Ceramic Coffee Dripperk
| Material | Ceramic (handmade) |
| Type of Coffee Maker | Drip |
| Number of Cups Capacity | One at a time |
These gorgeous, carefully crafted drip coffee makers are made completely by hand. They also come in a wide variety of colors.
How to Use
You use this ceramic plastic free drip coffee maker (made in USA) by placing a filter and your coffee grounds inside and balancing the dripper over your coffee mug of choice. You then boil water and pour it onto the grounds, allowing the coffee to drip out of the bottom. For a fuller, more bold flavor, pour slowly. And if you want a more delicate taste, fill the dripper quickly.
Highlights
If you only want a single serving of coffee, then it’s better for your health (and the health of the environment) if you turn to this single-serving drip coffee maker instead of anything that uses pods.
These drippers are also much more affordable than other options on the list, and they will appeal to those who have an eye for beauty and artistry.
Things to Consider
If you need to make multiple cups of coffee, then you can use this product, but you will have to make the cups one by one, so it might not be a great option for anyone who needs to make a large volume of coffee.
2. Barista French Press 12oz
| Materials | Stainless steel and borosilicate glass |
| Type of Coffee Maker | French press |
| Number of Cups Capacity | 1.5 cups (12 ounces) |
This French press non toxic coffee maker is completely plastic-free and uses high-grade stainless steel and glass for a deep, velvety taste. The filter is a fine mesh of stainless steel that doesn’t allow any grounds to sneak through.
How to Use
- Boil 12 ounces of water.
- Measure out one tablespoon of coffee for every 8 ounces of coffee.
- Take off the lid and filter and place the coffee grounds in the bottom of the French press.
- Pour a little hot water onto the grounds to “let them bloom” for thirty seconds.
- Fill the rest of the French press with the hot water.
- Plunge the filter halfway down so all the coffee grounds become saturated with water, then bring the filter back up and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Push the filter all the way down and serve.
Things to Consider
As with the last product, you can only really make 1.5 servings of coffee at a time. But a French press is a fun-to-use and pretty choice for those who like to make their coffee with a little flair. It’s a great way to start your morning.
3. 12-Cup Coffee Maker with Podless Single-Serve Function
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Type of Coffee Maker | Drip Coffee machine with carafe |
| Number of Cups Capacity | The carafe makes up to 12 cups (60 ounces) of coffee, or you can opt for the pod-less, single-cup option. |
This gorgeous plastic free drip coffee maker by OXO is truly the crème de la crème of coffee makers. Made completely of stainless steel, the carafe (the pot) is double-layered and insulated so that the coffee doesn’t need to be heated, but rather stays hot from the moment it comes out to the moment it hits your mug.
Highlights
Perhaps the most interesting feature of the OXO 12-cup stainless steel coffee maker is that it gives you a lot of control over how much (or how little) coffee you want to make, offering three separate compartments; one for single use, one for ~4 cups, and one for the full pot.
You can also schedule your brews in advance, allowing you to wake up to the delectable, earthy smell of coffee.
Things to Consider
Because this product is high-tech and high-quality, it is one of the most expensive items on the list.
4. Melitta Vision White 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker
| Material | Glass, plastic, silicone, stainless steel and wood |
| Type of Coffee Maker | Traditional drip coffee maker with a design twist |
| Number of Cups Capacity | 12 cups (60 ounces) |
If you were drawn to the previous item on the list, but want to take it a step further, then check out the beautiful Melitta Vision White 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker. It does contain some plastic components but works in a similar fashion to the last coffee maker. This one also prioritizes design, creating a truly artful look that is sure to have your guests asking questions.
Things to Consider
This item is the most expensive on the list. It is more of a “staple” item in your kitchen that contributes to your interior design while also serving a functional purpose.
5. Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Type of Coffee Maker | Percolator |
| Number of Cups Capacity | 12 cups |
This machine is made completely of stainless steel, making it easy to clean and durable over time. The material also means the coffee stays hot for longer.
How to Use
- Fill the Presto with water.
- Put the stem and coffee basket in place. Put a filter in the coffee baset and cover.
- Fill the coffee basket with the coffee grounds of your choice.
- Plug it in and you’ll have a pot of piping hot, fresh coffee.
Things to Consider
With Presto, you have a one year limited warranty. The steel on the outside also allows for a sleek and timeless design and makes it very easy to wash.
What to Look for in a Plastic Free Coffee Maker
Your coffee maker is something you use every day, but if it has plastic in it, then it could be seeping unwanted chemicals into your body. Coffee lovers who seek out plastic free coffee will not be disappointed by the wide array of options.
With these coffee makers, you really can’t go wrong in terms of materials used. That said, the machine you ultimately decide to go with will depend on what sort of “look” you want to go for, and what type of coffee-making experience you enjoy. For example, while the Presto is quick and could be great for an office, a French press could be very fun to use, and the Melitta Vision drip coffee maker is just fun to look at while it works!
Regardless of what you choose, our wish for you is the same: May every cup of coffee bring you all the energy you need throughout your day!
Feature Image via Hario USA
