If there is one drink that is essential to life other than water, it might be coffee. For many people, a steaming hot cup of coffee early in the morning is not only an option; instead, it is essential.
With the best plastic-free coffee maker, you can start your day with a flavor-rich, aromatic cup of coffee. But for that, you need to know about your options.
This article will give you a complete breakdown of why you need a plastic-free coffee maker and our reviews of the best models you can buy.
How we know?
Coffee makers are an amazing invention in recent times. But with all the plastic waste increasing every day, we need to look at more durable and eco-friendly options, such as plastic-free coffee makers.
These are usually made up of materials such as steel and glass, making them last longer and have less wear and tear than plastic.
With all the new products arriving in the market, it is important to know where to spend your money. We have tested and presented you with the five best plastic-free coffee makers to make your internet research easier.
How we tested our Best Plastic-Free Coffee Makers?
We tested the plastic-free coffee makers by preparing some of the most common recipes of coffee, including:
- Espresso shots
- Plain black coffee
- Cappuccino coffee
- Milk coffee
Each mug of coffee requires a different process, and we ranked how faster and more effectively each coffee maker prepared the beverage. We tested out:
- How durable they were
- Ease of use
- How much flavor each coffee maker drew out
- The efficiency of temperature control
- Quantity of coffee made in one batch
- Heat distribution
- Ease of cleaning
We did a drop test on all of the devices and tested how long they lasted. Some of them had containers that brought out more flavor and a stronger coffee while some could prepare more coffee in one go.
As coffee is a strong beverage, it can sometimes stain the container it is prepared in. Manually getting the stains out can be a tiresome process. Coffee makers that were easy to clean got a greater priority than the others.
Some plastic-free coffee makers have brew adjustability, which means that you can determine how strong or light you want to prepare your coffee.
Plastic-free coffee makers are the way to save you more time and money, with better quality coffee easily accessible. Here, we present you with a list of the best five plastic-free coffee makers available in the market to choose the one best fit for you!
Editor’s Recommendation: Top 5 Plastic Free Coffee Maker
5 Best Plastic Free Coffee Maker Reviews
Investing in a coffee maker is not a small thing. It will be the first appliance you turn on as you wake up. And for the best results, you want an efficient model that is easy to use. Without knowing about the best units that are available in the market, you open yourself up to making the wrong choice.
In the following section of the article, we will give you our picks for plastic-free coffee maker you can buy today.
1. Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp Coffee Maker
We will be starting our list with one of the finest coffee makers on the market, regardless of your budget. The Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 is a perfect unit for any coffee lovers out there. It’s a combination of simple design and excellent performance, hard to find anywhere else
The unit looks modern and stylish with its sleek stainless-steel construction and glass carafe. With a capacity of 14-cups, the carafe is enough to satisfy a small coffee shop. It also features a steel handle that stays cool even when you have hot coffee inside.
In addition to its design and construction quality, the unit also comes with many modern brewing technologies. The large control panel on the top allows you to use options like extreme brew, brew pause, clean function, etc. You even have adjustment controls for setting the brew strength.
It comes with an auto-off feature that you can set for one to four hours. With your purchase, you get a reusable gold-tone filter. The quality of the filter is fine, and you will not have to worry about buying replacement filters anytime soon. For any heavy coffee drinker, the unit provides excellent value.
- Looks extremely stylish
- Automatic shut-off feature
- Brew strength adjustment settings
- Include a reusable gold-tone filter
- The carafe lid opens only partially
2. BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer
Waiting for your coffee to brew can be so annoying at times. If you had a night of insufficient sleep, you would want your coffee to be ready as soon as possible to give you that extra boost to face the day. With the GRB Velocity Brew by the brand BUNN, you will always have your morning cup right on cue.
The coffee maker features full stainless-steel construction with a thick glass carafe. It does not come with any fancy features or modern technologies, but the overall performance is superb. Once done brewing, the coffee you get from this unit is rich in flavor, full of fragrance, and smoking hot.
It boasts a quick brewing period of only three minutes. Considering the large carafe capacity of ten cups, this is quite impressive. The drip-free design of the carafe furthermore ensures you will not waste a single drop of the delicious coffee that you get out of this unit.
This coffee maker features a multi-stream spray head to deliver hot water. It maintains a consistent temperature ensuring the richness that you want out of your drink. The only issue we had with the unit is its slightly smaller tray. However, considering the rest of its features, that issue is entirely forgivable.
- Large carafe capacity of 10 cups
- Quick brewing time
- Multi-stream spray head spreads hot water evenly
- Superior flavor and richness in the coffee
- Small tray size
3. Coffee CG13-RB 12-Cup Switch Coffeemaker
When discussing things we love about coffee, Mr. Coffee is one of those brands talk about. For people who love the taste of rich coffee and the dark aroma that comes with it, this coffee maker by the brand is a perfect option. It is an excellent unit to have for any coffee-lovers out there.
This product features a BPA-free construction along with a sturdy and robust glass carafe. With the carafe, you can brew up to 12 cups of coffee. The thick handle of the carafe ensures a comfortable experience when you are pouring yourself a hot cup of coffee early in the morning.
Moreover, the dual water window of the carafe gives you perfect monitoring capability as you fill it up with water. In addition, the unit comes with a removable filter that you can reuse for a decent period. Cleaning the filter also is quick and easy, ensuring no additional hassle on your part.
A useful feature of the unit is the auto-pause feature that allows you to pour yourself a cup of coffee before the brew cycle is over. Besides, it has an indicator light at the front that lets you know when the brewing is finished.
It does not go overboard in terms of features but gives you enough to have comfortable brewing experience.
- Simple and stylish design
- Comes with an auto-pause feature
- Can brew 12 cups of coffee
- Features a removable filter basket
- Does not come with a brewing strength indicator
4. OXO BREW 9 Cup Coffee Maker
If you are someone who never compromises with his coffee under any circumstance, OXO BREW coffee maker might be for you. It comes at a steep price, but the SCAA certification speaks for its quality. For people with no budget restrictions, it is the best product out there.
It features a complete stainless-steel design and a steel carafe that ensures proper insulation for perfect heat control. The carafe can handle up to nine cups of coffee, which is enough for most people. Additionally, it features a drip-free design and comes with a comfortable carry handle to prevent spillage.
The unit features a unique microprocessor-controlled brew cycle that ensures your finished coffee’s perfect taste and flavor-richness. Thanks to the rainmaker shower head, hot water disperses across the coffee grounds evenly and extracts every bit of flavor for your cup.
It also features some programmable options and allows you to set a 24-hour start cycle to prepare your coffee automatically. Although the unit’s price is a bit higher than the rest, the modern design of the unit and the brewing technology that comes with it justifies the cost entirely.
- Unique microprocessor-controlled brew cycle
- Precise rainmaker showerhead for hot water distribution
- 24-hour start timer
- Efficient temperature control
- Not very affordable
5. Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker
Love it or hate it, percolator coffee makers are a fun and easy way to make a cup of coffee for yourself or your family. The Presto coffee maker allows you to quickly brew up a batch of coffee for a group of friends or family without fiddling around with any controls.
This product features a fully stainless-steel design with a capacity to make around 12 cups of coffee. Whether you run a small coffee shop or want a coffee maker, this unit can cater to your brewing needs fully. And because of its excellent insulation, you can keep your coffee hot for a decent period.
It has an easy-pour sprout design, limits spillage, and makes sure that you will not waste a drop while pouring it in a cup. As you know, percolator coffee makers are relatively fast and efficient at brewing a few cups, and with this unit, you will not have to wait for more than a few minutes.
In terms of technology, this device is pretty straightforward. You get a simple signal light to show you when the coffee is ready to pour. This unit is an excellent choice for people who want a good cup of coffee without any of the fancy modern controls.
- Efficient and straightforward coffee maker
- Easy-pour sprout reduces spills
- Durable construction
- Easy to clean
- No smart features
Top 5 Plastic Free Coffee Maker Comparison Table
Title | Metarial | Brand | Color | Capacity | Input | Rating |
Cuisinart DCC-3200P1 Perfectemp Coffee Maker | Stainless Steel | Cuisinart | Stainless Steel | 236.6 Milliliters | Buttons | |
BUNN GRB Velocity Brew 10-Cup Home Coffee Brewer | Stainless Steel | BUNN | Black | 10 Cubic Feet | Buttons | |
Coffee CG13-RB 12-Cup Switch Coffeemaker | Plastic | Mr. Coffee | Black | 12 Cups | Auto | |
OXO BREW 9 Cup Coffee Maker | Stainless Steel | OXO | Stainless Steel | 45 Fluid Ounces | Dial | |
Presto 02811 12-Cup Stainless Steel Coffee Maker | Stainless Steel | Presto | Silver | 12 Liters | Dial |
What to Look for before Buying the Best Plastic Free Coffee Maker
Before buying a plastic-free coffee maker, you need to do your research. Although our list of products will give you some essential information regarding your next purchase, it never hurts to go out and try a few machines yourself.
Here are a few things you should look for when buying a plastic-free coffee maker to get you started.
Carafe Size and Type
Carafe capacity and type might be the most critical factors that you must address when buying your coffee maker. It accounts for both the amount of coffee you can brew at once and the efficiency of the coffee maker.
If you want a coffee maker for personal use, you can go with a smaller carafe in your coffee maker. Something suitable for two cups of coffee should suffice in that case.
However, if you want to brew more significant amounts simultaneously, you need something more powerful. The larger the carafe size, the more coffee you can brew at a time.
You also need to think about the carafe design. Some units feature glass carafes while other plastic-free machines can come with stainless-steel construction. With stainless-steel units, you will get the benefit of durability and insulation, while glass carafes will let you monitor the brewing progress.
Temperature Efficiency
Heat is an integral part of brewing coffee. The temperature regulation capability of a coffee maker is essential to the brewing process and keeps it drinkable for extended periods. A unit that cannot maintain a regulated temperature is not a good investment as a coffee maker.
Furthermore, different flavors in the coffee require different temperatures to extract. The chocolaty flavor that many people love only comes out around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, you want to buy a unit that can maintain a temperature between 195 to 205 degrees.
It is vital to maintain this temperature range when choosing your coffee maker. If the heat is too much, the coffee will taste bad; if it is too little, you will not be able to get enough coffee.
Brew Strength Control
Control over the brewing strength is a must-have if you want the perfect coffee. People tend to have different choices when it comes to their coffee. Some may like a pungent taste, while others prefer a chocolatier flavor. With the brew-strength control, you will be able to fine-tune how your coffee tastes.
Without brew strength adjustment options, you will have to add more coffee to get more punch from your drink. Although it might be okay for some people, it does waste a lot of coffee in the long run. So, buying a unit with these settings always pays off on its own.
Programmability
Some modern coffee makers feature a few automatic programs that can give you a lot of quality improvements when making your daily cup. Features like delayed start timer and freshness indicator allow you to take your coffee brewing experience to the next level.
Specific units even come with a pause and serve a function. What it does is that it allows you to pause the brewing mid-cycle and pour a cup without messing everything up. It is an excellent feature to have when you are buying a coffee maker.
Additional Features
Apart from the essentials, there are a few extra elements that you should keep an eye out for. Some models come with these features, while others might not have them. Although these features are not an absolute necessity, they do add significantt value to your investment.
For instance, some coffee makers come with a built-in water filter. If you do not have access to clean water all the time, you can highly benefit from this option. With this feature, you do not have to boil and purify your water separately every time you want to brew a cup of coffee.
Why Do You Need a Stainless-Steel Coffee Maker?
One of the best choices of material for a coffee maker is stainless steel. Compared to plastic units, it offers incredible durability and performance. Brewing coffee on a plastic coffee maker often leaves an aftertaste. No matter the quality of the plastic, it will wear out eventually.
With a stainless-steel unit, you will not worry about any adulterated taste. Besides, all stainless-steel coffee makers are BPA-free, so you are also not putting your health at risk. And you also get a lot of different options when you are buying a stainless-steel coffee maker.
However, there are a few disadvantages that you should be aware of. For instance, stainless steel is a heavier material that might affect the unit’s portability. And if you are on a tight budget, you might have better luck shopping for a plastic unit. Stainless steel brewing machines are generally a bit pricier.
Nonetheless, the price is not that steep, and if you can extend your budget slightly, you should be able to find a decent stainless-steel unit. Our list of products should already give you plenty of options when shopping in a budget range. The advantages of a stainless-steel coffee maker are far more significant than its minor setbacks.
Types of Coffee Makers
As you might already know, there are three different coffee makers based on their design. Construction-wise, almost every variant comes with a plastic or stainless-steel construction. However, the creation of the coffee makers is quite different from one another.
- Drip Coffee Maker
These types of coffee makers are the more popular choice these days. A drip coffee maker has a straightforward design. And because of its affordable price, it is often the one that most people end up buying.
A drip coffee brewer has a specific compartment for the filter and coffee grounds. It also comes with a water reservoir. When you turn it on, water starts to boil. Then the steam rises through the tube in the unit and settles on a drip area. The heated water then slowly drips through the filter and is ground into the pot.
- French Press
The French press is a type of espresso machine. You can make a quality cup of coffee with this machine at a reasonable price. Typically, a French press comes with a stainless-steel or glass construction. Some models even feature a blend of both materials with excellent insulation.
Preparing coffee with a French press is super simple, making it a very popular choice among coffee lovers. It is portable, and you can even put it in the refrigerator with no issues.
The unit soaks coffee grounds in hot water for around 14 hours. After that, you can separate the water from the grounds using the plunger to get your coffee.
- Percolator
Percolators are the more straightforward kinds of coffee makers for simple people. This coffee maker’s coffee tastes best if you take it right after brewing. You can find both electric and stovetop variants of this device.
This thing works by heating water with coffee grounds. The process is straightforward and user-friendly. This machine is also quite durable, and you can find full stainless-steel models at a reasonable price point.
What Do You Mean by “BPA-Free?”
The term BPA means Bisphenol A, which is sometimes used for making plastic. This industrial chemical can be quite harmful to your health, and some coffee makers and even water bottles may contain this element.
With a plastic coffee maker, the BPA present in the plastic can mix with your drink as you constantly boil water. Although not instantly apparent, over time, this can pose a severe threat to your health, including but not limited to cancer.
Does that mean you should avoid plastic coffee makers? Not necessarily.
Although BPA is present in some plastic units, the concentration varies from one product to another. These days, you will see coffee makers with terms like “PC engraved” or “Number 7.” If your device’s instruction contains these terms, then you are safe as the concentration of BPA is not enough to harm you.
However, stainless-steel units are always options if you want an utterly BPA-free machine. Since it does not contain any plastic, you will not have to worry about toxic elements getting in your drink, which is the better way to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I go with a stainless-steel carafe or glass?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both materials. Stainless-steel carafes have better temperature heat control. However, you cannot see the amount of coffee inside it or the brewing progress.
On the other hand, Glass carafes let you quickly see the progress of your brewing. Although, they typically fall behind stainless-steel carafes when sustaining optimal temperature.
- Are all plastic coffee makers dangerous?
Some models have a meager amount of BPA that does not harm you.
- How should I clean my plastic-free coffee maker?
To clean your coffee maker, you should use a gentle cleaning solution from the market. For descaling, you might require a more vigorous cleaning product.
Final Thoughts
Our article on the best plastic-free coffee maker should give you many great options for your next investment. We hope you can make the right choice utilizing all the information you gathered here.